Thursday Bird Droppings: Where the Orioles are still undefeated

Hello, friends.

Two games into the season, the Orioles remain undefeated. They remain atop the American League East with the Red Sox with their 2-0 record, a half game above the 2-1 Rays. Check out my recap of yesterday's game, if you missed the game or just want to re-live the best parts. 160 games to go! The Yankees are up next, but only after another off day today.

It's a lot easier to feel good about the Orioles when the two starting pitchers we've seen are Kevin Gausman and Dylan Bundy. The real test will be how things feel after having watched Ubaldo Jimenez and Wade Miley this weekend. But dang, Bundy was so good last night, I almost can't even believe it. I'm afraid to get excited because what if he gets hurt? That's another problem for another day.

For today, the Orioles minor league affiliates will be getting their seasons underway. Their farm system might not be very well rated but there are still a number of names worth keeping an eye on, including a fair number of players who, if they can start to break out, might help improve the O's farm ranking going forward.

Baseball is back, y'all! Isn't it fun?

Around the blogO'sphere

Orioles eager to see impact of new LED lights at Camden Yards for first night game of 2017 - Baltimore Sun
I received a first-hand report last night that the new LED lights are super bright. Is this going to make a difference in the season? I guess we'll see. What's certain is that the Orioles use their new lights to make flashy light patterns when Zach Britton comes in from the bullpen.

Showalter on Bundy, Britton and a 3-1 win - School of Roch
The wisdom of Buck Showalter is always worth reading.

Bundy brings back slider in maybe the best outing of his career - Baltimore Sun
We're calling in the slider today, and it helped him destroy the Blue Jays last night. Should we expect so much of it in the future? Maybe only against righty-dominated lineups.

O'Day feeling better, plus notes with Rickard and Mancini - Steve Melewski
Darren O'Day was well enough yesterday to leap up and catch Chris Davis's 200th home run as an Oriole, but it was Brad Brach who pitched the eighth inning. Sign O'Day wasn't really healthy, or is Brach the eighth inning guy ahead of him?

Orioles' most promising prospects being pushed toward majors in new trend for organization - Baltimore Sun
A whole bunch of guys are basically skipping a level to start this season. If that works out, things are going to get interesting with the O's farm.

Orioles' Adam Jones in Boys & Girls Clubs role | MLB.com
One thing that you should never forget is that Adam Jones is the best, whether or not he's hitting go-ahead home runs for the Orioles. The home runs just make him even better.

Check out Manny Machado's cool Opening Day cleats, with secret candy inserts | MLB.com
Is this, a) adorable or b) the most adorable thing you've ever seen?

Camden Yards remains a gem, 25 years later | MLB.com
Can there ever be enough praise written about Oriole Park at Camden Yards? I say that the answer is no.

Orioles To Sign Edwin Jackson (MLBTR)
Longtime readers of Camden Chat will know exactly how much of a delight it is to be able to report that the Orioles are signing Edwin Jackson to a minor league deal.

That was really a lot of links. Baseball is definitely back!

Birthdays and anniversaries

On this day in 1992, the Orioles played the first ever game in Oriole Park at Camden Yards. Rick Sutcliffe pitched a complete game as they beat the Indians, 2-0.

One lone former Oriole has a birthday today: 1997-98 reserve Danny Clyburn. He passed away in 2012.

Is today your birthday? Happy birthday! Your birthday buddies for today include: Italian painter and Ninja Turtle namesake Raphael (1483), Douglas Aircraft Company founder Donald Willis Douglas Sr. (1892), Star Wars actor Billy Dee Williams (1937), Baltimore-born director Barry Levinson (1942), baseball Hall of Famer Bert Blyleven (1951), sometimes funny man Paul Rudd (1969), and Full House actress Candace Cameron Bure (1976).

Those who have paid close attention to the birthdays may have noticed that I listed Raphael last week. History is unclear on whether he was actually born on March 28 or April 6.

On this day in history...

In 46 BC, Julius Caesar defeated a force led by Scipio and Cato the Younger in the Battle of Thapsus, believed to be the last large-scale use of elephants in the West. The elephants were on the losing side.

In 1453 AD, Mehmed II of the Ottoman Empire initiated his siege against what was once Constantinople and is now Istanbul.

In 1812, British forces led by the Duke of Wellington stormed the fortress of Badajoz in Spain. This is credited as the turning point against Napoleon in the Peninsular War.

In 1917, the United States of America entered World War I when Congress declared war on Germany following a speech by President Wilson four days prior.

In 1973, the American League began to use the designated hitter.

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And that's the way it is in Birdland on April 6 - or at least, unless something happens later, which it probably won't, because hey, there's an off day today. Have a safe Thursday. Go Orioles!