Thursday Bird Droppings: The Orioles did not win the World Series

Hello, friends.

There are now 151 days remaining until Orioles Opening Day 2017. There will not be any real baseball from now until April. Whatever it is that you do to get through the offseason, the time to start doing it is upon us.

As we all wake up to a world where the Cubs have won the World Series, I find myself disappointed with the particular outcome even as it excites me - now, anything truly is possible. This is the final proof. The Cubs just won the World Series. Yes, this specific outcome will result in some misery for Orioles fans, as a number of ex-Orioles will be receiving World Series rings, including Jake Arrieta, Pedro Strop, Jason Hammel, and even Brian Matusz, as far as I can tell. There is, in fact, no justice in the world.

For all that we have been hearing about the 108 year drought ending, do I take any joy in that? No. I was born one month after the last time the Orioles won the World Series. I've never seen a World Series title either. Am I going to have to live to 108 to see that for myself? I sure hope not. When you get down to it, all that's happening right now is that people who aren't Orioles fans are celebrating their team winning and what's the fun in that?

But here and there in my life I have gotten to know a few Cubs fans who were very nice people and passionate about baseball, so, not that any one of them is going to read this but I'm just going to say it anyway, I offer my congratulations to Bruce, Kyle, and Sam. I have no congratulations for any other Cubs fan, or anyone who has anything to do with the Cubs - but they just won the World Series so they surely don't need anything from me to feel better about what they've done.

Maybe once the Orioles win it all, I'll feel more generous about others winning. Speaking of the Orioles, let's hit the first true offseason edition of the links.

Around the blogO'sphere

Bullpen coach Dom Chiti leaving Orioles to join Braves, reuniting with Dave Wallace - Baltimore Sun
Dave Wallace and Dom Chiti came to the Orioles together and talked about themselves as being a package deal, so it shouldn't be a surprise that when Wallace decided to retire from being a pitching coach, Chiti would go back to Atlanta with him too.

Neither Wallace nor Chiti will be in the MLB coaching staff, so there's no point getting too mad about it.

How would the Orioles be faring in these playoffs? - Baltimore Sun
I think we know the answer to this question already, being as the Orioles made the playoffs and lost. But if they had won the Wild Card game, I think they would have beaten the Rangers and then lost to the Indians in the ALCS.

Poised for the start of free agency - School of Roch
The World Series being over means that free agency starts in another five days. Are you ready for hot stove season? I say bring it on - not that the Orioles will do anything. And of course one must ever wonder if any man can ever say his agency is truly free.

In first year of new deal, Chris Davis dealt with big expectations - Steve Melewski
If you haven't read enough about Chris Davis and his 2016 season, here you go.

Tap-In Question: If you sign one to a multi-year deal, would it be Trumbo or Wieters? - BaltimoreBaseball.com
Can I say neither? But if I can't say neither, then of course I have to say Trumbo - though he'll probably cost more.

Dept. of Justice sues AT&T / DirecTV for allegedly blocking SportsNet LA - True Blue LA
The Orioles may be embroiled in a lawsuit involving their television network, but at least the Department of Justice hasn't had to get involved in that case.

By the way, in case you were wondering about the fate of the Springville Orioles girls volleyball team in Iowa, mentioned in this space on Tuesday, they swept their opponent on Tuesday night and have qualified for the state tournament, which will begin next Wednesday.

Birthdays and anniversaries

There are a few former Orioles with birthdays today. They are: 1997 postseason goat Armando Benitez, 1979-81 reserve outfielder Mark Corey, 1991 right fielder Dwight Evans, 1976 starter and part of the Dempsey/McGregor trade Ken Holtzman, and the late Earl Robinson of the 1961-62 and 1964 Orioles.

Is today your birthday? Happy birthday! Along with those former Orioles, your birthday buddies for today include: the "Father of Texas", Stephen F. Austin (1793), travel publishing magnate Karl Baedeker (1801), baseball Hall of Famer Bob Feller (1918), funny lady Roseanne Barr (1952), occasionally funny man Dennis Miller (1953), tough movie guy Dolph Lundgren (1957), and NFL quarterback Colin Kaepernick (1987).

On this day in history...

In 1534, the English Parliament passed the first Act of Supremacy, which established King Henry VIII as the head of the Anglican church, outside of the purview of the pope and the Roman Catholic Church.

In 1783, the American Continental Army, having won independence for the young nation, was disbanded.

In 1918, Austria-Hungary signed the Armistice of Villa Giusti with the Allies, ending its participation in World War I and effectively ending centuries of Habsburg rule in Europe. The last emperor, Charles I, had 33 grandchildren, most of whom I assume still live today.

In 1954, the first Godzilla film was released into theaters.

In 1964, thanks to the 23rd Amendment, residents of Washington, D.C., were able to vote for president for the first time. Their first three electoral votes went to President Lyndon B. Johnson, the incumbent in the election.

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And that's the way it is in Birdland on November 3 - or at least, unless something happens later, which now that it's the offseason, maybe it will. Have a safe Thursday. Go Orioles!