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Baseball ambassador Cal Ripken Jr. heads to Japan on diplomatic mission

November 07, 2011, 6:26am

Orioles

Baseball ambassador Cal Ripken Jr. heads to Japan on diplomatic mission

In Baltimore, we know Cal Ripken Jr. as The Iron Man. This week, he takes on a different moniker: baseball ambassador. From Nov. 8-16, Ripken will take participate in a diplomatic mission through Japan, where he will conduct baseball and softball clinics in Tokyo, Takarazuka and Kyoto. Officially, Ripken will be functioning as a U.S. Public Diplomacy Envoy, a State Department position that allows him to assume role of sports diplomat. This is the third trip Ripken has taken in this capacity....

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Duquette finally gets another shot; forget Fielder, Nats should focus on pitching

November 07, 2011, 8:08am

Nationals Orioles

Duquette finally gets another shot; forget Fielder, Nats should focus on pitching

In 2002, when Dan Duquette was fired by the Boston Red Sox as their general manager, he vowed to make a comeback. Now, he gets his chance as the Orioles' top executive. Duquette left Boston in cloud of controversy, and because of that, he probably didn't get proper credit for his role in building the Red Sox's 2004 World Series championship team. His strengths are his Latin American connections and his ability to develop players. He gets credit for pulling off the most lopsided trade in...

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Will Dan be the man for the Orioles? (updated with deal done)

November 05, 2011, 7:57pm

Orioles

The idea of Orioles fans being held hostage may soon be over. If Dan Duquette gets the general manager's job, the club will have its new top executive and you can get on with your lives, not to mention the rest of the offseason. Personally, I was and remain a big fan of De Jon Watson of the Dodgers. I think this guy is going to be a top GM for someone soon and hope the Orioles didn't miss out on a guy that shows leadership, the ability to produce a solid player development system and...

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Looking at some issues facing Dan Duquette

November 06, 2011, 5:12pm

Orioles

Looking at some issues facing Dan Duquette

As Dan Duquette becomes the latest top executive to try and turn the Orioles around, many Orioles fans must be hoping the Buck Showalter-Duquette pairing will be the one to finally take this team back to the top of the standings. While no one can blame fans for being doubters and skeptical about that, a new face at the top does provide hope. Hope that this time some things will be different. Hope that Duquette will bring some fresh ideas and/or staff to the front office. Hope that it all will...

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The waiting is the hardest part (updated with Sunday meeting)

November 05, 2011, 7:21pm

Orioles

The waiting is the hardest part (updated with Sunday meeting)

Owner Peter Angelos met with Dan Duquette late into the night, and I turned off my laptop without any word on whether a deal had been struck. Not that anyone is burning up my phone with updates. Keeping me in the loop isn't a high priority. As of early this morning, it appears that nothing has been finalized, but we're still heading in that direction. I don't feel any need to dust off my list of other potential candidates. Yankees scouting director Damon Oppenheimer comes into play only if...

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O's nearing deal with Duquette

November 05, 2011, 10:05am

Orioles

I've received confirmation that Dan Duquette is heading back to Baltimore, and the Orioles could be drawing close to naming their new president of baseball operations. No contract has been offered, according to a source, but the two sides will attempt to hammer out a deal this weekend. ESPN's Tim Kurkjian first reported that Duquette was returning to Baltimore. Duquette interviewed yesterday, and I'm told that his detailed presentation impressed everyone in the room. One member of the...

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Who will be good as gold?

October 31, 2011, 6:59pm

Orioles

Maybe the Orioles will hire their president of baseball operations today or tomorrow. I can't see this process dragging out much longer, but you've heard that one already. As you know, Blue Jays assistant general manager Tony LaCava met with owner Peter Angelos yesterday. You can read plenty into LaCava's return trip to Baltimore, though it's important to note that Angelos wasn't present for LaCava's first interview. He met with Dodgers executive De Jon Watson, so it's not like he's...

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LaCava back in Baltimore today

October 31, 2011, 10:31am

Orioles

Blue Jays assistant general manager Tony LaCava is back in Baltimore today, meeting with owner Peter Angelos as the club draws closer to naming a new president of baseball operations. LaCava already has interviewed once for the job, along with Jerry Dipoto, De Jon Watson and John Stockstill. Dipoto dropped off the list after being named the Angels general manager. LaCava was the second candidate to interview for the job after Dipoto, and he's been viewed as the most likely hire. Today's...

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Latest GM non-update update (Baird out of picture)

November 04, 2011, 4:01pm

Orioles

Latest GM non-update update (Baird out of picture)

I can't let you go to bed later tonight without another entry about the Orioles' search for a president of baseball operations. As of right now - check the time on this entry - the Orioles haven't scheduled any other interviews for the weekend. Of course, that could change. I've heard that they really want to sit down with Red Sox assistant GM Allard Baird. And they received permission from the Yankees to interview scouting director Damon Oppenheimer. Multiple people close to the...

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O's Hunter pitches in as HBO's "Veep" shoots at Camden Yards

November 04, 2011, 6:01pm

Orioles

O's Hunter pitches in as HBO's "Veep" shoots at Camden Yards

Mix politics and baseball, says Orioles pitcher Tommy Hunter, and you've got the potential for some awkwardness. At least that's what Hunter gleaned from a day at Camden Yards earlier this week, portraying himself in an episode of the forthcoming HBO comedy "Veep." Hunter, teammate Jake Arrieta and other O's staffers spent almost six hours on the ballpark field shooting an episode that will air next March, when the O's are at spring training at Ed Smith Stadium in Sarastota, Fla. The TV...

