As starts to the season go there’s literally nothing better than 3-0 on the strength of clean play and strong pitching. It’s ideal, the very definition of a best-case scenario. It’s exciting. That said, this team also started last year 3-0. On the road, to boot. In fact they started 4-0. By the 12th game [...]

Here we are. It’s different this time. I’m always excited for Orioles Opening Day and this year is no exception. As a matter of fact I’ll not only be there but in damn fine seats to boot. Baseball season is a good thing, full stop. But we all know — or should know — that [...]

Spring Training is just about over and the 25 men who will head north to face the Twins on Friday are basically set. The Birdland trolley is gassed up and ready to move. Baseball season is here. Which makes now a great time to reiterate my philosophy for the season: No Expectations, Just Baseball. The [...]

So news came down Wednesday — not unexpectedly — that Mike Mussina has been elected to the Orioles Hall of Fame. And thus we reopen old wounds. There’s no question that Mussina is one of the best pitchers to ever wear an Oriole uniform, and certainly the best we’ve had in twenty years. Hell, maybe [...]

I’m long since on record here about one thing, and the plan is to stay vigilant: no undue hope for the 2012 Orioles. I don’t want to beat that horse too hard but it’s a critical point. Your mileage may vary but I don’t want to trap myself like I have in recent seasons. This [...]

Not a lot of free time these days, and that’s a troubling thing. It means I haven’t been able to pore over Spring Training reports and debate myself about who might take the mound Opening Day, or who might land the coveted 24th and 25th spots on the roster. C’est la vie. But the funny [...]

I just hopped off a brief Twitter exchange with erstwhile commenter/contributor Andrew and BSL about the possibility of the Orioles adding Johnny Damon. My thought is he’d be a worthwhile add at DH but I wouldn’t want him taking time from Nolan Reimold, or anyone else, in the field. The convo got me thinking: is [...]

I remain steadfast in my commitment to a No False Hope doctrine for the Baltimore Orioles circa 2012. No blind predictions of a stronger-than-reasonable record, no convoluted strings of “if this, then that” scenarios. Like I’ve said before: this year’s about the love. Enjoying the baseball and enjoying everything that comes with it, moment by [...]