Friday Bird Droppings: Where it’s Manny Machado’s birthday

Hello, friends.

Another day has dawned with the Orioles in last place in the American League East. They are now 34 games behind the first place Red Sox and 16 games behind even the fourth place Blue Jays. In the quest for the worst record in MLB, the O’s are now a full game behind - or if you want the #1 pick that bad, ahead of - the Royals.

In their 86th game in 1988, the Orioles were victorious, beating the Rangers, 4-1. They pulled off this win despite getting only six hits. Jay Tibbs, the starting pitcher, got the win, outdueling Charlie Hough. This raised the team’s record to 27-59, now three games better than the 2018 Orioles record of 24-62 through as many games.

The 2018 Orioles are now on pace to win just 45 games this season, nine fewer than the win total of that woeful 1988 squad. It is truly difficult to be this bad. These Orioles continue to prove that they are up to the challenge.

If you missed Thursday’s 5-2 loss to the Twins, you were frankly smarter at using your time than I was. Check out Tyler Young’s recap of the game to find out how the O’s managed to get some not-so-lovely totals this time around. They are really inventive in finding ways to lose.

There are 25 days to go for the Orioles to trade Manny Machado and anyone else they might want to trade. Unfortunately for the Orioles, most everyone else who is a pending free agent who may have had trade value hasn’t acquitted themselves so well this season, including Brad Brach in last night’s game.

Around the blogO’sphere

Who’s in charge of rebuilding the Orioles at the trade deadline? (ESPN)
This is the big question. Hopefully the answer is the one that will get them the best possible value for the future in trades this month.

Time of the essence for O’s to deal Machado? (MLB.com)
“What if the Orioles just decide to keep Machado and take the draft pick?” is not a question I want to have to spend much time thinking about. Fortunately, it seems like an unlikely scenario.

Before long, Orioles uncertain future will drag top arms Gausman, Bundy into rebuild conversation (Baltimore Sun)
If you really want to commit to a rebuild, that means getting long-term value for players who have control beyond just this season. Whether the Orioles should or will do this are both things up for debate.

Update on O’Day surgery, Ramirez starts Monday (School of Roch)
The Orioles have to play two games on Monday. Yefry Ramirez is starting one of them.

Zach Britton seeing encouraging signs while trying to find old form (Baltimore Sun)
It’s nice to know that Britton is encouraged. Hopefully the scouts who are watching him are feeling as encouraged. I’m less optimistic about that second thing happening based on what has been seen so far.

Righty Brenan Hanifee shows promise in Orioles system (ESPN)
Keith Law got a good look at O’s prospect Brenan Hanifee not too long ago, and he likes what he sees.

Tap-in Question: Do you want Buck Showalter managing the 2019 Orioles? (Baltimore Baseball)
Chris Davis batted fifth last night, and the night before that, and the night before THAT. This is one reason why my answer to the question is no, although it makes me sad that the answer is no.

Birthdays and anniversaries

In 1966, Boog Powell tied an American League record by driving in 11 runs in a doubleheader. He hit two homers, including a grand slam, as he drove in seven runs against the Kansas City Athletics in the first game, then added another four in the second.

One current Oriole has a birthday today, although he probably won’t be an Oriole for much longer. Happy 26th birthday to Manny Machado. The fact that he will be a free agent when he’s 26 is part of why he will get so much money. The other part is that he’s good.

A pair of former Orioles were also born on this day. Both have passed away. Baltimore-born 1959-62 reserve Barry Shetrone, and 1954 ten-gamer Frank Kellert.

Is today your birthday? Happy birthday! Your birthday buddies for today include: Revolutionary War-era captain John Paul Jones (1747), Canadian flag designer George Stanley (1907), Wheel of Fortune/Jeopardy creator Merv Griffin (1925), actor Sylvester Stallone (1946), rapper 50 Cent (1975), funny man Kevin Hart (1979), and singer-songwriter/actress Kate Nash (1987).

On this day in history...

In 1801, the French Navy, despite being outnumbered, defeated the British Royal Navy in the Battle of Algeciras. The victory was short-lived, as a second battle fought in the same area six days later saw the British decisively defeat a combined Franco-Spanish navy.

In 1885, Louis Pasteur successfully tested his rabies vaccine. Joseph Meister, a boy who had been bitten by a rabid dog, was the test subject.

In 1917, a force of Arabians led by T.E. Lawrence (“of Arabia”) captured Aqaba from the Ottoman Empire during World War I.

In 1933, the American League beat the National League, 4-2, in the first ever MLB All-Star Game. The game was played in Comiskey Park in Chicago.

In 1957, John Lennon and Paul McCartney met for the first time, though they would not form the Beatles for three more years.

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And that’s the way it is in Birdland on July 6 - or at least, until something happens later when the Orioles play the Twins again. Have a safe Friday. Go O’s!