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A question about the fans: What if they jump ship?

November 04, 2011, 7:37pm

Orioles

A question about the fans: What if they jump ship?

Here is a good question to ponder this weekend: How do you feel about a fan that dumps one team for another? How would feel about an Orioles fan that dumps the Birds for say the Nationals or Red Sox or Yankees or any other baseball team? I think fans have the right to be upset with their team, to rip their team on the message boards and talk shows and clearly they have the right to decide against purchasing any tickets or team merchandise. No one could blame any longtime Orioles fan to be...

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Twins deny permission on Radcliff

November 04, 2011, 6:09am

Orioles

The Twins have denied the Orioles permission to interview Mike Radcliff for the position of president of baseball operations, according to an industry source. According to the same source, the Twins denied permission because of internal reorganization and promotions that could be in the works. Radcliff currently serves as vice president for player personnel for the Twins, but his title may now change. The Orioles will interview former Expos and Red Sox general manager Dan Duquette later...

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Will Duquette get done?

November 04, 2011, 8:31pm

Orioles

If you know me and this blog, you know that I was dragged kicking and screaming into the Twitter world. I had little choice. My profession dictated it. Well, so did my bosses, but you know what I mean. I was confused and amused by how many people simultaneously tweeted last night that Red Sox assistant general manager Allard Baird declined the opportunity to interview with the Orioles for the position of president of baseball operations. I thought he was on a conference call, but he actually...

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Are the Orioles making any improvements on the international front?

November 02, 2011, 3:46pm

Orioles

The Orioles' international signings in recent years have been rated poor by many of the so-called experts, but there were some indications this year that the Orioles may have made one or two gains on the international front in 2011. While I put almost no stock in a minor league team's record as it relates to their quality of prospects, the Orioles' Dominican Summer League team this year did finish in first place in its division and made the playoffs with a 46-24 record. Jonathan Schoop...

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General manager and free agent chatter

November 03, 2011, 7:36pm

Orioles

For those of you keeping score at home, the Orioles will interview former Expos and Red Sox general manager Dan Duquette today, making him the sixth candidate to meet with the search committee. As long as you're keeping score, Duquette is only the third candidate who's still in play, joining John Stockstill and Scott Proefrock. You've seen a variety of names float past your computer screens. There's no exact list of remaining candidates. The Orioles are expected to interview Red Sox...

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More on the expanded GM search

November 02, 2011, 4:39pm

Orioles

I can make one promise: The Orioles won't introduce their new president of baseball operations tomorrow. They will, however, interview former team executive Scott Proefrock, 51, an assistant general manager with the Philadelphia Phillies. Proefrock served as the Orioles' director of baseball administration from 2006 until 2008, handling a lot of the contract responsibilities. The Orioles also have asked permission to interview Tampa Bay executive vice president of baseball operations Andrew...

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Orioles expanding interview list (updated)

November 02, 2011, 12:58pm

Orioles

This will be a very quick update on the Orioles' general manager search, since I'm less than an hour away from The start of the Mid-Atlantic Sports Report on MASN. The Orioles are placing calls to numerous teams seeking permission to interview candidates to replace Andy MacPhail. I've heard that the teams include the Tampa Bay Rays, Chicago White Sox, Minnesota Twins and Philadelphia Phillies. That's only a partial roll call. It's fair to speculate that one of the names is Mike...

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Markakis updates an injury and talks about Gold Glove

November 02, 2011, 5:52am

Orioles

Markakis updates an injury and talks about Gold Glove

On a conference call to talk about his Rawlings Gold Glove Award, Nick Markakis updated reporters on an injury. If you recall, he was taken out of the last game of the season with a bone bruise in the abdomen area. "It happened a couple of weeks prior to the end of the season, stealing a base, just dove in and hurt myself. As far as healthy right now, I'd say I'm about 70 to 75 percent. Just a slow healing process. I'm taking it easy, resting. That's about all you can do for a bone...

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Markakis on Roberts and an error-free season

November 02, 2011, 7:05am

Orioles

Markakis on Roberts and an error-free season

Nick Markakis has played plenty of games in right field with Brian Roberts patrolling second base. Markakis talked to Roberts recently and hopes Roberts can return to regular duty next season after playing in just 98 combined games the last two years. "I talked to him not too long ago," Markakis said. "I know 100 percent he plans on coming back. He wants to be a part of this as much as anybody else. It's unfortunate with the injury he has right now. It's a long healing process and I hope...

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Orioles claim O'Day off waivers; Fox a free agent

November 02, 2011, 10:08am

Orioles

The Orioles claimed right-hander Darren O'Day off waivers from the Texas Rangers, continuing their roster infatuation with the American League champions. O'Day, 29, was 0-1 with a 5.40 ERA in 16 games and 16 2/3 innings this season. He also was 1-0 with a 2.53 ERA, four walks and 27 strikeouts in 18 games and 21 1/3 innings with Double-A Frisco (one game) and Triple-A Round Rock (17). O'Day, a submarine-stylist similar to Chad Bradford, also has pitched for the Angels in 2008, the Mets in...