What are the O's to do with Pie?

The Orioles aren't confronted with many dilemma's they would like to have these days. Usually, they have to figure out which minor leaguer is the best candidate to be promoted in order to replace a struggling player on the big league roster. However, the Orioles are confronted with the opposite situation.

A few months ago, ESPN.com featured a piece on the O's young outfield (pictured) including Nolan Reimold, Adam Jones, and Nick Markakis. There's no argument that the trio make up one of the best young outfields in the majors. However, what ESPN did not account for at the time is the Orioles new-found depth in the outfield. With Felix Pie's increased playing time and opportunity to prove why he was once the Cubs number one minor league prospect, number 18 has suddenly burst onto the scene as more than just your everyday fourth outfielder.

Since his cycle game, Pie is batting .386 going 17 for 44 over that span of 15 games. What's most impressive is that his power numbers are drastically improving in just a short period of time. On August 12, his slugging percentage was stuck at an unimpressive .336. Since then, he's raised his slugging to .459, a 123 point increase in only a couple weeks! It doesn't appear that this recent hot streak is simply a fluke. A few weeks ago, the O's hitting coach Terry Crowley announced that he helped Pie make his swing more compact. Since working with Crowley, Pie has shown instant improvement which suggests he isn't just getting lucky.

So the dilemma the Orioles are in now is what to do with Pie. He's filled his role as the team's fourth outfielder very well but is he beginning to outgrow his role? With Adam Jones return to the lineup after a mild back injury, Pie is back on the bench except for Sunday games and the occasional spot start. I would expect Trembley to start letting Pie play more often than he has in the past. However, Nolan Reimold earned his spot in left field months ago so how does Pie factor into the O's future? I understand that Pie needs to prove himself over a longer stretch of time but it wouldn't surprise me if the Orioles have four legitimate young outfielders by the time the off-season rolls around.

Is it feasible to let Nolan Reimold take a shot at playing first base during spring training next year? He's only played one game at first in his professional career but the Orioles have been successful at converting players in the past. Melvin Mora was brought up as an outfielder and they were able to develop him into a solid third baseman, one of the hardest positions on the field. The Orioles gave Luke Scott, a career outfielder, an opportunity to play first base this season and he's filled in adequately for Huff's vacancy.

Or is it more feasible to let go of someone like Luke Scott in order to allow Reimold to be the DH next year? As much as I like Luuuuke Scott and his scorching hot streaks, I wouldn't be opposed to seeing him go. In the past, I would've been completely against trading Scott because he is only 31 and seems to have a decent number of productive years left. He also recently signed a contract extension. However, two or three years from now, do you see the 34 year old Luke Scott playing a bigger role than Nolan Reimold or Felix Pie in the O's future?

Andy MacPhail has stressed that the Orioles should have an inventory of young players. I couldn't agree more but at some point, the O's need to distribute their wealth and surplus of young players at certain positions in order to fill holes in the roster where perhaps they don't have players waiting in the wings. It doesn't take a genius to figure out that the Orioles don't have incredible depth in their minor league system at first base. How about we give Reimold a shot at first and go from there?

The Changeover Begins...

We all knew it was coming, it was just a matter of when. The inevitable changeover in the Baltimore sports landscape from the last-place Orioles to the Super Bowl seeking Ravens is complete. With the Ravens first regular season game only a few weeks away, local sports fans are quickly forgetting about the O's and devoting their full attention to the Purple and Black.

As of now, the O's are in last place in the AL East and have the 3rd worst record in all of baseball at 51-75. The team is going through it's annual late-season swoon as they have only won one series since the All-Star break. Orioles fans and even team president Andy MacPhail had mild expectations for the season. Those lowly expectations are coming into fruition.

Fortunately, all hope is not lost for the O's. The young pitching staff is showing signs of potential dominance and the O's offense only has a couple glaring weaknesses. Chris Tillman, Brian Matusz, David Hernandez, and the former AL ROY contender Brad Bergesen have all shown how well they can pitch in the majors. They have also shown how there is a lot of work to be done before the staff becomes respectable. The light at the end of the tunnel that everyone speaks of is visible for the birds. For now, that light is being blocked by a different type of bird, a Baltimore Raven.

Baltimore's proudest and most elite sports team is proving that they have the capability to bring another Lombardi Trophy to the city. In their first two preseason games, the Ravens have showed what they're capable of when their first team is on the field. I know not to look too far into preseason results (the Detroit Lions were 4-0 last year in the preseason), however, the Purple and Black have dominated nearly every stat category in their first couple games. The Passing attack looks formidable even without a star wide receiver. The running game looks solid and it appears Ray Rice has the tools to be a exceptional primary back. The defense is a year older but doesn't appear to have lost their intensity even with the departure of Bart Scott and the injury to Terrell Suggs. The only unresolved spot on the team is the kicker, a position which doesn't usually make or break an entire team. I'm confident the Ravens will resolve the kicking dilemma one way or another.

There's a lot to look forward to this year with the Ravens. Joe Flacco has a year under his belt and Ray Lewis stays with the Ravens to lead one of the most dominant D's in the game today.

As for the O's, their time will come, just not this year. Let's Go Ravens!

Best Games of the First Half

In this supposed 'rebuilding' year for the O's, there have been a handful of thrilling games with spectacular performances from the young guys and veterans. While their record was 36-45 at the half-way mark, the majority of fans agree that this team is on the right track. Here is a list of the 5 most memorable games from the first half.

Opening Day, April 6th. Orioles 10 vs. Yankees 5.

The Orioles kicked their season off on the right foot by beating the Yankees and their prized off season acquisitions. Mark Teixiera was properly greeted by tens of thousands boos hollered by bitter O's fans. C.C. Sabathia allowed six runs as Roberts, Jones, and Markakis combined for 8 hits and 7 runs between the three of them. This game was more than just a win but rather a benchmark for where this team was fostering hope for the future.

Reimold's Heroics, May 27th. Orioles 12 vs. Blue Jays 10 in 11 innings.

Nothing was in the Orioles favor for this game. For one, it was a day game, they were facing the American League's best pitcher at the time in Roy Halladay, and it was the final game of a series in which they won the first two games. Despite all of those pieces in the Blue Jays favor, Orioles Magic returned to Birdland. Halladay was bumped from the game after 7 solid innings and the O's had there chance. The Orioles were down by 5 runs entering the 8th but battled back with a merry-go-round of hits to tie the ballgame. In the top of the 12th however, Danys Baez gave up a two run homer to Aaron Hill to break up the tie. In the bottom half of the inning, up stepped Nolan Reimold playing in just his 13th career major league ballgame. With the score 10-9 and two runners on base, the rookie jacked the 1-1 pitch over the left field fence, game over, O's win 12-10!

Wieter's Debut, May 29th. Orioles 7 vs. Tigers 2.

This potentially historic game drew national attention as the #1 prospect in baseball was called up. However, Matt Wieters' debut in front of a packed house at the Yard was overshadowed by Luke Scott's two home run performance and Bergesen's gem. Luke's grand slam onto the flag court and Brad Bergesen's 8 strong innings helped the O's win their 7th game in 8 days.

