Friday Bird Droppings: Where it’s Boog’s birthday

Good morning, Camden Chatters.

The Orioles didn’t play last night, and when they do play, they’re not much fun to watch. So let’s reflect back on the glory days of Orioles baseball and wish a very happy 77th birthday to Boog Powell, one of the most prolific sluggers in team history.

In his 14 seasons with the Orioles, Boog mashed 303 home runs — behind only Cal Ripken and Eddie Murray on the franchise’s all-time list — and was one of four Orioles with more than 1,000 RBIs (1,063). He also ranks in the club’s top 10 in games, hits, and runs; he was the AL MVP in 1970; and he makes a mean barbecue sandwich. Happy birthday, Boog!

As for the modern day club, the Birds’ roster continues to shuffle. Adam Jones is headed to the bereavement list after a death in the family and will miss the weekend series in Cleveland. In his place, Craig Gentry is back off the DL. That’s the same Craig Gentry who currently leads active O’s position players in WAR, at 0.7 (tied with Renato Nunez, bizarrely enough). And the Orioles will call up a new reliever after sending down Evan Phillips, who didn’t retire any of the four batters he faced in Wednesday’s game and has a 21.60 ERA.

Links

Hitting a few Orioles topics on an off-day - School of Roch
Among Roch Kubatko’s many topics is the report that good guy and former O’s manager Dave Trembley has left his position as Braves’ director of player development. Best of luck to Trembley in whatever’s next for him.

Fancred Sports : Jon Heyman: Adam Jones clears waivers, could Philly still be in play?
Jones clearing waivers is all the incentive Jon Heyman needs to speculate that he could be back on the trade block. Are we really doing this again? Didn’t Jones make it pretty clear that he’s not going to accept a trade?

Orioles Outfielder Cedric Mullins Adapting Quickly To New Surroundings - PressBoxOnline
I’ve been impressed by Cedric Mullins so far. So have his teammates.

A look at Zac Lowther, the O’s minor league ERA leader - Steve Melewski
Zac Lowther has opened a lot of eyes with his dominant performances at Delmarva and Frederick this season. But just who is Zac Lowther, exactly?

The curious case of Danny Valencia — and how reputations can linger – The Athletic
I bet you had already stopped thinking about Danny Valencia. But after his release by the O’s, Dan Connolly wonders if Valencia’s (perhaps undeserved) sketchy clubhouse reputation was part of the reason the Orioles couldn’t trade him.

Orioles birthdays and history

Is today your birthday? Happy birthday! Besides Boog, you share your birthday with three less important Orioles. One still with us is Chris Waters (38), who threw eight shutout, one-hit innings to win his major league debut in 2008, then made only 15 more appearances in two years and finished with a 5.07 career ERA. Two deceased Orioles were born on this day: righty Vern Bickford, who pitched one game for the inaugural 1954 club, and 1967 right-hander John Buzhardt.

On this day in 1989, Cal Ripken played his 1,208th straight game, moving into third place on the all-time list. Does anyone know whatever happened to that streak? Did he get much further?

The Royals picked up a home win over the Blue Jays last night, which puts a full game of distance between them and the idle Orioles. The O’s remain the sole worst team in baseball for at least another day.