The Loss Column — Baltimore Sports Blog and Community

First, the bad news: I won’t be able to make it to Nick Markakis Appreciation Night. I’m aware that this is lame in the extreme, but I had two separate business matters come up this morning that both require somewhat immediate attention. I gotta stay home and take care of ‘em. Commence beating me up in the comments.

If you go, The Loss Column will be represented by Steve I and possibly by Ryan.

As I toil, I’ll be pulling for Matt Albers (2-0, 1.65) as he makes his second start of the year against Andy Sonnanstine (3-1, 5.28).

That last post, by the way, was post #666.

I can’t find it on the web yet, but the WNST text is in. Along with the expected call-up of Garrett Olson, the O’s have also brought up reliever Bob McCrory. Brandon Fahey is headed to the minors, and Greg Aquino has been DFA’ed.

RIP, crooked cap.

Olson — who has been performing quite well down at Norfolk — will make his season debut in a start tonight against Jason Hammel (2-1, 4.32). And no matter what McCrory does he’s an upgrade over Aquino.

This’ll be tonight’s open thread, as well, so let’s go get ‘em.

Don’t forget to tune in to NST this evening at 6:30, when I’ll be a guest with the Fighting Ungers. And for anyone who’s joining us tomorrow for Nick Markakis Appreciation Night, we can plan it out in the comments.

What to make of a game like today’s? I didn’t get a chance to watch it, but I’m not so sure that’s a bad thing. Here’s what I take away from reading the recaps:

– We’ve been talking all season about how much heart this team has, and today seems like one more great example. The DC Cab turned in a gutsy post-rain delay performance, we got to Jenks again, a slumping Ramon Hernandez came up with a big homer. All good.

– We’ve also been talking about how we need to stop hanging by a thread, and I think today proves that, as well.

– To see the game postponed for resumption at a “later date” just sucks. I realize there was probably no other option, but damn.

Now comes a respite from the road games, with the O’s at home for three against the Rays. I’m mildly surprised but quite happy with the decision to start Garrett Olson on Wednesday. Eventually we need to figure out if he’s really got major league talent or if he’s just Rick Krivda. Neither would surprise me.

Six games into the epic 20-game run, the O’s are 3-3.

If you missed it, Adam Loewen got an MRI today, which means tomorrow might be a very interesting day. I hope he’s OK, but I’ll say this much again: he shouldn’t see the mound — under any circumstances — until he is absolutely tested, cleared, and 100% healthy. If that takes until 2009 then so be it.

Is anybody else joining me at Nick Markakis Appreciation Night on Wednesday? Buy your tickets for right field, bring a sign, have some fun. That’s pretty much the only agenda.

An agenda, by the way, that I’ll be promoting tomorrow night on WNST at 6:30, courtesy of the Fighting Ungers. I think I’ll be in studio for half an hour, which would be awesome. I’m grateful for the time.

(photo from the Sun recap)

I’ll cop to not being much of a draft expert. I pay good money (not really) to have a Draft Guru on staff, and I think we’d all be more comfortable if he was handling the Draft Thread. Alas, Kiper hired him on as a Special Consultant and he is no longer available.

For what it’s worth, here’s how I see the Ravens‘ day going:

They would like to get Matt Ryan in the first round, but he’s not going to slip past the Falcons, the Chiefs, and the Jets. Ozzie won’t mortgage the rest of the draft just to get Ryan, so they’ll pick “best available” at #8. There’s an outside chance that ends up being Vernon Gholston, which would satisfy everyone, but I think it’ll be Sedrick Ellis. Either way they’ll be fine.

There’s also a chance that they trade out of #8 and stockpile picks, but I’m not sure I see that happening.

The QB need will be filled in the second round, where the Ravens will hope and pray that Delaware’s Joe Flacco is still available. Failing that they’ll look for Michigan’s Chad Henne. I think Brian Brohm’s stock has dropped a little, so I don’t think they’ll look his way unless the other two are gone.

I also think we’ll see the ‘Skins try pretty hard to move their first-round pick in exchange for a talented, game-ready wideout. I’ve heard Roy Williams‘ name tossed around. Don’t be surprised if the ‘Skins end up being major players today.

But, like I said, what do I know?

I’d like to see everyone else’s predictions in the comments. Also, consider this the “as it goes” open thread for all picks today and tomorrow.

Well, sure enough: Adam Loewen hit the DL today, with infielder Eider Torres coming up from Norfolk to take the roster spot (for now, at least).

Assuming he’s not seriously hurt — and let’s hope that’s not the case — then this is probably the best thing that could happen to him. As far as I’m concerned he shouldn’t even sniff the mound again until he’s 100% pain-free.

Meanwhile, Brian Burres goes up against Mark Buehrle tonight in Chicago. And don’t forget Nick Markakis Appreciation Night on Wednesday!

UPDATE: could Dave Trembley possibly be any more awesome? Check out his thoughts on fans running onto the field:

“I wish I could have taken them in the back room,” he said. “I would have kicked the snot out of both of them. I’m serious. You think I’m kidding you. I don’t have any patience for disrespect. These guys bust their [rear] out there every night, and for two lunatics to come out there like that — who do they think they are? Turn them over to us one time. I’ll show them where the other side of the fence is. I believe in respect and common courtesy. Those two idiots last night did not show any of that.”

UPDATE UPDATE: This will serve as the open thread for today (Sat.) and tomorrow as well. Fire away, folks.

You heard it here first, courtesy of Drew dropping back in: Adam Loewen will throw a no-hitter tonight.

Why not? I love the way Dave Trembley challenged him, by admitting that the young lefty is the reason the O’s are carrying 13 pitchers. I can’t say Loewen is the guy I want on the hill in tonight’s situation — not exactly a must-win, but an important game nonetheless — but sooner or later I have to think it’ll click for him. Perhaps some of whatever Guthrie and the DC Cab found will rub off on him tonight.

If it doesn’t, though, at least the bullpen is rested. I wouldn’t be surprised at all if we get an early taste of Matt Albers.

It’s time once again to hail the DC Cab and go wherever it takes us. For whatever it’s worth, Mr. D went 1-1 with a 7.85 in three games against Seattle last year.

Tonight Carlos Silva — 3-0, 2.79 — stands in the way of a smooth ride.

The details aren’t yet finalized but it looks like I’ll be a guest next Tuesday evening (6-8) on the Fighting Ungers show on WNST. I hope you’ll all tune in for it, and in fact I’d encourage you to listen to the Ungers regardless of who’s on. They put on a pretty damn good show.

Don’t forget, also, that next Wednesday is Nick Markakis Appreciation Night at the yard, courtesy of The Loss Column. Buy your tickets for right field now and tell your friends to do the same. Let’s create some old-school Oriole Magic.

Jerry Quarry was a boxer. When he died in 1999, I had no idea who he was.

Turns out he fought Ali twice, and traded punches with Joe Frazier and Floyd Patterson. He was considered a fairly notable fighter, a “great white hope” of sorts. He was also punch-drunk, nearly broke, and 53 when he passed, barely conscious of who he was or what he was doing.

I learned these things via his obituary in the Baltimore Sun. I remember that when I first read it, I cut the columns from the paper and hung them up on the bulletin board at work. I highlighted two phrases that I thought everyone else should read. It felt like the thing to do.

I got to thinking about Jerry Quarry the other day for no particular reason. But I couldn’t remember what it was that had fascinated me so much. I had some vague idea of the quotes I had been compelled to share, but nothing specific. So I went digging.
(more…)