Mardi Gras Bird Droppings: Where no former Orioles have been arrested today, that we know of

Hello, friends.

There are now 55 days remaining until Orioles Opening Day. The number 55 was last worn by Dan Johnson in 2013. That wasn't so long ago and I already didn't remember Dan Johnson was around in 2013. It's also been worn by the likes of Chris Jakubauskas, Alfredo Simon, Ramon Hernandez (must be pronounced like Joe Angel does for maximum effect), and Scott Klingenbeck. This is clearly an auspicious day full of glorious potential.

OK, maybe not. But the good news is that no former Orioles have been arrested today, as far as we know. It's a sign of where we are in the offseason that the biggest thing to happen yesterday was for there to be news about Delmon Young getting arrested in Miami. What a sad story. He had such a problem-filled past before his time with the O's and you (I) really wanted to believe that was all behind him. It's clear now that it wasn't. It's uncomfortable any time you realize a player on your favorite team is not someone you would actually want to know in real life.

We're now down to nine days until pitchers and catchers report to spring training. That's a big deal. An even bigger deal is that today is Mardi Gras. As they say in New Orleans - do whatcha wanna. But you probably shouldn't break any laws or anything. That would be bad. Do something fun and legal, though. Maybe listen to some Trombone Shorty, Kermit Ruffins, or the Rebirth Brass Band.

Let's move on to the links.

Around the blogO'sphere

Orioles sign Rafael Palmeiro's son, Patrick, to minor league deal - Baltimore Sun
Remember, minor league deals don't matter. So it's probably not much of a big deal at all. Interesting name though, that's for sure.

Orioles Head Groundskeeper Wins Award For Women’s Leadership In Business " CBS Baltimore
I was once at an O's game with a Camden Chatter who'd had a few beers and we witnessed a fan of another team hock a huge wad of spit onto the grass. This CCer exclaimed indignantly, "Don't spit on our grass!" I said, "Actually, it's Nicole McFadyen's grass." She takes good care of the field and now she's won an award. Good for her.

Steve Melewski: Another look at the possibility of the Orioles giving up a draft pick
We've now had multiple articles written by each half of the MASN duo in which they are mystified as to why fans don't want to give up the #14 pick to sign Yovani Gallardo, who could potentially be a horrible signing even without the draft pick problem. These are your credentialed reporters.

Orioles need Chris Tillman, others to step up | orioles.com
Here's Brittany Ghiroli with some thoughts on some of the players who the Orioles really need to bounce back this year. You can probably guess which members of the starting rotation are on the list.

Should the Cardinals pursue Dexter Fowler? - Viva El Birdos
Dexter Fowler has been seen as being a possible fit for the O's, if only because the O's have some money left to spend, they need an outfielder, and Fowler has not signed yet. Here's our friends over at the Cardinals blog looking at some reasons why he might be a fit over there instead.

Birthdays and anniversaries

There are five former Orioles with birthdays today. You surely remember Vladimir Guerrero, the representative Andy MacPhail free agent signing. There's also Napoleon Calzado (four games in 2005) and Doug Linton (12 games in 1999). This was also the birthday of a couple of O's from the very early years: Erv Palica (1955-56) and Vic Wertz (1954).

Is today your birthday? Happy birthday! Along with those former Orioles, your birthday buddies include famous pamphlet writer Thomas Paine (1737), one month President William Henry Harrison (1773), Canadian singer-songwriter Stompin' Tom Connors (1936), Nobel Prize-winning novelist J.M. Coetzee (1940), Home Alone actor Joe Pesci (1943), ESPN yakker John Kruk (1961), Thor actor and Friday Night Victory GIF Party staple Tom Hiddleston (1981), and The Wire season 1's Michael B. Jordan (1987).

On this day in history...

In 1555, the Bishop of Gloucester, John Hooper, was burned at the stake for the crime of being a Protestant clergyman under a Catholic ruler.

In 1775, the British Parliament officially declared Massachusetts to be in rebellion against the crown. Adissident in Boston reportedly responded to this news by exclaiming, "Fack the King!"

In 1942, in order to help conserve energy resources during World War II, year-round Daylight Savings Time was re-instated in the US.

In 1964, the Beatles first appeared on The Ed Sullivan Show, drawing what was then a record 73 million viewers to the program. Think about it like this: 52 years later, Sunday's Super Bowl 50 telecast drew about 112 million viewers in the US.

In 1986, Halley's Comet made its last appearance in the inner solar system. It'll be back in 2061. I hope all of you are around to see it. I hope I am too.

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