Roberts Silences Citizens Bank Park, June 20th. Orioles 6 @ Phillies 5.

In the midst of interleague play, the Orioles stunned 40,000 Phillies fans at Citizens Bank Park by taking the lead after trailing by two entering the top of the ninth. After a Ryan Howard bomb off Danys Baez in the 7th to give the Phils a two-run lead, the O's used a Gregg Zaun solo shot and a Brian Roberts two out, two strike, two-run home run to overcome the Phils. The Orioles went on to sweep the World Champions the following day.

Historic Comeback, June 30th. Orioles 11 vs. Red Sox 10.

What really is there to say about this one? Wow! Everyone who was at or watched this historic game was speechless. This is perhaps the most memorable game of the past decade for the O's. The Birds overcame a nine run deficit, yes a NINE RUN deficit, to beat the first place Red Sox. With five runs in the 7th and five more in the 8th, the Orioles set a franchise record for largest comeback in team history. This win is a testament to the team's heart and persistence regardless of the situation, the two qualities winning teams must have in order to succeed. Unfortunately, Orioles fans will always remember the 4-run lead the Orioles blew in the 9th the following day. That's baseball.

Honorable Mentions

Battle of the Beltways part 1, May 22 @ Nationals. 4-2 in 12 innings.

The Orioles kicked off their interleague schedule by taking a trip down 95 to play in the 'Battle of the Beltways' versus the Nats. This was a very well played game by both teams and it took a fluke play to split the 2-2 tie. In the top of the 12th, Danys Baez was forced to hit because the O's ran out of bench players. He swung at the second pitch he saw and the ball dribbled down the left field line as Baez reached first safely to keep the inning alive. Roberts and Jones followed with consecutive doubles as Baez scored what ended up being the game winning run. Take that, 12-29 Nats!

K-Rod's Collapse, June 18 vs. Mets. 5-4.

Trailing 4-3 entering the bottom of the 9th, the O's were in line to add another loss to their 0-34 record when trailing after 8 innings. With arguably the best closer in the majors on the mound primed to record another save, the Orioles stood no chance right? Nope, the O's defied the odds and scored two runs of Francisco Rodriguez, aided by a game winning single by Aubrey Huff, to win the series against the Mets.

RIP Steve

While he only played two seasons for our Baltimore Ravens, I consider it an honor to have watched Steve McNair play in a Raven uniform. He'll always be remembered as a Tennessee Titan, as he should be, but he'll also go down as one of the toughest and grittiest players in NFL history.

During his time in Baltimore, it seemed like he was always on the injury report with a strained back, sore shoulder, or bruised ribs, among many more injuries. Regardless of the ailment, he persevered and led the Ravens during the 2006 season when they went 13-3 and won the AFC North. At the end of his career, it appeared his injuries finally caught up with him as the perennial hall of famer was forced to call it quits after 13 seasons.

However, his past statistics and achievements take a backseat to today's news that McNair, 36, was tragically shot and killed in Nashville. It is unclear exactly what happened but when it comes down to it, a young man and woman lost their life due to an act of gun violence.

On my way home today, I heard a piece of the Sporting News radio show during which they were discussing the link between professional athletes and violence. As of now, it does not appear that Steve McNair put himself in any danger. However, professional athletes, especially NFL players, seem to find themselves in the middle of dangerous situations. Sean Taylor, Darrent Williams, and Steve McNair are just a few of the athletes who have recently been killed or involved with gun violence. Their deaths give creedence to the notion that high-profile athletes are targeted more often than average joes. I've got to believe that professional athletes are going to feel more inclined to protect themselves.

Would you feel comfortable with more athletes wielding firearms for protection? Occasionally, professional athletes are the danger as seen through Tank Johnson's and Plaxico Burress' off the field gun-related problems. It is a very complicated issue that may never be fully resolved. As for now, our prayers go out to the McNair family as they mourn the loss of a true competitor.

RIP Steve

A Historic Day at the Yard

What really is there to say about this one? Everyone who was at or watched this historic game was speechless. This is perhaps the most memorable game of the past decade for the O's. The Birds overcame a nine run deficit, yes a NINE RUN deficit, to beat the first place Red Sox 11-10. With five runs in the 7th and five more in the 8th, the Orioles set a franchise record for largest comeback in team history. The comeback was the largest by a last place team over a first place team in major league history, wow! This win is a testament to the team's heart and persistence regardless of the situation, the two qualities winning teams must have in order to succeed.

On a slightly separate note, I was prepared to post an article about the poor umpiring in this series (which is continuing into the third game of the series). The umpiring in this series has been atrocious. I'm usually not one to openly complain about the umps. I've always believed, regardless of the sport, the officials can't make a team win or lose, they just make it harder.

In last night's game, Jim Palmer sounded off about umpire Tony Randazo and his deplorable calls behind the plate.

This is after a ball at least 6 inches off the plate is called a strike during Felix Pie’s at bat in the bottom of the 8th when facing Jonathan Papelbon with 2 on and only 1 out. Pie later strikes out in the at bat.

Jim Palmer: Oooooh, you’ve got to be kiddin’ me. That ball is so far outside that is, i mean that’s just, that’s just horrible umpiring. I don’t care if this was George Sherrill. I mean look at this ball. That’s pathetic umpiring whether you’re the Orioles or the Red Sox and he should be ashamed of himself because you just gotta be better than that.

Gary Thorne: Boy, not even close

Jim: Yea that’s, I tell you what. I know Richie Garcia was here last night, he’s got to be embarassed about the performance Randazo is putting on tonight….Because you know, Dave Trembley, he certainly doesn’t want to get tossed or one of these players to go but again, you have supervisors because they’re supposed to sit behind home plate. You can have all the cameras in the world and if you look at Jerry Lane, that was horrible last night for both sides. Tonight Randazo’s been horrible. You can’t put up with these kind of guys. You know if you play poorly, they send you to the minor leagues. And Joe Torre used to say ‘hey, you know what? They make mistakes, we go to another ball club, they go onto the next city and sooner or later you have to make umpires accountable.’ They have not been very good in these first two games.

The Stover Question

10-10 game. 4th down. 57 seconds left in the 4th quarter. AFC championship game berth on the line. From 43 yards out. Who do you want kicking? Steve Hauschka? Graham Gano?

No way.

You want Matt Stover. Sure, his range may be limited but I want the most accurate kicker in the NFL on my side. At a spry 41 years old, the Ravens most trusted offensive weapon in team history deserves to kick again. He earned it last January when he nailed the 43-yarder to seal it against the Titans.

Some cite his weakening leg and increased unreliability for reasons why the Ravens should move on. I cite the game-winning field goals and the ability to come into the most tense situation without crumbling under the pressure for reasons why he should kick for the Ravens. In a recent Baltimore Sun article, Mike Preston explains Stover's primary problem is that he has been too good for too long.

