Wednesday Bird Droppings: Where it’s the 36th anniversary of the Orioles 1983 World Series win

Good morning, Birdland!

So, the Nationals are going to the World Series. They made short work of the St. Louis Cardinals, sweeping them away in four games, and now they await the winner of the ALCS.

For the Nationals, it’s a perfect situation. They get to rest all of their starters, giving them the best chance to avoid their shakey bullpen for as long as possible.

How are we dealing with it here in Birdland? I know that many of us don’t care for the D.C. franchise. Whether it’s the fan base or the MASN case or just a proximity thing, we don’t like them. Are we upset that they are going to a World Series? Happy? Indifferent?

I think I’m falling into the indifferent camp. The Nationals are not really an Orioles rival on the field. They are just another team. I can’t say there is anything about that I particularly like or that I really dislike. They simply exist. They have had a really talented roster for the better part of a decade. This felt like an inevitability.

That said, I want the Astros to win it all still. I know they won a World Series recently, but they are just a lot of fun to watch. Jose Altuve, Carlos Correa and George Spring seem like good dudes. Plus, the Orioles GM is basically trying to replicate everything they did there. So, another championship would be pretty encouraging.

Links & Notes

Orioles Should Offer Intriguing Outfield Mix In 2020 - Press Box
I am fully on the Austin Hays hype train. I’m not sure if it’s because he is actually good or if it is just the result of seeing an actual outfielder play in the outfield, but either way I’m interested to see what he does as a full-time big league next season.

Splitting up the Orioles bullpen - School of Roch
The Orioles bullpen was one part of the 2019 team that was expected to be serviceable. It was not. However, there is some potential for improvement next year. Branden Kline, Tanner Scott and especially Hunter Harvey could be due for bigger roles.

Evaluating Richie Martin’s 2019 Season - MLB Trade Rumors
It did not go well. Both offensively and defensively, Richie Martin had a tough season. But he was a rookie making the jump from Double-A. He is likely to spend most of 2020 in the Orioles minor league system, where he can continue to develop with less pressure.

Developing top starters another challenge for Orioles’ Mike Elias - Baltimore Baseball
No one team develops all of talented starters that each of the remaining playoff teams have on their roster. The Astros traded for each of their big three. The Nationals drafted Stephen Strasburg but added Max Scherzer on a big free agent deal. You get the idea. If the O’s can turn one of their youngsters into a bonafide front rotation piece they can build around that.

Orioles birthdays and history

Is it your birthday? Happy birthday!

Former Orioles second baseman Jonathan Schoop is 28 years old. Schoop played in 635 games for the O’s between his debut in 2013 and a 2018 trade that sent him to the Milwaukee Brewers. He spent 2019 with the Minnesota Twins, but will hit the free agent market this winter.

Outfielder Mike Dimmel is 65 today. He played in 33 games for the Orioles between 1977 and ‘78, but he served mostly as a pinch runner and had only six plate appearances in that time.

Finally, left-handed pitcher Don Hood turns 70. He pitched in 28 games for the O’s between 1973 and ‘74, during which time he put together a 3.61 ERA.

1969 - The New York Mets capture their first World Series title by winning their fourth straight game over the Orioles.

1971 - The Orioles send the World Series to Game 7 by beating the Pirates 3-2. Dave McNally gets the win in relief. Brooks Robinson drives in Frank Robinson for the winning run.

1983 - The Orioles capture their third World Series championship. Eddie Murray does deep twice. Scott McGregor tosses a five hit shutout in the 5-0 victory.