Tuesday Bird Droppings: Where Orioles minicamp rages on

Hello, friends.

There are now 83 days remaining until Orioles Opening Day. I have some good news and some bad news about that. The bad news is that I messed up when I've been calculating the days remaining a few months ago and I've been using a wrong number ever since, so it's actually two days more than what I've been telling you. I think. I might have messed it up again. The good news is that the last year the Orioles won the World Series was 1983, so this is surely a good omen for today.

Even more good news is that Dylan Bundy and Hunter Harvey's arms have not fallen off. They're at the Orioles minicamp in Sarasota this week. They also have not actually thrown yet at the minicamp, but maybe that will happen today? Also keep your eyes peeled to see if Chris Tillman looks any different from last year. Pictures taken of him yesterday were not enough to settle the question.

So that's something. Let's get on to the links, which are very minicamp-influenced. Hey, it's better than having nothing to talk about at all, which would be the alternative.

Around the blogO'sphere

School of Roch: Bridwell healthy and eager for spring training
One of those in attendance at the minicamp is recent 40-man addition Parker Bridwell, who is plenty excited for the opportunity. I've been hoping the best for him for a while, so may it be the start of good things for him.

Jason Garcia enters minicamp with plenty to prove after 'exhausting' 2015 - Baltimore Sun
Let's not blame Baltimore Sun writer Jon Meoli, who probably didn't write this headline, but seriously: No one is proving any dang thing at minicamp, so let's just throw that whole notion right out the window, okay.

Steve Melewski: A look at the bullpen arms race in the AL East
The Red Sox traded for Craig Kimbrel. The Yankees traded for Aroldis Chapman. The Blue Jays traded for Drew Storen. The Orioles re-signed Darren O'Day. You know what? I'll take our way this time.

Dylan Bundy Could Be Wild Card For 2016 Orioles (Press Box)
Friend of the blog Paul Folkemer writes on Press Box about the potential for Bundy to affect the 2016 O's much more than people think.

Buck Showalter pleased by minicamp's popularity | CSN Mid-Atlantic
When you know there's absolutely nothing else to write about... but seriously, Buck is happy by the number of people who show up to the voluntary program. Also it's probably not strictly voluntary for all of them, but who's counting?

And now we venture into the realm of non-Orioles news for a couple of things I found interesting on my rounds...

Cardinals sign Seung Hwan Oh to one-year deal, added to 40-man roster - Viva El Birdos
You might remember this name, or not, from earlier in the offseason as a guy who I thought might interest the Orioles. His nickname is "The Final Boss," which is baller. Alas, he won't be coming to Baltimore.

Phillies Roster Decisions: Ryan Howard vs. 4 x 8 sheet of plywood - The Good Phight
On the whole, I'm in favor of the Orioles re-signing Chris Davis, but this post from our friends over at the Phillies blog is a decent reminder that some of those years could end up being a total waste. I'd like to think Davis will age better than Ryan Howard, but...

Birthdays and anniversaries

Former Orioles who have a birthday today are Chris Ray, Luis Ayala, Tim Hulett (the Ryan Flaherty of the 1989-94 Orioles), and 1967 short-timer Paul Gilliford.

Is today your birthday? Happy birthday! Along with those former O's, your birthday buddies for today include: British Parliament member and philosopher Edmund Burke (1729), The Call of the Wild author Jack London (1876), marine and Iwo Jima flag-raiser Ira Hayes (1923), hockey player and doughnut magnate Tim Horton (1930), boxer Joe Frazier (1944), author Haruki Murakami (1949), Cheers actress Kirstie Alley (1951), and Rage Against The Machine lyricist Zack de la Rocha (1970).

On this day in history...

In 1915, the United States House of Representatives voted against women's suffrage. It turns out that 101 years ago is a long time.

In 1966, in his State of the Union address, President Lyndon B. Johnson proclaimed that American soldiers should remain in South Vietnam until the threat of Communist aggression was ended.

In 1971, the sitcom All in the Family debuted on CBS.

In 1991, Congress authorized military force to drive Iraqi forces out of Kuwait. Operation Desert Storm began within a week's time.

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And that's the way it is in Birdland on January 12 - or at least, unless something happens later. Have a safe Tuesday.