Tuesday Bird Droppings: The All-Star Game awaits

Hello, friends.

Another day has dawned with the Orioles in fourth place in the American League East. They’re going to stay that way for a few days more, because as of the time this article posts there are approximately 84 hours still to go until the next time the O’s play a baseball game. That’s a lot of hours. Do something productive, or at least something fun.

The Orioles sit on this day of the All-Star game 7.5 games out in the division. That’s probably not attainable any more. How about four games out of both wild card spots? Now we’re talking, although if the Orioles come out of the break losing a bunch of games, we won’t be talking about it for very long.

Are you excited for the All-Star Game? It’s going to be a lot less interesting without a whole bunch of Orioles on the roster. But we’ll have to settle for Jonathan Schoop and his adorable excitement about his bobblehead doll, pictured above. That’s not so bad. Hopefully he gets to do something cool in the game.

If you’re not watching the game, how are you going to spend the nights without the Orioles? Got some TV you really want to catch up on?

Around the blogO’sphere

Dan Connolly’s take on the O’s first half: Majorly disappointing, but not quite disastrous (Baltimore Baseball)
This really sums it all up, doesn’t it? It was not very good, but it still could have been a lot worse.

Flying under the radar on the farm (plus other notes) - Steve Melewski
If Ademar Rifaela, Brenan Hanifee, and Tobias Myers aren’t already on your radar, then this is the place for you to find out more.

Quick update on Chris Davis - School of Roch
Chris Davis had a rehab outing in Frederick yesterday. It was very much Chris Davis. He is expected to get another rehab outing for Delmarva on Wednesday.

Return of dominant Britton highlights an Orioles bullpen that’s rounding into form (Baltimore Sun)
I think it’s just a bit premature to proclaim dominant Britton as having returned, but I, too, would like to believe that it is true.

2017 Trade Value: Honorable Mentions | FanGraphs Baseball
Manny Machado was pretty high up in last year’s edition of this list, but he’s been removed from the list due to his not-too-distant free agency. I think 1.5 years is worth more than he credits, but hey, it’s not my list.

Birthdays and anniversaries

On this day in 1968, Earl Weaver managed his first game for the Orioles, in which the Orioles defeated the Senators, 2-0. Weaver went on to manage the O’s for 1,480 wins over 18 seasons, good for a .583 winning percentage.

And in 1987, both Cal and Billy Ripken were in the starting lineup for the Orioles with Cal Sr. managing, making the elder Ripken the first to ever manage two sons.

One lone former Oriole has a birthday today: UMBC product Zach Clark, who pitched in one game for the 2013 squad.

Is today your birthday? Happy birthday! Your birthday buddies for today include: Scottish king Robert the Bruce (1274), Salem witch trial victim Sarah Good (1653), President John Quincy Adams (1767), children’s author and language style guide E.B. White (1899), rapper Lil’ Kim (1975), Mile High catch-maker Jacoby Jones (1984), and former No. 1-ranked tennis player Caroline Wozniacki (1990).

On this day in history...

In 1735, Pluto moved inside the orbit of Neptune, where it remained until 1979.

In 1804, then-Vice President Aaron Burr mortally wounded Alexander Hamilton in a duel. I understand that there is some music revolving around this event nowadays, although it always makes me think of a commercial that wanted you to drink milk.

In 1864, a Confederate force attempted to invade Washington, DC, but was repulsed after the Battle of Fort Stevens. President Lincoln observed the fighting.

In 1914, Babe Ruth made his Major League debut.

In 1960, Harper Lee’s To Kill A Mockingbird was first published in the United States.

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And that’s the way it is in Birdland on July 11 - or at least, unless something happens later, which it probably won’t, because if you haven’t heard, this is the All-Star break. Have a safe Tuesday. Go Orioles!