Orioles name Gary Rajsich Director of Amateur Scouting

Orioles name Gary Rajsich  Director of Amateur Scouting
The Orioles today announced that Gary Rajsich (pronounced Ray-sitch) has been named Director of Amateur Scouting. "We have added a very good, veteran baseball man with this hire," said Orioles Executive Vice President of Baseball Operations Dan Duquette. "Gary is an excellent judge of talent at all levels." Rajsich, 57, began his scouting career with the Boston Red Sox, serving in both the amateur and professional departments from 1994-2006. In his time with Boston, Rajsich drafted and...

Nationals live chat set for Tuesday, Nov. 29

Nationals live chat set for Tuesday, Nov. 29
We may be on the cusp of December, but here at Nationals Buzz, it's always baseball season. We love it and we know you love it, so why not talk a little Nationals baseball? That's exactly what's going to happen. This Tuesday, Nov. 29 at 1 p.m., join MASNsports.com's Byron Kerr and Pete Kerzel for a live video chat as they update fans on everything in the world of Nationals baseball, including the team's strategy for the upcoming Winter Meetings and details of baseball's new collective...

Orioles sign free agent infielder Matt Antonelli

Orioles sign free agent infielder Matt Antonelli
The Orioles today announced that they have signed free agent infielder Matt Antonelli to a major league contract. Antonelli, 26, was the Padres' first round selection (17 th overall) in the 2006 First Year Player Draft. He spent 2011 with Double-A Harrisburg (four games) and Triple-A Syracuse (86 games) in the Nationals' system, batting a combined .298/.390/.457 with eight home runs and 31 RBIs, finishing in the Top-10 of the International League in on-base percentage. Antonelli is a career...

Nationals add five players to 40-man roster

Nationals add five players to 40-man roster
The Washington Nationals today selected the contracts of first baseman Tyler Moore, catchers Derek Norris and Jhonatan Solano, and outfielder Eury Perez. Additionally, the Nationals claimed right-handed pitcher Cole Kimball off waivers from the Toronto Blue Jays. Nationals Executive Vice President of Baseball Operations and General Manager Mike Rizzo made the announcements. Moore hit .271 with 35 doubles, 31 home runs and 90 RBIs in 137 games with Harrisburg of the Double-A Eastern League in...

Orioles to honor 100th Anniversary of Buck O'Neil's birth this Sunday at Buck O'Neil Baseball Complex in Sarasota

Orioles to honor 100th Anniversary of Buck O'Neil's birth this Sunday at Buck O'Neil Baseball Complex in Sarasota
The Orioles will honor Negro Leagues pioneer Buck O'Neil in a ceremony at their minor league facility, the Buck O'Neil Baseball Complex at Twin Lakes Park, this Sunday, Nov. 13 at 1 p.m. The date marks the 100th anniversary of O'Neil's birth. O'Neil, who spent a portion of his childhood in Sarasota, was a star first baseman and manager in the Negro Leagues. He also scouted and coached in the major leagues and worked tirelessly to preserve and promote the history of the Negro Leagues until...

Dan Duquette brings extensive resume to Baltimore

Dan Duquette brings extensive resume to Baltimore
This morning, the Orioles introduced their new executive vice president of baseball operations, former Montreal Expos and Boston Red Sox GM Dan Duquette. It's fair to say the public's reaction, at least so far, has been mixed. In fact, after nearly a decade spent away from Major League Baseball, the question most people are asking is ... who is this guy? A more detailed timeline is below, but in its most basic terms, here's Duquette's history in the game of baseball: 1981-87: Scout,...

Orioles name Dan Duquette executive vice president of baseball operations

Orioles name Dan Duquette executive vice president of baseball operations
The Orioles today announced that they have named Dan Duquette as Executive Vice President of Baseball Operations. A veteran of over two decades in baseball operations at the Major League level, including 10 of those seasons as General Manager with the Montreal Expos and Boston Red Sox, Duquette has a proven track record of utilizing strong scouting and player development to construct contending franchises. "I am pleased to welcome Dan Duquette to the Orioles organization ," said Orioles...

Stuff those stockings with Nationals tickets

Stuff those stockings with Nationals tickets
The holidays are less than two months away and, let's face it, nobody wants another itchy sweater or a deluxe meat and cheese platter. Looking for something special to put under the tree or for that sixth night of Hanukkah? How about a three- or five-game ticket plan for the Nationals? Right now, fans can purchase Nationals Holiday Gift Packs, complete with tickets to either three of the Nationals' 2012 games or, for a few bucks more, five games. One option is the Opening Day Pack. At...

Wieters and Markakis claim first Gold Gloves

Wieters and Markakis claim first Gold Gloves
Late tonight, Rawlings announced that Orioles catcher Matt Wieters and right fielder Nick Markakis have been named this year's American League Gold Glove Award recipients for defensive excellence at their respective positions. The award for Wieters culminates a season in which the 25-year-old was also named to his first All-Star team and set new career-highs in eight offensive categories, including hits, home runs, runs and RBIs. His .995 fielding percentage tied for the American League lead...

