Friday Bird Droppings: Where Billy Joel is coming to Camden Yards

Good morning, Camden Chatters.

Sing us a song, you’re the piano man. Sing us a song tonight...

Well, actually, sing us a song on July 26. Because that — as the Orioles announced yesterday — is when Billy Joel himself will be performing at Oriole Park at Camden Yards, marking the first music concert in the ballpark’s history.

I love it. Lord knows there won’t be many people showing up to watch the Orioles next year, so anything the O’s can do to get people to their ballpark some other way is much appreciated — and much needed. Who knows? Maybe some happy concert-goer will drive home, the strains of Uptown Girl still resonating in his head, and think, “I really liked that place. I should go back there sometime and give this ‘baseball’ thing a try.”

If the concert’s a hit, maybe the Orioles can go all-in and have Billy Joel Night at the Yard or something the next time the O’s play there, replacing the lyrics to We Didn’t Start the Fire with notable moments from Orioles history (as Grant Brisbee delightfully attempted on Twitter).

The possibilities are limitless. I’m excited.

Links

Billy Joel will play at Oriole Park in team's first concert - BaltimoreBaseball.com
Rich Dubroff has all the details of the Billy Joel performance, including quotes from John Angelos about how it could boost the Orioles’ brand. I’m planning to be there! Will you?

Orioles fans ask about Adam Jones, prospects - Orioles.com
In response another reader question about the possibility of Adam Jones returning, Joe Trezza thinks the chances are creeping slightly higher the longer Jones remains unsigned. As I’ve said before...I wouldn’t hate that.

The curious case of Cobb - School of Roch
Do you think Alex Cobb knew what he was in for when he signed that four-year deal with the Orioles last March? Well, now he’s stuck with them. But as Roch Kubatko notes, Cobb could turn into a potential trade piece if he pitches well in 2019.

Will Orioles fans find new ways to analyze a season in 2019? - Steve Melewski
Steve Melewski asserts that the true measure for success for the Orioles in 2019 will be whether their young players take a step forward, not their win-loss record. I agree. Not that it’ll make all the losses any more pleasant.

Orioles birthdays and history

Is today your birthday? Happy birthday! You share your special day with current Orioles utility man Steve Wilkerson, who turns 27 today. It’s also the birthday of 2008 righty Greg Aquino (41) and a pair of deceased Orioles, 1957 outfielder Carl Powis (who would have been 91 today) and 1954 infielder Neil Berry (who would have been 97).

On this day in 1991, the Orioles made an ill-advised trade of Mickey Tettleton for Jeff Robinson. Tettleton had had three productive seasons as the Orioles’ catcher and went on to have four more solid years with the Tigers, while Robinson spent one ineffective season in the Birds’ bullpen.