Saturday’s Bird Droppings: Where the Orioles are spending the weekend in the Twin Cities

Good morning, Birdland!

Can we talk about the celebration that the Orioles do whenever they get a hit?

As Molly described in the above tweet, it’s pretty clearly a mime of someone starting a gas lawn mower. I suppose its possible that they are intending something else. Perhaps they are blindly grabbing something out of a bag, or maybe making a flamboyant strike call? Eh, we’ll stick with lawn mower.

Jonathan Villar is far from the only Oriole doing this move once on base. Dwight Smith Jr. has been a recurring celebrator, as has Trey Mancini and just about everyone else on the team. At this point, the celebration has clearly become a “thing.” Much more of a thing than many expected the shopping cart shower to be.

What is the origin story here? Has one of the beats done a write-up? I did two whole Google searchs and found nothing. I’m only one person!

Links

Hall showing ‘a lot of positive things to like’ - Baltimore Sun
There were plenty of reasons to like what DL Hall was doing last season with the Delmarva Shorebirds, but moving from the South Atlantic League to the Carolina League is a sizable jump. So far, his premium “stuff” has continued to shine through. If he can continue to prove his mettle, especially if and when he earns a promotion to the Eastern League, that may be enough to get Orioles fans salivating.

Hitters are blasting homers at a record rate & just getting warmed up - Washington Post
Major League Baseball is leaning into the home run craze just like they did in the mid to late 90’s. The difference this time, it seems, is not the players but the baseballs being used. This is nothing new. Players have been pointing out changes in the ball for a few years now. Commissioner Rob Manfred can’t ignore it forever, or maybe he can.

Where Is The Bowie Baysox Offense? - Birds Watcher
It’s a bit concerning that a team with Yusniel Diaz and Ryan McKenna, two of the Orioles best hitting prospects, among others, is struggling to score runs. Both Diaz and McKenna are taking their second swing (lol) at Bowie, and it is not going well. Luckily, there is no pressure to rush them.

Orioles birthdays and history

Is it your birthday? Happy birthday!

Unfortunately, there are no former Orioles birthdays to celebrate today, according to Baseball Reference. But it is the 27th birthday of Norfolk Tides pitcher Luis Ysla. The southpaw has a 4.85 ERA over five appearances for the O’s Triple-A affiliate. This is his second season in the Orioles system and seventh season in affiliated ball overall.

1968 - Orioles right hander Tom Phoebus throws a no-hitter in a 6-0 win over the Boston Red Sox. Brooks Robinson helps preserve the no-no with an outstanding catch in the eighth inning.

2000 - Jose Valentin, shortstop for the Chicago White Sox, hits for the cycle as the ChiSox beat the Orioles 13-4.

2010 - The Orioles win their first home game of the season. They entered the day 3-16 overall, 0-6 at Camden Yards.

2015 - A scheduled game between the Orioles and White Sox is cancelled due to protests over the death of Baltimore resident Freddie Gray while he was in police custody.