In a surprising twist, Orioles director of player development John Stockstill will interview Friday for the position of president of baseball operations. An industry source confirmed the news a few minutes ago. Stockstill will be the fourth candidate interviewed, and the first from within the organization, following Jerry Dipoto, Tony LaCava and De Jon Watson. It's possible that Rangers assistant GM Thad Levine is contacted after the World Series. Stockstill, 51, has been with the Orioles...

Scottsdale Scorpions reliever Patrick Lehman has lost three straight in the Arizona Fall League and pitching coach Paul Menhart believes he's found out what has been going wrong. Lehman got through his first two AFL appearances with the Scorpions unscathed. However, over the last four outings, the George Washington product has allowed 11 runs,10 of them earned, on 12 hits in 6 1/3 innings. Menhart, the pitching coach for the Single-A Potomac Nationals, thinks a mechanical issue in Lehman's...

It would probably be considered a bit of an upset, but the World Series beat the NFL on back-to-back nights recently in the TV ratings. Yes, the all-powerful NFL took a beating in TV viewership Sunday and Monday nights. Game 4 of the World Series drew a 9.2 national rating for FOX on Sunday and beat the 7.6 rating that NBC got for the New Orleans Saints rout of Indy. On Monday night, FOX drew an 8.8 rating for World Series Game 5 to whip ESPN's 5.8 for the Ravens' loss at...

Despite the Scorpions' 5-13 last-place record, Scottsdale right-handed reliever Rafael Martin has pitched well this month in the Arizona Fall League. The San Fernando, Calif., native has pitched six relief innings over four games since Oct. 11, allowing just one run on four hits, with two walks and five strikeouts, for an impressive 1.50 ERA. Scorpions and Potomac Nationals pitching coach Paul Menhart said Martin is "one of the bright spots overall on the pitching staff and really stands...

Repeating the intended order of hires, the Orioles are expected to introduce their new president of baseball operations before announcing Joe Jordan's replacement as scouting director and Brian Graham's expected promotion to director of player development, and revealing which two coaches will complete manager Buck Showalter's staff. If Diamondbacks executive Jerry Dipoto is chosen as Andy MacPhail's replacement, a possible hire as scouting director could be Indians national crosschecker...

Tickets are now on sale for the fourth annual "America's Night of Hope." The event, hosted by Joel and Victoria Osteen, will take place April 28 at Nationals Park. "America's Night of Hope" draws thousands of attendees from across the nation for an evening of celebration and hope. In previous years, the event was held at Yankee Stadium in New York, Dodger Stadium in Los Angeles and U. S. Cellular Field, home of the Chicago White Sox. For more information or to purchase $15 tickets for...

I wrote a few days ago that the Orioles have hired a few minor league coaches for next season. I've heard that one new addition will be former Nationals first base coach Dan Radison. Though assignments haven't been made official, Radison could serve as hitting instructor at Double-A Bowie, with Denny Hocking perhaps moving up to Triple-A Norfolk. Radison was fired by the Nationals on July 1 after Davey Johnson replaced Jim Riggleman as manager. Trent Jewett replaced Radison, who is close...

We will find out soon if any Oriole will win a Gold Glove for defensive excellence in the 2011 season. There may even be a chance that the O's get more than one winner and the Orioles have not done that since they picked up three Gold Gloves in 1998. Then, Mike Mussina won at pitcher, Rafael Palmeiro at first base and Roberto Alomar for second base. The Gold Glove winners for this season will be announced Nov. 1. For the first time, the three outfield awards will go to one winner from left...

We've debated which starting pitchers are realistic targets for the Orioles. We've kicked around the idea of the Orioles making a run at Prince Fielder or Michael Cuddyer or any hitter with a pulse and a productive bat. We've argued whether Adam Jones should be traded while his value is high and his free agent year is still a little ways in the distance. With yesterday being devoid of GM news - and non-update updates give me a full body rash - I figured to revisit the potential vacancy at...

Watching Game 5 of the World Series on Monday and seeing Texas Rangers first baseman Mitch Moreland crank a crucial solo home run, it reminded me of a conversation I had with Baseball America national writer Aaron Fitt comparing the Rangers' young player with the Washington Nationals' Tyler Moore. There are similarities between the two sluggers, except for what side of the batter's box they step in to. One hits lefty (Moreland) and the other is a righty (Moore), but both played college ball...