http://www.sportsnipe.com Baltimore Orioles, Team News, Updates, and Stats from all sports sources, updated continually. http://www.sportsnipe.com/main_sportsnews/1048691/rankings-tough-calls-to-make-for-wright-mauer.html Tristan H. Cockcroft explains some of his more difficult decisions he made when coming up with his 2010 Top 200 for fantasy baseball. Baltimore Orioles - Sport Snipe - Team News - Stats - Updates http://www.sportsnipe.com/main_sportsnews/1047948/os-claim-tatum-off-waivers-from-reds.html The Orioles on Friday claimed catcher Craig Tatum off waivers from the Reds. In order to make room for Tatum on the 40-man roster, they in turn designated left-hander Chris Waters for assignment. Baltimore Orioles - Sport Snipe - Team News - Stats - Updates http://www.sportsnipe.com/main_sportsnews/1045982/so-how-bad-strasburg-injury-washington-post.html So, how bad is the Strasburg injury?Washington PostWhen I started on the Baltimore Orioles beat at The Post in 1999, the Baltimore Sun beat writer -- my competition -- was a veteran scribe named Joe Strauss, ...and more » Baltimore Orioles - Sport Snipe - Team News - Stats - Updates http://www.sportsnipe.com/main_sportsnews/1045981/le-mans-photos-by-frank-scherschel.html Not sure what year these are from, as that info is missing from the source. Almost certainly the fifties, and quite possibly 1955 — the year tragedy struck. There’s no angle to take on Le Mans that doesn’t end up at “bad ass.” Baltimore Orioles - Sport Snipe - Team News - Stats - Updates http://www.sportsnipe.com/main_sportsnews/1045503/gentleman-ralph-lacks-will-to-pay-bills-cbssportscom.html Gentleman Ralph lacks will to pay the BillsCBSSports.comThe Bills have turned into the Baltimore Orioles. If Al Davis were in charge of the Bills, the rip jobs would proceed at Warp factor nine. ...and more » Baltimore Orioles - Sport Snipe - Team News - Stats - Updates http://www.sportsnipe.com/main_sportsnews/1045502/so-how-bad-strasburg-injury-washington-post-blog.html So, how bad is the Strasburg injury?Washington Post (blog)When I started on the Baltimore Orioles beat at The Post in 1999, the Baltimore Sun beat writer -- my competition -- was a veteran scribe named Joe Strauss, ... Baltimore Orioles - Sport Snipe - Team News - Stats - Updates http://www.sportsnipe.com/main_sportsnews/1045055/elmhurst-pub-roundtable-fantasy-baseball-baltimore-orioles.html Fantasy Baseball: Baltimore Orioles Sleeper Potential. Those of you that have followed updates on this blog have noticed there is a certain infatuation with Nolan Reimold taking place here. Last night, Michael Sylvie and myself spoke in ... Baltimore Orioles - Sport Snipe - Team News - Stats - Updates http://www.sportsnipe.com/main_sportsnews/1044864/baltimore-orioles-fan-fest.html Sarasota's new spring training team, the Baltimore Orioles, during Fan Fest 2009. Read about and see pictures of the first Orioles Fan Fest in Sarasota Florida. Baltimore Orioles - Sport Snipe - Team News - Stats - Updates http://www.sportsnipe.com/main_sportsnews/1044863/baltimore-orioles-cell-phone-holder-case3783271.html Amazon Siskiyou 0803218700003 Baltimore Orioles Cell Phone Holder price comparison. $9.44 Lowest Price, Enter Zip Code, 7.8 Storeratings.org, More Info Not In Stock SKU: B000PC37NK. Baltimore Orioles - Sport Snipe - Team News - Stats - Updates http://www.sportsnipe.com/main_sportsnews/1042804/odds-ampamp-ends-bay-orioles-padres-lo-duca-mlb-rumors.html In a Baltimore Sun column, Jeff Zrebiec and Dan Connolly point out that the Baltimore Orioles' lack of big contract commitments puts them in a great spot if they want to pursue free agents this winter. The article also examines what ... Baltimore Orioles - Sport Snipe - Team News - Stats - Updates http://www.sportsnipe.com/main_sportsnews/1042803/top-50-free-agentskeith-law-espn.html ESPNTop 50 Free AgentsKeith LawESPNFILE - Texas Ranger owner Tom Hicks looks at a television screen in his box during the baseball game against the Baltimore Orioles in Arlington, . ...and more » Baltimore Orioles - Sport