I always point out how I strongly dislike incremental updates that don't advance a story, but here I go again. The Orioles haven't made an announcement today regarding president of baseball operations Andy MacPhail, and we probably won't hear anything until Monday at the earliest. Nothing has changed at this point. MacPhail will no longer serve as president of baseball operations unless there's a dramatic turn in events that nobody is anticipating. The question is whether he stays in the...

A source confirmed tonight that Andy MacPhail no longer will serve as president of baseball operations and is leaving the organization This isn't a resignation or a firing, despite the wording in some national reports. MacPhail's contract ends on Oct. 31. MacPhail flew to Florida earlier this week to attend to a family matter. He couldn't be reached tonight for comment. Family obligations are a primary reason why MacPhail won't return, according to a source. It was known for much of the...

The Washington Nationals' season is over and the team improved its record by 11 wins since 2010. The 80 wins is also 21 victories better than 2009's low water mark. Manager Davey Johnson was asked what 80 wins meant in Wednesday's postgame interview on MASN, and he certainly was not jumping for joy. That showed to me how determined he is to get this team to the next level. "Not a whole lot," Johnson said. "We are not playing in postseason. But it shows how far these guys have come. I...

A couple of thoughts before we head into the first weekend since March without Orioles baseball. * Peter Gammons said of Terry Francona on MLB Network: "Sometimes you measure Boston managers in dog years and Tito managed 56 years." By the way, the Red Sox averaged a robust 5.4 runs per game during their 7-20 September. But here are the ERAs for some of their pitchers during the month: Erik Bedard 5.25, Jon Lester 5.40, Josh Beckett 5.48, John Lackey 9.13 and Daniel Bard 10.54. Ken...

Here are a few things I have heard about the Orioles' instructional league workouts currently going on in Florida. The first thing I should point out however, is fans should realize instructional league is about instruction, of course and teaching the players. While they do play games there, you can't put a lot on evaulating any stats or results. No scores or stats are released from the games. Orioles 2011 top draft pick, pitcher Dylan Bundy, has been pitching in some of those games. He is...

One of the lasting images from the 2011 season was provided last night by second baseman Robert Andino. Not just his game-winning hit, but the way he bounded around the bases, took a flying chest-bump from Adam Jones and landed on his back. And the way he disappeared under a pile of jubilant teammates. And the way he strutted back to the dugout on his way to the clubhouse, waving that right arm in the air. OK, that's four lasting images. I warned you about my math. Andino almost didn't...

Even though he hit just .219 his last 33 regular-season games with the Frederick Keys, Baseball America today named Manny Machado of the Orioles as the top prospect in the Carolina League. Earlier Machado was named second-best prospect in the South Atlantic League. He started the 2011 season with Delmarva. At Frederick, Machado elevated his game in the playoffs and drove in seven runs during Frederick's three games to one win in the league finals. He was named the championship series...

As Orioles fans woke up today, they realized something. That was not a dream last night. That happened. The Red Sox were one out from winning in the ninth and Tampa Bay was one out from losing in the ninth. How about this stat: The Red Sox entered last night's game with a record of 77-0 this year when leading after eight innings. They are 77-1 now. The Orioles can certainly be criticized for another losing season, but they also have a reason to be proud of how they played and handled...

Nolan Reimold knocked in 14 runs for the Orioles over his last 12 games this season and he saved one of the best for last. His two-out, RBI double off Jonathan Papelbon in the last of the ninth tied the game at 3-3 and set the stage for Robert Andino's game-ending single as the Orioles beat Boston 4-3. Minutes later, when Tampa Bay won, the loss ended Boston's season short of the playoffs. "It was exciting," Reimold said of the dramatic finish. "We battled to the end. We weren't playing...

Manager Buck Showalter couldn't return to his office after meeting with reporters until he returned to the field through the home plate entrance and waved to fans who refused to go home. Pitcher Tommy Hunter tossed baseballs into the stands. It felt like the final regular-season game in 1979, except this wasn't Memorial Staidum and the Orioles weren't heading to the playoffs. The Orioles rallied from a 3-2 deficit in the bottom of the ninth inning to defeat the Red Sox, 4-3. A few...