Hello, friends.
There are now 53 days remaining until Orioles Opening Day. This is the jersey number currently worn by O's closer Zach Britton. Is that a good omen for today? Well, it's surely not a bad one.
Remember how I've been talking about how the Orioles right now are probably the Orioles of the season? Also remember that I know even less than Jon Snow. There's a whole lot of smoke suggesting that not only are the Orioles zeroing in on free agent starting pitcher Yovani Gallardo, but that they might go for the double and sign outfielder Dexter Fowler too.
It almost sounds too crazy to be true. At least all of you with season tickets know those price increases are going somewhere. Like right back into the Orioles team. That's about all anyone can ask. Well, that and for all of the moves to work out. And we'll only know that if the signings happen and once the season starts. Is it all a good idea? I don't know, but it's interesting and just a bit exciting.
We're now down until one week before pitchers and catchers report to spring training. If the O's did in fact agree to terms with Gallardo today, they'd probably just do the physical in Sarasota and announce the signing from there. Damn the draft picks. Full speed ahead!
...into the links.
Around the blogO'sphere
Adam Jones on Orioles keeping core intact: 'That¿s why I wanted to stay here in Baltimore' - Baltimore Sun
Jones talked on WBAL radio recently about how he met with Peter Angelos to explain the importance of keeping the core together. And they kept the core together, so maybe there is a connection.
Steve Melewski: Will these players put up better stats for the Orioles in 2016?
You won't believe who Steve Melewski thinks will bounce back this year! (Hint: It's everyone.)
Five telling strengths that make for a wide-open AL East race | New York Post
In which a New York Post dude proclaims that Buck Showalter is the best manager in the AL East. Thanks for telling us what everybody already knows, man.
School of Roch: Orioles also considering Dexter Fowler (updated)
It must be true if Roch is reporting it.
Which minor league pitcher could be the Orioles' next Mychal Givens? - Baltimore Sun
I'm going to go out on a limb and guess that there are not any pitchers in the system capable of being the next Mychal Givens.
Which division will have baseball's best race in 2016? (SB Nation MLB)
Greatest SB Nation baseball writer Grant Brisbee surveys the landscape of the division races this year and he thinks there's at least a little potential for five-way AL East chaos.
Birthdays and anniversaries
Current and recent ex-Orioles are well-represented in the birthdays today. Happy birthday to Brian Matusz, Cesar Cabral, and Matt Lindstrom.
Is today your birthday? Happy birthday! Along with those Orioles, you share this birthday with the following: inventor Thomas Edison (1847), Manhattan Project physicist Leó Szilárd (1898), actress Eva Gabor (1919), Airplane! actor Leslie Nielsen (1926), singer-songwriter Sheryl Crow (1962), Friends actress Jennifer Aniston (1969), and Band of Brothers actor Damian Lewis (1971).
On this day in history...
In 1534, Henry VIII is recognized as supreme head of the Church of England. It is really astounding how bad of an idea this seems to be through the lens of modern experience.
In 1812, then Massachusetts governor Elbridge Gerry redrew some legislative districts that looked a little funny on the map. One of them looked kind of like a salamander, prompting someone to say that the districts had been "Gerrymandered" - a term which has survived through the centuries into the present day, regrettably enough for the American body politic.
In 1978, the government of China lifted bans on the works of Aristotle, William Shakespeare, and Charles Dickens.
In 1990, Nelson Mandela was released from prison after 27 years.
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And that's the way it is in Birdland on February 11 - or at least, unless something happens later, which it very well might, if yesterday's rumors are any indication! Have a safe Thursday.