Snipe - Team News - Stats - Updates http://www.sportsnipe.com/main_sportsnews/1042498/macphail-says-orioles-will-be-amp8220activeamp8221.html This isn’t really news to those of us who follow the team closely, but it’s nice to see all the same: Andy MacPhail is on record — again — saying the O’s will be players this offseason. When you take a look at that article it’s actually amazing just how clean the team’s financial slate is. They’ve got plenty of room to make big plays without crippling the future. Ideally they’d never hand out a contract that goes bad, but they’re in a position to perhaps weigh reward a more than risk. I stand by my previous assertion that they’ll be hampered by the unwillingness of certain players to come here. Let me add to that, though, that it’s not as if I think they won’t try. They will, and I think they’ll find success. I just don’t think success will wear the name “Lackey” on the back of its jersey. Maybe that’s OK anyway. I look at a guy like Ben Sheets and I’m intrigued. Ditto Jon Garland and, yes, Erik Bedard. Speaking of, how funny would it be to get the Elusive Canadian back after the way we swindled the Mariners? Whoever it is, there are options out there. Very few of them look to be blockbusters, but that’s probably not a bad thing. I think I’d be as happy with a slate of solid, valuable moves as I would be with one or two big splashes. As long as the net result is a better team. If my read on MacPhail is accurate at all then one thing we can be sure of is that things probably won’t happen quickly. I don’t see the Orioles setting the market. I see them helping shape it, maybe, but not setting it. Hot Stove Season starts Friday, folks. Strap in. Baltimore Orioles - Sport Snipe - Team News - Stats - Updates http://www.sportsnipe.com/main_sportsnews/1042060/baseball-shifts-into-shopping-mode-yahoo-sports.html NewsdayBaseball shifts into shopping modeYahoo! SportsPossibilities: Philadelphia Phillies, Baltimore Orioles, Chicago White Sox, Mets, Angels, Mariners. ? Johnny Damon(notes), LF. He just turned 36, ...Mets Seeking Top Hitter, With Other Holes to FillNew York Timesall 15 news articles » Baltimore Orioles - Sport Snipe - Team News - Stats - Updates http://www.sportsnipe.com/main_sportsnews/1040548/two-bits-news 1-im-very-happy-to-announce-that-matt-taylor-voice-behind-roar-from-34.html Two bits of news: 1) I'm very happy to announce that Matt Taylor, the voice behind Roar From 34, will be joining the Camden Chat team as a part-time contributor. If you've read Matt's work you know that he has a real talent for writing about the Orioles and I look forward to him sharing some of that with us. 2) In more minor site news, you may have noticed a new item on the sidebar titled "Meet The Team." With the recent re-design there was about five miles of white space on the sidebars before getting to the bottom where our contributors names were listed. I thought that was ugly, so created the Meet The Team widget instead. The last link goes to the Who's Who at Camden Chat post. If you're new to the site or never wrote up an intro, click the link and tell us about yourself. Camden Chat Site News Baltimore Orioles - Sport Snipe - Team News - Stats - Updates http://www.sportsnipe.com/main_sportsnews/1040397/incorrigible-jazz-artist-joins-former-oriole-at-winterfest-gala-bethany-beach-wave.html 'Incorrigible' jazz artist joins former Oriole at Winterfest GalaBethany Beach WaveTonight, Bogart will serenade Winterfest Gala attendees, accompanied by her long-time friend of 30 years, Rick Dempsey, a former Baltimore Orioles catcher ... Baltimore Orioles - Sport Snipe - Team News - Stats - Updates http://www.sportsnipe.com/main_sportsnews/1039017/inner-harbor-condo-sells-for-126-million-baltimore-news-story.html The Daily Record of Baltimore reported on its Web site that Tom Clancy's lawyer said the novelist is the buyer. Clancy is a minority owner of the Baltimore Orioles, whose stadium is about two miles from the condo. ... Baltimore Orioles - Sport Snipe - Team News - Stats - Updates