It's hard for me to doubt Ozzie Newsome's decision making, as he is the sole reason for why this team is able to reach such great heights. I don't know for sure if he made the decision to let Stover go but whoever did should come forward and fully explain why the Ravens are putting their money on the unproven youngsters, Graham Gano and Steve Hauschka. It's possible that one of those two can help the Ravens make a Super Bowl run. However, I would prefer that the Ravens re-sign Stover to kick field goals under 45 yards and keep one of the two young kickers on the roster to kick field goals over 45 and man the kickoff duties.

The Stover question is as easy to solve as the phrase which best summarizes the situation. If it ain't broke, don't fix it!

So let me ask again. 4th Quarter. Season on the line. A chance to play for a spot in the Super Bowl. Who do you want kicking? I want Matt Stover. Do you?

Clueless on the Basepaths

The Orioles embarrassing and painful base running came to a boiling point during Wednesday night's 1-run loss against the Mariners. Three Orioles were either picked off or caught stealing, killing rallies during a game in which each base runner mattered.

Only two teams in the majors have been caught stealing more than the Orioles and only four teams have a lower SB%. Unfortunately, or fortunately depending on how you look at it, there is no statistic that I found recording the number of runners caught stretching base hits into extra base hits (cough::Melvin Mora::cough). Baltimore Sun columnist Peter Schmuck points out the Orioles are hurting themselves by implementing too many hit-and-runs at inopportune times.

Typically, a team struggling offensively, as the Orioles currently are, must be aggressive on the base paths in order to spark the lackluster offense. However, the Orioles offense isn't having trouble getting on base, they are simply having trouble scoring runs. Rather than trying to steal their way to success (which the Orioles clearly are unable to do), I recommend that Dave Trembley sit back and let his potent offense hit their way out of the slump. As I mentioned earlier, the Orioles are hurting themselves by giving away outs to the opposition. There is no reason why Aubrey Huff should be asked to steal at any point (he is 0/5 this year in SB attempts).

Poor base running is not a new phenomenon for this ball club. The O's were 23rd in the majors in SB% in 2008 leading me to believe that the man calling the shots may have something to do with their questionable base running. More often than not, Dave Trembley decides whether or not to give his players the green light to steal or hit and run. What's not under Trembley's control is the absurd number of times the Orioles have been picked off this year, that falls on the players. Of course Dave isn't out there on the basepaths getting picked off or caught stealing however he must send a message to his players that every base runner is critical. The Orioles are going to cost themselves more runs and games if they don't get their wrecklessness on the basepaths under control.

A Week to Remember

Has there been a time in the past twelve seasons when you, as a die-hard Orioles fan, have felt more optimistic about the future? For the bulk of these 11 straight losing seasons, your head has been filled with false hope and a general sense that this team will bring a winning team back to Baltimore, eventually.

By now, there is no hope left. O's fans know that this team is on the right track. While the O's are still developing (as are most teams), the young talent is falling into place and the positive results are shining through. This most recent week may go down as the most significant week for the Orioles organization in the past decade.

Just think about what has happened over the course of one week, a week that included five shaving cream pies to the face, a game winning blast by a promising rookie, a triplet of solid outings by three pitching prospects, a grand slam in the midst of a scorching streak, and a date that may go down in history as the dawn of a new era of baseball in Baltimore.

Nolan Reimold, the Orioles second most talented hitting prospect, looked like the real deal by hitting 3 HR's including a walk-off shot. Jason Berken, one of the Orioles young pitching prospects, pitched solidly enough for me to believe that the pitching is actually on its way. David Hernandez kicked off his major league career with a fine outing Thursday night. Brad Bergeson pitched a gem and Luuuuuke Scott blasted his fourth and fifth homer in three games Friday night overshadowing the debut of the second coming of Jesus Christ aka Matt Wieters. Was the rainbow over the warehouse on Friday a coincidence? I think not.

At 23-26, 5 games back of first and closing, the O's are winning for all the right reasons. Young talent is taking this team over and the light at the end of the tunnel is visible, for real this time. Then again, that's what winning does for a team and an organization.

Don't Expect Much From Wieters

Even though he is arguably the most talented prospect in all of baseball, don't expect Matt Wieters to blossom into a superstar from the get go.

If history is any indication, it is unlikely that Wieters will be an impact player in his first couple months with the O's. While anyone is an upgrade over Gregg Zaun and Chad Moeller, don't expect Wieters to instantly provide a solid bat in the middle portion of the lineup.

Even the most highly rated prospects struggled in their first couple months in the big leagues. Nick Markakis, for example, batted .220 in his first 100 at-bats with only 2 homers. Through their first 100 at-bats, Adam Jones (.210), Evan Longoria (.220), and Dustin Pedroia (.180) each struggled in the first couple of months after getting called up. However, after their initial struggles, all of the aforementioned players turned into impact players.

Rarely will a rookie will burst onto the scene in the couple months following their call-up. Joe Mauer is an example of such a rarity. The batting title-winning Mauer hit .320 to go along with 6 HR's in his first 100 AB's.

As for Wieters, he may join the likes of Joe Mauer and immediately live up to the hype. Prior to the 2009 season, a large handful of 'experts' including ESPN's Buster Olney picked Wieters to win the AL Rookie of the Year award. Olney believes that Wieters is 'Joe Mauer, with power.' It is possible that Wieters comes right out of the gate swinging. However, a player like Mauer is an anomaly. While some have considered Wieters to be an anomaly as well, I am not going to be foolish enough to expect too much out of this kid before he settles into the major league environment.

Either way, the Orioles don't need him to produce in the short run. If Wieters is batting under .230 halfway through July, don't panic. This kid seems like the real deal but we have to give him time to develop, much like the Orioles team as a whole.

Problem: Struggling Orioles Offense, Solution: Wait it Out or Promote Wieters

Going into Sunday's series finale of the 'Battle of the Beltways,' the Orioles anemic offense had failed to post more than four runs on the board since May 14th, a stretch of eight games.

While the O's have won a few of these low scoring games, no right minded Orioles fan can expect to see the current Orioles pitching staff win games when the offense does not produce.

The Three-Headed Monster (Roberts, Jones, Markakis) at the top of the lineup is no longer the most feared 1-2-3 in baseball. Nick Markakis is slumping, badly. In the past nine games, he is batting .184 with only two extra base hits in that stretch. Most importantly, he has driven in only five runs. His performance is instrumental to the Orioles offense.

Aubrey Huff is another struggling Oriole crucial to driving in runs. Huff, similarly to Markakis, is batting .229 in the past nine games with 4 RBI's. Brian Roberts and Adam Jones have done an excellent job this year getting on base. When Markakis and Huff aren't able to capitalize with runners on base, the Orioles can't win ballgames. It's that simple.

What is going to get this offense going again? First of all, Nick Markakis needs to get back on track. His RBI triple on Sunday is good to see but he went 1 for 5 in the game. I expect that Nick will break out of this slump soon, he is too good of a hitter to continue slumping. Second of all, Aubrey Huff must capitalize with runners on base.

If the offense does not get back on track in their current form, Matt Wieters' inevitable promotion must come to fruition. In the past 10 games, the switch-hitting superstar-to-be is hitting .333 with 4 HR's and 14 RBI's.

