Josh Land

An early look at Eutaw Street (Updated)

April 09, 2010, 7:10am

Orioles

Oriole Park at Camden Yards officially opens to O's fans at noon today, a full three hours before the start of the Birds' home opener. But if you can't wait another hour to see how things are shaping up at the Yard, check out the photo gallery on MASN's Facebook page for an early look at Eutaw Street. You'll notice a theme - lots of tying things down, fastening anything from sweatshirts at the merchandise stand to flags, packages of hot dog buns, and balloons as securely as possible...

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My First Game: Brian Bruney

April 08, 2010, 11:24am

Nationals

Oregon native Brian Bruney was very young when his uncle Mike first started taking him to the Kingdome in Seattle to watch Mariners games. His uncle lived in Portland and together they'd make the three hour trek north to watch Mariners games during the late 80's and early 90's. "I used to kid Alex [Rodriguez] in New York that when I was kid going to Mariners games, he'd never give me an autograph," Bruney said. Though he couldn't remember the specific opponent of that first game,...

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Kristen Hudak Nationals Buzz Brian Bruney

Standings and a winner

April 08, 2010, 8:52am

Orioles

You've waited a long time for the second set of standings for the Orioles Buzz weekly photo feature 'Where in the Yard?' - but those standings are finally here. It's been 11 weeks since Lauren was crowned our last winner, and we're long overdue for another. As I predicted, it was a pretty tight race near the finish line, and it came down again to bonus points. This time around, give your Congrats to Heathir, who not only identified every image, but bagged all the bonus points as well,...

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kate wheeler orioles orioles buzz where in the yard

Introducing "My First Game"

April 07, 2010, 10:53am

Nationals

When was your first game? What do you remember? Was it magical? Maybe it wasn't your first game, but it's the first one you remember. Something stuck out -- a crazy play, a star performance or maybe just the color of the grass? As MASN continues to celebrate defining moments, Nats Buzz brings you a new weekly feature, "My First Game." It grew out of a piece I wrote for another publication about first baseball memories and I quickly realized (after an experiment on Twitter) that many...

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Kristen Hudak Nationals Buzz featured_top

A Day in the Life of Riggleman

April 07, 2010, 8:36am

Nationals

Though the skipper maintains a blog here at MASNsports.com which provides some insight about his day to day duties, there's still plenty more that you may be curious about from time to time. When does he fill out his line-up card? What meetings does he participate in each day? Tune in to Nats Xtra tonight at 6:30 p.m. as the crew goes behind the scenes with Jim through a typical day on the job. The cameras start rolling as soon as Riggleman arrives at the ballpark. GM Mike Rizzo is also...

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Jim Riggleman Kristen Hudak Mike Rizzo Nationals Buzz

Bergesen on track mentally and physically to make it to the big leagues

April 07, 2010, 7:06am

Orioles

Bergesen on track mentally and physically to make it to the big leagues

The best approach a Minor League prospect can take is to work on his game, continue to improve, and put up numbers. Prospects get noticed by success and consistency. Brad Bergesen of the Bowie Baysox is doing exactly that, and he is pitching his way toward the Major Leagues. After beginning the season with Frederick, Bergesen was promoted to Bowie in April. The 22-year-old right hander has put together a breakthrough season for the Baysox, setting the Bowie franchise record for most wins...

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Brad Bergesen Jim Hunter Orioles

O's bats entertaining to watch

April 07, 2010, 7:05am

Orioles

There's nothing more entertaining than a well pitched Major League game, unless your team gets the big hit to upset the opponent's outing. And the Orioles have been getting more than their share of big hits. Did you know the O's have a team batting average .300 since the all star break? There are only 3 teams in the Major Leagues with a higher average since the break. The Rockies (.305), the Angels (.301), and the Mariners (.301), are the only teams with a higher batting average than...

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Jim Hunter Orioles

Kranitz tells young pitchers to "be yourself"

April 07, 2010, 7:04am

Orioles

Kranitz tells young pitchers to "be yourself"

Andy MacPhail has made it the Orioles' number one organizational priority: develop pitching. This season 23 different pitchers have appeared in games for the Orioles, several with little or no Major League experience. The opportunity is there. And pitching coach Rick Kranitz hopes the pitchers take advantage of it as they learn to succeed in the big leagues. Kranitz knows the most important thing for an inexperienced pitcher to remember is that it was talent that got him to the big...

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Jim Hunter Orioles Rick Kranitz

Wieters backing up top prospect excitement

April 07, 2010, 7:01am

Orioles

Wieters backing up top prospect excitement

When the Orioles drafted catcher Matt Wieters with the 5th overall pick in the 2007 draft, they knew they were getting a special player. He was the top rated position player in the draft; he's a switch hitter with power; and he understands what it takes to be a complete player. "You're not going to go four for four every day," Wieters said. "You're not going to get 2 or 3 hits or throw out 2 or 3 base runners every game. So every day you come to the ballpark you have to do something...

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How We Lookin? Jim Hunter Matt Wieters Orioles

Roberts comes through for the kids

April 07, 2010, 6:58am

Orioles

The 3rd annual Brian's Baseball Bash at ESPN Zone was an overwhelming success. And Brian Roberts again came through as a gracious and accommodating host. Three years ago, Roberts decided to do something big for the University Of Maryland Hospital for Children. Roberts is a frequent visitor of the children patients at the hospital, freely giving of his time, but he wanted to do more. And the idea of a big fundraising event was born. Brian's Baseball Bash not only raises money for the...

