orioles buzz

Jon Shepherd: On horses, zebras and why projections matter (unless they don't)

August 18, 2014, 6:23am

Orioles

Jon Shepherd: On horses, zebras and why projections matter (unless they don't)

When I was earning my doctorate, a professor wished to explain the difference between us research-based toxicologists and the resident physicians who were sitting in on our lectures. She told us the difference between our groups is that physicians look for horses while researchers go on safari for zebras. What she meant was that for physicians to do the job they do, they need to diagnose based on what is most probable. For researchers, our own nature is to press the boundary and to find the...

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Andrew Stetka: Who is the Least Valuable Oriole?

August 18, 2014, 5:36am

Orioles

Andrew Stetka: Who is the Least Valuable Oriole?

At the end of each season, members of the media who cover the Orioles on a regular basis will reflect on the campaign and turn in votes for the Most Valuable Oriole of the year. It's typically a pretty clear-cut race, but can provide some good debate among the masses. What normally isn't discussed is the opposite end of the spectrum. I can't for the life of me remember more discussion or chatter about who the "Least Valuable Oriole" would be than I've seen this season, and that's for a...

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Matthew Taylor: A reminder of the past and, hopefully, a hint of the future

August 15, 2014, 5:39am

Orioles

Matthew Taylor: A reminder of the past and, hopefully, a hint of the future

Old is a relative term, and growing old is a relative experience. Nevertheless, there are certain mile markers for this baseball fan that indicate I have accumulated some wear on the tires. First, it was being older than most of the players I root for. Next, it was bringing my son to a baseball game. Now it's watching one of the game's legends retire at age 40 and realizing that I've watched his entire career as an adult. I may feel like a kid again when I am at the Yard, but I am not in...

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Zach Wilt: Forget random variation and disrespect, real or imagined

August 14, 2014, 6:30am

Orioles

Zach Wilt: Forget random variation and disrespect, real or imagined

My fellow Orioles fans continuously remind me that Baltimore is a blue-collar town. At heart, we're a lunch pail-carrying, hard hat-wearing diehard fan base that loves our O's. Our admiration for the hometown Birds is so deep that our fan base often takes offense when it feels the team isn't receiving their due credit from the national media. Admittedly, I'm in the Charm City bubble, but it certainly feels to me that Orioles fans care an awful lot about meaningless power rankings or the...

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Light rail derailment cleared, Camden Station stadium entrance reopened

August 13, 2014, 12:53pm

Orioles

Light rail derailment cleared, Camden Station stadium entrance reopened

The Orioles would like to alert fans heading to Oriole Park at Camden Yards tonight that a light rail train has derailed near the Camden Station, blocking access to Oriole Park from Conway and Howard streets. Fans are advised to access Oriole Park on-site parking lots via Lee Street (off of Russell Street), Ostend Street or Hamburg Street. We'll keep you updated with any new information that becomes available. The derailment occurred shortly before 4 p.m., the worst possible time considering...

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Daniel Clark: Joseph continues to lessen the pain of being without Wieters

August 13, 2014, 4:50am

Orioles

Daniel Clark: Joseph continues to lessen the pain of being without Wieters

When Matt Wieters was lost to a season-ending elbow injury in the second week of May this year, it appeared to be a crushing blow for the Orioles, who had relied heavily upon the skilful catcher both with the bat and behind the plate for the previous five seasons. A three-time All-Star, Wieters was a fan favorite in Baltimore and had started 2014 on a tear, hitting .308/.339/.839 with five home runs and 18 RBIs in just 26 games. His injury dampened the spirits of Birdland and there was a...

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MASN to re-air Orioles' 60th anniversary celebration

August 12, 2014, 11:43am

Orioles

Orioles fans, get ready to experience the magic of the Orioles' 60th anniversary celebration all over again. Whether you were at the Yard for the festivities or watching on MASN HD, you saw an amazing spectacle that included a laser show, appearances by many Orioles legends, fireworks and more. If you saw it, you won't forget it. You had chills. Well, MASN is giving you multiple opportunities to relive the awesome celebration. In the words of Adam Jones, "The Orioles, and it starts at...

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Jon Shepherd: O's forged on contributions of unwanted and overlooked

August 12, 2014, 5:04am

Orioles

Jon Shepherd: O's forged on contributions of unwanted and overlooked

A friend of mine lived in Montana for most of his life and came to Baltimore to attend law school. Before driving into town the night before classes began, he had never set foot here. He was recruited for the school from afar and he signed his rental agreement on a row home from afar. As his old pickup limped across the country and into town around 3 a.m. that morning, he saw something that was forever etched in his memory. Parking in the alley behind the row home, he saw something in his...

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Andrew Stetka: O's hit a home run with 60th anniversary celebration

August 11, 2014, 5:31am

Orioles

Andrew Stetka: O's hit a home run with 60th anniversary celebration

As an out-of-town fan living in Arizona, I always make it a point to come back into Baltimore for an Orioles game at least once a year. The opportunity to come to Camden Yards, where I saw so many games growing up and spent a great deal of my childhood, is always a treat and a chance I don't pass up. There was little debate as to when I'd be coming back for a game this season once I saw what was planned for the O's 60th anniversary celebration. Getting back in August, when the heat in the...

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Daniel Clark: O's winning despite struggling offense

August 06, 2014, 4:53am

Orioles

Daniel Clark: O's winning despite struggling offense

As the first week of August nears its end, the Orioles have found themselves in a position that hasn't been seen all that often since returning to their winning ways in 2012. During the successful seasons of 2012 and 2013, the O's offense was rarely the No. 1 cause for concern, as that worry typically focused on inconsistent starting pitching. Powerful lineups in each of those two seasons - led by the likes of Adam Jones, Chris Davis, Matt Wieters, Manny Machado and J.J. Hardy - ensured O's...

