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Hello, friends.
We are now nine games into the Orioles season and the O's, with a 5-4 record, find themselves tied for second place in the American League East with both the Toronto Blue Jays and the Tampa Bay Rays. All three of these teams are one game behind division-leading Boston.
That seems like a modest beginning, but if the Orioles went through the season going 5-4 in every stretch of nine games, they would end up the season with a record of 90-72 - which still would have won the East by six games last year. It probably won't win the East by six this year. Still, it'd be a damn good season, if they keep up that pace.
We find ourselves bereft of O's baseball today. Perhaps you can seek solace in other sports. Maybe you can follow other baseball games. Actually, hockey is pretty much the only other game in town right now. Sorry to the Capitals fans among us, but from what I understand, if you've been a Caps fan for any length of time, you expected to lose that game.
Here are some links from around Birdland to get you through your Thursday...
71 hours in Baltimore - The Big Leagues Daily
Australian Orioles fan and fellow member of the blogO'sphere Dan Clark traveled all the way around the world for part of his honeymoon to get to see the Orioles' first two home games of the year, and thanks to Adam Jones, he had a very special experience.
claudecat's place | Baseball Coverage and Bad Jazz
Occasional Camden Chat commenter and regular Camden Yards upper deck usher has some thoughts on the old WBAL post-game Orioles coverage compared to this year's edition of stuff that comes on 105.7 FM. Not all change is good.
Orioles' stadium manager writes second mystery involving minor leagues - The Frederick News-Post
The man in charge of stadium operations at Oriole Park at Camden Yards has also written a couple of baseball-themed mystery novels. A man of many talents!
Ubaldo Jimenez Looking To Rebound In Second Season With Orioles (Press Box)
Over at Press Box, a little look at Ubaldo Jimenez, who I hope will indeed rebound in his second season.
School of Roch: Showalter speaks after 7-5 win
Via MASN's Roch Kubatko, a recap of last night's win in the words of manager Buck Showalter.
And finally, one from elsewhere in the SB Nation MLB network. You probably know that my default stance on the 29 non-Orioles baseball teams ranges from apathy to a raging hate-fire of one thousand suns. So it is only because I am extremely impressed that I share this play:
Kevin Pillar robs Tim Beckham of a home run in Toronto - Bluebird Banter
That's just ridiculous.
We have only one former Oriole with a birthday today, and I will not believe you if you tell me that you remember Sergio Robles, who appeared in ten games across 1972 and 1973. He is now 69 years old.
If today is your birthday, first off, happy birthday. Second off, you happen to share this day with the following: Charlie Chaplin (1889-1977), Bill Belichick, Pope Benedict XVI, novelist Kingsley Amis (1922-1995) - I recommend Lucky Jim, Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, and the late singer Selena Quintanilla (1971-1995), among others.
And that's the way it is in Birdland on April 16 - at least, unless some injured Orioles get sent out on their rehab assignments on the off day. Have a safe Thursday.