Many more events will mark the occasion, including the first Orioles game in Sarasota this spring and the completion of the renovations to come later on that will transform the Reds' fomer complex into a warmer-weather Birdland; but O's fans put their initial mark on Ed Smith Stadium by turning out 2,500 strong last Saturday for the Orioles Family FanFest held in the team's new spring training home. More than twice as many fans than were expected at the event came out on Saturday to add...

The baseball season might be over, but the season for giving is quickly upon us; and in that spirit, the Markakis family will continue their charitable efforts throughout Maryland communities by helping to give area families full and happy Thanksgivings this season. Nick and Christinia Markakis will join the Maryland Food Bank this Saturday, November 21 from 11:00 a.m. to noon to help distribute frozen Thanksgiving turkeys to pre-registered families in need. While the Markakises will be the...

Another rumor for me to chase: I hear Tom Brady's baby wanted to bounce on daddy's knee, and he drew a 15-yard penalty. I'm playing a hunch here, but I bet Ryan Minor's legacy in baseball won't have anything to do with being hired as Delmarva's manager. It has to be his tenure as a York Revolution coach. Or maybe - just maybe - it will be the night he replaced Cal Ripken at third base. On Sept. 20, 1998, Ripken walked into manager Ray Miller's office at Camden Yards and voluntarily...

If you talk to a sports broadcaster or front office member, they'll likely laugh a little as they use the word "offseason." There's not a whole lot "off" about it, they'll say, as everyone from the grounds crew to the front office spend their winter months preparing for next season, while broadcasters often fill their "down time" with the equally non-stop schedule of another sport. In former Oriole turned MASN broadcaster Rick Dempsey's case, he's not providing color analysis for...

The O's can only hope the saying "it's darkest before the dawn" might apply to baseball as well. It's getting pretty dark around here lately. Until this ten-game losing streak, the Orioles were not only competing with but they were beating good teams. They took two of three from Texas and won back to back series over the Yankees (on the road) and vs. Tampa. That all happened in September, although it seems years away now. With some recent blowout losses, the teams' effort can be...

There are still well over 100 days until Orioles baseball officially begins in 2010, but Nicole Sherry and her grounds crew haven't been alone inside Oriole Park over the last few weeks of the baseball offseason. It's too early for FanFest, let alone ballgames at the Yard, but since I'm lucky enough to have a ballpark-facing office here in the MASNsports.com WebStudio, I couldn't help noticing the hum and I asked Director of Communications Greg Bader what the buzz was all about. Many of...

The Orioles will send representatives to Puerto Rico next week to scout Carlos Delgado, who recently began playing for Gigantes de Carolina. Delgado hit his first home run last night, a solo shot in the eighth inning, and collected his first two RBIs. He's batting .364. The Orioles tried to scout him in Puerto Rico earlier this winter, but he wasn't ready to play. Delgado has been serving as the designated hitter, but the Orioles consider him an option at first base. They also have...

Game Preview Orioles (60-95) at Tampa (79-76) After going winless at Toronto and Cleveland, the O's play at Tampa tonight. It's the start of the final week and final road series of the year. The Orioles are 0-6 on this trip and have lost ten games in a row. Tonight, the Rays host the Orioles in the opener of a four-game series at Tropicana Field at 7:08 p.m. Pitching Matchups - Tampa series: Mon, 7:08p - Mark Hendrickson (5-5, 4.37) v. Jeff Niemann (12-6, 3.81) Tues, 7:08p - Jeremy...

When you were little and you wrote a letter to Brooks or Cal, you probably didn't ask him which right-handed bat the Orioles might sign this offseason or where the Orioles might find a left-handed reliever. If you did, maybe you were ahead of the curve, and if those are the questions you're asking as an adult, you're at least in the middle of the class. But back then, things like "What's your favorite TV show?" or "What kind of junk food do you like?" were more likely to top your list...

The shopping season has officially begun. But if you're more excited about "Cyber Monday" than "Black Friday," you might also be interested in the Orioles' Holiday Gift Guide. Inside the guide, you'll find links to purchase Orioles season plans, ballpark tours, personalized jerseys, Orioles Yearbooks, 2010 O's pet calendars, gift certificates and more. Make a gift truly your own by uploading your own photo in the Orioles Photo Store, which offers anything from mouse pads to mugs to...