Appreciating Matt Wieters and scouting Richard Rodríguez

Appreciating Matt Wieters and scouting Richard Rodríguez
The team's first-round draft pick (fifth overall) in the 2007 draft, he came amid plenty of hype to the major leagues for the first time in May 2009. Heck, then team exec Andy MacPhail even announced his promotion from Triple-A live on MASN days in advance. It became an event and must-see TV. Baseball's No. 1-rated prospect was coming to the Orioles. He would throw out runners like Johnny Bench. On offense, he would be "Mauer with power." On off-days, he would probably drive around the...
Continue reading
  Comments
0 Comments

Orioles generate record $89 million economic impact annually in Sarasota

Orioles generate record $89 million economic impact annually in Sarasota
The Orioles concluded their first intrasquad game of spring training today, meaning exhibition games against real opponents are coming soon. (Here's your friendly reminder that MASN's first spring training broadcast is Monday, Feb. 27 at 1 p.m. when the Orioles host the Yankees at Ed Smith Stadium.) But as the Orioles continue to put in work on the field at the Ed Smith Stadium complex in Sarasota, Fla., this spring, you may not realize that they put in work in the Sarasota community...
Continue reading
  Comments
0 Comments

John P. Angelos discusses Sarasota, future of MLB with WBAL Radio's Brett Hollander

John P. Angelos discusses Sarasota, future of MLB with WBAL Radio's Brett Hollander
SARASOTA, Fla. - With spring training kicking off, Orioles executive vice president and MASN president John P. Angelos took some time to sit down with WBAL Radio's Brett Hollander and preview the 2017 season. While the O's full squad has reported to Sarasota, they'll fly north in less than two months for opening day, looking for their sixth straight season of at least .500 ball. Although the players and coaches will head back to Baltimore after spring, make no mistake: the Orioles have a...
Continue reading
  Comments
0 Comments

Orioles invite fans to Sarasota SpringFest at Ed Smith Stadium

Orioles invite fans to Sarasota SpringFest at Ed Smith Stadium
Today's the big day when pitchers and catchers finally report to the Ed Smith Stadium complex, marking the end of the offseason and the official start of the 2017 baseball season. And to celebrate the first week of spring training, the Orioles are inviting all fans to the second annual Sarastoa SpringFest at Ed Smith Stadium this Saturday, Feb. 18. The free family-friendly event for all ages will allow fans to watch Orioles players practice on the back fields and enjoy games and interactive...
Continue reading
  Comments
0 Comments

Orioles bring back Health & Fitness Challenge to Sarasota County middle schools

Orioles bring back Health & Fitness Challenge to Sarasota County middle schools
Despite the recent gloomy weather, it's almost time to get out in the sunshine and get active. Actually, it's always a good idea to get out, be active and eat healthy, a message the Orioles are once again bringing to Sarasota County middle schools. For the second year, the Orioles and Sarasota County Schools are teaming up to encourage physical fitness, healthy eating and tobacco-free living among middle school-aged children through the Orioles Health & Fitness Challenge. Launched last...
Continue reading
  Comments
0 Comments

Hitting the Books with Gary Thorne: "The Road Not Taken"

Hitting the Books with Gary Thorne: "The Road Not Taken"
For years, there is a book that has come and gone from the nightstand, but is never very far gone. It is a collection of Robert Frost's lectures at colleges. They fascinate me to no end and I never tire of rereading them. Nor do I ever tire of reading this masterpiece of verse. "The Road Not Taken, A Selection of Robert Frost Poems" is a classic and framed in my office, as I'm sure so many others have done. This book is one of so many featuring his poems, treasures for the ages. Where...
Continue reading
  Comments
0 Comments

Orioles leaving lasting impact on Sarasota community

Orioles leaving lasting impact on Sarasota community
Over the past few years, the Orioles have been rejuvenated. Since 2012, the team has recaptured its historic success, including postseason appearances in two of the last four seasons and a division championship in 2014, the team's first since 1997. There's no doubt that Birdland is back, and fans are excited at the promise of coming to Camden Yards to watch the Orioles contend for a World Series championship. Yet 1,000 miles away - just a quick 15 1/2-hour drive down Interstate 95 and a hard...
Continue reading
  Comments
0 Comments

