Could these players debut if the 2020 season is played?
Could these players debut if the 2020 season is played?
Steve Melewski
Orioles
If there is a 2020 baseball season there will no doubt be a few Orioles that will make their major league debuts. How long a list will that be? It will be interesting to see if a season shortened to 82 games means that fewer players debut or if the team will hold off on bringing some players to the majors. There is also the factor of the minor leagues. What if the minors don't play in 2020? Will that mean the Orioles will bring some players up to get experience and reps they couldn't get...
Limited clarity to a proposed 2020 season
Limited clarity to a proposed 2020 season
Roch Kubatko
Orioles
The shortages caused by the coronavirus pandemic haven't impacted the number of questions about baseball's attempts to play in 2020. Spring training locations appear to be solved, with teams expected to work out in their home ballparks rather than the camp facilities. The Orioles won't have all those fields and bullpen mounds at their disposal, so they'll need to get creative while conducting their drills. If they could train at Fort Lauderdale Stadium, they should be able to train...
MASN to air "Kolko & Friends" at 7 p.m. on May 19
MASN to air "Kolko & Friends" at 7 p.m. on May 19
Pete Kerzel
Nationals
If you're among those who are missing Nationals baseball - and since the game is the sole focus of our website, we're guessing that's pretty much all of you are - MASN has a brief respite from the coronavirus gloom and doom. "Kolko & Friends," presented by Budweiser and featuring "Nats Xtra" host Dan Kolko, will air tonight at 7 p.m. on MASN. Additionally, "Kolko & Friends" will stream on Facebook Live, YouTube and nationals.com. So if you're away from your television this...
Orioles to host blood drive at Camden Yards on Saturday, May 23
Orioles to host blood drive at Camden Yards on Saturday, May 23
Pete Kerzel
Orioles
As part of the club's ongoing efforts to serve and strengthen the community during the current pandemic, the Orioles announced today that they have partnered with the American Red Cross, Budweiser, and the University of Maryland Medical System to host a blood drive at Oriole Park on Saturday, May 23, from 8:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. ET. All fans who donate blood will receive two free ticket vouchers redeemable for a future Orioles home game in 2020 or 2021. Donors can enter the ballpark at the Home...
Other ideas for 10-part sports documentaries
Other ideas for 10-part sports documentaries
Roch Kubatko
Orioles
The conclusion of "The Last Dance" 10-part documentary on Michael Jordan is going to leave a big void in my television viewing. It was must-see programming with its behind-the scenes access. Perhaps ESPN could milk it a little bit more and give us "Jordan: The Wizards Years." I'll admit that I initially thought 10 parts might be excessive. Once again, I was wrong. Is there anyone else who could hold my interest in a 10-parter, assuming that it's done as well as the Jordan documentary? *...
"Orioles Classics" #TBT: Something for everyone
"Orioles Classics" #TBT: Something for everyone
Pete Kerzel
Orioles
One of the great things about a baseball game is that different people can watch the same contest and be entertained in multiple ways. All depends on what part of the game you like the most. With that in mind, this week's list of "Orioles Classics" on MASN contains a little something for everyone. You like offense? Well, we've got bunches of home runs and crooked numbers. How about games in which the Orioles slugged six, seven and five round-trippers? You like history? Then the final game...
Defense and team speed cornerstones to Nationals' success
Defense and team speed cornerstones to Nationals' success
Byron Kerr
Nationals
Defense and speed are cornerstones of good teams, and they were important parts why the Nationals were so good in 2019. The Nats outfield was the best in baseball, based in Runs Prevented (26) and Outs Above Average (29) last season during their run to a first World Series title for the franchise. This combined total of 55 beat out the Houston Astros for the top spot by a wide margin. Houston had 12 Runs Prevented and 14 Outs Above Average last season as a team for a total of 26. Here's is the...
Would Nationals train and play in D.C. or West Palm Beach?
Would Nationals train and play in D.C. or West Palm Beach?
Mark Zuckerman
Nationals
There are so many questions that must be answered before baseball returns, but let's attempt today to tackle one of the most pertinent questions facing the Nationals: Where would they hold the resumption of spring training, and then where would they play their season? Based on Major League Baseball's official proposal to the MLB Players Association, it looks like the answer is: In Washington, as long as it's safe to do so, and as long as local authorities say it's OK. Those are some pretty...
Some of the reasons to play a season
Some of the reasons to play a season
Steve Melewski
Orioles
Upon seeing some elements of the 67 pages of health protocols to have a 2020 major league season, some readers here indicated why bother. Too much to try and overcome and it's not worth it. They must have thought, do players really need to sit and locker six feet apart? Do they need to throw baseballs out of play after several players touch them? Do they really need to stay in hotels and not go out on the road and do they really need to skip showering at the ballparks? What about no more...
Nationals coaches boast more than 4,600 big league games of catching experience
Nationals coaches boast more than 4,600 big league games of catching experience
Byron Kerr
Nationals
It is a baseball development fact that catchers make good coaches. They are the coordinators behind the plate, they call the plays for the defense, they run the game for the pitcher. Backstops are truly the beginning and the last line of defense in every game, plus they can also contribute on offense. There's a tremendous amount of responsibility on the shoulders of a big league catcher. So from their first days in pro baseball, they must know the game inside and out. The Nationals coaching...