Sunday Bird Droppings: Where all is quiet in Birdland

Happy Sunday, Camden Chatters! Are you enjoying this lovely fall weather? I sure am. Today I will be enjoying some pumpkin beers at a family cookout because that’s what you do in fall.

As to be expected, there isn’t much going on in the world of the Orioles the first Sunday of off season. The focus is on the playoffs, and things aren’t going well for the underdogs. As expected, the Twins are losing big against the Yankees, down 0-2 and having given up 18 combined in the two games.

And the Rays? They have kept it closer but with the same end result. They are down 0-2 to the powerhouse Astros. The ALDS has a break today but both series will be back in action tomorrow as the Twins and Rays try to avoid the sweep.

The NLDS games resume today with both series tied 1-1. The Cardinals host the Braves at 4:10 and the Nationals are home against the Dodgers at 7:45.

Links

Former Orioles catcher Andy Etchebarren dies at 76 - Baltimore Sun
Sad news this Sunday for the Orioles family as Andy Etchebarren, member of two World Series winning teams, had died.

Alberto in arbitration adds to his story - School of Roch
Hanser Alberto is definitely living his best life.

Juiced Balls? New mindset? Home run records are breaking and fans are asking why - Chicago Tribune
Since there isn’t much Orioles news, here is a story about juiced baseballs. Yes, juiced balls are definitely the reason the Orioles gave up over 300 dingers.

Is today your birthday? Happy birthday! You have five Orioles birthday buddies, none of which played more than 45 games with the Birds. This includes Matt Wotherspoon, who appeared in two games with the 2019 team. Wotherspoon, who turns 28 today, was released in August and signed with the Tigers.

Also celebrating today is Radhames Liz, who appeared in 28 games as a starter from 2007-09. He turns 36 today. Sweaty Freddy Garcia, who I once watched pitch eight shutout innings against the Nationals, turns 43 today. Greg Walker, who ended his career with 14 games with the Orioles in 1990, is turning 60. And Joe Frazier (not that one), played in 14 games for the 1956 Orioles. He passed away in 2011 at the age of 88.

On this day in 1966, 20-year-old Jim Palmer pitched a shutout against the Los Angeles Dodgers, becoming the youngest player to ever do so in the World Series.

In 1983, Mike Boddicker struck out 14 White Sox in game two of the ALCS. The Orioles won 4-0.