August's 'Where in the Yard?' Winner

August's 'Where in the Yard?' Winner
It was a tight race this time, but one O's fan pulled out ahead of the rest by being the first fan to guess correctly in three of the five rounds in August. Congrats go out to Charles B from SP for winning last month's 'Where in the Yard?' photo contest only here in the Orioles Buzz. To take you back, Charles B correctly identified all five images from August, including: -The Warehouse "B" from the side of the Warehouse at Camden Yards -The likeness of Nick Markakis on the side of the...

Nats Honor Roberto Clemente

Nats Honor Roberto Clemente
When Wil Nieves was a youngster playing baseball in Roberto Clemente Sports City, he knew exactly what number he wanted to wear in tribute to his favorite player and his country's hero. Nieves grew up hearing about Clemente and his many accomplishments, but in that small town on the outskirts of San Juan, Nieves realized that Clemente was so much more than a great athlete. "People loved him because he was a great player and a great person," Nieves said. "We need to learn from him how to...

Showalter's O's looking for strong finish

Showalter's O's looking for strong finish
There's no question the Orioles are a different team since Buck Showalter took over as manager on August 3. Showalter has pointed out that he has had the benefits of a healthy roster with key players like Brian Roberts contributing to the success. And while that is accurate, Showalter's contributions to the improved consistency and winning are critical. With a three-year contract, the players know that Showalter is in charge and he will have a big say in the roster changes that will...

Willingham Nominated for Roberto Clemente Award

Willingham Nominated for Roberto Clemente Award
On Tuesday, Major League Baseball announced the nominees for the prestigious Roberto Clemente Award. The Nationals have selected Josh Willingham this season and they will honor his nomination during the ninth annual Roberto Clemente Day on September 8th. The Roberto Clemente Award honors players who best represent the game of baseball through sportsmanship, community involvement and positive contributions to their teams. The award recognizes the legacy and contributions of Roberto Clemente,...

Fan Appreciation Month and New Season Ticket Plans

Fan Appreciation Month and New Season Ticket Plans
This September, the Nationals will honor their fans with a month full of special giveaways, prizes and more. During the final home games, fans will be surprised with Nationals merchandise, autographed items from Nationals players including baseballs and lineup cards, tickets to the 2011 Dream Gala, tickets to upcoming home games, sets of Lexus Presidents Club tickets and the use of a suite for the final game of the season. One lucky fan will receive the ultimate prize: an opportunity to...

Where in the Yard? (Updated w/Answer)

Where in the Yard? (Updated w/Answer)
We've reached that point on the calendar that seems to mark the unofficial end of summer with the passing of Labor Day weekend, but there's still another month of regular season baseball to enjoy. With that comes another month of the weekly O's Buzz photo contest, 'Where in the yard?' So shake off the disappointment of the long weekend gone by, and take a look at the photo below. As always, let us know what the item is and where it's located in or around Oriole Park at Camden Yards. ...

Programming Note for Saturday, September 4th

 Programming Note for Saturday, September 4th
On Saturday, MASN will televise the Coastal Carolina vs. West Virginia football game live at 3:30 p.m. from Morgantown. The Mountaineers are in the top 25 teams in preseason AP and USA Today polls. If the Division I college football game runs beyond its 3.5 hour television window, it would conflict with the 7:05 p.m. start of the Orioles vs. Rays game. If the football game is close, MASN may continue televising it until the game's conclusion, and then join the Orioles game in progress. ...

Hanrahan finds success in Pittsburgh

Hanrahan finds success in Pittsburgh
On Friday evening, former Nationals closer Joel Hanrahan collected his third save of the season by striking out his former teammate and friend, Ryan Zimmerman. "All I was thinking was that I didn't want to face Adam," Hanrahan joked on Saturday, but admitted that it's strange facing some of his good friends and former teammates on the mound. "Between the lines, it's all about business and it was nice to get the job done for our team." Hanrahan is cruising through an impressive year...

Espinosa impresses in first start

Espinosa impresses in first start
In his first major league start, Danny Espinosa showed the organization just a glimpse of his talent and potential. The highly touted September call-up went 2-for-4 and drove in two runs. One of those was a monster home run to deep right field. Bench coach John McLaren, filling in as manager during Jim Riggleman's suspension, called it a "missile." It came on a 1-1 pitch from Pirates starter Zach Duke, a changeup middle away. "It's one of those sweet feelings; you don't even feel the...

Nats have a big sixth inning

Nats have a big sixth inning
Greetings from Pittsburgh, where the Nationals are attempting to climb out of an early seven run deficit. After putting up four runs in the sixth inning and knocking Pirates' starter Zach Duke out of the game, they've closed the gap to just three runs. September call-up Danny Espinosa put the team ahead with his first major league home run back in the third inning. Dunn, Maxwell and Espinosa drove in additional runs in the sixth putting the Nats back in striking distance. Livan Hernandez...