http://www.sportsnipe.com/main_sportsnews/1039016/tom-clancys-new-126-million-home-baltimore-sun.html Baltimore SunTom Clancy's new $12.6 million homeBaltimore Sun... and will keep a residence there, but has long had ties to the city -- even helping Peter Angelos buy the Baltimore Orioles in 1993. ...Inner Harbor Condo Sells for $12.6 MillionWJLARitz-Carlton Baltimore says penthouse unit sells for $12.6MBizjournals.comall 17 news articles » Baltimore Orioles - Sport Snipe - Team News - Stats - Updates http://www.sportsnipe.com/main_sportsnews/1037424/taking-back-to-old-school.html Your work day just became even less efficient.Thanks to The Lost Ogle, I located the Internet version of RBI Baseball 2, where you can reunite many of the 1989 Why Not? Orioles.Choose among Jeff Ballard, Bob Milacki, Dave  Schmidt, and Pete Harnisch for your starting pitcher.  (Where's the Pride of Middle River?) Go with the regular starting lineup that includes Cal in the three hole, Mickey "Fruit Loops" Tettleton batting cleanup, and Joltin' Joe O offering protection in the five spot.Or look to the bench for Steve Finley, Bob Melvin, Billy Ripken, Jim Traber, and Brady Anderson.(Want another flashback? The Lost Ogle also  provides this YouTube clip from "Dream Team." Listen for the Ken Gerhart and Rene Gonzalez references.)As if you needed another distraction. Baltimore Orioles - Sport Snipe - Team News - Stats - Updates http://www.sportsnipe.com/main_sportsnews/1037103/interesting-scheduling-quirk-in-2010-acirclaquo-baltimore-orioles.html For the twelfth time in as many years, the Orioles aren't in the playoffs. Far from it in fact, but that will come with time. However, there is a member of the 2009 Baltimore Orioles that is in the playoffs: closer George Sherrill. ... Baltimore Orioles - Sport Snipe - Team News - Stats - Updates http://www.sportsnipe.com/main_sportsnews/1036953/baltimore-june-10-felix-hernandez-34.html BALTIMORE - JUNE 10: Felix Hernandez #34 of the Seattle Mariners pitches against the Baltimore Orioles at Camden Yards on June 10, 2009 in... Baltimore Orioles - Sport Snipe - Team News - Stats - Updates http://www.sportsnipe.com/main_sportsnews/1036037/baltimore-oriole-plush-toy-birds-birdhouses.html This cute Baltimore Oriole is soft and fuzzy ? and it sings! It is the state bird of Maryland.Baltimore Orioles are often found in wooded areas throughout the eastern United States and Canada. Males have a black head and wings with a ... Baltimore Orioles - Sport Snipe - Team News - Stats - Updates http://www.sportsnipe.com/main_sportsnews/1035865/inner-harbor-condo-sells-for-126-million-wjla.html Inner Harbor Condo Sells for $12.6 MillionWJLAClancy is a minority owner of the Baltimore Orioles (web | news) , whose stadium is about two miles from the condo. The Ritz-Carlton Residences says the ...and more » Baltimore Orioles - Sport Snipe - Team News - Stats - Updates http://www.sportsnipe.com/main_sportsnews/1034753/mets-seeking-top-hitter-other-holes-to-fill-new-york-times.html Mets Seeking Top Hitter, With Other Holes to FillNew York TimesThe Mets have selected Dave Jauss, a former bench coach for the Baltimore Orioles and the Los Angeles Dodgers, to replace Sandy Alomar Sr. as bench coach. ...and more » Baltimore Orioles - Sport Snipe - Team News - Stats - Updates http://www.sportsnipe.com/main_sportsnews/1034752/colts-ghosts-earl-morrall.html With the Indianapolis Colts coming to town for a game that could define the Ravens‘ season, I’ve got Baltimore football history on the mind. By the time my family moved to Maryland the Colts were long gone. The hold that team had on this city is lore to me and not much else. It seems like it was something special, and I envy those who grasp it deeply. When it comes to games where the Ravens face the Colts, I’m split. I can imagine that for folks who lived and breathed with that horseshoe it must still sting. Yet the time to move on has come and gone. And certainly for anybody who didn’t grow up loving the Baltimore version of the Colts it’s pointless to manufacture