Hitting the Books with Gary Thorne: "The Haunted Mesa"

Hitting the Books with Gary Thorne: "The Haunted Mesa"
Louis L'Amour is one of the most frequent writers of the American West, particularly the Southwest. "The Haunted Mesa" is one of those books that traces actual myths and legends of Native American tribes in the area and those who came before them. L'Amour said of himself, "I think of myself in the oral tradition - as a troubadour, a village taleteller, the man in the shadows of the campfire. That's the way I'd like to be remembered - as a storyteller. A good storyteller." His wish is...
Continue reading
  Comments
0 Comments

Orioles showcase commitment to Sarasota, arts at charity event

Orioles showcase commitment to Sarasota, arts at charity event
Following a long day of baseball complete with a 16-8 Orioles win over the Red Sox, players, coaches and members of the Orioles front office gathered for a night of entertainment on the field at Ed Smith Stadium on Saturday. Top songwriters from Nashville performed a roundtable-style concert for those in the audience, which included manager Buck Showalter, first baseman Chris Davis and closer Zach Britton. Broadcaster Jim Hunter served as the emcee at the event and noted "how well the concept...
Continue reading
  Comments
0 Comments

Orioles continue to strengthen bond with Sarasota (plus tonight's lineup)

Orioles continue to strengthen bond with Sarasota (plus tonight's lineup)
SARASOTA, Fla. - The Orioles claimed another victory yesterday and then gave back to the Sarasota community. It's one of their finer exchanges and it's become quite familiar over the years. Many of the players returned to the Ed Smith Stadium complex last night along with manager Buck Showalter and his wife Angela, vice president of baseball operations Brady Anderson and the coaches, for "Nashville's Music Row Comes to the Ballpark." A large white tent was set up on one of the back fields...
Continue reading
  Comments
0 Comments

Notes on Brian Matusz, pitching and music event

Notes on Brian Matusz, pitching and music event
SARASOTA, Fla. - Unable to determine whether he's headed to the disabled list, the best that Orioles reliever Brian Matusz can do today is pick up a ball, play catch and wait for a resolution. Matusz will throw for the first time since receiving a cortisone injection in his lower back following Sunday's outing, when he retired all three batters he faced but didn't appear comfortable on the mound. Asked for an update this morning on his condition, Matusz said, "I feel great." But is it too...
Continue reading
  Comments
0 Comments

Top songwriters, athletes to come together for "Nashville's Music Row Comes to the Ballpark" at Ed Smith Stadium

Top songwriters, athletes to come together for "Nashville's Music Row Comes to the Ballpark" at Ed Smith Stadium
The stage is set. The spotlights turn on. The audience's murmuring dies down and all heads turn, everyone in the stands awaiting a performance that will fill them with emotion, happiness and excitement. And the show begins! Like sports, music evokes emotion and helps bring people together. Now the best of both worlds will come together for a special night of music at Sarasota's Ed Smith Stadium, spring training home of the Orioles. On Saturday, March 26, the Orioles will host "Nashville's...
Continue reading
  Comments
0 Comments

Hitting the Books with Gary Thorne: "Les Miserables"

Hitting the Books with Gary Thorne: "Les Miserables"
Hello, readers. Time to crack the covers again in the name of reading and all the joys it can bring! This is the second year for the "Hitting the Books" blog and we are back because you good people took kindly to our efforts. Here are some reminders: This is not a typical book review space. This is for fun. The idea was to share with you books I enjoy reading with all the travel time I have to fill. We expanded our reach last year to hear from managers, players, coaches, broadcasters and...
Continue reading
  Comments
0 Comments

