masn-baseballs-orioles.jpgAn Orioles and NCAA tourney hoops version. Did you know……..

*The Orioles will not play back-to-back series vs. teams with 2009 losing records until May 14th when they begin series vs. Cleveland and Kansas City.

*The Orioles will play 12 consecutive games vs. the Red Sox and Yankees from April 23 to May 5. From June 1-10, the O’s play nine in a row vs. the duo. That’s 21 of the first 60 games vs. NY or Boston.

*As of June 10, Toronto will have played just nine games vs. NY and…An Orioles and NCAA tourney hoops version. Did you know……..

*The Orioles will not play back-to-back series vs. teams with 2009 losing records until May 14th when they begin series vs. Cleveland and Kansas City.

*The Orioles will play 12 consecutive games vs. the Red Sox and Yankees from April 23 to May 5. From June 1-10, the O’s play nine in a row vs. the duo. That’s 21 of the first 60 games vs. NY or Boston.

*As of June 10, Toronto will have played just nine games vs. NY and Boston, with six of those at home. Tampa Bay will have played 12 games vs. NY and Boston as of June 10th.

*The O’s used a total of 121 pitchers in the decade that ended in 2009. In the 1970’s and 1980’s combined the Orioles used a total of 121 pitchers. In the 1960’s and 1970’s combined they used 117.

*That Luke Scott led the O’s in homers vs. lefty pitching last year with 10. Three O’s, Adam Jones, Brian Roberts and Scott, led the way with 15 each vs. right handers.

*That Adam Jones led the Orioles hitting .369 in day games in 2009, but he hit just .245 in night contests.

*That Brian Roberts led the O’s with 73 extra-base hits last year and only five players in the AL hit more. They were Mark Teixeira (85), Adam Lind (81), Kendry Morales (79), Evan Longoria (77) and Robinson Cano (75).

*The Frederick Keys of the Carolina League have remodeled their website. You can check out the new design at frederickkeys.com.

Concerning the NCAA tourney and the Terps, did you know:

*Coaches Gary Williams and Tom Penders each currently own 648 career wins. That is tied for 5th best among active Division I coaches. They’ll break the tie in round one of the tourney Friday night when Williams’ Terps meet Penders’ Houston Cougars.

*Maryland has won nine straight first-round NCAA games dating to 1997.

*The last time Maryland played Houston was in the second-round of the tourney in 1983. Then top-seed Houston prevailed 60-50.

*The most points ever scored by a Terp in an NCAA game is 33 by Juan Dixon in the Final Four vs. Kansas as the Terps were on their way to the title in 2002.

*That I have Kansas, Kansas St, Kentucky and Villanova in my Final Four with Kentucky beating Kansas for the title.

*I like Murray State, Utah State, Siena and Old Dominion for round one upsets and think the three Atlantic Ten teams will do well.

Let the games begin.

And, finally, did you know that the fine folks at Camden Chat featured me on their website
 Wednesday. Thanks for that!