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Long before Ripken, Hansen broke the mold for big league shortstops

September 28, 2011, 8:49am

Orioles

Long before Ripken, Hansen broke the mold for big league shortstops

There were a multitude of notable achievements in Ron Hansen's career - a Rookie of the Year Award, two All-Star nods,15 seasons in the majors, the rarest of rare defensive feats - but perhaps his biggest accomplishment was proving that shortstops didn't have to be small or wiry guys who could only flash the leather. Think Cal Ripken Jr. redefined the position? Think again. A generation before Ripken was playing game after game after game, the 6-foot-3, 200-lb. Hansen was one of the first...

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There's got to be a morning after ...

September 28, 2011, 7:47pm

Orioles

I might be confused, but I'm pretty sure what I eat this morning determines whether a Boston sportswriter has to skip breakfast. All of us in the press box who cover the Orioles were in agreement that last night's ending made up for a lot of the aggravation, frustration and heartache of a 14th consecutive losing season. The three straight two-out hits off Boston closer and face contortionist Jonathan Papelbon. The wild celebration between second and third, with Robert Andino leaping in the...

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Showalter on Andino

September 29, 2011, 11:11am

Orioles

One of the lasting images from the 2011 season was provided last night by second baseman Robert Andino. Not just his game-winning hit, but the way he bounded around the bases, took a flying chest-bump from Adam Jones and landed on his back. And the way he disappeared under a pile of jubilant teammates. And the way he strutted back to the dugout on his way to the clubhouse, waving that right arm in the air. OK, that's four lasting images. I warned you about my math. Andino almost didn't...

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Baseball America ranks Machado as No. 1 prospect in Carolina League

September 29, 2011, 8:47am

Orioles

Baseball America ranks Machado as No. 1 prospect in Carolina League

Even though he hit just .219 his last 33 regular-season games with the Frederick Keys, Baseball America today named Manny Machado of the Orioles as the top prospect in the Carolina League. Earlier Machado was named second-best prospect in the South Atlantic League. He started the 2011 season with Delmarva. At Frederick, Machado elevated his game in the playoffs and drove in seven runs during Frederick's three games to one win in the league finals. He was named the championship series...

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Some thoughts and notes on an amazing night of baseball

September 28, 2011, 11:16pm

Orioles

Some thoughts and notes on an amazing night of baseball

As Orioles fans woke up today, they realized something. That was not a dream last night. That happened. The Red Sox were one out from winning in the ninth and Tampa Bay was one out from losing in the ninth. How about this stat: The Red Sox entered last night's game with a record of 77-0 this year when leading after eight innings. They are 77-1 now. The Orioles can certainly be criticized for another losing season, but they also have a reason to be proud of how they played and handled...

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Nolan Reimold talks about the win and his double in the ninth

September 28, 2011, 9:10pm

Orioles

Nolan Reimold talks about the win and his double in the ninth

Nolan Reimold knocked in 14 runs for the Orioles over his last 12 games this season and he saved one of the best for last. His two-out, RBI double off Jonathan Papelbon in the last of the ninth tied the game at 3-3 and set the stage for Robert Andino's game-ending single as the Orioles beat Boston 4-3. Minutes later, when Tampa Bay won, the loss ended Boston's season short of the playoffs. "It was exciting," Reimold said of the dramatic finish. "We battled to the end. We weren't playing...

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Reimold and Andino with the clutch hits in the 9th as the O's stun Boston

September 28, 2011, 8:06pm

Orioles

Reimold and Andino with the clutch hits in the 9th as the O's stun Boston

The last game of the year produced one of the best finishes ever at Camden Yards. Down to their last out, the Orioles scored twice off Jonathan Papelbon in the bottom of the ninth to stun the Boston Red Sox with a comeback, 4-3 victory. With two outs and none on, Chris Davis doubled to right and Kyle Hudson came on to pinch run. Then Nolan Reimold came up with an RBI double to right center to tie the game 3-3. Robert Andino then lined one into left field and Carl Crawford just missed making a...

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Showalter speaks about "special" night

September 28, 2011, 9:00pm

Orioles

Manager Buck Showalter couldn't return to his office after meeting with reporters until he returned to the field through the home plate entrance and waved to fans who refused to go home. Pitcher Tommy Hunter tossed baseballs into the stands. It felt like the final regular-season game in 1979, except this wasn't Memorial Staidum and the Orioles weren't heading to the playoffs. The Orioles rallied from a 3-2 deficit in the bottom of the ninth inning to defeat the Red Sox, 4-3. A few...

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Andino talks about his game-winning hit against Boston

September 28, 2011, 8:51pm

Orioles

Andino talks about his game-winning hit against Boston

Just a few minutes after his game-ending and season-ending RBI single gave the Orioles a walk-off win over the Boston Red Sox tonight, Robert Andino said he enjoyed handing the Red Sox such a crushing loss. "To end the season like this and make Boston go home sad and crying, I'll take it all day. I've got no words for it. You saw Boston's faces," he said. Robert Andino talks about his walk-off base hit that knocked the Red Sox out of the Wild Card race After Chris Davis doubled off...

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From tarp to targets (Andino wins it in ninth)

September 28, 2011, 7:05pm

Orioles

From tarp to targets (Andino wins it in ninth)

Play resumed at 10:58 p.m. after a 1 hour, 26 minute rain delay. Boston reliever Alfredo Aceves might need a few more warmup tosses. Aceves hit Mark Reynolds in the left ribcage with his first pitch in the bottom of the seventh inning. Chris Davis flied out, and Aceves drilled Nolan Reimold in the left shoulder. Reimold flipped his bat, walked toward first base and glared at Aceves. He wore an expression that said, "Are you kidding me?" Aceves isn't throwing at the Orioles with his team...

