Miguel Tejada is in camp. Let the celebration begin.
Tejada wasn't required to report at a specific time yesterday. Some players will drop off their belongings at night or simply call a team official and say, "I'm here."
It wasn't a big deal, though I suggested that he would have made a better impression by arriving a few days early as one of the veteran leaders and taking ground balls at third base.
Players have started to joke with Kevin Millwood about the constant flow of interviews...
The Orioles have started infield drills, and Miguel Tejada and Ty Wigginton are taking turns at the hot corner.
Infield coach Juan Samuel is hitting fungos as the two players alternate, and they're both handling each ball cleanly.
Brian Roberts played catch with Tejada before players split up into different groups. Roberts is taking grounders at second.
Chris Tillman participated in the pre-workout stretch and jog. No word yet whether he'll throw in the bullpen.
Brad Bergesen threw off flat ground again today without any problems.
Chris Tillman participated in every drill and is scheduled to throw off a mound tomorrow.
Brian Roberts did everything except take live batting practice. He's getting ready to hit in the cage.
Everyone has reported to camp. No visa issues.
Orioles third base coach Juan Samuel might have paid Miguel Tejada the ultimate compliment earlier today.
"He took all the ground balls," Samuel said, "and I told him, 'Hey man, you look like a third baseman already.'"
That's probably more than you could expect on Tejada's first day.
"The ball's going to get to him a little bit quicker there than it is at shortstop," Samuel said. "At shortstop, you've got a clear view of the catcher. You see the pitch. You've just got to be...
Miguel Tejada stood at his locker earlier today and made references to mistakes from his past that he hopes have been put behind him. Though he never got specific, he alluded to his name appearing in the Mitchell Report, an age discrepancy, and how he received a year's probation after pleading guilty to lying to congressional investigators about the use of performance-enhancing drugs in baseball.
Tejada unloaded more than his bags when he arrived here.
"Everybody knows that I've been...
If you're driving down Tuttle Avenue and pass the back fields, you might want to watch for flying baseballs.
Guys were taking turns launching them over the right field fence and onto the street during batting practice. Nick Markakis and Luke Scott didn't cause any pileups, but I kept bracing for the impact.
Miguel Tejada hit one ball that slammed off the batter's eye beyond the 400-foot sign in center field. I'm pretty sure another ball landed on one of the back fields at Fort Lauderdale...
Players taking their first round of batting practice are instructed to concentrate on situational hitting, a routine that began on the first day here.
"I think that needs to be a point of emphasis because it will help us win more games. Then we let guys swing after that," manager Dave Trembley said.
"Before they can get to the round where they swing, they have to get two bunts down, execute the hit-and-run, get the guy over, get the guy in and get the squeeze down before they can go to...
I've fielded so many questions about clubhouse chemistry and how it compares to recent springs, I contemplated putting together another "Because You Asked."
Instead, I asked manager Dave Trembley for his opinion on the subject.
"I think one of the key things we've always done here is try to make people feel comfortable," he said. "I think we have winning-type people and I think we have winning-type players. People know their place, they know their expectations and they know how to go...
Miguel Tejada already is taking ground balls at third base about 30 minutes before players are required to be outside.
Juan Samuel is hitting him grounders, much sharper than yesterday's three-hoppers, and Tejada is making the throws to second. Yesterday, players stationed at third base just flipped the ball into foul territory.
Chris Tillman is still scheduled to throw in the bullpen today. His back didn't stiffen up during the night.
Brad Bergesen will throw off flat ground again...
Chris Tillman just completed his bullpen session, which lasted about 12 minutes and included a brief interruption and consultation from pitching coach Rick Kranitz.
Tillman was throwing free and easy, and his velocity looked good. He also mixed in his changeup. Afterward, he said that he didn't feel his back at all.
The other pitchers who threw alongside Tillman on the extended mound moved to the next field for live batting practice, beginning with closer Mike Gonzalez.
Meanwhile, Miguel...