Thursday Bird Droppings: Where the Orioles do something, if only in your dreams

Hello, friends.

There are now 74 days until Orioles Opening Day. That probably means a month more of nothing happening, and then a month and a half of nothing happening only there are periodically games being played that occasionally feature actual Orioles players rather than just guys in Orioles spring training uniforms.

Here's today's roundup of the nothing, not to be confused with The Nothing from Neverending Story. I remember watching that movie in second grade and the horse dying was the saddest thing I had ever seen. That may still be true.

Colby Rasmus was just not that into Orioles | Comcast SportsNet Baltimore
I wrote that the Orioles just weren't that into Colby Rasmus, but CSN's Rich Dubroff hits us with the converse. Which do you think? I promise I won't ban you if you say he's right.

School of Roch: Orioles reach agreement with Steve Johnson
We're saved! Steve Johnson is back on a minor league deal with a spring training invite. It's not 2012 any more, so nobody should get their hopes up about him too much, although to be honest, it would be pretty weird if you had your hopes up for him in the first place unless you're his dad or his mom.

Talking Dan Duquette, Colby Rasmus and possible Orioles outfield solutions - Baltimore Sun
Summing up the last couple of days with the Baltimore Sun. Will the Dan Duquette thing ever die?

Paul Beeston to stay for 2015 season, probably - Bluebird Banter
Oh, hey, speaking of the Duquette saga, here's our Blue Jays blog counterparts writing about a report from Toronto that existing CEO Paul Beeston will be staying on board for the 2015 season ... unless he's not.

Orioles Spring Training Tickets On Sale Saturday " CBS Baltimore
You may have gotten the inkling that I am unenthused by spring training. Maybe I would feel differently if I had a chance to go down there and see it for myself. Paying attention from Maryland, though? Boring! Anyway, you can buy tickets for Sarasota games starting on Saturday.

Senior Spotlights: Scott uses all-around play to lead Orioles (Fond du Lac Reporter)
It turns out that a high school in Fond du Lac, Wisconsin has the Orioles as their mascot, and their girls basketball team is having a pretty good season thanks to senior Brooke Scott. So there you go - at least one Orioles team is having a productive winter.

Today is Ubaldo Jimenez's birthday. He's now 31 years old. It's also the birthday of former Orioles Aaron Rakers (13 games pitched between 2004 and 2005) and Dave Leonhard, who pitched 117 games, mostly in relief, from 1967-72.

There are not any interesting transactions on this date.

And that's the way it is in Birdland on January 22 - or at least, unless something happens later. Have a safe Thursday.