Saturday’s Bird Droppings: Where the Orioles might lose twice today

Morning, Birdland!

Players’ Weekend is cool and all with the nicknames and the different uniforms, but it didn’t seem to help the Orioles on the field much. They lost again on Friday by a score of 7-5 to the Yankees. Yours truly recapped the extra inning loss in which Cody Carroll, who came over in the Zach Britton trade, was really bad and Zach Britton himself got the save.

What else is there to say? It’s Saturday. Go do something with your life. The Orioles play twice today if you enjoy torture. If not, go watch some soccer. I’m an Everton fan myself, so I will be watching the Toffees take on Bournemouth this morning. Rooting for one of the English teams that is not a traditional power is a lot like being a fan of the O’s except the pain of losing doesn’t hurt quite as much. It’s a ton of fun!

Links

Trumbo leaning toward knee surgery - MLB.com
One of the Orioles top priorities this offseason should be trading Mark Trumbo. That will be much easier to do if he is healthy, although even then he won’t be worth much. Either way, surgery is probably the best option here for everyone involved. It clears a roster spot for the time being and allows the O’s to get a better idea of who will be around in 2019 and beyond.

Zach Britton back at Camden Yards as member of Yankees - Baltimore Sun
Britton seemed genuinely touched that the O’s played a tribute for him during Friday night’s game. As much as it stinks to see a good player like him playing for a rival, it is even more difficult for the player himself.

Baltimore Orioles Top 20 prospects for 2018: mid-season review - Minor League Ball
While it may not always seem like it, the organization is moving forward. It’s slow and it’s painful, but it is happening.

Evaluating Orioles prospect Bruce Zimmermann - Baltimore Sun
I was attending Towson University during the time that Zimmermann was there. Our paths did not cross, and I do not know him personally, but I wanted to tell you that anyway so that when he wins his almost certain Cy Young Award that I can brag about it!

Orioles birthdays and history

Is it your birthday? Happy Birthday!

Celebrate with Gary Matthews Jr., who turns 44 today. He spent part of two seasons (2002-2003) with the Orioles and hit .253/.323/.395 over 150 games.

Albert Belle is 52 years old. The outfielder became the highest paid player in the league when he signed a five-year, $65 million with the O’s prior to the 1999 season. He wound up playing two seasons in Baltimore and hit .289/.374/.509 before a chronic hip problem ended his career.

Finally, Darrell Johnson (b. 1928, d. 2004) was a catcher in the bigs for a decade, but only played in six games for the Orioles. Johnson went 4-for-22 during that 1962 season, which proved to be his final stint at the game’s highest level.

1961 - Dave Philley sets the MLB record for pinch hits with his 23rd career base knock off the bench as the Orioles beat the Twins 5-2.

1968 - A Brooks Robinson hit brings in Boog Powell to score in the 18th inning for a 3-2 O’s win over the Red Sox. The game took five hours and 27 minutes to complete.

2014 - For the first time in franchise history, the Orioles have two combinations of back-to-back home runs in the same game. First, Nick Markakis and Steve Pearce hit consecutive dongs in the third inning off of Jake Odorizzi. Delmon Young, J.J. Hardy and Chris Davis add to the onslaught in the fifth inning with three straight homers. The O’s beat the Rays 9-1.