If Andy MacPhail is waiting for the right time to promote Wieters, this is it. Chad Moeller and Gregg Zaun are embarrassing at the plate and the O's can't afford to lose games simply because Markakis and Huff aren't doing well.

--BK

Ace No More

Going into this season, O's fans knew that the pitching would be bad. But most came to the conclusion there was at least one legitimate starter on this team, Jeremy Guthrie. Those O's fans, including myself, were wrong.

After 9 starts, Guthrie is 3-4 with an 5.37 ERA. When Guthrie struggles, the long ball is primarily to blame. He has given up 14 HRs through the first month and a half this season. Last year, he gave up 24 over the course of the entire season.

Since injuring his shoulder last August, Jeremy has not been able to regain the consistency and reliability he showed during the bulk of 2007 and 2008. Guthrie does not maintain the ability to stop, or at the least, mend the bleeding by the Orioles pitching staff, the primary objective of a staff ace.

I've tried to stay fairly contempt in this blog when discussing the Orioles. But I can't any longer. What is wrong with the Orioles baserunning?! As I sit here an write this entry, I am subjected to watching the Orioles squash their own rallies by being overly aggressive and flat out stupid on the basepaths. In this game alone (Orioles @ Yankees 5/20), Brian Roberts was caught stealing second with a runner on 3rd for the third out and Melvin Mora was thrown out at second trying to extend a clear cut single. Back on April 12th, I wrote about my concern with the Orioles baserunning. I mentioned that the Orioles offense is potent enough to stay conservative on the basepaths. The same rings true today. I understand that the O's need to spark rallies by being aggressive especially with such a weak pitching staff. But be aggressive at the plate where they excel, not on the basepaths where they are 22nd in the majors in stolen base success rate (65%).

Where are they now?

The Orioles completed a lackluster week splitting two series with the Rays and Royals. This week I'll give you a look into how former Orioles of the past couple seasons are performing (or not performing).

SP Daniel Cabrera, Washington Nationals (released by the Orioles in 2008). Not much has changed for this wild work in progress (click the link, it's amusing). Through 9 starts, he is 0-6 with a 6.70 ERA. Daniel has walked 32 batters while only striking out 19 opponents. The Nationals have lost every single time Cabrera takes the mound. But wait, it gets better! At the plate, the nonathletic Cabrera has an on-base percentage of .214 due to 2 base on balls. His batting average for his career is still stuck at .000 but his current on base percentage is 214 points higher than his on base percentage with the Orioles. Keep in mind that he struck out all 15 times he came to bat for the O's. Bottom Line: the Orioles made the right decision by moving on without this wildly inconsistent project. Even he wouldn't be welcome in the Orioles deplorable rotation.

1B Kevin Millar, Toronto Blue Jays (released in 2008). The former clubhouse leader of the O's is currently taking a more secondary role with the Blue Jays, backing up first basemen Lyle Overbay. Milar is batting .281 with 1 HR and 12 RBIs in 64 ABs. Bottom Line: The Orioles clubhouse is without a clear cut leader due to the loss of Millar. On the other hand, Millar's vacancy has allowed the Orioles to put the defensively solid Aubrey Huff at 1B, allowing Luke Scott and Ty Wiggington to fill the DH role, permitting prospects like Felix Pie and Nolan Reimold to get the necessary experience in the outfield to develop.

SP Erik Bedard, Seattle Mariners (traded in 2007 for Adam Jones, George Sherrill, Chris Tillman, Tony Butler, and Kameron Mickolio). Hampered by injuries in 2008, the lethal lefty started 15 games recording a 6-4 record to go along with a respectable 3.67 ERA for the Mariners. So far this season, Bedard is 2-1 with a 2.53 ERA through 7 starts. He was recently scratched from starting due to a hamstring problem, the same problem he had while pitching for the O's in 2007. Bottom Line: Although Bedard hasn't been a dissapointment for the Mariners, it's looking like the trade in 2007 may go down as one of the best trades in Orioles history.

SS Miguel Tejada, Houston Astros (traded in 2007 for Luke Scott, Troy Patton, Dennis Sarfate, Matt Albers, and Michael Costanzo). The change of scenery that Miguel Tejada requested two years ago did not work out too well for the former MVP. Last year, Tejada batted .283 with a mere 13 HRs and 66 RBIs in 158 games amid steroid allegations. This season, his average has increased to .313 but he has only 2 HRs through 36 games. Earlier this year, Tejada was charged with lying to Congress about his usage of performance enhancing drugs. As a result, Tejada is serving a one year probation. There is no doubt that the Astros are disappointed with his production on and off the field especially considering the amount they gave up to the Orioles. Bottom Line: Much like the result of the Bedard trade, the Orioles have seemed to come away the better end of the deal.

OF Jay Gibbons, free agent (cut during 2008 spring training). Jay Gibbons has been on quite a tour since being released by the O's. In the past couple years, the former underachieving slugger has played for the non-MLB affiliated Long Island Ducks (pictured), Hunstville Stars (Milwaukee Brewers AA affilliate), Nashville Sounds (Brewers AAA), and currently the non-MLB affiliated Newark Bears. Mixed in there is a non-roster invite to the Florida Marlins spring training camp. Talk about an abrupt fall. You'd think that he would tear up the minors and these non-MLB affiliated clubs. But sadly, he's batting a depressing .209 for the Newark Bears. The Bears are somewhat of a cess pool for washed up Major League talent. Carl Everett, Rob Mackowiak, Keith Foulke, and Shawn Chacon are all currently playing for the Newark Bears. Bottom Line: Who cares? Unfortunately, the Orioles owe Gibbons $11.9 million over the 2008 and 2009 seasons.


More random O's of the past 6-7 years (just for kicks):
Sammy Sosa (his high expectations and atrocious results)
Sidney Ponson (the inconsistency and DUI's)
B.J. Ryan (legit closer)
Jeff Conine (plain)
Jerry Hairston Jr.
Gary Matthews Jr. (should've held onto him)
Marty Cordova (epitome of Orioles prospects, high expectations, poor results)
David Segui (the underachieving and contract that was recently paid off)
Albert Belle (scaring away trick-or-treaters)
Luis Matos (shades of Paul Blair in center field)
Bruce Chen (his 81 mph fastball)
Jorge Julio (his 100 mph fastball)
Jason Grimsley (steroids)
Tony Batista (his exaggerated open stance)
Jeff Fiorentino (his amazing start and subsequent downfall)
Fernando Tatis (the guy with 2 grand slams in the same inning)
Steve Kline (the balks)
Sal Fasano (the handlebar mustache)
Eric Byrnes (the hustle)
Walter Young (statistically the most obese baseball player in MLB history)

What We've Learned About the O's After 1 Month

I'm back! After a month-long hiatus, I've returned to talk O's, Ravens, Terps, and more.

1. The Orioles are who we thought they were. As we expected, their young offense is potent and capable of matching up with any offense in the majors. On the other hand, the pitching staff struggles to give their team a chance to win. With the exception of Koji Uehara, none of the Orioles starters have proved themselves. In the bullpen, Jim Johnson, Chris Ray, and George Sherrill are just a few of the terribly inconsistent relievers.