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Heart transplant recipient, avid "School of Roch" fan Fahs to throw out first pitch

August 01, 2014, 2:26pm

Orioles

Heart transplant recipient, avid "School of Roch" fan Fahs to throw out first pitch

Scott Fahs grew up envying the likes of Eddie Murray, Jim Palmer and Mike Mussina. He vividly remembers Cal Ripken Jr. breaking Lou Gehrig's record for most consecutive games played and describes it as "one of the neatest things ever." On Saturday, The 37-year Orioles fan will get the opportunity to walk the grounds of the park that provided him with some of his favorite sports memories. Fahs, 44, will get to make a memory of his own as he is set to throw out the ceremonial first ball at...

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Daniel Clark: Pitching now the key to Orioles' winning ways

July 30, 2014, 4:25am

Orioles

As August approaches and the Orioles hold on to the outright lead in first place, there is a growing expectation among the fan base that 2014 will be the year in which the American League East title finally returns to Baltimore for the first time since 1997. When the Orioles went close to breaking the pennant drought in 2012, it was the strength of the bullpen (3.00 ERA) and offensive power (214 home runs) that covered up for an inconsistent starting rotation. That rotation, which saw an...

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Jon Shepherd: The first half does not matter

July 29, 2014, 5:35am

Orioles

Jon Shepherd: The first half does not matter

It is natural to think of the most recent occurrences to be the product of a new realization. That is, if a player all of a sudden has a monster first half or a terrible first half, then that player is defined by that play. However, if the only bits of information you have are projections from the beginning of the year and how a player has performed so far, then you can ignore the latter and focus solely on the former. In other words, it is more likely that Nelson Cruz's preseason projection...

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Andrew Stetka: Road success shows O's postseason dreams are a reality

July 28, 2014, 5:13am

Orioles

Andrew Stetka: Road success shows O's postseason dreams are a reality

There's previously been some doubt surrounding the Orioles' ability to hang with the upper class of the American League. After a 6-4 road trip against the three best teams in the AL West, there's no longer any doubt that they have that ability. The O's have carried the third-best record in the AL since the end of May and the pitching of late has been spectacular. Everyone on the outside looks at the Orioles and sees an offensive juggernaut that lacks the arms to succeed in October, but if...

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Matthew Taylor: Random acts of ballpark kindness

July 25, 2014, 4:56am

Orioles

Matthew Taylor: Random acts of ballpark kindness

Have you experienced a random act of ballpark kindness? Better yet, have you performed one? It seems we've heard much in recent years about boorish ballpark behavior. The most publicized incidents have involved fights between opposing fans that resulted in serious injuries. It's enough to make even the most dedicated fan consider passing up on the peanuts and Cracker Jack and decide to never go back. Less publicized are the simple kindnesses shared between strangers that add to the fun of...

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Gausman battles division rival in donut-eating contest

July 24, 2014, 12:24pm

Orioles

Gausman battles division rival in donut-eating contest

Kevin Gausman is known for more than his skills on the mound. His donut-eating reputation has made its way to the big stage, so MLB Fan Cave decided to put it to the test. Gausman went up against American League East rival Marcus Stroman of the Blue Jays to find out who could eat six powdered donuts the quickest. I won't spoil the ending for you, but let's just say it was a nail-biter. Or should I say donut-biter? Too corny? OK, just watch the battle below. Your browser does not support...

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Zach Wilt: J.J. Hardy's puzzling season

July 24, 2014, 4:53am

Orioles

While Adam Jones, Nelson Cruz and even Steve Pearce have deservedly been credited with leading the Orioles' march to the top of the American League East, it's important to recognize the role that J.J. Hardy has played this season. If you glance quickly at the power numbers, Hardy's season may appear to be a disappointment. The Orioles shortstop has hit four home runs this year and is on pace to finish 2014 with seven. Hardy has averaged 25 homers a season since joining the O's in 2011,...

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Daniel Clark: Through adversity, Machado shows he's gaining maturity

July 22, 2014, 6:41pm

Orioles

Daniel Clark: Through adversity, Machado shows he's gaining maturity

At times, it's very easy to forget that Manny Machado is just 22. The 2014 season has presented a number of significant challenges for the talented young third baseman, but despite the troubles, it appears that he has come through it for the better. Starting the season on the sidelines after a horrific knee injury last September, Machado's rehab took slightly longer than Orioles fans had originally hoped. When the 2013 Platinum Glove winner wasn't ready for opening day, it gave yet another...

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The best plays from the Orioles' first half

July 18, 2014, 9:21am

Orioles

From walk-offs to diving plays and more, the Orioles have made their 52 first-half wins exciting to watch. Without further ado, let's relive some of our favorite plays from the Birds' first half of the season. Nick Markakis made a great diving catch, then threw to second to complete the double play. Your browser does not support iframes. Chris Davis smashed three home runs in the Orioles' 9-2 victory over the Pirates.Your browser does not support iframes. Nelson Cruz launched a...

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National buzz surrounding O's after first half of the season

July 18, 2014, 7:24am

Orioles

National buzz surrounding O's after first half of the season

Although teams have technically played more than half of their games, the All-Star festivities serve as a clean break in the season, offering a time for players, managers, front offices, spectators and national writers to evaluate teams' seasons so far. And for the O's, all seems well when looking at their record. The Orioles, who in the offseason were projected to sit toward the bottom of the tough American League East, are in first place and have a four-game lead over the second-place Blue...