masn-baseballs-orioles.jpgOne more day in Maryland and I’m heading south for part of the winter.

If another person asks when I leave for “spring break,” I’m going to launch myself and deliver a helmet-to-helmet hit.

I won’t be shotgunning beers poolside on MTV and judging wet T-shirt contests (at least not during the week.) It actually qualifies as work. I looked it up.

On the positive side, I won’t be packing my ice scraper. And if I suddenly change my mind, I could always race back home after missing my…One more day in Maryland and I’m heading south for part of the winter.

If another person asks when I leave for “spring break,” I’m going to launch myself and deliver a helmet-to-helmet hit.

I won’t be shotgunning beers poolside on MTV and judging wet T-shirt contests (at least not during the week.) It actually qualifies as work. I looked it up.

On the positive side, I won’t be packing my ice scraper. And if I suddenly change my mind, I could always race back home after missing my flight (it’s been known to happen.)

Mark-Reynolds_DBacks_Fielding-Red.gif

I’m looking forward to watching Mark Reynolds at third base, though I’ll have to wait until the position players report.

During the winter meetings, I heard that Reynolds’ defense was pretty average. Not horrible, not Gold Glove caliber. Team officials described him as being above average. So did Brady Anderson in this interview.

ESPN.com’s Keith Law referred to Reynolds as a “brutal defensive player” in an interview with MASNsports.com’s Steve Melewski.

So which is it?

I doubt that the Orioles will be making news today unless Jeremy Guthrie reaches agreement on a contract, and then we’ll have to decide if it qualifies as news. He’s going to pitch for the Orioles in 2011, most likely on opening day, no matter how much he’s being paid. But nobody wants to go through the arbitration process, so it’s much better if he signs before Wednesday’s scheduled hearing.

I say he does.

According to Baseball America’s latest minor league transactions, the Orioles have signed outfielder Joe Gaetti from the Lancaster Barnstormers of the independent Atlantic League.

If the last name sounds familiar, he’s the son of former major league third baseman Gary Gaetti.

If you choose Joe Gaetti as your dark horse pick in spring training, you’ve obviously taken too many helmet-to-helmet hits, and not just because he hasn’t been invited to camp.

So, does anyone know if Aberdeen will have a manager this season? And is it required under New York-Penn League rules?

Here’s one final reminder about Babe’s Birthday Bash, which is being held tonight from 5:30-9:00 p.m. at Sports Legends Museum. The guests include president of baseball operations Andy MacPhail, former Orioles catcher Chris Hoiles, Ravens cornerback Josh Wilson, Maryland quarterback Danny O’Brien and safety Kenny Tate, former Ravens offensive lineman Harry Swayne and former world figure skating champion Kimmie Meissner.

Tickets are available by calling 410-727-1539 or visiting www.BabeRuthMuseum.com.