You've heard about it. Now you can hear more.
The Orioles are unveiling their new caps and jerseys today. The cartoon bird is back. Let us rejoice.
This is an updated version that takes elements from the 1970 and 1983 models. As I told you yesterday, it more closely resembles the Brooks Robinson bird, not the Todd Cruz one, in terms of overall shape. And this is the first time that the bird is wearing a cap with O's on the front.
Here's what you didn't know until today (and what I was...
When I wrote over the weekend about Yu Darvish, many of your replies surprised me. I didn't keep a tally, but it sure seemed most fans that left a comment were against going after Darvish via free agency if he is posted if the total price tag for a posting fee and contract would total $100 million or more.
I admire your restraint considering how badly the Orioles need pitching. But many of you just felt that is too much money and that is taking too big a risk on Darvish.
I am very intrigued...
Cal Ripken Jr.'s diplomatic mission is Japan is almost over. But before he jets back to the United States, the Iron Man will host a live chat via Livestream on Facebook at 7 p.m. tonight. Fans are encouraged to submit questions in advance, and those without access to Facebook can access the chat here.
Here is Ripken's last blog post from Japan, and his final video blog entry appears below.
The Orioles today unveiled their uniform changes for 2012, highlighted by the return of the cartoon bird as the logo on the club's home and road caps and the introduction of an alternate orange jersey for Saturday home games.
The 2012 cartoon bird head is a new design, utilizing elements from both the 1970 and 1983 versions. It will replace the ornithologically-correct bird on both the home and road caps. The club's new home cap will feature the cartoon bird on a white front panel with a...
I stopped by the warehouse today to check out the Orioles' new caps and jerseys. I think most of you will be pleased with the changes.
The club requested that no further details be published until 9:30 a.m. tomorrow, so I'm following the embargo.
You already know that the Orioles have gone back to the cartoon bird on the caps - taking elements from the 1970 and 1983 models - and that the angle of the Baltimore script on the road jerseys no longer tapers at the end.
I can tell you that the...
No matter how you feel about Joe Jordan's record as the Orioles' scouting director from 2005 through 2011, there is one area that hurt the Orioles during his time with the club that was out of the control of the scouting department.
The Orioles had fewer picks than their American League East rivals in the top three rounds during those seven drafts - in some cases many fewer picks - as other teams took advantage of the draft rules to obtain more picks. They got many compensation picks for...
What's better than one Iron Man? How about a pair?
Cal Ripken Jr., baseball's all-time leader in consecutive games played, hosted his final youth clinic in Japan on Monday. He was joined by Sachio Kinugasa, who holds the record for durability in the Japanese league and has become a friend of Ripken. Kinugasa has accompanied Ripken and his entourage through their diplomatic mission in Japan, and Monday's clinic came in his hometown of Kyoto.
Kinugasa led today's clinic and handed out...
Mike Bordick has made it clear to Orioles manager Buck Showalter that he'd accept an offer to join the coaching staff. He's also met with Dan Duquette, the new executive vice president of baseball operations.
We should find out later this week whether it leads to a change in roles for Bordick, the former Orioles shortstop who currently serves as their coordinator of offensive fundamentals.
Bordick is a candidate to be named first base or bullpen coach. He wouldn't replace Willie Randolph...
Orioles fans are encouraged to visit www.orioles.com, tomorrow, Tuesday, November 15, at 9:30 a.m. ET for a special announcement. As part of the club's continued efforts to enhance the Orioles brand, the changes to the 2012 uniforms will be unveiled at this time, exclusively on the team's website.
I have a hot date later today - with my couch to watch football. I may shower first, but it's a game-time decision.
The GM meetings take place later this week in Milwaukee. They're sort of an appetizer for the Winter Meetings. Executives talk trades, gauge the parameters and agree to resume discussions the following month - this time in Dallas.
I wonder if Mark Reynolds' name will come up.
I've heard that at least one executive who interviewed for the president of baseball operations job...
Seven hours north of Tokyo, lies Ofunato, the area most heavily damaged by March's Japanese earthquake and tsunami. That's where Cal Ripken Jr., on a diplomatic mission sponsored by the U.S. Department of State, and his former Orioles teammate Brady Anderson traveled yesterday to survey the devastation and connect with children from this ravaged region.