2. Adam Jones is the real deal. The middle piece of the strongest first third of any lineup in the majors is developing at a rate faster than many expected. As of Sunday May 10th, AJ is batting .358 with 6 homers and 21 RBI's not to mention an on-base percentage of .418. He's on pace to hit over 30 home runs and 110 RBI's this season. Along with future All-Star Nick Markakis, this young duo will be insturmental to the team's future successes.


3. The future looks bright. The minor league talent that will be key to the Orioles future success is performing well. Matt Wieters has a batting average of .301 and slugging percentage of .422 at AAA. Through five starts, Chris Tillman, acquired in the soon-to-be-historic Bedard trade, has a 2.52 ERA with 27 K's for the AAA Norfolk Tides. Jake Arrieta (2-1, 3.80 ERA) and Troy Patton (3-0 0.95 ERA) are developing as planned for the AA Bowie Baysox.

4. Orioles fans are losing their patience quickly. Camden Yards is emptier than usual as attendance for non-prime (not Yankees or Red Sox games) continues to dip. Perhaps it's the economy, but the O's are consistently struggling to surpass 12,000 fans for games in the middle of the week, games that used to sell out during the mid-90's. It should come as no surprise that the organization is having trouble filling up The Yard. It is, however, an indication that the Orioles must bring top-notch baseball back to Baltimore before everyone's attention shifts entirely to the superbowl contending Ravens.

1 week down, 25 to go and an Ode to the Blast

Could anyone have asked for a better start to the Orioles 2009 campaign? This first week of top-notch baseball by the Orioles is not surprising (they usually start hot), but it is relieving. The pitching has been hit or miss so far. Three out of five starters have at least one win but the bullpen has allowed the opposition to creep back into games. Jeremy Guthrie has silenced critics who were pessimistic while watching him struggle this spring.

The Orioles offense has performed superbly as expected. Brian Roberts, Adam Jones, Nick Markakis, and Melvin Mora are batting well over .300 with 19 RBI's to go around through Saturday. Most agree that the offense will be among the best in the big leagues this year. Prior to opening day, my major concern with the offense was the bottom 3 hitters. Gregg Zaun, Felix Pie, and Cesar Izturis are not exactly front-line hitters however they have been performing well enough to keep the rest of the lineup afloat.

The Orioles baserunning has concerned me. They have already been thrown out four times this season having only stolen four bases. I understand that Dave Trembley wants his team to be aggressive on the basepaths. What I don't understand is why they need to be aggressive right now while their offense is performing exceptionally well. The Orioles are getting baserunners and scoring runs left and right. There is no need to risk losing baserunners when the offense is hot.

Congratulations to the Blast who won their fifth championship in seven years this past Saturday. They beat the Rockford Rampage 13-10 at the First Mariner Arena. OK, I know it's just soccer, indoor soccer at that. But the Blast have a long and significant history in Baltimore, they deserve some credit.

This and That: O's, Ravens, and Blast??

First off, congratulations to the Orioles for winning what will be an opening day game not soon forgotten. The win yesterday against the Yanks means a lot to Orioles fans dedicated to sticking through the rough times. The O's ace, Jeremy Guthrie, looked strong and the underrated offense came through when they needed to. Unfortunately, the bullpen allowed the Yankees to creep back into the game. Although there are 161 games remaining, the Orioles surely kicked off their season on the right foot.

The signing of Samari Rolle to a four-year contract surprised me quite a bit yesterday. I was almost certain his days as a Raven were through when he was released a few weeks ago. Now that the Ravens have seem to solidified their secondary , they can focus on going after a WR or OT in the first round.

The under appreciated Baltimore Blast are hosting the NISL Championship game this Saturday. Believe it or not, the Blast have won more championships in the past decade than any local professional sports team. They will be shooting for their fifth championship in the past seven seasons, talk about success. Attendance at the dump, also known as First Mariner Arena, has been rising steadily as well. The Blast averaged a healthy 7,500 fans this season, a number that blows away the competition in the NISL. So what if the pregame celebrations are only one step above WWE? Maybe you Baltimore sports fans should pay a little respect to your most dominant local team. Then again, it is American soccer.

A point of interest about last night's NCAA Championship game: According to college basketball rules, a team must wear the exact same jersey, the only difference being the number on the back. Apparently, a few of the North Carolina Tar Heels wore slightly different jerseys from the rest of their teammates in last night's game. The rule states that when a player enters the game wearing a different jersey from the rest of their team, two technical foul shots are awarded to the other team. If the refs had payed very close attention last night to the Carolina jerseys, Michigan State may have been awarded technical shots. Just something to think about...

2009 Orioles Prediction

The Orioles will begin the 2009 regular season believing that they actually are on the right track. This is not an unfamiliar mindset. It seems that almost every season, the Orioles sell a sense of false hope to their fans when in reality the Orioles ship is unguided and heading in the wrong direction. What makes things different this time around? When it comes down to it, not much. The team will probably finish 20 or so games under .500 and they will struggle to fill up the best ballpark in baseball. However most fans, including myself, truly believe that the Orioles' ship is guided and headed in the right direction. Andy MacPhail (pictured) has the proven track record and appropriate mentality while the team's prospects are starting to line up. MacPhail has said that fans need to give it time. Time that is starting to run out on my clock, and the clocks of thousands of die hard fans. When it comes down to it, what choice do O's fans have? We need to stick through the tough times knowing that the possibility for extended success is within reach.


Here are my predictions for the 2009 season:

Orioles Record: 70-92 (5th place)

Team MVP: Nick Markakis. There is no doubt in my mind that Markakis will continue to develop in multiple areas this year. Last year, he blossomed into one of the best right fielders in baseball. Why can't he blossom into one of the most solid hitters in baseball as well?

Biggest Bust: Melvin Mora. Mora shocked the entire organization during the second half last season but I can't expect that burst to continue. He is 37 years old and I suspect he won't be able to sustain the grind of a 162 game season.

Most surprising player: Koji Uehara (pictured). He comes to the Orioles with no experience playing in the United States but that may not necessarily be a bad thing. Very proven and successful in Japan, Uehara has something new to bring to the Orioles organization. His bevvy of pitches and location control should go a long way this season.

Rookie of the Year: Matt Wieters. There is no need to comment further on his oozing potential and indication that the club is headed in the right direction with this prodigy.

Bold Predictions: Adam Jones bats .310 and Alfredo Simon records 13 wins. Jamie Walker gets demoted or put on waivers after two months with an ERA over 7.00.

Expect a new post about once a week during the regular season.

Why the Ravens should go after Plaxico

Here's what the Ravens need on offense: a receiver who can go up and catch any pass from Joe Flacco. Plaxico Burress has proven that he is one of the most capable large recievers in the NFL. What the Ravens don't need is someone who may cause off-field distractions. The Giants signed Plaxico knowing that he occasionally got into scuffles or trouble. Until his absurd shooting incident, Burress stayed out of trouble and rarely feuded with Eli Manning or Tom Coughlin.

