Friday Bird Droppings

Links

MLB Preview - Baltimore Orioles at New York Yankees - Jun 20, 2014 - CBSSports.com
The Yankees are hot, you know. Or will be until the Orioles get to town.

2014 vs Career Averages for Baltimore Orioles Pitchers | Orioles 101
A look at how the 2014 pitchers are stacking up compared to the rest of their careers.

Five Orioles who could make the All-Star team | Comcast SportsNet Baltimore
Local writers seem to be pushing this Markakis for All Star Game thing. Is there really any argument to be made that he's one of the top outfielders in the A.L.?

Trio of Shorebirds All-Stars promoted to Frederick | Delmarva Now
If you missed the news yesterday, Mike Yastrzemski, Trey Mancini, and Jimmy Yacabonis were promoted to High-A Frederick. The bad news is for Lucas Herbst and Creede Simpson, who were sent to Delmarva from Frederick to make room for the new players.

Samardzija Rejects Cubs' Offer, Paves Way for Trade | CSN Chicago
The Cubs offered Jeff Samardzija five years, $75M and he turned it down. The Orioles have been reported to be interested in trading for him. The idea doesn't really excite me.

After years of late-night bus rides, Caleb Joseph enjoying chance with Baltimore Orioles - baltimoresun.com
How can you not love a feel good Caleb Joseph story?

Orioles announce they've signed 16 more draft picks - baltimoresun.com
They have now signed 24 of their 38 draft picks. The highest remaining unsigned picks are Tanner Scott (6th rd), Max Schuh (7th rd), and Austin Anderson (9th rd).

Birthdays

It's a packed day for former Orioles birthdays. Happy birthday to short timers Phil Huffman and Tony Chevez. Huffman led the league in losses with the Blue Jays in 1979, then went to the minors for six years before appearing in two games for the Orioles in 1985. Those two years were his only in the majors. Chevez pitched four games in relief for the O's in 1977, his time in the majors. It's also the birthday of two former players who had long major league careers, but just one season with the O's: Juan Castro and Paul "Base Knock" Bako. Castro played in 54 games for the O's in 2008, and Bako served as the back up catcher to Ramon Hernandez in 2007. He was also the inspiration for this blog post at Royals Review, which I always enjoy.

Oh, and I'm not finished talking about birthdays. It's also the birthday of one Kevin Gregg, who spent two miserable years with the Orioles. It was only two years, but it felt like more. I was going to make Kevin a birthday cake, but I fear he hasn't acquired a taste for my baking.

And finally, it's the birthday of one Mr. Andy Etchebarren, the most Oriole of all the Orioles on this list. And I mean that in a good way, not the way Mark means it when he says something is so Oriole. Etchebarren was an Oriole for 12 seasons and a member of two World Series winning teams. He turns 71 years old today.

This Day in History

On this day in 1970, Brooks Robinson logged his 2000th career hit. It was a three-run home run that broke a 2-2 tie with the Washington Senators.

On this day in 1992, Kelly Saunders filled in for Rex Barney as the PA announcer at Camden Yards. She was just the second woman to be an announcer at a major league baseball game. There is currently one female PA announcer in the majors, Renel Brooks-Moon, who works for the San Francisco Giants. The Bowie Baysox also currently have a female PA announcer, Adrienne Roberson. She tried out to be the Orioles PA announcer a few years ago when the job ultimately went to Ryan Wagner, but she has been a guest PA announcer for the O's a few times on Mother's Day, which mildly offends me.

This Day in Camden Chat History

2012 -- The Orioles were swept by the Mets. They got one hit through the first seven innings, and it was by Brian Matusz.

2010 -- After losing to the Jon Garland and Padres, the question is asked if Garland pitched well that day. An anonymous Oriole replied, "No. We suck."

2007 -- Peter Gammons reports that the Orioles offered Joe Girardi the manager's job. Girardi, of course, turned them down. D'oh.

2005 -- Reflections on that time Lee Mazzill threw all of the bubblegum onto the field.