hatred. But…there’s still history. Things happened here, and they are part of our fabric. Like Matt Stover. He’ll be remembered as one of the best kickers the NFL has ever seen, and he got there largely by kicking in Baltimore. On Sunday he’ll come back wearing — in one of the greatest ironies of recent sports history — a Colts uniform. Then there’s Earl Morrall. The quarterback we remember — rightly — is Johnny Unitas. But in 1968, the year the Colts lost Super Bowl III after a brash Joe Namath guaranteed his team’s improbable victory, it wasn’t Unitas at the helm. It was Earl Morrall. Sort of. Take a few minutes and dig into An Old Stand-In Becomes the Star, from the November 22, 1968 issue of LIFE magazine. Morrall, 34 years old, stepped in that year for an injured Johnny U and led the Colts to a 13-1 record and a shot at the championship. Unitas hovered over his shoulder the entire time. The stand-in eventually faltered, throwing three interceptions in the first half of the big game before being replaced by his rehabbed superior, who would lead the team to their only points. That should have been the end. Yet somehow Morrall went on to even greater heights. At age 38 — four years after his odd season with the Colts — he went 10-0 in relief of Bob Griese during the Miami Dolphins‘ undefeated season. But he faltered again in the playoffs, and Griese returned to finish the job. Does Earl Morrall have a place in Baltimore football history? Looking back it seems like he should, but at best he’s a footnote. The LIFE article says as much — he was only the guy until the guy was healthy enough to return. “Earl’s still got his confidence,” says the Colts’ defensive back Bobby Boyd, “but I don’t see how he’s been able to keep it all these years.” I doubt there was ever another professional athlete who found his breakthrough season at age 34, topped it at age 38, and managed both times to come up just short of the kind of glory that means the difference between a statue and a side note. Earl Morrall is a good luck, hard luck case. Or maybe a guy who was just good enough. I’d bet that a lot of players past, present, and future would take the career of Earl Morrall and not even consider it settling. It’s got to be tough, though, getting that far by playing second chair all the way. Baltimore Orioles - Sport Snipe - Team News - Stats - Updates http://www.sportsnipe.com/main_sportsnews/1034011/bud-selig-ricketts-have-started-out-beautifully.html ...it's a trend that continues in baseball. Baltimore Orioles owner Peter Angelos welcomed the Ricketts family with... Baltimore Orioles - Sport Snipe - Team News - Stats - Updates http://www.sportsnipe.com/main_sportsnews/1033965/orioles-notes-infielders-hendrickson-lackey-mlb-rumors.html Clearly this site is biased toward successful, big-market, high-publicity teams like the Baltimore Orioles. Shame on you, Tim. Posted by: ugen64 | November 18, 2009 at 07:45 PM ... Baltimore Orioles - Sport Snipe - Team News - Stats - Updates http://www.sportsnipe.com/main_sportsnews/1033964/mlb-commissioner-welcomes-ricketts-as-new-cubs-owners-espn.html MLB commissioner welcomes Ricketts as new Cubs ownersESPNBaltimore Orioles owner Peter Angelos welcomed the Ricketts family with open arms. "The Cubs are a special team," Angelos said. "I wouldn't necessarily say ...and more » Baltimore Orioles - Sport Snipe - Team News - Stats - Updates http://www.sportsnipe.com/main_sportsnews/1033963/wednesdays-sports-transactions-deseret-news.html Wednesday's sports transactionsDeseret NewsAP BALTIMORE ORIOLES?Purchased the contracts of RHP Brandon Erbe, RHP Luis Lebron, INF Josh Bell and INF Pedro Florimon from Bowie (EL) and INF Rhyne Hughes ... Baltimore Orioles - Sport Snipe - Team News - Stats - Updates http://www.sportsnipe.com/main_sportsnews/1033962/scioscia-tracy-are-managers-year-new-york-times.html Scioscia and Tracy Are Managers of the YearNew York TimesJohnson was finally named manager of the year in 1997 with the Baltimore Orioles ? and resigned the same day in a dispute with the team's