One thing that has been pretty true about how this Orioles season has gone is this observation. Just when you think you may have a handle on how the O's are playing, it will usually change. They began the year going 6-1 and fans were fired up by that start. They then proceeded to lose eight in a row. In late April, the Orioles won five of six against Boston and Chicago. They then lost six of seven. That was followed by a three-game sweep against Seattle and a series win on the road versus...

The Orioles are fortunate to be surrounded by dedicated military personnel throughout the region, and the organization is grateful for all of those who risk their lives each day for our country. In that spirit, as we approach Memorial Day, the club is proud to announce support for military members and their families through a variety of exclusive ticket offers, suite donations and special gameday activities. ORIOLES MILITARY APPRECIATION PROGRAM TICKET DISCOUNTS AT EVERY GAME: The Orioles...

The Colorado Rockies lost left-hander Jorge De La Rosa to a torn ligament in his elbow Tuesday. He will have to undergo Tommy John ligament replacement surgery and will be out for at least one year. With starting pitcher Jason Marquis having a very consistent start for the Nationals this season, his stock will not be any higher at the July 31 non-waiver trade deadline. Washington could be able to cash in if they want to go after some solid leadoff prospects in the Colorado farm system. The...

The news came out yesterday, not long after I wrote this story about concern over the future for the Single-A Frederick Keys. The City of Frederick yesterday selected the Keys over an Atlantic League team to negotiate a new lease with to play in Harry Grove Stadium starting next year. This comes as great news and should mean the Keys, who have played as an Orioles' affiliate in Frederick since 1989, should continue there and remain aligned with the Orioles - hopefully for many, many years to...

It's way too soon to christen Zach Britton the ace of a pitching staff. However, based on his starts for the Orioles so far, he may be it. As of right now, it is accurate to say that he is exceeding expectations. Most thought that Britton would be solid, perhaps go through the school of hard knocks at the major league level. Rather than coming off as a fresh-faced rookie - which Britton basically still is - he's pitching like a tenured, proven major league veteran at the moment. To win...

I sometimes have people come up to me and ask what I am going to do when this all ends. What happens when the blog and the revolution are all over? I tell them the truth: I will retire and disappear into the wilderness of the Upper Peninsula of Michigan, where I will live near one of the Great Lakes and simply watch the large freighter ships go by and record all their names, dates and times that I see them in a notebook while listening to Gordon Lightfoot all day. This is "it" for me. This...

A caller to my radio show last night on the 105.7 FM The Fan in Baltimore asked me a question: Which ending was more exciting - Matt Wieters' caught stealing double play that ended Sunday's game or Adam Jones' walk-off homer last night in the ninth against Kansas City? Both were exciting finishes, but that was an easy one for me. I went with the walk-off homer. As this season marches on and the Orioles are past the quarter-pole and approaching the one-third point into this season, the...

Almost lost in the euphoria of Adam Jones' walk-off home run was reliever Alfredo Simon being credited with the win after retiring the Royals in order in the top of the ninth inning. "It feels really good," Simon said after pitching in his first major league game since Sept. 26. "That was my first outing and we got the win. I said, 'Thank you,' to Jonesy, who hit the home run. I am really happy right now." Alfredo Simon talks about getting a win in his first outing of the season How...

The Orioles hadn't scored against Royals closer Joakim Soria in 12 career games against him covering 11 1/3 innings. Until tonight, that is. They tied the game on a Felix Pie pinch-hit double and won it on Adam Jones' sixth home run of the season, a 418-foot shot to center field with two outs. Pie is 2-for-2 lifetime against Soria. Jones is 1-for-5 with three strikeouts - and one very big home run. Buck Showalter meets with the media after the O's come back to beat the Royals...

Alfredo Simon pitched the ninth inning tonight, the third reliever used by manager Buck Showalter. And he was the most interesting of the group. Simon retired the side in order, getting two fly balls and a strikeout. He hadn't pitched in a major league game since Sept. 26, 2010, when he was ejected after hitting Toronto's Jose Bautista. You know the rest of Simon's story, though separating fact from fiction is exhausting and can produce a migraine. Simon wants to focus on baseball, so...