So I'm back in the Carroll County Public Library this morning, not far from the Military History section. I also see a Graphic Novels section. I just wonder how graphic we're talking here. My laptop worked for a few hours last night. Like brand new, actually. But sure enough, it's back to its old tricks today. It's playing dead. I shot down the Vladimir Guerrero rumor last night, which might put my entry in the Military History section. However, I expect to field more questions about...

It doesn't seem like it was that long ago that the Orioles moved to lock up two of their better home-grown players and signed Nick Markakis and Brian Roberts to long-term contracts. Who will be the next Oriole, home grown or not, to sign the next megabucks deal? The Orioles have signed four of their six arbitration-eligible players to 2011 contracts but there hasn't been any indication the club is moving to lock up any of them to longer deals, at least not right now. After three seasons...

Think you've got what it takes to be a member of the 2011 Nat Pack, the energetic band of baseball-minded entertainers who whip up the crowd at Nationals Park into a frenzy and represent the guys with the curly Ws on their caps at events in and around the District? Well, if so, the Nationals want you. The Nationals are now accepting applications for the Nat Pack, hoping to find a new bevy of fan ambassadors before the first pitch is thrown March 31. Athletes, gymnasts, dancers, cheerleaders...

Before my time runs out on this library computer - 19 minutes and counting - I wanted to address the report that the Orioles have the inside track on signing free-agent outfielder Vladimir Guerrero. I just checked with a team official to see whether something had changed since I was told recently that the Orioles didn't expect to add a designated hitter, and certainly not Guerrero unless his price came tumbling down. I received a text back saying "nope." At this point, it doesn't sound...

I'm having serious laptop issues. And by "serious," I mean that it stopped working. It does make a neat grinding sound once in a while, but that's about it. So do I, but it depends on the meal. I'm currently using a computer at the Carroll County Public Library. Just seemed easier than blogging on my Blackberry. And yes, it took a busted laptop to get me inside a library. Ewwww, what are all these books doing here? Anyway, I'm getting assistance from the Web studio in moving...

Need a comforting, warm thought to take the chill off a mid-winter's day? Orioles spring training tickets go on sale Saturday, Jan. 22 at 10 a.m. So, if you want to ditch snow, ice and cold for the sunny shores of Sarasota and the new-look Ed Smith Stadium, you'll want to know all the details for how to acquire tickets for the Birds' 16-game Grapefruit League slate. Play starts March 1 with a home game against Tampa Bay. Individual game tickets can be purchased by phone by calling...

Yes, it's true that the Orioles are raising non-prime single-game ticket prices at Camden Yards for the second time since 2003. You can go to www.orioles.com and get the breakdown of the prices. Though math isn't my strong suit, the average increase for 2011 works out to $3 a ticket. The left field upper-reserve seats still can be purchased for $9, and the cost for season-tickets remains the same. Otherwise, you'll have to dig a little deeper. The average price for non-prime,...

Going back to last night's entry, the 1970 Orioles were voted the fourth-best team on the "MLB Network Countdown." The 1998 Yankees, 1975 Reds and 1961 Yankees made the top three. Perhaps it's the fan in me, but I still regard the 1969-1971 stretch as a dynasty despite only one championship. We can include 1966 and make it two. Since we've spent so many days talking about the bullpen and how it shapes up as the strength of the 2011 team, and since we're also going back in time, it seems...

No doubt, Orioles fans quickly became believers in manager Buck Showalter last season. He took over an O's club that was 32-73 and then went 34-23 from Aug. 3 through the end of the year. The O's winning percentage was .308 before he got there and .596 after he took over. The O's posted winning records in both August and September for the first time since 1996. But, will this truly be Showalter's second season as O's skipper? Well, Steve, duh, of course it is. Silly question,...

The Nationals farm system helped general manager Mike Rizzo make a trade this week for Tom Gorzelanny. Two minor league pitchers, Graham Hicks and A.J. Morris, were sent to the Chicago Cubs along with outfield prospect Michael Burgess. The team still has prospects that have impressed. making it easier for Rizzo to make such moves because there is finally some organizational depth to work from now, and other major league teams are taking notice. Rizzo has some pieces to play with now. The...