Friends and fans have pointed out that Columbia Pictures has scheduled the world premiere of How Do You Know, a romantic comedy featuring Owen Wilson, Reese Witherspoon, Paul Rudd and Jack Nicholson for Monday, Dec. 13th at 7 p.m. the Regency Village Theatre and the Regency Bruin Theatre in Los Angeles. Tickets are available starting at $350, which includes the premiere screening and a private after-party. In the movie, Owen Wilson plays "Matty," a Washington Nationals reliever. Fans can...

It's with great joy that I can finally proclaim, without fear of contradiction or late signing, that the ship has sailed on Miguel Tejada. Nothing against Tejada, but I wasn't ready for another reunion. How can I miss him if he doesn't leave? He's gone, having reportedly agreed to a one-year, $6.5 million deal with the Giants last night. I didn't think the Orioles would re-sign him to play third base, but at least that temptation has been removed. And all that fuss over Ryan Theriot...

After the Orioles' organizational meetings in Arizona ended last month, O's minor league pitching coordinator Dave Schmidt watched some O's pitchers work in some AFL games and then he headed for California. He spent some time with Matt Hobgood, the O's top pick in the 2009 draft, who went 3-7, 4.40 in 94 innings last year with the Delmarva Shorebirds. Hobgood dealt some with back spasms and shoulder soreness last year. And, it's no secret the right-hander could have been in better shape...

Nationals left-handed starting pitcher John Lannan is enjoying his off season and will begin throwing soon as he gets ready for 2011 spring training. It was a roller coaster summer for Lannan, as he fought off a tendon problem, a demotion to Harrisburg, and then rebounded nicely to finish with a flourish. Lannan ended up with an 8-8 record and a 4.65 ERA, but in his final 10 starts, he posted a 6-3 record with a 3.41 ERA. He allowed 4 ER only twice in that span. Lannan says overcoming the...

Once again, I find myself promoting the MLB Network's Prime 9 program that airs tonight at 8 p.m., but only because of another Orioles connection. The top 9 third basemen in baseball history will be featured, and yes, Brooks Robinson is included. As if he could possibly be omitted. I don't know where he's ranked, but he'll be joined by Mike Schmidt, George Brett and Alex Rodriguez, among others. Rodriguez also made the Top 9 for all-time shortstops (I believe Cal Ripken ranked...

Want to see what those slick new uniforms look like in action? Check out this video. The Nationals posted a behind the scenes video from a recent photo shoot with Ryan Zimmerman, Tyler Clippard, Drew Storen, Jordan Zimmermann, John Lannan and Ian Desmond. You'll hear from photographer Donald Miralle about how the shots came together during a few sessions at Nationals Park. Some feature the new uniforms, some feature street clothes -- all of them will make you want to look for a calendar...

Is Gary Allenson disappointed that he's not part of manager Buck Showalter's coaching staff? "That's an understatement," he says. Allenson was bypassed for the job of third base coach and catching instructor, losing out to former Pirates manager John Russell. He accepted the offer to return to Triple-A Norfolk as manager, assuring that he'll remain in the organization for one more season. Allenson contacted new Pirates manager Clint Hurdle about the possibility of joining his staff,...

Joel Guzman was one of the top hitters on the O's farm last year. He hit .279-33-98 at Bowie, leading the O's farm system in homers and runs batted in. In 130 Baysox games, he recorded 21 doubles, scored 87 runs, slugged .519 and had an OPS of .863. He led the Eastern League in homers and total bases, was 2nd in RBI and 5th in extra-base hits. Guzman is a one-time top Dodgers prospect, who signed with Los Angeles as a 16-year-old out of the Dominican in 2001. At the time, his signing bonus...

The 2011 Hall of Fame ballot has been released, and former Orioles first baseman Rafael Palmeiro is on it. Working in his favor: Palmeiro, Hank Aaron, Willie Mays and Eddie Murray are the only players in baseball history with 3,000 hits and 500 home runs. Aaron, Mays and Murray are in the Hall of Fame. Working against him: That failed test for performance-enhancing drugs in 2005. Palmeiro could have been a first-ballot inductee, but not anymore. He might not make it at all. Your...

Washington Nationals right-handed pitcher Stephen Strasburg today was named to the 52nd Annual Topps Major League Rookie All-Star Team. Strasburg was one of 11 players to earn the citation, which annually recognizes the premier rookies at each position on the field, as well as the top right-handed, left-handed and relief pitchers. Strasburg went 5-3 with a 2.91 ERA in 12 starts and led all major league starting pitchers with a 33.6 strikeout percentage (92 of 274 batters faced) in 2010. The...