Business is slow in October for teams that aren’t setting playoff rosters.

Beat writers also lessen the work pace. And this seems like a good place to start dipping into the mailbag.

You asked, I tried to answer, and then I stopped after seven. I also wondered if the Orioles allowing the most unearned runs in the majors and the Ravens committing 39 penalties in four games is in any way related.

Not at all, unless there’s something in the water.

Any updates on Nate George?
Nothing. The Orioles are reacting the same as they did with Heston Kjerstad’s shutdown last summer. Maybe it’s HIPAA or just club policy. Maybe it’s just an outfielder thing, but probably not. George, 20, was one of the highest ranked prospects entering the season and MLB Pipeline has him seventh, but he didn’t play after a two-hit game for High-A Frederick on May 3. Twenty games and his season was over due to a “non-disclosed non-medical baseball condition.” Back on June 27, president of baseball operations Mike Elias said, “He happened to have a medical condition that’s nothing to do with athletics or baseball. We’re still totally confident that he’s gonna be fine, but this is the type of thing that takes a long time to come back out of and play professional sports from, so it’s gonna be a while. I don’t have much more beyond that, but he’s in good shape.” George certainly had a shot at reaching Double-A this summer, but he’ll need to stay with the Keys next season, with the assumption that he’ll be cleared to play.

Is a sports hernia different than your run of the mill regular hernia?
I don’t recommend running to the mill if you have a hernia, but I digress. A traditional hernia is a structural defect where an internal organ or fat pushes through a hole in the abdominal wall, whereas a sports hernia is a soft-tissue tear or strain of the muscles and tendons in the groin without any protruding tissue. Thanks AI! A sports hernia isn’t a true hernia. The confusion comes from the name. And it’s associated with athletes rather than just regular folks who, for example, are heavy lifters, overweight or chronic coughers. Nick Markakis underwent surgery for his sports hernia on Jan. 5, 2012. Dr. William Meyers handled the procedure in Philadelphia – the same surgeon who worked on Kyle Bradish this week. It’s a small hernia world after all. Markakis was ready for Opening Day after manager Buck Showalter slow-played him in spring training.

Hey Roch! Maybe I missed it, but what do you think about Coby Mayo taking reps in right field?
Hey…you! I think the defense can’t afford it. Mayo has improved at third base. He also can play first on those occasions when Pete Alonso is the designated hitter. It wouldn’t hurt to give Mayo reps in right in case of an emergency, and third base could get more crowded with Jordan Westburg’s return, but the Orioles need at least one plus-defender in the outfield who also can help the offense. The team showed no interest in working out Mayo in right. And then, there was some talk of letting him shag fly balls. And then, nothing happened. Mike Elias or Craig Albernaz will be asked about it again in camp.

Does your grandchild or children have a clue as to how you make a living?
My daughter is 33, so she’s figured it out. My granddaughter knows that I work at the ballpark because she’s sat in the press box twice over the last two years when the Orioles invited everyone to bring their kids and grandkids to Camden Yards. She was down on the field pregame and in the interview room. So she kind of gets it. She sees the ballpark and says, “That’s where Papa works.” And then she mumbles, “His game recaps are too long.”

I’ve heard a rumor that the owners will propose reducing the season from 162 to 154 games. What are your thoughts on a shorter season?
The owners are proposing? This is so sudden. My thoughts are that the season lasts too long, too many teams qualify for the playoffs, and too many kids are on my lawn. But owners normally want more games and more postseason rounds for revenue purposes. Isn’t it always about the quan? I haven’t seen anything about them endorsing a shorter schedule. Of course, there might not be a choice depending how long a lockout lasts and how far report dates for spring training would be pushed back.

Rece Hinds. Why?
The offense was struggling, Luis Robert Jr. was injured, and the Orioles wanted to see whether Hinds offered a solution. He was batting .268/.373/.437 with six doubles and two homers in 19 games with Triple-A Norfolk. Worth a shot. Now they’ll have to decide whether to keep him on the 40-man roster or at least in the organization if that’s possible.

I was thinking about all the wild things I’ve seen over the years and I think my top two are Tippy Martinez picking off three runners at first in a single inning and Cal Ripken Jr.’s foul ball destroying Ken Rosenthal’s laptop a day after Rosenthal wrote an article criticizing The Streak. What’s the wildest thing you’ve seen? And don’t say “your mom.”
I’d never! I’d think it, but I’d never! You named two classics. I was listening on radio to the Tippy game, and I sat next to Rosenthal and let him borrow my laptop after Cal’s foul ball. I’m selfless that way. Chris Davis getting a win in relief and Stevie Wilkerson a save in separate games is pretty wild. So is Chris Hoiles hitting two grand slams in the same game. The no-fans game. I’m sure the beat crew would include Coby Mayo’s three-run, inside-the-park homer on the same night that Pete Alonso hit his 300th career homer. I’m sure Craig Albernaz would nominate the night that Jeremiah Jackson fractured his face with a line drive in the dugout and then hit a grand slam. How about Trey Mancini’s inside-the-park homer in his final game as an Oriole at Camden Yards? More like an error on the right fielder, but that scoring change wasn’t gonna happen. Albert Belle getting hit by a pitch and refusing to take his base was another classic moment. And I’ll also submit the night that a fan climbed the left field foul pole.