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It looks like Chorye Spoone is back on the O's radar

February 13, 2011, 5:23pm

Orioles

It looks like Chorye Spoone is back on the O's radar

For Orioles pitching prospect Chorye Spoone, the long road back from shoulder surgery in September 2008 has just about reached its end. Some fans were worried when he walked eight in just 3 2/3 innings in his last start at Bowie last Aug. 19. But he was simply out of gas, but not hurt again, after throwing 132 innings in 2010 at Double-A. That is not a lot until you remember, he had pitched just 71 innings combined in 2008 and 2009, before and after his surgery. But Spoone, once one of the...

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Building deep depth in the lineup and bullpen

February 14, 2011, 6:58pm

Orioles

Building deep depth in the lineup and bullpen

Call it the principle of displacement. If the Orioles put Vladimir Guerrero in the fourth spot in the batting order, doesn't that mean it will move others down in the order, displacing them? It should then help the order become stronger if someone who batted fourth can move down to fifth or sixth and so on and so on. One possible batting order for the Orioles is Brian Roberts leading off, followed by Nick Markakis, Derrek Lee, Guerrero, Luke Scott, Mark Reynolds, Adam Jones, Matt Wieters and...

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What are you thinking about as spring training begins?

February 13, 2011, 5:48am

Orioles

What are you thinking about as spring training begins?

Well, a new Orioles season is finally here. Pitchers and catchers will be on the field in Sarasota tomorrow and the first exhibition game is two weeks from tomorrow. So what story lines are you interested in as camp begins? What are you wondering about? What most excites you about this team? I am wondering if: * Adam Jones will bat second. Since I wrote that was my preference several weeks ago, I've noticed I am not alone. Despite the fact several of you think I am crazy and have lost my...

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Taking a guess at who might play this year at Norfolk

February 12, 2011, 4:29am

Orioles

Taking a guess at who might play this year at Norfolk

Now that the Orioles' spring training roster is out, we can take a guess and make some projections as to what this year's Triple-A Norfolk lineup might look like. It's clear to me that Norfolk is likely to have a more veteran lineup this year, one potentially filled with players that may be more major league-ready than in some past seasons. Not only is the O's big league roster upgraded, but it looks like the Orioles have made a decided effort to have players at Triple-A that will have...

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Orioles reach agreement with Guthrie (quotes added)

February 11, 2011, 6:23am

Orioles

The Orioles have reached agreement with Jeremy Guthrie on a contract for the 2011 season, assuring that they won't go to arbitration with any of their eligible players. Guthrie will receive $5.75 million this season. He was seeking $6.5 million, while the Orioles countered at $5 million. His hearing was scheduled for Wednesday in Phoenix, but it's no longer necessary. Guthrie, who made $3 million last year, will likely be the Opening Day starter. He went 11-14 with a 3.83 ERA in 32 starts...

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More on Vladimir Guerrero's physical

February 12, 2011, 11:51am

Orioles

It's become more apparent that Vladimir Guerrero isn't in a hurry to do anything this winter. Sign with a new team. Take his physical. The man works at his own deliberate pace. Orioles president of baseball operations Andy MacPhail was on my AirTran flight to Sarasota today, and he informed me that Guerrero's physical is now scheduled for Wednesday. Guerrero's been dealing with some scheduling conflicts. He's not trying to back out of the deal. Though Guerrero hasn't signed a...

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Keeping a close watch on Koji Uehara

February 12, 2011, 4:39am

Orioles

My bags are packed and I'm ready for the airport. But is the airport ready for me? I'm trying to tear myself away from my 800th viewing of "Cobra" on Spike TV, easily one of the worst movies ever made. Sylvester Stallone and Brigitte Nielsen. I know, I know ... how could they possibly mess up that one? Stallone utters one of my all-time favorite cringe-worthy lines while confronting a shooter in a grocery store about two minutes into the flick: "You're a disease, and I'm the...

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Ripken statement on Ernie Tyler's passing

February 11, 2011, 11:16am

Orioles

Ripken statement on Ernie Tyler's passing

Baseball legend Cal Ripken Jr. was deeply saddened by the news that longtime umpires attendant Ernie Tyler passed away last night at age 86. Ripken released a statement today that read: "Today, Baltimore lost a very special man in Ernie Tyler. The Tyler family is synonymous with Orioles baseball, and O's games won't be the same without Ernie. His commitment and dedication to the Orioles and to the game was something my family and I have always admired. He was Baltimore's true Iron Man and...

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Ernie Tyler never stopped doing what he loved

February 11, 2011, 9:32am

Orioles

Ernie Tyler never stopped doing what he loved

The last time I saw Ernie Tyler was, well, vintage Ernie. He was sitting near the corridor that leads to the umpires' dressing room in Camden Yards, a stack of towels perched on his lap and a smile on his face. It's a pretty good memory, befitting an amazing guy who is as synonymous with the Orioles - and on a first-name basis, no less - as Frank, Brooks, Boog or Cal. It happened the day before dizziness forced his hospitalization last October, before surgery a few days later to remove a...

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Funeral arrangements for Ernie Tyler

February 11, 2011, 1:00pm

Orioles

The Orioles just released details of the funeral arrangements for longtime umpires attendant Ernie Tyler, who passed away last night. A viewing will be held Sunday and Monday from 3 p.m.-5 p.m. and 7 p.m.-9 p.m. at Evan's Funeral Chapel, 3 Newport Dr., Forest Hill, Md. 21050. Mass of Christian Burial will be held Tuesday at 10:30 a.m. at Saints Ignatius Roman Catholic Church, 533 East Jarrettsville Rd., Jarrettsville, Md. 21050. Interment will follow at Bel Air Memorial Gardens, 809 Rock...

