Thursday Bird Droppings: Where you could be the Orioles player to be named later

Hello, friends.

There are now 67 days until Orioles Opening Day. We've made it to within a couple of weeks of spring training, after which perhaps things will seem to move much faster. At least then there is something resembling baseball on a daily basis - even if it's a poor facsimile of the real thing.

So, Travis Snider. Have you gotten your head around it yet? I have to say that every trade makes me nervous because what if that prospect becomes someone good or great? And yet, at the same time, the Orioles have a great team right now, and we don't want to see them waste that to preserve every part of a future that might never come.

Here are some links to go with your Thursday from around Birdland and elsewhere:

Cal Ripken Jr. surprises Pocomoke High School - DelmarvaNow.com
An Eastern Shore high school tried to get Cal Ripken to speak at their graduation. He's not available on that day, so instead he just decided to surprise them and stop by on a random day. Not a bad consolation prize.

Five Events Not to Miss at Orioles FanFest - Baltimore magazine
I have to credit this writer for almost convincing me that some of these FanFest events are can't-miss. Actually, maybe the Orioles-themed "Newlyweds Game" (for teammates) would be funny.

Orioles will not raise ticket prices for 2015, club spokesman says - Baltimore Sun
This is always good news for fans. Now, to find out next week whether something screwy will happen to 13-game plans in this new era of Orioles popularity.

Scherzer's Contract Could Play Havoc With Nationals If They Lose To Orioles In Court - Forbes
I'm not saying that YOU'RE petty enough to get some enjoyment out of this story, but *I* am petty enough to get some enjoyment out of this story.

Here's one from elsewhere in the division on the SB Nation MLB network...

MLB Rumors: Blue Jays Interested in Jonathan Papelbon? - Bluebird Banter
It seems that while our northern neighbors don't want to trade for a new team president at this time, they may want to trade for a relief pitcher who has a face that some believe looks more like an ass.

Former Orioles with birthdays today include recent short-timer Jair Jurrjens, turning 29, and John Habyan, whose Orioles career spanned 42 games from 1985-88.

On this day in 2007, the O's selected Jeremy Guthrie off Waivers from Cleveland. That was a good time, although it is too bad Guthrie was never here for a good Orioles team.

And that's the way it is in Birdland on January 29 - or at least unless something happens later. Have a safe Thursday.