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Jim Hunter masnblogs orioles

Pitching, pitching and more pitching

April 07, 2010, 6:55am

Orioles

There will be little not discussed at the Orioles organizational meetings in Sarasota, Florida. President of Baseball Operations Andy MacPhail will preside over the meetings, where the front office staff, manager Dave Trembley, Minor League personnel, and scouts will go over every player in the organization, from the 40-man Major League roster to the lowest level prospects. And you can be certain that a majority of the discussions will be about the Orioles' pitching and the best way to...

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jim hunter orioles

Bigger than a title

April 07, 2010, 6:53am

Ever wonder what your favorite broadcasters do during the baseball offseason when they're not announcing games for you every night on MASN? Here's a look at how one broadcaster has been filling his offseason hours along with his own reflection on the impact sports can have on people's lives. In the weeks since the end of the Orioles season I have had the opportunity to become a field hockey expert following my daughter Allie's Fallston High School team. OK, you're right. I'm busted....

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Jim Hunter

Increased Depth Sign of Orioles Improvement

April 07, 2010, 6:30am

Orioles

Quality Competition is the lifeblood of a major league baseball organization. And the Orioles are in the process of a competitive spring training camp for the 2009 season. After spending the last week with the O's in Florida it's apparent Andy MacPhail's blueprint for making the Orioles more competitive and getting them back into contention in the AL East is living and breathing on the pitcher's mound. The Orioles have 68 players on their spring training roster, and the talent of the...

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Jim Hunter Orioles

Throw Strikes, Win More Games: The Pitching Mantra for 2009

April 07, 2010, 6:27am

Orioles

Throw Strikes, Win More Games: The Pitching Mantra for 2009

When asked what he is looking for from the pitching candidates in spring training camp, O's manager Dave Trembley made a simple statement: "Pitch to contact and good things will happen." After a season of watching Orioles pitchers lead the major leagues in walks and hit batsmen the manager is looking for a staff to throw strikes, let the defense do its work, and make opponents earn their way on base. That's how you win games. With increased depth in the organization and prospects...

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Jim Hunter Orioles

Big decisions remain for Opening Day roster

April 07, 2010, 6:25am

Orioles

Big decisions remain for Opening Day roster

With Opening Day less than two weeks away, the Orioles still have some difficult decisions to make for that day's roster. The biggest decision is the make up of the pitching staff and whether to go with 12 or 13 pitchers. With the starting rotation still a work in progress, the Orioles may elect to take the extra pitcher over a 4th bench player as a guard against overworking the bullpen in early season games. The Orioles only have three days off in April and will play 32 games in the...

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Jim Hunter Orioles

Roster balance and versatility

April 07, 2010, 6:23am

Orioles

Andy MacPhail's announcement that the Orioles will go with a 12 man pitching staff on the Opening Day roster still gives the O's an extra arm if needed in the early season games. If the O's decide to keep the top four starters on normal rest in the rotation, the April schedule would allow Dave Trembley and Rick Kranitz to have the 5th starter available for long relief in several of the games in the first month. Jeremy Guthrie and Koji Uehara, the top two starters will each get five...

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Jim Hunter Orioles

A new set for O's Xtra

April 07, 2010, 6:20am

Orioles

Opening Day at Camden Yards was, as always, a big event, and successful with the Orioles' 10-5 win over the Yankees. There was a tremendous electricity in the air as O's fans, devoted to their team, made their presence felt and created an exciting home field advantage. Opening Day also brought the unveiling of the state of the art O's Xtra set in the picnic area behind the bullpens. The permanent structure is large and versatile and enhances our coverage of the Birds. All season long...

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Jim Hunter Orioles

It's all about the "Series"

April 07, 2010, 6:19am

Orioles

With their series win in Texas to begin the first road trip of the season, the Orioles have put together three consecutive series wins to begin the season for the first time since winning the first four series to begin 1998. After going wire to wire in 1997, the O's got off to a strong start in 1998 by taking 2 of 3 from the Royals and then sweeping three from the Tigers at Camden Yards. The O's then went on the road and swept a two-game series in Kansas City before taking 2 of 3 in...

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Jim Hunter Orioles

Enjoy the success but remember the process

April 07, 2010, 6:17am

Orioles

Enjoy the success but remember the process

Brad Bergesen was spectacular in his Orioles debut against the White Sox. He had a plan; he executed the plan; and he pitched. He mixed up his pitches, used his slider and change up effectively and he held a very good hitting White Sox team in check. Bergesen is an example of successful player development--a pitcher who signed out of high school, was brought along slowly, and understands how to use his talents. Orioles fans should be excited about the arrival of Bergesen as the first...

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Jim Hunter Orioles

O's starters need to assume workload

April 07, 2010, 6:13am

Orioles

As the Orioles concluded their nine-game homestand, Koji Uehara gave the starting rotation a much needed deep outing. Uehara pitched 6.1 innings in a tough luck 3-2 loss to the Angels. Getting deep into games has been a consistent dilemma for the Orioles rotation and that has put the bullpen on overload to pick up the innings the starters can't complete. The O's bullpen went into Wednesday's game against the Angels having pitched 78 innings, the most of any bullpen in the American...