Saturday Bird Droppings: A Hall of Fame day at Camden Yards

Good morning, Birdland!

Talk about a roller coaster of emotions. The Orioles’ 10-6 loss to the Rays on Friday night ran us through the gauntlet. John Means was impressive despite less-than-ideal stuff. Jorge Mateo debuted, and showed off some wheels. The entire lineup hit well! But the bullpen was roughed up, and ultimately the O’s fell to a superior team.

What happened to the relievers is going to be the reality for the time being. As it stands, it’s rather obvious that manager Brandon Hyde only REALLY trusts three guys that are healthy: Cole Sulser, Paul Fry, and Dillon Tate. They all pitched last night, and it didn’t go particularly well, but that’s going to happen sometimes. It becomes a problem when there are no additional options. That is the situation in which the Orioles currently find themselves. It’s not sustainable, but hopefully they can survive until Tyler Wells and Tanner Scott return from the IL.

What would be even worse than that is if Ryan Mountcastle misses more than a day or two while in concussion protocol. The rookie has really come on at the plate lately, and concussions can linger, so it is within the realm of possibility that he misses extended time.

Links

Updates on Mateo, Zimmermann, Wells, Scott and Harvey | School of Roch
Speaking of that, the Orioles have certainly not rushed any players back from the IL this season. Every stint on the shelf for this team feels like it lasts eons. That’s not a knock on anyone; it’s just a bummer, and it is made worse by the lack of big league depth.

Quartet to be inducted into O’s HOF | Orioles.com
This will be my first time back at the Yard since 2019, and I am very excited! I get a bobblehead, a ballpark burger, and the opportunity to see J.J. Hardy’s face. Good times all around.

Way Too Late Orioles Trade Deadline Recap (Ep. 77) | The Warehouse Podcast
Sure, the trade deadline was over a week ago, but it’s never too late to revisit the epic swap of Shawn Armstrong for cash considerations.

Rays starter Shane McClanahan ‘worshipped’ Cal Ripken Jr. He’ll face the Orioles where that admiration was founded | The Baltimore Sun
Shane, if Cal is truly your favorite player, then you will groove a couple pitches today and let the O’s win big on the team’s Hall of Fame day. It’s the right thing to do. Please.

Orioles birthdays

Is it your birthday? Happy birthday! A whole slew of former O’s were born on this day:

• Ryan Lavarnway turns 34. The catcher spent 10 games with the O’s in 2015, and most recently appeared for the Israeli Olympic Team.
• Wade LeBlanc celebrates his 37th birthday. The lefty made his way into 12 games for the O’s between 2020 and 2021. He is currently a member of the St Louis Cardinals’ pitching staff.
• Gerónimo Gil is 46 years old. The longtime backstop spent 2001 through 2005 in Baltimore, accumulating a 66 OPS+ while providing steady defense behind the plate.
• Jason Grimsley turns 54 years old. The 15-year MLB veteran became infamous for his role in distributing performance-enhancing drugs throughout MLB, including the Orioles’ locker room during his time with the team from 2004 through ‘05.
• Several posthumous celebrations to go around as well: Tex Nelson, an O’s outfielder from 1955 through 1957. Don Larsen, a pitcher for the Orioles in 1954 and then again in 1965. Art Houtteman, a righty on the O’s staff for five games in 1957. And Bob Alexander, a short-time Oriole during the 1955 season.

This day in history

1998 - O’s outfielder Brady Anderson has a big day at the plate, recording five hits, including two doubles and two home runs, as the Birds beat the Twins 16-9.

2019 - A tough season against the Yankees continues for the Orioles. They lose 14-2, the Yankees homer five times and a near-fight erupts in the dugout between manager Brandon Hyde and first baseman Chris Davis.