Thursday Bird Droppings: Where there's an Orioles Opening Day ticket shortage

Hello, friends.

There are now 25 days remaining until Orioles Opening Day. That is Bud Norris days until Opening Day, or, if you haven't deleted him from your memory banks, Rafael Palmeiro days. Watching the Orioles offense so far in spring training, the inexorable march towards the beginning of real baseball is somewhat less exciting. These guys seem like they need longer than that.

If you're in the Baltimore area, you'll be spared having to watch or listen to today's contest. They take on the Cardinals at 1:05, but the game will only be on Fox Sports Midwest and St. Louis radio.

Rounding up the Birdland tidbits for this Thursday...

Orioles Manager Buck Showalter is not looking forward to his garden gnome giveaway night - The Washington Post
A day late and a dollar short, the Washington Post got around to noticing the Orioles promotional schedule. Good job, good effort.

Orioles allowing Jays' Hutchinson to have an enjoyable spring - Herald Mail Media: Sports
It seems that I am not the only one who has noticed that the Orioles seem to have taken it upon themselves to prolong the career of Drew Hutchison. Also, this newspaper spelled his name wrong in the headline. Whoops.

Orioles Rule 5 pick Jason Garcia grinds through first spring adversity - Baltimore Sun
A little tidbit in the Baltimore Sun, spinning an adventurous inning by Jason Garcia into a positive since he didn't allow too much damage.

With demand high, not all O's plan holders guaranteed Baltimore Orioles opening-day tickets - carrollcountytimes.com
In case you haven't gotten the impression by now, there are more Orioles season ticket holders than any time in recent years, and that means that you might be shut out of Opening Day tickets. I'm sure the soulless scalpers will have no shortage of tickets, though. Also, the old guy who is the subject of this article is ridiculous. He didn't go at all since Camden Yards opened? Get out of here, old guy.

claudecat's place | O's Promotional Schedule - Missed Opportunities
Camden Yards usher and CC semi-lurker claudecat had some thoughts on how the Orioles might have improved their promotional schedule. He and I disagree strongly on floppy hats. I won't hold it against him.

Former Orioles with a birthday today are Ray Barker, who went hitless in six at-bats over five games in 1960, and Steve Finley. Yes, that Steve Finley. Forever shall we rue the day of the Glenn Davis trade.

And that's the way it is in Birdland on March 12 - at least unless something happens later. Have a safe Thursday.