owner, ...and more » Baltimore Orioles - Sport Snipe - Team News - Stats - Updates http://www.sportsnipe.com/main_sportsnews/1033045/nationals-hire-davey-johnson-as-senior-adviser-associated-press.html Washington TimesNationals hire Davey Johnson as senior adviserThe Associated Press... remembered for leading the New York Mets to the 1986 World Series championship and for his two titles as a second baseman for the Baltimore Orioles. ...Johnson joins Nationals front officeWashington TimesNationals add former manager Johnson to front officeSeattle Post Intelligencerall 206 news articles » Baltimore Orioles - Sport Snipe - Team News - Stats - Updates http://www.sportsnipe.com/main_sportsnews/1033044/orioles-have-added-six-players-to-their-40man-roster-pitchers-brandon-erbe-luis-lebron.html The Orioles have added six players to their 40-man roster: pitchers Brandon Erbe and Luis Lebron, and infielders Josh Bell, Pedro Florimon, Rhyne Hughes and Brandon Snyder. The roster is at its capacity. Teams must submit their rosters to the MLB office by Friday afternoon. Roch Kubatko - MASNsports.com That means Steve Johnson is unprotected. Roch has confirmed he is subject to the Rule V Draft in December. Baltimore Orioles - Sport Snipe - Team News - Stats - Updates http://www.sportsnipe.com/main_sportsnews/1032212/otl-field-schemes.html It seemed like a feel-good story on the surface: A Cambodian refugee brings the game of baseball to his home country. It seemed too good to be true ... and perhaps it is. Baltimore Orioles - Sport Snipe - Team News - Stats - Updates http://www.sportsnipe.com/main_sportsnews/1032138/orioles-add-six-to-40man-roster.html Orioles add six to 40-man roster Baltimore Orioles - Sport Snipe - Team News - Stats - Updates http://www.sportsnipe.com/main_sportsnews/1032137/discovering-oriole-great-boog-powell.html I'm not going to lie, I just never knew much about Boog Powell. I've known that he's a giant hulking dude, that he played first base, that he opened up Boog's BBQ, and that he's one of the friendliest ex-players I've ever interacted with. I figured he was good, being that he wouldn't have been on the team if he wasn't. But I never really knew anything about him statistically until I did a little research on some of the best Orioles' seasons. SC did name him the #6 Oriole of All Time, though, so maybe if I paid better attention I'd have known of his awesomeness that much sooner (an aside about the top 40 O's...it might need updated as it's over three years old and Brian Roberts is nowhere to be seen). Did you know that Boog Powell has the 4th highest single season OPS+ of any Oriole? In 1964, at just 22 years old, Powell had an OPS+ or 176, a year when he played LF. The only players to have an OPS+ higher in a season were Frank Robinson (198 in '66, 187 in '67) and Jim Gentile (187 in '61). In fact, in the top 20 OPS+ seasons of the Orioles, Boog Powell's name appears four times, which is tied for most with Eddie Murray and Frank Robinson. Not bad company. Boog Powell hit over 300 HR as an Oriole and is currently 83rd on the all time HR list in baseball. 5th most games as an Oriole, 5th highest SLG, 5th most hits. Top 5 in most things, top 10 in everything else. I wonder why I never heard more about Boog growing up? Makes me feel like I'm not a good enough Orioles fan. Baltimore Orioles - Sport Snipe - Team News - Stats - Updates http://www.sportsnipe.com/main_sportsnews/1031074/1979-pirates-orioles-world-series-revisited-tonight-on-mlb.html It was the ?We are family Pirates and the great pitching of the Baltimore Orioles in one of the most amazing World Series ever played. OK maybe it seemed that way because it was the first World Series I ever covered and the first game ... Baltimore Orioles - Sport Snipe - Team News - Stats - Updates http://www.sportsnipe.com/main_sportsnews/1031073/reds-agree-to-oneyear-deal-hernandez-kansas-city-star.html CBC.caReds agree to one-year deal with HernandezKansas City StarAcquired from Baltimore prior to the start of last season, knee injuries plagued