Replica Brooks Robinson jerseys are in

Replica Brooks Robinson jerseys are in
Orioles director of communications Greg Bader told me today that the replica Brooks Robinson jerseys originally scheduled to be given away at Oriole Park on July 17 have now arrived. A vendor error delayed the distribution of the jerseys until now, but the first 25,000 fans 15 and older who attended the July 17 game can now redeem their vouchers (in one of the three methods listed on the voucher itself) and claim their giveaways. As a reminder, if you're planning to redeem your voucher via...

MASN Announces Fall College Football Schedule

MASN Announces Fall College Football Schedule
MASN, the local leader in live sports entertainment, has announced its extensive NCAA college football line-up for the 2010 season. The network will host 45 games and ten conferences this season including some of the best football programs in the country and many local colleges and universities within MASN's seven-state territory. College football action kicks off on Saturday, September 4th with St. Francis at Liberty at 12 p.m. and and Coastal Carolina at West Virginia at 3:30 p.m., both...

Quick O's Notes

Quick O's Notes
Brian Roberts and Jake Fox made an appearance at BWI Airport today, but don't worry, you didn't miss a chance to see this pair of Birds in person. The event wasn't open to the public, but Roberts and Fox participated in the Southwest Airlines "Trading Places" promotion today. The Orioles announced that B-Rob and Fox would be trying their hands at a variety of jobs carried out by Southwest employees at BWI. I don't have any further details to pass along, but if I get my hands on some,...

Chat live with O's Guthrie and Jones

Chat live with O's Guthrie and Jones
Put all lunch plans on hold for this Friday, September 3 - unless you're thinking of getting together with fellow O's fans to join the live video chats with Jeremy Guthrie and Adam Jones scheduled to start at noon right here on MASNsports.com. Guthrie will kick things off with MASNsports.com Orioles beat reporter Steve Melewski at noon, with teammate Adam Jones to follow at 12:45 p.m. Each player will sit with Steve to talk Orioles baseball and answer questions from the O's reporter -...

Road Trip Idea: Pittsburgh

Road Trip Idea: Pittsburgh
Anybody planning a trip to Pittsburgh for Labor Day to watch the Nationals take on the Pirates at beautiful PNC Park? I know the Racing Presidents are traveling north for the weekend to race those Pittsburgh Pierogies and from talking to many of you, it sounds like NatsTown will be well represented in the 'Burgh for the series. The trip to Pittsburgh is an easy 4-5 hour drive, tickets are affordable and PNC Park is one of the best venues in Major League Baseball. Need more convincing? The...

More on your monthly Orioles fix

More on your monthly Orioles fix
The Orioles sent out a press release to announce their 2011 Orioles Pet Calendar today. In addition to the info in last week's O's Buzz article (The Birds pose with pets for 2011 Orioles Pet Calendar), you might also find the following helpful to note: - Fans can purchase calendars online at Orioles.com or in person at the Eutaw Street Tent or Community Booth near Gate D at Oriole Park, as well as at the official team stores in the Warehouse and in York, Pa. - Calendars are $15 each (with...

Where in the Yard? (Updated w/Answer)

Where in the Yard? (Updated w/Answer)
A staff meeting this morning put me a little behind schedule it posting this week's 'Where in the Yard?', but as promised every Monday, there's a new photo posted for you below. Take a look at the image and let us know (using the comment box below), what the item is and where it's located in or around Oriole Park at Camden Yards. Your guesses will be held until Wednesday to avoid revealing the answer, but you'll be able to check back between now and then to see if your name has been...

Lopez Impressed with Nats' Improvement

Lopez Impressed with Nats' Improvement
Cardinals infielder Felipe Lopez, who played for the Nationals from 2006-2008, talked briefly about his time in Washington over the weekend. Lopez was acquired from the Cincinnati Reds before the trade deadline in 2006 and after two seasons in Washington, he was released in July of 2008. He's played for the Brewers, Diamondbacks and Cardinals since leaving Washington, but Lopez said his family does miss living in the nation's capital. "My wife is from here and my kids enjoyed being at...

100th Win at Nationals Park

100th Win at Nationals Park
With a new look to the lineup, strange plays, two ejections and over 30,000 fans on hand to watch, the Nationals collected their 100th win at Nationals Park on Saturday night by defeating the St. Louis Cardinals 14-5. Moreover, the 14 runs scored tonight were the highest single-game total in DC since baseball returned in 2005. That's a lot of good news following a tough week in NatsTown. This season, the Nats are inching closer and closer to a .500 record at the new ballpark with their...

Clip and Save (a life)

Clip and Save (a life)
On Saturday, the Nationals hosted their second and final blood drive of the season in partnership with Inova Health System. Several hundred fans turned out for the drive to donate blood to 15 local hospitals in Washington D.C. and Virginia. Only 37 percent of people in the United States are eligible to donate blood and of those, fewer than 5 percent donate on a regular basis and hospitals are always in need of more blood donations. "Whenever people can do it, there is always a big need...