O's swap bats for clubs in annual Birdland Golf Classic

O's swap bats for clubs in annual Birdland Golf Classic
The Orioles traded their bats for golf clubs Monday afternoon, taking aim at a decidedly smaller ball for a good cause in the sixth annual Birdland Golf Classic at The Founders Club in Sarasota. The event benefited the Miracle League of Manasota, an organization dedicated to providing the opportunity for everyone to play baseball, regardless of ability. Manager Buck Showalter and current Orioles Brad Brach, Chris Davis, Ryan Flaherty, Kevin Gausman, Brian Matusz, Chris Tillman, Darren O'Day...
Continue reading
  Comments
0 Comments

Sarasota County pegs Orioles' annual economic impact at $81 million

Sarasota County pegs Orioles' annual economic impact at $81 million
Orioles pitchers and catchers report to the Ed Smith Stadium complex in Sarasota, Fla., tomorrow, and with spring training arriving, the Sarasota County Government has released an economic impact analysis on the club's corporate presence in the Great Sarasota community over the past year. The analysis concludes that the O's presence in Sarasota, through spring training, year-round baseball activities and the club's promotion of entertainment and tourism, has generated approximately $81...
Continue reading
  Comments
0 Comments

Orioles invite fans to watch spring training workouts at Ed Smith Stadium

Orioles invite fans to watch spring training workouts at Ed Smith Stadium
Pitchers and catchers report one week from today. That's one week until the return of baseball, and the Orioles are inviting their fans to watch the first workouts of the new season. The Orioles announced today that fans are welcome to watch the team's first workouts on the back fields of the Ed Smith Stadium complex each day from Feb. 19-29. There is no charge for attendance or parking, which will be available in the East Lot off 12th Street and Tuttle Avenue. A day after reporting,...
Continue reading
  Comments
0 Comments

Ed Smith Stadium to host Sarasota SpringFest on Feb. 20

Ed Smith Stadium to host Sarasota SpringFest on Feb. 20
Can't wait for the start of the season. Is the Orioles' March 2 Grapefruit League opener too far away? Well, if you're near the O's Florida home, you can get a head start on the 2016 campaign with a boatload of family-friendly activities for fans of all ages at the Sarasota SpringFest on Saturday, Feb. 20 at Ed Smith Stadium from 9 a.m.-1 p.m. Fans can watch the Orioles practice on the complex's back fields, then enjoy games and interactive activities on the East Parking Lot at Ed Smith...
Continue reading
  Comments
0 Comments

Orioles launch Health & Fitness Challenge program with Sarasota County schools

Orioles launch Health & Fitness Challenge program with Sarasota County schools
O's EVP @JohnPAngelos, @1brianroberts & more discuss the O's Health & Fitness Challenge program w/ @sarasotaschools. https://t.co/imlQcWbK1w -- Baltimore Orioles (@Orioles) January 20, 2016 While opening day in Birdland is still a few months away, opening day for the Orioles Health & Fitness Challenge kicked off Tuesday, Jan. 19 in Sarasota, Fla. The new program, developed in partnership with Health Fit - Powered by Sarasota Memorial Hospital, helps motivate middle school-aged...
Continue reading
  Comments
0 Comments

The Orioles instructional league roster

The Orioles instructional league roster
The Orioles' fall instructional league is set to begin on Sept. 22 at Ed Smith Stadium in Sarasota, Fla., and the workouts and games will run through Oct. 13. The Orioles will have 59 players reporting including 24 pitchers, five catchers, 14 infielders, 11 outfielders and five players listed as on rehab. Pitchers Dylan Bundy, Hunter Harvey and Branden Kline will be there continuing their rehab programs. Players at the instructional league get plenty of one-on-one instruction and added work...
Continue reading
  Comments
0 Comments

Hitting the Books with Gary Thorne: "The Kid"

Hitting the Books with Gary Thorne: "The Kid"
There will be books written about baseball Hall of Famer Ted Williams for as long as the printing presses roll. Williams provided a lot of material in a life filled with his baseball superstar status, turbulent private life, running quarrels with the Boston baseball press and cryogenic ending. In "The Kid," Ben Bradlee Jr. left none of that life untouched in this can't-wait-to-turn-the-page read. Check out the accompanying video for more on "The Kid." A shout out to the Selby Public...
Continue reading
  Comments
0 Comments