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Scott talks about his contract agreement

February 10, 2011, 1:55pm

Orioles

Scott talks about his contract agreement

I just spoke to Luke Scott over the phone from the parking lot of an Eldersburg grocery store. As always, timing is everything. It's really not safe for me to leave the house. I do appreciate that Scott took the time to call me back. He was at a gym in California when I texted him earlier today about agreeing to terms on a contract for the 2011 season and avoiding arbitration. "I'm very happy with the deal. Its a fair deal, it's a good deal for both sides and I'm glad we got it done,"...

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Ernie Tyler, O's Hall of Famer, passes away (with statement)

February 11, 2011, 4:42am

Orioles

Ernie Tyler, O's Hall of Famer, passes away (with statement)

Sadly, the rumor is true. Ernie Tyler, the longtime and beloved umpires attendant at Camden Yards, passed away last night at age 86. An Orioles official confirmed the news. Tyler had undergone surgery Oct. 6 at University of Maryland Medical Center to remove a benign brain tumor after experiencing dizziness four days earlier at Camden Yards. He was transferred to a rehabilitation facility in early December. Tyler, a member of the Orioles Hall of Fame, worked 3,819 consecutive home games at...

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Looking back on a busy day in the comments section

February 11, 2011, 4:26am

Orioles

First of all, I thank everyone for posting so many comments yesterday. Many were well thought out and I think you all proved that the baseball IQ of the readership here is high. I think my computer is still smoking. Some of the comments were coming in faster than I could get to them. I remember telling someone that called, "Can't talk now, got to get to more comments. Maybe later." I remember thinking I needed to check my e-mail and finally got to it about an hour later. Hey, that was...

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This and that

February 11, 2011, 3:30am

Orioles

One more day in Maryland and I'm heading south for part of the winter. If another person asks when I leave for "spring break," I'm going to launch myself and deliver a helmet-to-helmet hit. I won't be shotgunning beers poolside on MTV and judging wet T-shirt contests (at least not during the week.) It actually qualifies as work. I looked it up. On the positive side, I won't be packing my ice scraper. And if I suddenly change my mind, I could always race back home after missing my...

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Contemplating a baseball season without Ernie Tyler

February 11, 2011, 5:21am

Orioles

Contemplating a baseball season without Ernie Tyler

Ernie Tyler was a physically small man, but his impact on the Orioles' organization was massive. For me and many of you, Ernie has been a constant over so many years of going to O's games at Memorial Stadium and Camden Yards. It says all you need to know about Ernie when Cal Ripken Jr. asks you to end a streak and come to his Hall of Fame induction in Cooperstown. By now, you know Ernie died last night at 86. The offseason began with news he was hospitalized, and now, as a new season is...

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Keith Law criticizes O's offseason moves

February 09, 2011, 8:25pm

Orioles

Keith Law criticizes O's offseason moves

There is clearly a lot of excitement and anticipation for the 2011 Orioles season. Some of the national media has given the team some props lately. But ESPN.com's Keith Law won't make that list. In a phone conversation yesterday afternoon, Law told me he feels certain the O's have little chance to even be a .500 team this year. He also was very critical of Vlad Guerrero and Mark Reynolds and of many of the moves the club has made this offseason. "The Orioles are not a club right now that...

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Picking a dark horse in Sarasota

February 09, 2011, 5:34pm

Orioles

I could attempt to cheat and wait until I get to spring training, watch a few workouts and talk to the manager before choosing my dark horse for 2011. Or I could do the honorable thing and make my decision today, without benefit of bullpen sessions and batting practice, without the opinions of the people who will construct the 25-man roster, without first having my palm read. As if it matters. I selected pitcher Brad Hennessey before arriving in Fort Lauderdale, blinked and missed his entire...

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Orioles avoid arbitration with Scott (updated)

February 10, 2011, 11:45am

Orioles

Once again, the Orioles have managed to reach agreement on a contract with an arbitration-eligible player and avoid the potentially messy process. Luke Scott, expected to be the regular left fielder, has agreed to terms on a 2011 deal, according to a team official. The Sun is reporting that Scott will be paid $6.4 million. He asked for $6.85 million and the Orioles countered at $5.7 million. A hearing was scheduled for Monday in Phoenix, which is no way to spend Valentine's Day. It's been...

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Adam Jones: "The time is now"

February 08, 2011, 6:14pm

Orioles

Even before the Orioles acquired Vladimir Guerrero, O's center fielder Adam Jones was psyched about the club's offseason additions and rather excited for the 2011 season. "The first couple years (I was here), no moves really had been made, maybe a couple here and there. This one seems like, the time is now. I like it," Jones said recently at FanFest. Even though Jones has been in the Oriole lineup for three years and has played in 473 major league games, he remains one of the youngest...

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Guerrero physical in Sarasota

February 09, 2011, 8:18am

Orioles

The Orioles reached agreement with Vladimir Guerrero on a one-year contract Friday night, but he won't undergo his physical until early next week. No sense rushing these things. I know Guerrero moves slowly these days, but this is ridiculous. OK, I'm spent. The Orioles' physicians will gather in Sarasota for spring training - the equipment has been shipped down there - so it makes sense for Guerrero to meet with them at the Ed Smith Stadium complex. The physical could take place as...