Saturday Bird Droppings: The MASN dispute lives on

Good morning, Birdland!

The dispute between the Baltimore Orioles and the Washington Nationals over the TV rights on MASN has been going on for nearly a decade at this point. Seriously. It started in 2012. It’s nearly 2021, folks!

I won’t pretend to understand the intricacies of the case, but it’s safe to say that it is not going great for the Orioles.

The latest development came earlier this week when the Orioles lost an appeal to a decision saying that they need to pay the Nationals $100 million more in rights fees.

This saga does not conclude there. The O’s legal team has already made it known that they plan to appeal this decision again, this time to the New York State Court of Appeals. So, keep an eye out for that. I’m sure we will all be on the edges of our seats.

Links

Camden Yards to serve as voting center for 2020 election | WBAL TV
Doing things at Camden Yards automatically makes those things cooler. That includes voting, which was already really cool. Be like the cool kids. Go vote!

Orioles lose appeal in $100 million MASN dispute with Nationals, will challenge in New York’s highest court | The Baltimore Sun
If you are interested in reading the entire court decision it is here. It’s only two pages and basically just says that MASN and the Orioles failed to convince the court to change the ruling. Riveting stuff.

Because You Asked - Friday After Next | School of Roch
Have some Q’s? Well, Roch gives you the A’s. It’s kind of wild to think that baseball’s entire season is nearly done. It feels like it just started and, in a snap, it’s over. So, some of these questions, especially those related to the Rule 5 draft and non-tender candidates, will need to be answered sooner rather than later.

An O’s reliever who took a big leap forward this season | Steve Melewski
Tanner Scott always had the goods in terms of “stuff.” He just had to put it together. Well, he did that in 2020. And he will look to have a big role come 2021. A repeat performance could turn him into one of the best relievers in baseball. At that position, which is known for its volatility, an abbreviated strong run of form is all it takes to gain notoriety.

Orioles birthdays

Is it your birthday this weekend? Happy birthday!

It’s the 39th birthday of Omar Quintanilla. The former infielder spent parts of nine seasons in the majors, including 36 games with the 2012 Orioles.

Longtime Orioles reliever Arthur Rhodes turns 51 today. The southpaw played in nine seasons with the O’s from 1991 through 1999, compiling a 4.86 ERA.

Finally, Dave Johnson turns 61. The pitcher played three seasons in Baltimore from 1989 through 1991, going 21-24 with a 4.84 ERA over 66 total appearances and 57 starts.

This day in history

Not much has happened on this date in Birdland, so here are a few things have occurred elsewhere in the world:

1851 - Two moons, Umbriel and Ariel, are discovered orbiting Uranus by English astronomer William Lassell.

1857 - The world’s oldest football club, Sheffield F.C., is founded in England.

1901 - Annie Edson Taylor becomes the first person to go over Niagara Falls in a barrel.

1926 - World-renowned illusionist Harry Houdini delivers his final performance in Detroit.

1946 - The first photograph of earth from outer space is taken by the V-2 No. 13 rocket.