Hernandez for most of the year, but he is expected to be 100-percent once ...Reds reach agreement with HernandezMLB.comReds re-sign catcher HernandezFOXSports.comReds Open Wallet To Sign Catcher HernandezAHNCNATI -Rotowireall 120 news articles » Baltimore Orioles - Sport Snipe - Team News - Stats - Updates http://www.sportsnipe.com/main_sportsnews/1031072/thanks-camden-chat.html I have a real nice post coming up later today about Colts-Ravens, but in the meantime I want to send my thanks to Stacey at Camden Chat. She did a nice writeup of The Loss Column over on her site, including an interview with yours truly. It’s part of a whole series she’s doing where she profiles other sites in the O’s/Baltimore website-o-sphere. Very cool, indeed. We’re all more or less in this together, after all. Baltimore Orioles - Sport Snipe - Team News - Stats - Updates http://www.sportsnipe.com/main_sportsnews/1030440/blog-spotlight-loss-column.html The next installment of Camden Chat's blog spotlight focuses on The Loss Column. I've been a fan of TLC for years as the creator, Neal Schaffer, writes regularly about Baltimore Sports, especially the Ravens and Orioles. With it being football season most of the current articles focus on football, but there's plenty to be found about the O's as well. What's refreshing about Neal's writing is that it's rare you'll the the "woe is me" mentality that can be prevalent among a lot of sports writing that's done by fans. On the "About" page, Neal points to an entry about Mark Teixeira that encapsulates the attitude and philosophy of TLC. I highly suggest giving it a read (and the rest of site as well). See below the jump for my Q&A with Neal. Part 1: The Blog 1. Let's set the scene. It's August 2006. The Orioles are stumbling to their 9th consecutive losing season. The Ravens are in pre-season, coming off of a 6-10 season and heading to their 13-3 season with Steve McNair. You decide to start The Loss Column. What was the story behind it getting started? The Loss Column emerged from conversations. I talk sports with friends like everyone else, and at some point my pal Chris suggested starting a site (he gets credit for the name, too). My background is in writing, and sportswriting had always interested me. I had done a couple of pieces for PressBox by then and I was hungry for more. The idea of having my own site hit me in the right spot. It's different now from what it was when I started. It took probably a year to really find the voice. And beyond that, it's a living thing. My ideas about what to do with it change and grow all the time. For example, I'm going to start incorporating more content that isn't explicitly sports-related. There wasn't ever an "a-ha!" moment at the start, and there's no road map for the future now that it's established. It's pretty organic. 2. How would you pitch your blog to someone who knows nothing about it? It's a place to go to get a nuanced take on sports. A place where yelling and name-calling and blind "your guy sucks, my guy rules" approaches aren't encouraged. A place where multiple viewpoints are welcome and considered. A place where stories tend to matter more than stats. My approach to sports writing and commentary has been called "NPR-like." I choose to take that as a compliment even though I'm not sure it was always meant that way. 3. The Orioles record since TLC started: 220-309. That means that about 42% of the time you're writing about a loser. Do you ever find it hard to come up with new things to say about this team? It's not hard to write during the season about what's happening game-to-game, and this past season in particular I think I fell into the trap of doing that too much. It can be fun but it's important to me that the site be about more than just that. So, yeah, it's sometimes very hard to come up with things to say. Given the fortunes of the team it would be easy to just bitch and moan. In the site's early days, before I found the voice, I was more inclined to indulge frustration. That fizzled pretty quickly. I write something