Tuesday Bird Droppings: Where the Orioles still haven't done anything new

Hello, friends.

There are now 88 days remaining until Orioles Opening Day 2016. This just so happens to be the number once worn by Albert Belle in his Orioles tenure - he had to go for the double 8 since his usual 8 was already taken by Cal. That's still a lot of days to wait, but we've come a long way already. Stick with us. We'll make it through together. I could use some baseball. It's cold out there.

If the new year is going to spur any activity, it hasn't happened yet in the baseball world. I was talking to my friend and fellow Camden Chatter Stacey Folkemer yesterday, and we were discussing how we'd like it for the Orioles to do something, or at least be rumored to be doing something. I'd settle for some other team doing something that narrows down the Orioles' options. Something, anything! Spring training is only six weeks away. Surely these guys don't want to keep waiting.

Well, I don't know. Maybe they do. In the meantime, you'll have to settle for these links.

Around the blogO'sphere

Participant list for next week's Orioles minicamp finalized - Baltimore Sun
Time was, when the Orioles had FanFest in January, the minicamp was held at Camden Yards the week before FanFest. That was right out this year due to the curious decision to hold FanFest in December. Well, the weather's probably a little warmer in Sarasota anyway.

Steve Melewski: A look to see if Orioles farm system depth is better than advertised
The Orioles farm system depth is not better than advertised, but Melewski tries his best to convince you that it is.

Pro baseball: Orioles re-sign Bobby Bundy; Dodgers look to continue experiment - Tulsa World: Pro Baseball
The older brother of Dylan Bundy will still be hanging around the Orioles system this year, too. And apparently he still signs some autographs back in Oklahoma.

Free Agent Notes: Orioles, Gallardo, Marlins, Pearce - MLB Trade Rumors
There is a Yovani Gallardo rumor here that I either don't believe or don't want to be true, but also the tidbit that Steve Pearce is out there looking for a two-year contract. Good luck, Steve. Really.

And finally one that has nothing to do with the O's...

Wrigley Field Construction Update: January 1 - Bleed Cubbie Blue
A whole lot of pictures from our friends at the Cubs SB Nation blog on the current state of Wrigley Field's renovation efforts. This feels like it has been going on forever.

Birthdays and anniversaries

On this day in 2006, the Orioles finalized a contract that brought Jeff Conine back to Baltimore. He turned 40 that year and really wasn't very good.

Of all of the players to ever play for the O's, there are only two with birthdays today. One is Ryan Minor, who will forever be the guy who replaced Cal at the end of The Streak. The other is my personal nemesis, Ron Kittle, who was here for 20 games in 1990. I wish Kittle a very unhappy birthday.

Is today your birthday? Happy birthday! Along with those former Orioles, you share this birthday with Eastern Shore Marylander and Barbary Wars veteran Stephen Decatur (1779), actor Robert Duvall (1931), animator/director/writer Hayao Miyazaki (1941), actor Bradley Cooper (1975), actress January Jones (1978), and music person Deadmau5 (1981).

On this day in history...

In 1066, King Edward the Confessor of England died childless. This ultimately led to the Norman invasion of William the Conqueror.

In 1477, Duke Charles the Bold of Burgundy was killed by forces of Duke Rene of Lorraine in the Battle of Nancy. His body was not found until three days later. After this battle, the duchy of Burgundy became a part of France.

In 1781, the city of Richmond was burned by British forces led by Benedict Arnold. So the American traitor burned what later became the capitol of American traitors.

In 1925, Ms. Nellie Tayloe Ross became Governor of Wyoming, in the process becoming the first female governor in US history.

In 1991, the US Embassy to Somalia was evacuated by helicopter after violence enveloped Mogadishu. This was still two years before "Black Hawk Down."

**

And that's the way it is in Birdland on January 5 - or at least, unless something happens later. Have a safe Tuesday.