masn-baseballs-orioles.jpgIf you think Johns Hopkins University doesn’t sound like a perfect venue for baseball discussion, you don’t know your Orioles history.

Back in the 1960s, then-O’s second baseman Davey Johnson studied in the hallowed halls in north Baltimore, poring over statistics en route to an eventual degree in mathematics from Texas’ Trinity University. Even back then, Johnson understood ideas like platoons and lefty/righty percentages for pinch hitters, and he took printouts to manager Earl Weaver to…If you think Johns Hopkins University doesn’t sound like a perfect venue for baseball discussion, you don’t know your Orioles history.

Back in the 1960s, then-O’s second baseman Davey Johnson studied in the hallowed halls in north Baltimore, poring over statistics en route to an eventual degree in mathematics from Texas’ Trinity University. Even back then, Johnson understood ideas like platoons and lefty/righty percentages for pinch hitters, and he took printouts to manager Earl Weaver to try and convince the skipper his statistical analysis was spot-on.

And you thought sabremetrics was a product of the 21st century?

Well, baseball chatter returns to Johns Hopkins on Thursday, June 21, when a panel of diamond experts – including MASNsports.com’s Roch Kubatko – convenes in Shriver Hall to discuss the first 20 seasons of baseball at Camden Yards.

From 6:30-8 p.m., current and former reporters who have covered the O’s for The Baltimore Sun will share their memories and insights. Joining Kubatko, who was on the O’s beat for The Sun from 1997-2008, on the panel are The Sun’s Peter Schmuck (1990-present), Ken Rosenthal of FOXSports.com (1987-2000) and Tim Kurkjian of ESPN (1986-89). The roundtable is part of The Sun’s 175th anniversary celebration.

The program is co-sponsored by Sports Legends Museum and The Sun. Tickets cost $50 ($40 for museum members, $25 for students) and can be ordered by emailing Whitney Edmonds at WhitneyE@BabeRuthMuseum.com or calling 410-727-1539, ext. 3033