Thursday Bird Droppings: Where we're fairly sure the Orioles won't lose a game today

Hello, friends.

Oh, no! We suck again. It's not much fun to be an Orioles fan after a 1-5 road trip that's kicked them back down to 2.5 games out of first place, and, due to the surging of Satan's power from the north, only 2.5 games AHEAD of the last place Boston Red Sox. The offense will, we presume, eventually wake from its prolonged slumber, but then again, maybe it won't, and maybe things are heading downhill.

Blessedly, the Orioles have an off day on this Thursday, which they could probably use. Is that really true? Actually, I have no idea. Maybe they'd be better off grinding again tomorrow. I need an off day from them, though.

One group of people who aren't getting an off day today are the competitors in one of my random, inexplicable sports interests, the Tour de France. The peloton will be cruising along the French coast of the English Channel for a 191.5km Stage 6. Watch out for those crosswinds, and don't be surprised if Peter Sagan launches towards a stage victory from the slight incline in the last kilometer towards the finish line in Le Havre.

But you're not here for any of that! Let's get down to Birdland business. Keep your eyes on the front page throughout the morning for the importance of Jonathan Schoop's power down in the order, an argument for the Orioles to buy at the deadline, and the weekly survey of where the Orioles fit in the power rankings.

Around the blogO'sphere

Against Twins, Orioles Expose Their Own Most Glaring Weakness (Press Box)
Jim Henneman argues that after Tuesday's game we can "safely say ... it won't get any worse for the Orioles this year." Well, Jim, I am not so sure we can safely say that at all.

School of Roch: Another roster move, thoughts on Wesley Wright and today's game
Perhaps you've forgotten entirely about Wesley Wright, for which you could hardly be blamed. It turns out the Orioles need to think about him because his rehab assignment has to come to an end on Sunday. Is Wright in line for the old "activate from the DL and immediately get DFA'd" move?

The Yankees, Orioles and Blue Jays were scouting Johnny Cueto yesterday | HardballTalk
One of those stories that's based off one of those vague "This team had a scout at this game!" reports. Teams have scouts at games all of the time, so don't freak out too much. This is probably a load of nonsense. It would be pretty cool if the Orioles somehow traded for Johnny Cueto, though.

Steve DeShazo: Nationals, Orioles hoping for a healthier home stretch - Fredericksburg.com
I've never heard of Steve DeShazo and I'll probably forget about him by tomorrow, but when you're looking for Orioles links some days, you take what you can get. Our new friend Lorenzo here offers a guess as to whether the Walgreens of the Former Maryland Territory area will have a better season than the Orioles do.

Milone: Keeping Orioles off-balance was key - StarTribune.com
The above link is a video. You have been warned! In it, Tommy Milone explains how he was able to beat the Orioles. Maybe the Orioles could watch this video and make sure this kind of thing doesn't happen again. I won't hold my breath.

Orioles Uncensored: There is another first base option beyond Chris Parmelee
Things are so dire for the Orioles right now that we've got O's bloggers out here writing about Brandon Snyder's success at Bowie putting him in the picture. Yes, that Brandon Snyder.

Birthdays and anniversaries

One lone former Oriole has a birthday today, and that is the unforgettable Steve Luebber, who appeared in seven games for the 1981 Orioles. He is 66 on this day.

If today is your birthday, happy birthday! You share this day with such distinguished people who've since departed this mortal coil as Holy Roman Emperor Ferdinand II (1578), under whose rule the Thirty Years War began; inventor of the sewing machine Elias Howe (1819), and uh... none of these other names are really jumping out.

But! Among those still living, you have plenty of company both distinguished and disgraceful, including Donald "Known Unknowns" Rumsfeld (1932), O.J. Simpson (1947), Tom Hanks (1956), Top Gun actress Kelly McGillis (1957), Jack White (1975) of The White Stripes, and current US men's soccer team member DeAndre Yedlin (1993).

And a special happy birthday to my sister.

On this day in history...

In 1540, Henry VIII annulled his marriage to Anne of Cleves, his fourth wife.

In 1850, Millard Fillmore became president upon the death of President Zachary Taylor. The coolness of his name has yet to be surpassed by a president.

In 1868, the 14th amendment to the Constitution was ratified.

In 1944, U.S. forces were victorious in the Battle of Saipan.

And in 1981, Donkey Kong was released, which was the first appearance by future star Mario.

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And that's the way it is in Birdland on July 9 - at least, unless something happens later. Have a safe Thursday.