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Jones talks about MVO award

September 28, 2011, 2:02pm

Orioles

I'm hearing now that it's highly unlikely that the Orioles make an announcement tomorrow regarding president of baseball operations Andy MacPhail. Something would have to change during the afternoon. Maybe on Friday. Center fielder Adam Jones beat out shortstop J.J. Hardy by one vote for Most Valuable Oriole. I expected a close count, but that's taking it to the extreme. "It's a tremendous honor," Jones said. "Played a hard season, a long season. There's a lot of deserving guys...

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Game update and Reimold note (and attendance)

September 28, 2011, 4:53pm

Orioles

Game update and Reimold note (and attendance)

Alfredo Simon lasted only 4 1/3 innings tonight. Dustin Pedroia hit a tie-breaking home run in the top of the fifth, and Simon exited after David Ortiz singled off the out-of-town scoreboard in right field. Simon was charged with three runs and six hits, with three walks, two strikeouts and a balk. He threw 87 pitches, 53 for strikes. Simon also gave up three runs in his last start, but they were spread out over eight innings against the Tigers. In the start before that one, he allowed six...

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The starters struggled most of the year and Simon did tonight too

September 28, 2011, 5:10pm

Orioles

The starters struggled most of the year and Simon did tonight too

The Orioles' starting pitching has been a flop most of this year. The starters' ERA for the season is in the 5.30 range and yes, that is awful. Alfredo Simon struggled in his start tonight, giving up three runs and six hits over just 4 1/3 innings. Simon will finish this season winless in eight starts against AL East teams with an ERA of 5.91. His final season ERA is 4.90 and he won't win his fifth game tonight. You have to wonder how the Orioles will use Simon next year. I still think his...

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Angle, Jones and more (score tied 2-2)

September 28, 2011, 4:00pm

Orioles

Alfredo Simon stranded a runner in the first inning and another one in the second, but the Red Sox took a 1-0 lead in the third. No. 9 hitter Mike Aviles drew a leadoff walk, moved up on Jacoby Ellsbury's single and scored on Dustin Pedroia's single. Ellsbury extended his hitting streak against the Orioles to 36 games. Simon got a double play, issued an intentional walk and struck out Ryan Lavarnway, who homered twice last night. His pitch count is up to 52 through three innings. The...

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Can O's resurgent offense get to Lester tonight?

September 28, 2011, 3:25pm

Orioles

Can O's resurgent offense get to Lester tonight?

The Orioles, in case you have not noticed, have been putting up a lot of runs lately. They have scored six runs or more in four straight, nine of ten and 12 of the last 14 games. The Orioles have scored 84 runs on 22 homers those last 14 games, averaging 6.0 runs per game in that time. They have some batters who are hitting well up and down the lineup as they try tonight to beat a pitcher in Jon Lester, that they have never defeated. Some O's hot hitters heading into the finale: * Nick...

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Well, the Red Sox skipper is loose

September 28, 2011, 2:03pm

Orioles

His team may have baseball's second-worst September record at 7-19, but Red Sox skipper Terry Francona didn't seem to be feeling any pressure today during his pregame interview session with reporters. If the Red Sox play tonight as loose as their manager was, they probably have a pretty good chance to win here at Camden Yards as they try to secure the AL wild-card berth. Francona cracked several one liners this afternoon in a press room here at Camden Yards. He was reminded that he had...

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Chris Davis to undergo hernia surgery

September 28, 2011, 1:08pm

Orioles

You can add corner infielder Chris Davis to the list of Orioles who will undergo sports hernia surgery after the season. Davis is in tonight's lineup at third base. He's batting .265 with five homers and 19 RBIs. "It's something he's had for a while," Showalter said. Second baseman Ryan Adams is scheduled to undergo a similar procedure on Oct. 4 in Philadelphia. Also, outfielder Matt Angle will work out at second base in the fall instructional league in Sarasota. "You've got Bordy...

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Hardy on his season and finishing second in MVO vote

September 28, 2011, 1:21pm

Orioles

Hardy on his season and finishing second in MVO vote

In what was a very close vote, Adam Jones edged out J.J. Hardy for this year's Most Valuable Oriole award. The Orioles don't release the voting results, but it appears that Jones won by one single vote over Hardy. The Orioles shortstop had not yet heard he had finished second and was informed by reporters when the clubhouse opened to the media today. "I haven't heard about it until now," Hardy said. "He's (Jones) very deserving. He's played, pretty much the whole year and I missed...

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Jones named MVO (with O's and Boston lineups)

September 28, 2011, 10:32am

Orioles

Jones named MVO (with O's and Boston lineups)

Adam Jones has been named Most Valuable Oriole for the 2011 season. J.J. Hardy placed second and Matt Wieters was third. Both players received first-place votes. Mark Reynolds, Jim Johnson, Robert Andino and Nick Markakis also received votes from members of the media who cover the team. Jones has set career highs with 26 doubles, 25 home runs, 83 RBIs and 150 games played. He's tied for the team lead with 14 outfield assists, and leads all American League center fielders in...

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Adam Jones named 2011 Most Valuable Oriole

September 28, 2011, 10:29am

Orioles

Adam Jones named 2011 Most Valuable Oriole

The Orioles today announced that Adam Jones has been voted winner of the 2011 Louis M. Hatter Most Valuable Oriole Award by members of the local media who cover the team on a regular basis. He will be recognized for his accomplishments in an on-field ceremony prior to tonight's season finale against the Boston Red Sox. Entering tonight's game Jones, 26, had set new career-highs in home runs (25), RBI (83), doubles (26) and games played (150) this season. He is tied for the team lead with 14...