I'm pretty sure that Ray Lewis would whip Plaxico into shape if he caused any problems for the Ravens. I"m also pretty sure that John Harbaugh has taken full control over his team and wouldn't let someone like Burress cause any trouble. However I understand that it may be nice for Flacco to have a young wide receiver to develop with. The Ravens most dire need is at cornerback and Ozzie Newsome may want to have the first round pick to go after a defensive player. If the Ravens sign Burress, they wouldn't have to go for a wide receiver in the first round.

Either way, the Ravens are going to be taking a gamble. Either they risk using a low first round pick to go after an unproven but potentially effective WR or they go after one of the best WR's in the game with off the field issues. What would you rather the Ravens do?

On to Round 2. Maryland-Memphis Preview

The Terps are peaking at the right time. No longer are they a team that looks confused, out of control, and reckless. Memphis struggled in the first round against the lowly CSU-Northridge Matadors pulling it out in the last 6 minutes to win by 11. Prior to the start of the tournament, most would've thought that Memphis would be able to take care of the Terps. After Memphis' struggles in the first round and Maryland's solid win over Cal, this game may be much closer than previously expected.

Why Maryland will lose to Memphis:

1. Memphis has only lost 3 games: Statistically, Memphis is the hottest team in the country, winning their past 26 games. Their three losses are to legitimate opponents in Xavier, Syracuse, and Georgetown. One could argue that their winning streak can be attributed to the weakness of their conference. However I think that no matter who you play, winning 26 consecutive games and losing only 3 is remarkable.
2. Memphis is BIG: The Tigers start 2 players at least 6'9" and none shorter than 6'6". Memphis' two big men, Robert Dozier and Shwan Taggert, combine to average 23.2 points and 14.7 rebounds per game. There is no doubt that Memphis will get the ball to Dozier and Taggert as much as possible. Maryland has been able to occasionally limit big men like Tyler Hansborough but Memphis' two towers inside may be too much for the Terps to handle.
3. Tyreke Evans: The freshman ball handler for the Tigers averages over 16 points a game, 5 rebounds, and nearly 4 assists to go along with an average of 2 steals per game. Although he is not a substantial threat from three point range, he is a game changer who brings a lot of raw talent to the table.
4. Strong defense: Memphis is only allowing an unprecedented average of 57.3 points a game. In addition the Tigers are allowing their opponents to shoot a meager 36% from the field. With Maryland's occasional shakiness in ball handling, look for John Calipari's man-to-man defense to exploit the Maryland ball handlers.
5. Been there, done that: Memphis came up short last year in the finals of the NCAA tournament losing to Kansas. There is no doubt Memphis wants to avenge their loss. The Tigers are certainly capable of returning to the championship game. In addition, Memphis has not lost a second round matchup since losing to 3 seeeded Oklahoma State in 2004.

Why Maryland will beat Memphis:

1. The Terps have great guard play: Greivis Vasquez, Adrian Bowie, and Eric Hayes combined for 63 of Maryland's 84 points, 15 of their 18 assists, and only 5 turnovers against Cal on Thursday. If these three players continue to play smart and effective basketball against Memphis, I see no reason why they aren't capable of leading the Terps to the sweet 16.
2. Maryland has more big game experience this season: While Memphis has played against Gonzaga, Syracuse, and Xavier this season, the Tigers did not have the benefit of playing in the deep and talented ACC like Maryland. The strength of the ACC has prepared the Terps for anyone whereas Memphis has been beating up on teams like Southern Medodist, Houston, and Rice.
3. Memphis can't shoot free throws well: The Tigers are shooting 69% from the stripe this year. Against CSU-Northridge, Memphis shot 12-21 (57%). Since Memphis will be driving to the hoop a lot against the undersized Terps, expect for free throws to make a difference down the stretch against Maryland. The Terps on the other hand are shooting 77% from the line, good for 2nd best in the ACC.
4. Gary Williams: As mentioned in the Cal preview, Maryland has experience in the NCAA tournament, national championship experience. Gary Williams channels his passion and energy through his players and there is no doubt the Terps will be ready to play on Saturday.
5. Maryland is hot: The Terps were left for dead at 7-9 in the ACC after their embarassing loss to Virginia a couple weeks ago. Since that dissapointing game, the Terps have rebounded winning 3 out of their past 4. Of course Memphis has won 26 games in a row however Maryland is playing at a level that is currently capable of giving anyone a game.

What Maryland needs to do to beat Memphis:

1. Greivis Vasquez must continue leading: The Terps fiery leader continued his spectacular season against Cal scoring 27 points to go along with 4 assists and 5 rebounds. In the second half Vasquez shushed the crowd after stealing a Cal pass and scoring a lay-up. There is no doubt that Maryland's success is dependant on Vasquez's play. Vasquez is going to need to stay focused and play under control against Memphis like he did against Cal if Maryland wants a spot in the sweet 16.
2. Maintain strong defensive play: Memphis is going to drive to the basket much more than Cal did. Therefore Dave Neal and Dino Gregory are going to need to step up yet again to supress Memphis' inside game. Maryland has been able to limit teams with strong inside games this year however. Besides guarding the rim, Maryland is going to have to be especially agressive against Tyreke Evans. The freshman guard has an assist to turnover ratio of 1.07/1.
3. Attack the rim: Adrain Bowie was a prime example against Cal of how Maryland can spread the floor and open up players outside the arc when the Terps can effectively drive. Maryland isn't going to have the luxury of being able to easily attack the rim like they did against Cal. Memphis is an imposing group of players who are very underrated defensively. If Maryland isn't getting open looks from three, they will need to force the ball inside.

Prediction: Memphis 76 Maryland 72

I would like to hear what you have to say about this matchup. Feel free to disagree with anything I said and suggest your own reasons why Maryland or Memphis will win.

Tourney Time! Maryland-Cal Preview

The two most exciting weeks of the sports year just began. As a Maryland sports fan, things started out on the right foot. The Terps earned their spot in the field of 65. The Terps face off with Cal in Kansas City this Thursday. Tipoff is at 2:55.

Why Maryland will lose to Cal:

1. Cal puts up a good fight: Earlier this season, Cal played Florida State down to the wire in November losing by three, 80-77. A few weeks ago, the Golden Bears barely lost to then ranked #19 UCLA 72-68. Most recently in the Pac-10 tournament, Cal lost by four in a thriller against the Pac-10 tourney champion USC, 79-75.
2. Jerome Randle: The 5'10" junior point guard is among the nation's best high impact players. Not only is he averaging 18.4 points and 5 assists a game, he is shooting 47% from three point range, hitting 86% of his free throws, and is the undoubted leader of this Golden Bears team. By the way, he has scored at least 20 points 16 times this season.
3. Maryland is tired, Cal is rested: Although Cal was dismissed early from the Pac-10 tournament likely lowering their spirits, by Thursday, Cal will have only played one game in 12 days. At this point in the season, most teams need rest, Cal got it. Maryland on the other hand just finished playing in three hard fought contests this past weekend.

