Hello, friends.
The less said about last night's game, the better. Actually, that's not true, because I want to talk about how Dylan Bundy was awesome for five innings. Really, he was great! Yeah, it's not worth much to be great for five innings if you suck in the sixth inning, but that's the limitation he's working with right now. Hopefully he keeps building up to be able to do more and more.
And anyway, Bundy's outing would look fine if the Orioles offense hadn't completely disappeared. Seriously, what's up with those guys? Chris Davis has an excuse in that he was really sick and it looks like he lost a bunch of weight. Some others slumps are a bit more of a mystery.
Then again, like Adam Jones said earlier this year, which I have dubbed the Adam Jones Theory of Everything: "Sometimes you suck." Check out my recap of the game.
We are now four days away from the trade deadline. Do you think there will be any exciting, or horrifying, rumors or news today? Lots of time left for something to happen. We know the Orioles don't exactly move fast. Well, until something exciting happens, have a look at these links.
Around the blogO'sphere
Showalter on Bundy, the offense and a 3-1 loss - School of Roch
Buck sounds like he likes what he's seeing from Bundy - well, I liked what I saw too, the homers notwithstanding.
Dylan Bundy on his outing and other clubhouse quotes - Steve Melewski
A reporter said Bundy's eight strikeouts were impressive. "I don't look at it as impressive," Bundy replied. "Strikeouts make your pitch count go up."
Baby Orioles fan couldn't decide if he wanted this foul ball or not | MLB.com
You give the baseball to your baby and then the baby throws it away... I hope that's anguish that I never know for myself.
Orioles should beef up bullpen, not starting rotation, through trade market | MLB | Sporting News
This sounds awfully like an article that appeared on this very website just on Tuesday. Great minds think alike!
Orioles' Ubaldo Jimenez returns to mound Thursday after long layoff, mechanical adjustment - Baltimore Sun
We're going to all have to drink every time someone mentions an Ubaldo mechanical adjustment today. Drink responsibly, though. Don't get fired or drink and drive.
Talking O's trade chips and life as a scout in this week's 'Minor League Podcast' - BaltimoreBaseball.com
Do the Orioles actually have trade chips? That's the great mystery!
The factors behind the Baltimore Orioles' march to the best record in the AL - MLB
Hey, wait a minute, the Orioles are in first place by two games and they're awesome. Thank you for the reminder, Jeff Sullivan!
Birthdays and anniversaries
On this day in 2000, the Orioles traded Mike Bordick to the Mets. They received Melvin Mora and three forgettable players in the trade. I guess that one worked out. Oh, and by the way, exactly one year later, Mora's wife gave birth to the quintuplets. Yes - they are 15 years old now. All of you are old, unless someone is reading this who was born in the 21st century.
This was also the day of the Bobby Bonilla trade in 1995. The Orioles sent Damon Buford and Alex Ochoa to the Mets in the deal.
There are two former Orioles with birthdays today. They are 2001 reliever Chad Paronto, and Bob Milacki (1988-92), who was the starting pitcher in the most recent O's no-hitter - the combined no-no on July 13, 1991.
Is today your birthday? Happy birthday! Along with those former Orioles, your birthday buddies for today include: Hooke's Law physicist Robert Hooke (1635), children's author Beatrix Potter (1866), Tupperware inventor/founder Earl Tupper (1907), the 37th First Lady of the US, Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis (1929), and cranking proponent Soulja Boy (1990).
On this day in history...
In 1540, Thomas Cromwell was executed for treason by order of King Henry VIII. Also, Henry married his fifth wife, Catherine Howard.
In 1794, Maximilien Robespierre and Louis Antoine de Saint-Just, who argued for the execution of French king Louis XVI and presided over the executions of tens of thousands of others, were themselves executed by guillotine.
In 1868, the 14th Amendment to the US Constitution - which, generally, guarantees citizenship to every person born in the US, and also incorporates the Bill of Rights onto the States - was certified.
In 1948, the London Metropolitan Police Flying Squad stopped a bullion robbery in what was known as the Battle of London Airport. That sounds like something that should be a movie, if it's not already.
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And that's the way it is in Birdland on July 28 - or at least, until something happens later. Have a safe Thursday. Go Orioles!