Wednesday Bird Droppings

Today has the potential to be a not fun day. The Orioles have already been eliminated so nothing else really matters in the big scheme, but there is the fact that the loss by the New York Yankees last night lowered the Blue Jays' magic number to just one. That means that they will probably clinch the A.L. East today and will celebrate on our baseball field. If the Jays win either end of today's doubleheader, or if the Yankees lose their game to the Red Sox, it will happen. I have tickets to the game tonight and I will probably leave early if it becomes certain that it will happen.

Links

Closer Zach Britton reflects on the Baltimore Orioles being eliminated | ESPN
Zach Britton knows how we feel, from being so close last year to losing Nelson Cruz to potentially losing so many players this offseason.

With Orioles eliminated from playoffs, core of club's resurgence preparing for shakeup - Baltimore Sun
They're all signing each other's yearbooks and promisning to KIT. Oh, and Adam Jones is going to convince the Orioles to spend a lot of money this offseason.

End of the Road 2015: Baltimore Orioles | Big League Stew - Yahoo Sports
From Yahoo Sports: The Baltimore Orioles have been mathematically eliminated from the postseason. Let's look back at their 2015 season, for better or worse.

Comparing Machado's And Schoop's Plate Discipline | Camden Depot
A look at how Manny Machado and Jonathan Schoop improved at the plate from 2014 and 2015, and an idea of what they need to do to keep improving in 2016.

How Will Orioles Fans Remember Chris Davis? (That Is, If He Leaves After This Season) | Roar From 34
I'm not ready to play the song yet, but Matt Taylor looks ahead to how we'll remember Chris Davis.

Birthdays

Is today your birthday? Happy birthday! Your Orioles birthday buddies include Hall of Famer Robin Roberts (1926-2010) and three short-tenured O's: John DeSilva (48), who appeard in two games in relief for the O's in 1995; Yorkis Perez (48), who has a great name and who played for the Orioles in 2002; and Curtis Goodwin (43) who was drafted by the Orioles and played for them for one season in 1995.

Today is also the 87th birthday of Holocaust survivor, author, and activist Elie Wiesel. Others celebrating today include Fran "The Nanny" Drescher (58), Lacey "That's so fetch" Chabert (33), and singer Johnny Mathis (80).

On this day in...

1989, the Blue Jays scored three runs in the bottom of the ninth to beat the Orioles and clinch the division. The Orioles finished two games back.

2012, the Orioles clinched a playoff spot for the first time since 1997, and at the time were tied for first place with the Yankees.

1889, Wyoming legislatures approved their state constitution, in which it was written that women were allowed to vote. It turns out the west was much more progressive in their thoughts on women voters.

1955, James Dean was killed in a car accident. Teenage Stacey had a certain fascination with James Dean.