When you look at the Orioles and their attempt to replace the 40 homers Nelson Cruz hit last year, one source of added pop for 2015 could be at shortstop. At FanFest, J.J. Hardy revealed that he played part of last year with a back injury that may have hampered him in 2014 more than he let on at the time. It could have been a factor that saw Hardy's homer total drop to nine last year after he averaged 25.6 per season for the club from 2011-13. Hardy missed five games early last year and got a...

Nationals general manager Mike Rizzo today announced 20 non-roster invitees for spring training. First baseman/outfielder Mike Carp, second baseman Dan Uggla, third baseman Ian Stewart and right-hander Heath Bell were among 13 players the Nationals agreed to terms with on minor league contracts with invites to major league spring training. Seven additional minor league players received spring training invites, including right-hander Rafael Martin and infielder Cutter Dykstra. Carp started 56...

To borrow another one of manager Buck Showalter's favorite expressions, our curiosity will be satisfied in spring training. I'm curious about a handful of the 56 players reporting to Orioles camp. For instance: * Dylan Bundy: He's going to be treated like any other pitcher in camp, according to Showalter. No reason to hold him back any longer. He's healthy and on a regular schedule. No half-mounds for Bundy. Will his stuff be electric? It would be a shock - yes, you see what I did there -...

It wasn't so long ago that a spring training game was enough of an event to draw fans in Florida and Arizona communities that had no other access to Major League Baseball. But times change, and even Grapefruit League games need a little creative nudge, something special to bring the fans out. The Orioles today announced their list of promotional giveaways and special events for spring games at Ed Smith Stadium. Depending on which games you attend in Sarasota - and providing you arrive early...

The Orioles today announced their 2015 spring training promotions and special events schedule featuring many fun-filled promotional giveaways and events for fans to enjoy at Ed Smith Stadium. On Wednesday, March 4, all fans will receive an orange rally towel as well as a spring training magnet schedule, presented by Visit Sarasota County, as the Orioles celebrate their spring training Opening Day and sixth season at Ed Smith Stadium. In addition, the first 1,000 women will receive a Bird of...

The Washington Nationals have agreed to terms with right-handed pitcher Heath Bell, right-handed pitcher Bruce Billings, right-handed pitcher Manny Delcarmen, right-handed pitcher Mitch Lively, right-handed pitcher Scott McGregor, right-handed pitcher Evan Meek, catcher Steve Lerud, infielder Emmanuel Burriss, first baseman Kila Ka'aihue, first baseman Clint Robinson, third baseman Ian Stewart, second baseman Dan Uggla and outfielder Mike Carp on Minor-League contracts with invitations to...

When President Barack Obama announced plans to normalize U.S. relations with Cuba in December, news broke less than two months later that the Orioles are among the teams interested in playing an exhibition game there this spring. This might all sound familiar for a reason. Sixteen years ago, after the United States lifted travel restrictions to Cuba, the Orioles played a home-and-home exhibition series with the Cuban national team, becoming the first major league team to play a game in the...

When the Orioles were seeking a writer to chronicle their first six decades in Baltimore, longtime journalist Jim Henneman was a logical choice, one found in their own backyard. The 79-year-old Henneman's lifetime practically mirrors the Orioles' tenure in Charm City. As a youth, he worked in the clubhouse at Oriole Park, home of the team during its Triple-A run from 1946-53. He attended the 1954 parade down Charles Street welcoming the former St. Louis Browns to their new roost, and was in...

It's impressive to win 10 games in a row in the major leagues. It's even more impressive to win on five walk-offs in a six-game span. When you consider the fact that the Nationals accomplished both during the same stretch in 2014, it's almost unbelievable. The Nats swept both the Mets and Pirates in three-game series before going on to sweep the Diamondbacks in a four-game series. Seven of the 10 games were one-run wins. Five of those seven, of course, were walk-offs. If that isn't...

Following a 53-home run season, there were a lot of eyes on Chris Davis in 2014. The slugger may not have had the numbers he had hoped for, but Crush Davis still crushed baseballs. This week, we're throwin' it back to Davis' three-homer game in Pittsburgh. Enjoy watching Crush do what Crush does in the video below. Your browser does not support iframes.