TAKE BACK THE PARK Buy now before single game tickets go on sale! Take Back the Park continues through March 8. Single game tickets to the May 4-6 Nationals vs. Phillies series are available exclusively for season ticket holders and local fans in Washington, D.C., Maryland and Virginia. nationals.com/ourpark #ourpark The Washington Nationals announced today that single game tickets for the 2012 season will go on sale to the general public Thursday, March 8 at 10:00 a.m. Tickets may be...

Fred Ferreira, the Orioles' executive director of international recruiting, still plans on flying to the Dominican this weekend to scout six Cuban players, including 19-year-old outfielder Jorge Soler. Ferreira said he spoke this morning with Soler's representatives. He has a general idea of what they're looking for in terms of a contract. "A little bit, but that changes sometimes day to day," Ferreira said. "When you get down to business is when you find out." The Orioles found out...

What's your favorite TV memory of the Orioles at Camden Yards? For me, it's watching Cal Ripken Jr. take a forced victory lap around a packed, appreciative ballpark on the night he played his 2,131st consecutive game, breaking the mark established by Yankees legend Lou Gehrig that was once believed to be unbreakable. Just typing about it makes the hairs on the back of my neck stand at attention, baseball's version of a Pavlovian response. As part of the celebration surrounding the 20th...

In honor of the 20th Anniversary celebration of The Ballpark That Forever Changed Baseballâ„¢, Oriole Park at Camden Yards, the Orioles have selected 20 Camden Yards Classics, the most exciting games in the ballpark's history. Highlights of games 20 through 12 can be viewed now on CamdenYards20.com, and the top 10 games will be unveiled on MASN on a weekly basis beginning this Sunday. Game #10 will be shown in its entirety on Sunday, February 19 at 7:00 p.m. on the...

Dark horses, long shots, under-the-radar players, guys who come out of nowhere - every spring training, someone unexpectedly forces his way into 25-man roster consideration. Sometimes it's because of the kind of on-the-field performance that just can't be ignored. Other times, it's because an injury opens up an opportunity. Occasionally, a trade creates an opening. So who among those players soon to report to Space Coast Stadium in Viera, Fla., might fall into this category? Unlike...

We could be facing a fairly quiet week if executive vice president Dan Duquette really is finished making changes to the roster before pitchers and catchers report to spring training. I'm still expecting a trade or two to go down before opening day, with the bullpen surplus a likely selling point to opposing teams. The last remaining order of business this week could be settling on a contract for center fielder Adam Jones. He's seeking $7.4 million after making $3.25 million last season,...

Right-hander Ryan Tatusko gained more front-line experience early this offseason, pitching in seven games and 20 2/3 innings in the Venezuelan Winter League. The former Indiana State Sycamore went 0-5 with a 6.10 ERA, getting lit up in his final three appearances, but felt the test of facing quality hitters from several different levels will help him gear up for what he will see in 2012. Here's more insight on what Tatusko does on the mound to get guys out. His numbers were solid as he...

The kid in me that grew up as a die-hard Orioles fan wants to scream at the Pirates for bailing out the Yankees of a bad contract, or at least one that hasn't worked out too well for them. In December 2008, New York signed pitcher A.J. Burnett to a five-year deal worth $82.5 million that pays him around $16.5 millon per season. While Burnett pitched well in the first year of the deal - going 13-9 with an ERA of 4.04 in 2009 - he went 10-15, 5.26 in 2010 and 11-11, 5.15 last year. He led the...

We're less than a week away from pitchers and catchers taking the back fields at Ed Smith Stadium for the Orioles' first spring training workout. I can't guarantee much these days, but I'm fairly certain that it won't be snowing sideways. Here's the list of non-roster invitees: Pitchers Edell, Ryan LHP Eyre, Willie RHP Galarraga, Armando RHP Johnson, Steve RHP Link, Jon RHP Neshek, Pat RHP Reyes, Dennys LHP Socolovich, Miguel RHP Villarreal, Oscar RHP Catchers Hester,...

The most interesting battle of Nationals spring training in Viera, Fla., might not be waged on the field. It centers around top prospect Bryce Harper, and whether the slugging outfielder with the cannon for an arm will break camp with the Nationals. As soon as manager Davey Johnson and general manager Mike Rizzo settle into their respective homes away from home at Space Coast Stadium, they'll both be continuing their attempts to convince the other they are right about whether Harper is ready...