"I can't fathom what took place here," Ripken said, adding that he was looking forward to conducting a clinic for youths in the area. The...
I told you yesterday that Triple-A Norfolk pitching coach Mike Griffin isn't currently regarded as a candidate to become the Orioles' bullpen coach.
Griffin is one of the more highly valued members of the organization, but in this case, it keeps working against him. The Orioles don't want to create a huge void by removing him from his post in order to fill another vacancy.
They passed him up last year while parading coaches through the bullpen for that exact same reason.
Guys like Mike...
The Orioles are hoping to announce their coaching staff next week. That's the goal. It's not going to happen over the weekend, so don't plan your days and nights around it.
They're still open to the possibility of moving Wayne Kirby to third base and hiring a new first base coach.
According to one member of the organization, the ideal staff would include a Latin American coach at third base who also could work with the infielders - that's a prime reason why the Orioles wanted Juan...
Cal Ripken Jr. continued his diplomatic tour of Japan today, visiting Ofunato, the area hardest hit by the March earthquake and tsunami. You can read Ripken's reflections here, and MASNsports.com will post a YouTube video tomorrow of his trip to the region.
Ripken wrote in his blog that nothing prepared him for the devastation he saw - photos in the slideshow bear out the incredible level of destruction in the area - and that he hoped the clinics planned for Japanese children would help the...
For the life of me I don't see Jorge Posada, who is a free agent, as a fit for the Orioles.
Jon Heyman of SI.com tweeted this yesterday: "If posada decides to play, i'm thinking orioles or marlins. but i hope he retires. great career. terrific guy."
Posada turned 40 last summer and while the Orioles need a backup catcher and might have some DH at-bats available next season as well, I don't see a player at that stage of his career being anyone the Orioles could use in 2012.
Posada was...
Manager Buck Showalter confirmed Tuesday that he only has two coaching vacancies to fill. John Russell signed a new contract, allowing him to join holdovers Rick Adair, Jim Presley and Wayne Kirby.
Russell will remain on the bench. Kirby, however, isn't sure where he'll coach.
Kirby served as first base coach last season, but it's still possible that he moves across the diamond to replace Willie Randolph.
"It doesn't matter to me," Kirby said last night. "I told Buck, 'Whatever you...
Nolan Reimold began the 2011 season in the lineup at Triple-A Norfolk. He ended it with a huge ninth-inning RBI double for the Orioles against Jonathan Papelbon that capped a big September.
Will it be enough to get him in Buck Showalter's starting lineup as a regular in left field in 2012?
I say the answer to that should be yes.
After a strong rookie season in 2009 and a poor year in 2010, Reimold's bat came to life late last year, again showing fans a glimpse of the kind of player many...
The Orioles will honor Negro Leagues pioneer Buck O'Neil in a ceremony at their minor league facility, the Buck O'Neil Baseball Complex at Twin Lakes Park, this Sunday, Nov. 13 at 1 p.m. The date marks the 100th anniversary of O'Neil's birth.
O'Neil, who spent a portion of his childhood in Sarasota, was a star first baseman and manager in the Negro Leagues. He also scouted and coached in the major leagues and worked tirelessly to preserve and promote the history of the Negro Leagues until...
Former Orioles pitcher Mike Boddicker has been diagnosed with cancer, but he's expected to make a full recovery.
Doctors determined that the cancer was confined to Boddicker's tonsils, which he had removed about three weeks ago. As a precaution, he'll undergo radiation treatments on the tissue around the area.
Boddicker spent parts of nine seasons with the Orioles, earning a World Series ring in 1983 and winning 20 games the following season. He placed third in the American League Rookie...
While wondering why Hollywood never gave us "Kansas City Bomber II"...
The Orioles' 40-man roster still includes only one catcher, All-Star and Gold Glove winner Matt Wieters. He'll need a backup next season, unless the club is relying on him to play every inning of every game.
Triple-A catcher John Hester could compete for the job in spring training, assuming he receives an invite. He played in 53 major league games in two seasons with the Diamondbacks, most recently in 2010.
As for...