Why Maryland will beat Cal:

1. Maryland is hot, Cal is cold: Maryland won two huge games and competed well with Duke in the ACC tournament to give them the momentum and wins needed to get into the tourney. Cal has lost four of their previous six games, including a first round dismissal in the Pac-10 tourney.
2. Cal hasn't won an NCAA tournament game since 2003: Cal beat NC State back in the first round of the 2003 NCAA tourney. Not a single Golden Bear has NCAA tournament experience. Four Terps were on the roster in 2007 when Maryland was a four seed in the Big Dance.
3. Greivis Vasquez, Eric Hayes, and Dave Neal: These three players collectively averaged 43.7 points in the ACC tournament. Vasquez is the outright leader, Hayes is increasing his offensive production, and Dave Neal is showing his senior leadership. These three players will need to continue producing and leading if Maryland wants to beat Cal.
4. The Terps are predictably unpredictable: You never know with this team. They are capable of beating a top ten team at any point and they are capable of losing to teams like Morgan State and Virginia.
5. History: In Maryland's past eight trips to the NCAA Tournament, they have not lost a first round game. Maryland hasn't been booted from the first round since the 1997 tourney. Keith Booth was a senior that year.

What needs to happen for Maryland to beat Cal:

1. Continued production and leadership from Greivis Vasquez: The outright leader of the team is going to need to prove again that he can succeed when the season is on the line.
2. Landon Milbourne must step up: The junior forward has only averaged a mere 5.6 points in Maryland's three ACC games, almost a 50% drop from his season average of 11.6 points/game. His reliable mid-range jump shot is a great weapon to have when the Terps are overmatched inside and can't hit three points shots.
3. Maryland will need to limit Jerome Randle: The speedy and high-scoring Randle is going to need to be well defended by the Terps. Adrian Bowie is going to have a very long night if he cannot slow down Randle.
4. The pendulum must sway Maryland's way: Maryland is the epitome of an up-and-down team. Who knows what will happen this Thursday, but luck is going to play a role in this game as it does in a large portion of NCAA Tournament games.

Prediction: Maryland 74 Cal 66

I would really to hear what you have to say about the matchup and the fact the Terps have even made it this far.

Response to post by James:

The most important thing going for the Terps in this game is their experience and, as you mentioned, their head coach. Gary Williams has been here before and knows how to win in the NCAA tourney.

I understand your comment about the Terps being tired. Maryland has had less time off than Cal which may give a slight edge to the Golden Bears simply because they may be a little bit more fresh. However, Cal's extended break may come back to bite them. I wouldn't be surprised to see come out of the gates slowly.

Another important factor this game will be the playing style of Greivis Vasquez. Since Cal does not have a great inside presence, I would look for Vasquez to drive the lane more frequently than he did against Duke. Greivis has proved that he can step back and hit a three but he can also drive to the basket with the best of them. Regardless of how well Vasquez and the rest of the team is shooting from the field, Vasquez needs to get to the rim in this game.

BK

2nd response to comment:

Almost every team that controls the inside and outside game is pretty hard to beat. If Maryland can play solid defense in the tournament and not get too cold on offense, I foresee a potential Cinderella-like run. The Terps can't look ahead though. Gary Williams will make sure that his team doesn't think about the possibilities of playing Memphis. Cal should be the only thing on the Terps mind.

BK

Was this win really that surprising?

Yes. As unpredictable as Maryland has been this year, winning when they had to was the shocker. Beating #8 Wake Forest tonight should get the up-and-down Terps into the field of 65. Of course beating Duke or Boston College tomorrow afternoon would solidify their spot. At the very least, Maryland should try to stay as close as they can to their opponent tomorrow to give themselves as good of a chance as possible to please the selection committee.

Congratulations to Dave Neal. The man called by some to be a player found at the YMCA or in a Church League showed poise and a fiery passion tonight. The lone senior on the team, while not the outright leader, did as much as he could to help Maryland overcome adversity and put this game away late. While only scoring 10 points, his final bucket was the decisive basket in the game. His three pointer with 4:36 left gave the Terps 67 points, Wake finished with 64.

Some may say that this would've been much easier if the Terps had just taken care of business in Charlotesville last weekend. I think that losing to UVA has given the Terps the energy and desire to redeem themselves while playing their way back into the NCAA tournament discussion.

Maryland lives and dies with Greivis Vasquez

Losing to Wake Forest tonight was not a surprise. Before the game, not many could have expected Maryland to beat the tenth ranked from Winston-Salem. But at the 7:44 mark in the second half when Dave Neal single handidly gave the Terps a 54-48 lead, a Maryland win didn't seem out of the question. Unfortunately, because of Maryland's reliance on their streaky leader, Greivis Vasquez, the Terps couldn't hang on.

Gary Williams is going to have to let his players know that they need to put this game behind them as they prepare for what may be their most important game of the season this coming Saturday against Virginia. The face off in Charlottesvile will be eerily similar to last years matchup. At this point last year, the Terps were on a downward slide needing only one more win to beef up their NCAA tourney resume. Maryland lost that game last year with their back's against the wall, 91-76, and they needed an ACC tournament win to have any chance of getting into the big dance. Maryland lost their first round matchup with Miami in the ACC tourney and returned to the NIT for the third time in four years.

Could it be deja vu all over again? Perhaps, but Gary Williams and Greivis Vasquez have a chance to make up for the close loss tonight by going into Virginia and building their case for the selection comittee. Fortunately, the game is four days away; plenty of time to rest. I believe the two days that Maryland had off prior to tonight's game was partially to blame for why Maryland wasn't able to play the full 40 minutes.

Virginia has been playing better than their 3-12 ACC record suggests. They have won two of their past four home games which included a win against then 11th ranked Clemson. In addition, Virginia only lost to Miami by seven points and Wake Forest by 10. Although on paper it would appear that Maryland has the edge, Virginia will have the advantage in the always important intangibles this Saturday. It appears Maryland let their best chance at reaching 8 conference wins slip away tonight.

The Predictably Unpredictable Terps Surprise Us Again

Winning solves everything, almost. At 7-7 in the ACC and 18-10 overall, the Terps have solved the problems they seemed to have a few weeks ago. Gary Williams has regained his job security and fans aren't complaining about Greivis Vasquez, as much. I for one need to apologize for jumping on the 'get rid of Gary' bandwagon. After realizing that he has brought nothing but success to Maryland (an ACC best 16 straight winning seasons), I should be eternally grateful for all Gary has done and is doing.

After coming off a solid win last night in Raleigh, the Terps are in control of their own destiny. With two regular season games left and the ACC tournament, Gary's club has multiple opportunities to secure an at-large bid. ESPN's Joe Lunardi dedicates his whole job to projecting the field of 65. Currently, the Terps are in his 'Next Four Out' category which practically means the Terps are right on the fringe. Every single minute of the next few games will be crucial in deciding whether or not the Terps are tourney bound.

