Saturday’s Bird Droppings: Where the Orioles are back-to-back winners

Good morning, Birdland!

The Orioles typical hats are an anomaly in MLB. The logo featured on the caps is the team’s cartoon bird rather than a letter, which is what most clubs use. For the Fourth of July, they changed things up and used a “B” with a stars and stripes design. What did you all think of it?

For years, my father has wanted the Orioles to introduce a “B” hat to the rotation. I’m conflicted. I will say that I do like it better than the “O’s” cap they usually wear with their Friday black jerseys. But it’s nowhere near as good as the cartoon logo.

Perhaps they could replace the “O’s cap with a “B” and see how people respond. They can do whatever please as long as they don’t touch the cartoon bird. We waited far too long for that smiling Oriole to return to the uniforms. They will have to pry it from my cold dead hands.

Links

Draft, international signings done, Elias can turn attention to trades- Baltimore Baseball
The problem is that the Orioles do not have much worth trading. Andrew Cashner might be worth a half-decent prospect, but most of the big league roster is barren.

Orioles prospect Ryan McKenna finding groove at Double-A Bowie - Baltimore Sun
It has not been an easy season for Ryan McKenna. After a breakout 2018, he has struggled in a return to Bowie. But he is still just 22 years old, young for the level and has enough tools to believe that his ceiling remains relatively high.

Cedric Mullins Ends A Brutal Stretch - Birds Watcher
The struggles of Cedric is likely one of the bigger disappointments of this season. He has been nearly as bad in Norfolk as he had been in Baltimore. While there was never the expectation that Mullins would be the long-term solution at centerfield, there was certainly the thought that he could at least be a contributor.

Hyde on Santander in center field and more (O’s win 4-1) - MASN Sports
Why not? The Orioles need a centerfield that can hit. They tried Mullins, and that didn’t work. More recently, Keon Broxton has played the lion’s share of innings, but has been terrible at the plate. At least Anthony Santander can hit. Maybe he can hold his own with the leather.

Orioles birthdays and history

Is it your birthday? Happy birthday!

You remember Manny Machado, don’t you? The shortstop/third baseman is turning 27 years old today. He played in 860 games with the O’s between 2012 and 2018, during which he hit .283/.335/.487 and won two Gold Gloves.

Baltimore’s own Barry Shetrone (b. 1928, d. 2001) would be be 81 today. The outfielder appeared in 60 games for his hometown team between 1959 and 1962.

The late Frank Kellert (b. 1924, d. 1976) also celebrates a posthumous birthday today. The first baseman appeared in 10 games for the 1954 Orioles.

1966 - Boog Powell drives in seven runs via two home runs, two doubles and a sacrifice fly in game one of a doubleheader. In game two, he adds four more RBI en route to tying an American League record with 11 RBI in one day.

2016 - At Dodger Stadium, the Orioles and Dodgers combine for 36 strikeouts in a 14-inning game. The O’s win 6-4 on a Jonathan Schoop two-run double.