Tuesday’s Bird Droppings: Where the Orioles are on pace for 114 losses

Morning, Birdland!

The Orioles have been a bad baseball team for most of my life. You see, I was born in 1993. It was a respectable time to be a fan of the Birds. Camden Yards was the toast of the league. Cal Ripken Jr. was adored by all. Heck, the O’s even went to the postseason a few times when I was a wee little lad.

But I don’t remember those days. I remember Brook Fordyce behind the plate, Jason Johnson on the mound, Brandon Fahey at shorstop and Gary Matthews Jr. patrolling centerfield. I grew up in dark ages baseball, rooting for Orioles teams completely devoid of talent. Somehow, these 2018 guys are worse than them.

That doesn’t seem possible, but it is. Adam Jones is not a guy that should be on a 114-loss team, but he might be.

The sun is setting earlier each day. September will soon be here. The misery will subside. The grass will be greener. But for now, we slog through.

Links

Welcome to Baltimore, Cedric Mullins - Camden Depot/The Warehouse Podcast
Cedric Mullins might be the greatest centerfield in Orioles history. He also might not be. We won’t find out for a long time, but it will be fun to watch him try and get there.

Orioles taking steps to improve social media responsibility - Baltimore Sun
It would be awesome if people just chose to be decent online, professional athletes and average Joe’s alike. But that’s unrealistic. Nice to see the Orioles are taking steps to a problem that is, unfortunately, much more prevalent than some realized.

A look at Catch Probability and Outs Above Average — and why Cedric Mullins is a huge addition - Baltimore Baseball
Do you have an annoying friend or co-worker that insists Adam Jones is a good fielder because he has a couple of Gold Gloves? Paul gives you the exact information to tell them they are dumb and why Mullins is the best fielder on the entire team at this moment.

Is Red Sox Vs The Orioles True Competitive Major League Baseball? - Forbes
*insert middle finger emoji*

Bote’s kind of walkoff grand slam hasn’t been done since the 1996 Orioles - Baltimore Sun
This story is worth clicking on just to hear the dulcet tones of Jon Miller calling an Orioles game the way that the baseball gods intended.

The 100s tracker: Boston’s 114 pace? Good. The O’s? Not so good - ESPN
Oh don’t mind me. I will just be over here sobbing for the next two years. It’s fine.

Orioles birthdays and history

Is it your birthday? Happy Birthday!

Sorry your party’s so lame.

Infielder Tommy Shields (b. 1964) got into two games for the 1992 Birds. Outfielder Mark Leonard (b. 1964) hit .067/.190/.133 over 10 games and right-handed pitcher Mike Cook (b. 1963) threw three scoreless innings for the ‘93 team. That’s it!

1973 - The Orioles beat the Rangers 12-10 as Don Baylor goes 5-for-5 and registers his ninth hit in the last two games.

1976 - Reggie Jackson and Lee May both hit grand slams as the O’s sweep a doubleheader from the White Sox.

2009 - Felix Pie hits for the cycle in a 16-6 Orioles win over the Angels. The Birds offense sets a club record with 12 extra-base hits and nine doubles in one game.