Important dates of the offseason

At this point in the fall, even ESPN's coverage of the World Series has waned, and it's officially time to start kindling the Hot Stoves, preparing for the Winter Meetings, and booking flights for trips to spring training. There are, however, a few remnants of last season still to come in the way of awards; and there are more than a few important offseason dates to mark on your calendars to help you through long winter months without baseball. Take a look at the important MLB dates and offseason events listed below to make sure you won't miss a beat, even in the offseason: November 9, 2010: American League Rawlings Gold Glove Awards announced November 10, 2010: National League Rawlings Gold Glove Awards and Louisville Slugger Silver Slugger Awards announced November 15, 2010: AL and NL Jackie Robinson Rookie of the Year Awards announced November 16, 2010: National League Cy Young and AL and NL Manager of the Year announced November 16-17, 2010: General Managers Meetings to take place in Orlando, Fla. November 17-18, 2010: Owners Meetings to take place in Orlando, Fla. November 18, 2010: American League Cy Young announced November 22, 2010: National League Most Valuable Player announced November 23, 2010: American League Most Valuable Player announced; and last day for teams to offer salary arbitration to free agents in order to preserve their right to draft-pick compensation November 30, 2010: Last day for free agents to accept salary-arbitration offers December 2, 2010: Last day for teams to tender 2011 contracts to players under reserve December 6-9, 2010: Winter Meetings to take place in Lake Buena Vista, Fla. January 5-15, 2011: Salary arbitration filing period January 18, 2011: Salary arbitration figures exchanged February 1-21, 2011: Salary arbitration hearings February 13, 2011: Voluntary Spring Training reporting date for pitchers, catchers and injured players February 18, 2011: Voluntary Spring Training reporting date for non-pitchers and catchers February 28, 2011: Orioles first spring training game (vs. the Pittsburgh Pirates in Bradenton, Fla.) March 1, 2011: Mandatory Spring Training reporting date for all players March 2-11, 2011: Contracts of unsigned players may be renewed March 28, 2011: Deadline to request unconditional release waivers without having to pay the player's full 2011 salary March 31, 2011: MLB Opening Day April 1, 2011: Orioles Opening Day against the Rays in Tampa, Fla. April 4, 2011: Orioles Home Opener vs. the Detroit Tigers Also thrown in there somewhere will be the Orioles' annual FanFest event, which is always a great day where fans can come together to enjoy Orioles baseball, even before the new season begins. Once plans for the event are finalized, be sure to check back here for all the details on the O's biggest event of the offseason. And finally, there's one non-baseball event coming up here in the Orioles Buzz - Just to give everyone who reads this blog a little heads up, your usual O's Buzz blogger is expecting a baby Bird fan in the very near future. My husband and I are expecting our first baby (a son), on November 13. As one of the many perks of my job, I'm able to keep up this blog from anywhere and everywhere, which means you'll be hearing from me right up until the big day - but don't think we'd simply let this space run dry until I return. The amazing staff at MASNsports.com will be filling in for me while I'm on maternity leave, so you won't miss a bit of O's news all winter long...