Hello, friends.
There are now 41 days remaining until Orioles Opening Day. That number was most recently worn this past season by Chris Parmelee - who's now signed with the Yankees, by the way - and was most famously worn by... I don't know, Steve Trachsel? Pat Hentgen? Jeff Tackett? Definitely not a glorious history there.
At least some news development awaits today. Well, probably. The Orioles haven't completed the physical of Yovani Gallardo yet, but that should finish tomorrow and no problems are anticipated. If that signing goes final, that means someone will be getting a one-way ticket to the great DFA in the sky. That's the way it goes. Kind of sucks for whoever got all excited for spring training only to get DFA'd. Baseball is actually kind of a cruel game, spring training crueler than many parts of it.
The good news is that the Orioles will probably not be trading for Reds outfielder Jay Bruce, who now appears to be headed to Toronto - although it's still somewhat in doubt as the trade was put on hold last night, apparently due to medical red flags about a non-Bruce player.
I guess that's bad news for the O's if Bruce un-sucks once he gets into the turf of the man in the white shirt, but it's good news that the O's won't be involved in giving up prospects to acquire a guy who's batted .222/.288/.405 the past two seasons.
Maybe Dexter Fowler is next? I would like that one a lot.
Around the blogO'sphere
Close friends competing for roster spot with Orioles - Baltimore Sun
Here's a nice little story about how Mike Wright and Tyler Wilson are close friends even as they're competing for a roster spot. Except now that the O's have signed Gallardo there's probably not a roster spot for either of those guys right now, barring an injury. I warned you it's cruel!
Orioles Relief Pitcher T.J. McFarland Is Ready To Face Actual Hitters " CBS Baltimore
The feeling is mutual, I'm sure. Hey, remember that time Gallardo hit a walkoff against McFarland in extra innings in Milwaukee? Good times. I wonder if Gallardo can pull off the extra innings pinch hit maneuver for the O's some time.
Plant to retire alum and Orioles’ RHP Givens number Tuesday | TBO.com and The Tampa Tribune
Mychal Givens is having his jersey number retired at his old high school. I guess once you make it to the bigs at all you pretty much deserve the honor.
Orioles hope Yovani Gallardo continues his worm-burning ways - Beyond the Box Score
From the SB Nation stats blog - and I think Orioles fans are hoping the same as the Orioles here.
Three Other, More Subtle, Yovani Gallardo Trends | FanGraphs Baseball
Great baseball writer Jeff Sullivan offers some thoughts on the Gallardo signing from the O's perspective. Any day where you can read Sullivan writing about the Orioles is a good day.
Unselfish Orioles on the brink of return trip | The Gazette
As long-time Camden Chat readers know, it is the editorial position of this blog to celebrate the successes of all Orioles teams, anywhere. Here, the girls basketball team at Springville High School in Iowa has played their way into the state tournament. Go Orioles!
Birthdays and anniversaries
There are two former Orioles with birthdays today. They are Bobby Bonilla and John "T-Bone" Shelby, the latter of whom was also an O's coach for a while.
Is today your birthday? Happy birthday! Along with those former O's, your birthday buddies for today include: French mathematician/astronomer Jean-Baptiste Morin (1583), who had the misfortune to clash with both Galileo and Descartes; Messiah composer George Frideric Handel (1685); author and NAACP co-founder W.E.B. DuBois (1868); Star Trek's computer voice Majel Barrett (1932), longtime Aerosmith guitarist Brad Whitford (1952), Parks and Rec funny man Aziz Ansari (1983), and actress Emily Blunt (1983).
On this day in history...
In 1455, this date is traditionally accepted to be the first publication of the Gutenberg Bible, which as you may recall from high school was one of the key things that sparked the Renaissance.
In 1836, the Battle of the Alamo began in San Antonio, Texas.
In 1896, the Tootsie Roll was invented.
In 1945, in the Battle of Iwo Jima in World War II, American Marines reached the top of Mt. Suribachi, an event you surely know as it was captured in this famous photograph.
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And that's the way it is in Birdland - at least, unless something happens later. Have a safe Tuesday.