for the site, even if it's something quick, about five times a week. The idea of filling that time with anger and negativity seems insane. Some people have managed to make a living off of doing just that but it's not for me. That said, I don't think things would be much different if the O's were winning. I think I'd still face the same challenges in trying to come up with quality content and I'd probably still fail and succeed as often as I do now. The judgment on the ratio is, of course, up to the audience. Part 2: The Orioles1. Short term - who's going to play third base for the O's in 2010? Is that different from who you think should play 3B for the O's in 2010? I think we'll end up with a solid veteran on a one or two-year deal, maybe somebody like Joe Crede or Troy Glaus. There's also a chance that Wigginton gets the spot -- we should be prepared for that possibility, even though I don't think it's anyone's first choice (MacPhail included) The important thing, whoever ends up at that corner, is to not block Josh Bell. He's steadily earning his opportunity and I think that's as it should be. He's the guy eventually. Not to start 2010 and maybe not even in 2010 at all, but he has to get a shot. That's why the trade was made. On a broader level, what we're really getting at with the third base question is the larger point about MacPhail's massive challenge this offseason: to improve the club without sacrificing the past two years spent amassing prospects and building a stronger organization. I wouldn't want that job. 2. Long term - who ends up the best pitcher of Tillman, Matusz, Arrieta, Britton, Bergesen? Which one ends up a bust? I don't see any of them ending up a bust. They obviously won't all be #1 or #2 guys, either. History says that if one true star emerges from that group then it's a win. I think that will happen and I think it'll be Matusz. He's very, very impressive. I'm almost tempted to think of him as a left-handed Mussina-type, though it's way too early for that. Great attitude and very coachable as well, from what I hear. I can see him heading the rotation in 2011 or 2012. I think Bergesen will be a workhorse #3-#4 type, a guy you can count on every five days to give you a damn good chance to win even if he's not typically dominant. I don't think we know enough about the other three guys to say one way or the other, but all signs point to them being good enough to at least contribute. 3. Do you think there is anything the Orioles can do to legitimately compete in this division over the duration? If not, should we all just pack it in and call it a day? Hard as it may be to imagine, these things are cyclical. The Yankees and Red Sox figure to be in the mix most years, sure, but it would be going too far to say that nobody can compete with that. And the good news is that the Orioles are in a position to do it. They have a beautiful stadium and they play in a great market (the mid-Atlantic, which is still huge even though they now share it). Winning will bring fans back, and that can/will turn into a revenue stream significant enough to keep them competitive. They have to undo a lot of mistakes and get a little lucky before it can happen, but they seem to be on the right track. 2010 is the year where they have to start showing us just how possible it is. If next season doesn't go down the way we all expect it to -- if we don't see the measurable improvement of which MacPhail spoke -- then I honestly don't know what I'll say. That would be a worst-case scenario. If they lose 90 games, ask me this question again. Baltimore Orioles - Sport Snipe - Team News - Stats - Updates http://www.sportsnipe.com/main_sportsnews/1030020/ramon-hernandez-resigned-by-cincinnati-reds-3-million-more-down-drain-bleacher-report.html Bleacher ReportRamon Hernandez Re-Signed by Cincinnati Reds: $3 Million More Down the DrainBleacher ReportHe came over to the Reds in a deal that sent "Swiss Utility Knife"-type player Ryan Freel to the Baltimore Orioles during the offseason last year. ... Baltimore Orioles - Sport