Orioles to honor Earl Weaver on April 20 (updated)
Orioles to honor Earl Weaver on April 20 (updated)
Roch Kubatko
Orioles
DUNEDIN, Fla. - The Orioles announced this morning that they will host a public celebration of life for Hall of Fame manager Earl Weaver on Saturday, April 20 at 2 p.m. at Camden Yards. The program, "A Celebration of Earl," will include a video tribute and a collection of notable guest speakers, including manager Buck Showalter, Brooks Robinson, Frank Robinson, Rick Dempsey, Hall of Fame President Jeff Idelson and Earl's son, Mike Weaver. Gates A and H will open at 1 p.m. Complimentary...
Orioles to host public celebration of life for Earl Weaver on April 20
Orioles to host public celebration of life for Earl Weaver on April 20
Pete Kerzel
Orioles
The Orioles will host a public celebration of life for legendary manager Earl Weaver at Oriole Park at Camden Yards on Saturday, April 20 at 2:00 p.m. The program, "A Celebration of Earl," will include a video tribute and a collection of notable guest speakers to honor the memory of the greatest manager in Orioles history. Guest speakers include Brooks Robinson, Frank Robinson, Rick Dempsey, Buck Showalter, National Baseball Hall of Fame President Jeff Idelson and Earl's son, Mike Weaver....
Changing teams can leave players feeling like the new kid in school
Changing teams can leave players feeling like the new kid in school
Dan Kolko
Nationals
VIERA, Fla. - Roger Bernadina's World Baseball Classic journey will continue for at least another week, as the Nationals outfielder delivered an RBI single early this morning, helping the Netherlands defeat Australia to advance to the second round of the WBC. The Netherlands will now fly from Taiwan to Japan for second-round action, which will start later this week. Bernadina, who is racking up some impressive frequent flier miles on this trip, now has two hits and three RBIs in three WBC...
Reimold serving as designated hitter today (and Bundy update)
Reimold serving as designated hitter today (and Bundy update)
Roch Kubatko
Orioles
SARASOTA, Fla. - Nolan Reimold is back in the Orioles' lineup today, batting third and serving as the designated hitter against the Toronto Blue Jays in Dunedin. Reimold has been receiving treatment for a sore right shoulder. He homered in his last at-bat before being shut down. Conor Jackson, who homered twice Sunday against the Philadelphia Phillies, is batting fourth and playing first base. For the Orioles: Alexi Casilla SS Manny Machado 3B Nolan Reimold DH Conor Jackson 1B Steve Pearce...
Not done with Dunedin (and Schoop video)
Not done with Dunedin (and Schoop video)
Roch Kubatko
Orioles
SARASOTA, Fla. - On the road again. The Orioles are making their second trip to Dunedin to play the Toronto Blue Jays, who apparently can't find their way to Sarasota. Actually, they'll be here Thursday, but I'm on a roll, so don't stop me. Steve Johnson gets today's start, with manager Buck Showalter deciding to slot him ahead of Jair Jurrjens. Johnson originally was supposed to pitch in relief on Sunday before Showalter made the change. Jurrjens, Zach Clark, Mike Belfiore and Kevin...
Like plenty of others, Mike Trout will have to wait to make the big bucks
Like plenty of others, Mike Trout will have to wait to make the big bucks
Steve Melewski
Orioles
The agent for Angels star Mike Trout was not happy over the weekend when the team renewed the contract for its star center fielder. Trout was given a salary of $510,000 - just $20,000 over the big league minimum - for the 2013 season. "During the process, on behalf of Mike, I asked only that the Angels compensate Mike fairly for his historic 2012 season, given his service time," agent Craig Landis said in a statement. "This contract falls well short of a 'fair' contract and I have voiced...
Orioles replacing warning track at Camden Yards
Orioles replacing warning track at Camden Yards
Roch Kubatko
Orioles
SARASOTA, Fla. - You may notice something different about Camden Yards when the Orioles play their home opener against the Minnesota Twins on April 5. Check out the warning track, which no longer will be made of a synthetic material. The track is being replaced with a natural surface made out of a crushed stone. The color has been designed to match the brick throughout the ballpark and the warehouse. Actual samples of the same brick have been ground up and are being used in the final...
Young declares himself ready for Grapefruit League debut
Young declares himself ready for Grapefruit League debut
Dan Kolko
Nationals
VIERA, Fla. - Chris Young has never been a guy who wows scouts with his overpowering stuff or blows hitters away with a fastball that reaches the mid-to-upper 90s. The veteran right-hander has made a nice career out of throwing strikes, deceiving hitters with his repertoire and using his 6-foot-10 frame to create a different pitch trajectory than batters are used to. Today, pitching in a minor league intrasquad game inside Space Coast Stadium, Young looked a lot like the guy the Nationals...
Hobgood throws off mound and other scenes from minor league camp (and note)
Hobgood throws off mound and other scenes from minor league camp (and note)
Roch Kubatko
Orioles
SARASOTA, Fla. - The Ed Smith Stadium complex is closed today, but there's plenty of action at Twin Lakes Park, where minor league pitchers and catchers are working out. Position players who reported to the early camp also took the field today - guys that manager Buck Showalter wanted to be ready in case they were needed in Grapefruit League games. Matt Hobgood, the fifth overall selection in the 2009 First-Year Player draft, threw off a mound today for the first time since instructional...
Walters attempting to stand out while still blending in
Walters attempting to stand out while still blending in
Dan Kolko
Nationals
VIERA, Fla. - Zach Walters admits he has a bit of flair. Born in Cheyenne, Wyo., but raised in Las Vegas, Walters has a colorful personality, and he's got a bit of a colorful wardrobe, as well. One day earlier this spring, Walters, an eager 23-year-old shortstop in the Nationals' organization, was getting ready for a workout at the team's facilities at Space Coast Stadium. He tossed on a pair of sneakers that had what Walters described as "blindingly neon green" shoelaces on them. As...