Greivis Vasquez is single handedly carrying this team. In the Terps ACC victories, Vasquez is averaging 21 points and an assists to turnover ratio of 2:1. In their ACC losses, Vasquez is only averaging 11.1 points and an abysmal assists to turnover ratio of nearly 1:1. Clearly, the team lives and dies with Greivis. Heading down the stretch, he is the guy the Terps have to rely on. As long as he doesn't get into foul trouble, which might have cost them the Duke game last week, Vasquez should play with the same contagious intensity he's displayed this season.

Losing Ray Lewis wouldn't be THAT bad...

All I've heard recently is that the Ravens can't afford to lose Ray Lewis. He is the Raven's most valuable player, no doubt. What if Ray Lewis suited up for the Jets or Cowboys next season? Sure, either of those teams would improve instantly. But would the Ravens suddenly become a team that falls out of playoff contention?

The key for the Ravens, if they cannot scrounge up $13 million+ to sign Ray Lewis, is that they need to take advantage of the money not spent on Lewis. Anquan Boldin is a perfect example of a player the Ravens should acquire with that extra cash. The Ravens have always lacked a tall, standout wide reciever. In addition to signing Boldin and giving Flacco guys to develop with, the Ravens should seriously consider signing a solid cornerback if they don't draft one.

At this point in the offseason, it's hard to predict what's going to happen but the Ravens must make some moves if they want any chance at winning a Super Bowl.

The Terps surprised me this past weekend by winning on the road for the first time this year. Beating Georgia Tech is nothing to gloat about but a 4-5 record is commendable considering how poorly this team has been playing recently. Let's not forget that the Terps lost by a combined total of 5 points at Miami and Florida State. The Terps could theoretically be sitting at 6-3 if they pulled those two games out. That's just how it's been going for almost every team in the ACC this year. Most teams have had multiple frustrating losses.

Last year around this date, the Terps were 6-3 in the ACC and looking like an NCAA tourney team. Of course we all know that they collapsed down the stretch and limped into the NIT. Unfortunately, I don't forsee a reversal of fortune for the Terps this year. With games against Duke, UNC, Clemson, and Wake Forest left to be played, it looks like another NIT year.

The O's and Terps take small but critical strides forward

Andy MacPhail has proved yet again that he follows through with his promises made at the beginning of the offseason.

The Orioles have filled almost all of the gaps, albeit with mediocre talent, left at the end of last season. It's no mystery that the O's biggest weakness is pitching. MacPhail realized that in order to compete in one of the deepest divisions in the history of major league baseball, the Orioles need to focus on restructuring their starting rotation.

It's a shame that Jeremy Guthrie is the ace for two reasons. One, he hasn't proved that he is a capable starter for an entire season. Two, the Orioles shouldn't be forcing a man who really is a solid number 2 or 3 starter to carry the weight of being the ace. As much as O's fans love the guy's attitude and work ethic, he shouldn't be asked to do too much. At the same token, what else are the Orioles to do? They clearly aren't willing to shell out big bucks on top name starters nor are they ready to bring up top pitching prospects such as Brian Matusz or Chris Tillman.

Fotunately, the four remaining rotation spots are quickly being filled by average to below-average starters. Don't be surprised if one of the newly acquired fill-ins ends up panning out to be a decent starter for the O's down the road. Mark Hendrickson, Rich Hill, and Koji Uehara at some point in their careers have had a very solid season. Rich Hill may be the second incarnation of Daniel Cabrera for O's due to his lack of control but the dice are bound to fall in the O's favor once in a while.

I could go all day about the Orioles recent woes (if you consider 11 years 'recent') but I won't. I'll talk about the Terps woes instead.

The Terps won what may have been their most important game of the season last Saturday against Miami. It will feel like, however, that every game here on out will be their most important game of the season. For the sake of Gary Williams and the program as a whole, the Terps need something positive to springboard off of for upcoming years. The Terps have come too far to fall so fast.

Beating third ranked UNC Tuesday night would be a nice place to start. No one can expect the Terps to win in Chapel Hill (even though they shocked college basketball nation last year by dethroning the then top ranked Tar Heels) but the Terps simply cannot be embarassed for the second straight time in the tri-city area. Miserably failing against Duke two weeks ago in addition to the dissapointment during the past few seasons culminated in the lowest Maryland basketball fans have felt since the death of Len Bias.

I am not going to get too far ahead of myself. The Terps may very well finish 6-10 in the ACC likely resulting in the abrupt dismissal or retirement of Gary Williams and another trip to the NIT, if they're lucky.

On the flip side, the Terps might surprise us again Tuesday and salvage their brutal first half of ACC play.

--BK

Welcome!!

First things first: I love all things sports related in the state of Maryland. The Orioles, Ravens, and Terps are my favorites, but don't be surprised if I bring up Hopkins lacrosse or even the Baltimore Blast. Every week, I will post my take on any of the aforementioned teams and their current state.

Perhaps I am motivated to begin a blog simply because the shocking success of the Baltimore Ravens and the emergence of a Real quarterback in Joe Flacco has raised my spirits and optimism for local sports. It was only one year ago when the Ravens endured one of their most dissapointing seasons in franchise history following their most successful regular season.

The Orioles were blindly moving forward and looking towards the future with a false sense of hope.

The Maryland Terrapins football team failed to pose a significant threat in the ACC yet again.

Finally, the Terps men's basketball team failed yet again to make the NCAA tournament forcing their fans to root for underdog local teams like Mount St. Mary's, Coppin State, and UMBC.

As of now, ALL of those teams have reversed their fortunes. Amazingly, without using the Yankee method of spending carelessly, these teams have carefully restructured themselves starting from the top. The reigns were handed over to new (not necessarily more experienced or more knowledgable) people. Brian Billick out, John Harbaugh in. Whoever was running the show for the O's out, Andy MacPhail and the beacon of light, in. The more lenient Ralph Friedgien out, the more intense Fridge in (maybe due to the concern over his lack of job security). With the exception of the wandering Terps basketball team, the O's, Ravens, and Terps football program all have legitimate reasons to feel optimistic about the future.

BK's Take on the state of the Maryland Terps Men's Basketball team:

The Maryland men's basketball team, on the other hand, should not feel optimistic. Local recruiting has all but vanished, the legendary Gary Williams is past his prime, and the loyal fans are starting to lose faith in one of the most succesful ACC programs of the past two decades. It's almost sad that a team who won it's first National Championship and an ACC Championship in the past decade has failed to find any kind of consistency recently, missing the tourney 3 times in the past 4 years. It would only make sense to relieve Gary Williams of his duties after this season if they fail to reach the tourney yet again. If Athletic Director Debbie Yow lets go of Gary, she will take on the burden of replacing a living legend. A younger and perhaps Baltimore based (for recruiting purposes) head coach would be the optimal choice for more consistent success down the road. Do I hear a faint Boooooooth cheer? The program can't afford to miss out on former local talents such as Carmelo Anthony, Chauncey Billups, and even the Miami star Jack McClinton. This program will return to the tournament one day, but I don't suspect the team will be lead by Gary Williams when it happens.

Thanks for reading! Although I wandered and was a bit abstract, I wanted to get my point across that local sports are or will be on the rise. Expect another post in about a week.

--BK