Snipe - Team News - Stats - Updates http://www.sportsnipe.com/main_sportsnews/1028959/1898-baltimore-orioles.html The Orioles lost a couple of key players from their 1897 team. Arlie Pond missed most of the season due to his service in the Medical Corps, Joe Corbett left because of a salary dispute; a common practice during the late 1890s, ... Baltimore Orioles - Sport Snipe - Team News - Stats - Updates http://www.sportsnipe.com/main_sportsnews/1028958/pittsburgh-pirates-baltimore-orioles-ampamp-california-angels.html The documentary-style series created by Major League Baseball Productions focuses on the Pittsburgh Pirates' championship season led by Dave Parker and 1979 National League MVP Willie Stargell; the story of the Baltimore Orioles, ... Baltimore Orioles - Sport Snipe - Team News - Stats - Updates http://www.sportsnipe.com/main_sportsnews/1028010/several-clubs-expressing-interest-in-john-smoltz-sportingnewscom.html Examiner.comSeveral clubs expressing interest in John SmoltzSportingNews.comOther potential suitors include the Houston Astros, Texas Rangers and Baltimore Orioles. Smoltz finished this past season with the Cardinals, going 1-3 with ...Astros inquire about SmoltzExaminer.comall 14 news articles » Baltimore Orioles - Sport Snipe - Team News - Stats - Updates http://www.sportsnipe.com/main_sportsnews/1028007/several-clubs-expressing-interest-in-john-smoltz-sportingnewscom.html John Smoltz apparently won't lack for options this offseason. FoxSports.com reports the 42-year-old... Baltimore Orioles - Sport Snipe - Team News - Stats - Updates http://www.sportsnipe.com/main_sportsnews/1027164/we-do-have-options-birds-watcher-baltimore-orioles-blog.html I'm not going to get into great detail about some of the options the team has, but I'll name a few. So far this young off-season we've heard some trade and. Baltimore Orioles - Sport Snipe - Team News - Stats - Updates http://www.sportsnipe.com/main_sportsnews/1026377/bryant-crazy-talk-about-baseball-salary-cap.html Did the Yankees buy a World Series celebration? Their money didn't hurt, but that $207 million payroll is the least of baseball's competitive-balance problems. Baltimore Orioles - Sport Snipe - Team News - Stats - Updates http://www.sportsnipe.com/main_sportsnews/1026172/os-pitching-coming-out-on-top-in-afl.html O's pitching coming out on top in AFL Baltimore Orioles - Sport Snipe - Team News - Stats - Updates http://www.sportsnipe.com/main_sportsnews/1025368/miguel-tejada-pland-for-minnesota-twins-bleacher-report.html Bleacher ReportMiguel Tejada: Plan-D for the Minnesota TwinsBleacher Report... Tejada was one of baseball's best players and had recently signed a massive (at the time) six-year, $72 million deal with the Baltimore Orioles. ... Baltimore Orioles - Sport Snipe - Team News - Stats - Updates http://www.sportsnipe.com/main_sportsnews/1025088/strasburg-mejia-among-pitchers-on-display-at-afl.html Final note on outfielders from yesterday: I probably should have at least mentioned the Detroit Tigers' Casper Wells. He's generated some buzz at the ... Baltimore Orioles - Sport Snipe - Team News - Stats - Updates http://www.sportsnipe.com/main_sportsnews/1024199/kansas-city-royals-greinke-wins-american-league-cy-young-award-msn-money.html Canoe.caKansas City Royals' Greinke wins American League Cy Young AwardMSN Money... for the fourth-worst record in the majors. The Baltimore Orioles were 64-98, the Pittsburgh Pirates were 62-99, and the Washington Nationals were 59-103.Greinke Wins AL Cy Young Over Hernandez, Verlander, SabathiaBloombergall 548 news articles » Baltimore Orioles - Sport Snipe - Team News - Stats - Updates http://www.sportsnipe.com/main_sportsnews/1024198/ravens-hauschka-cut.html Pretty sure this one isn’t catching anybody by surprise: the Ravens have severed ties with kicker Steve Hauschka. As anyone who knows me knows, I have a soft spot in my heart for troubled kickers. Not sure Hauschka qualifies, though. I don’t think he’s interesting enough. Baltimore Orioles - Sport Snipe - Team News - Stats - Updates