Orioles outright Fox, Jakubausakas; Tatum claimed off waivers

Orioles outright Fox, Jakubausakas; Tatum claimed off waivers
The Orioles today announced that right-handed pitcher Chris Jakubauskas and catcher Jake Fox have cleared waivers and been outrighted to Triple-A Norfolk. The Orioles also announced that catcher Craig Tatum has been claimed on waivers by the Houston Astros. Jakubauskas, 32, was 2-2 with a 5.72 ERA (72.1IP, 46ER) in 33 games (six starts) for the Orioles in 2011. Fox, 29, batted .246 (15-61) with two homers and six RBI in 27 games for the Orioles, while Tatum, 29, batted .195 (17-87) with...

Tickets on sale for "America's Night of Hope"

Tickets on sale for "America's Night of Hope"
Tickets are now on sale for the fourth annual "America's Night of Hope." The event, hosted by Joel and Victoria Osteen, will take place April 28 at Nationals Park. "America's Night of Hope" draws thousands of attendees from across the nation for an evening of celebration and hope. In previous years, the event was held at Yankee Stadium in New York, Dodger Stadium in Los Angeles and U. S. Cellular Field, home of the Chicago White Sox. For more information or to purchase $15 tickets for...

Tickets on sale now for Joel Osteen's "America's Night of Hope" at Nationals Park

Tickets on sale now for Joel Osteen's "America's Night of Hope" at Nationals Park
Tickets are now available to the fourth annual "America's Night of Hope" with Joel and Victoria Osteen on April 28, 2012 at Nationals Park. "America's Night of Hope" is an annual event hosted by Joel and Victoria Osteen, pastors of Houston's Lakewood Church -- America's largest and most diverse church. The event draws thousands of attendees from across the nation for an evening of celebration and hope. In previous years, the event was held at Yankee Stadium in New York, Dodger Stadium...

Nationals mascot Screech headed overseas

Nationals mascot Screech headed overseas
As the days grow shorter and the weather turns colder, a lot of people in the northeast are looking to escape the blunders of winter for more promising weather. It looks like Screech, the popular Nationals mascot, is no exception. As part of the 2011 Taiwan All-Star Series, Screech was selected as the only major league mascot to accompany the team of Major League Baseball All-Stars on the journey. He'll join a group of players overseas for the five-day tournament to be held Nov....

Buck and Angela Showalter to host Kids Peace Trick-or-Trot 5K run/1 mile walk on October 29

Buck and Angela Showalter to host Kids Peace Trick-or-Trot 5K run/1 mile walk on October 29
Orioles manager Buck Showalter and his wife Angela have teamed up with KidsPeace to host the second annual KidsPeace Trick-or-Trot 5K run/1M walk on Saturday, Oct. 29 in Canton. This family event is open to all ages and features Halloween activities in addition to the race. The entry fee for individuals participating in the run is $35, which includes an Under Armour t-shirt for the first 400 registered runners. Families who plan to walk the one mile together will pay just $20 and are...

Nationals return Rule V pick Elvin Ramirez to Mets

Nationals return Rule V pick Elvin Ramirez to Mets
The Nationals have returned right-handed pitcher Elvin Ramirez to the NY Mets (per Rule 5 Draft).

Screech to visit Taiwan for All-Star tour

Screech to visit Taiwan for All-Star tour
Nationals mascot will accompany MLB All-Star Team for series against Chinese Taipei National Team. The Washington Nationals official mascot Screech has been selected as the only Major League Baseball (MLB) mascot to travel to Taiwan with a team of MLB All-Stars for the 2011 Taiwan All-Star Series the first week of November. Screech will join Nationals players Ross Detwiler and Michael Morse, who have been named to the MLB team roster, and Chien-Ming Wang, who will play for the Chinese Taipei...

Get creative in the annual Nationals Pumpkin Contest

Get creative in the annual Nationals Pumpkin Contest
Halloween is one of those times during the year when I wish I had a single creative bone in my body. Costume ideas seem to avoid me, while my lack of artistic skills keep me from carving pretty much anything into a pumpkin except for a somewhat disfigured jack-o-lantern. But for those of you with the knack for carving pumpkins, here's your chance to put those talents on display and, if your creation is among the best, take home some coveted Nationals game-used baseballs. From now until Oct....

Keep music alive by helping Hungry For Music choose diamond tunes

Keep music alive by helping Hungry For Music choose diamond tunes
It's no secret that the arts and music programs in schools nationwide are on the decline, particularly among schools with younger students. As someone who took part in band from the age of 9 through high school, it pains me to think about the future of kids getting involved in local arts programs. Fortunately, there are people out there trying to make a difference. Jeff Campbell, a former member of the Nationals' press corps who used to freelance for SportsTicker, is one of those...

Andy MacPhail elects not to return as Orioles President of Baseball Operations

Andy MacPhail elects not to return as Orioles President of Baseball Operations
The Orioles today announced that Andy MacPhail has elected not to return as President of Baseball Operations for the 2012 season. “On behalf of the Orioles organization, I thank Andy for his service to the club over the last four and a half seasons,” said Orioles Managing Partner Peter Angelos. “Andy’s knowledge and experience have helped lay the groundwork for our future success. I hold...

I mustache you a question (updated with Balester in mustache contest)

I mustache you a question (updated with Balester in mustache contest)
It's that time of the year! No, not fall or football or the closing weeks until Christmas. It's that time of year when men all over put aside their dignity and penchant for not looking like a creepy old guy and do what men do best - grow facial hair. In the mustache world, it's referred to as Movember, and the Nationals' Collin Balester is on board. At the Movember Web site, Balester's profile shows the Nationals pitcher with a mean-looking 'stache, coupled with the tagline of...