Little going right for Wright in AFL

Little going right for Wright in AFL
So, it appears that Yankees third baseman Alex Rodriguez is being skewered by the New York media for trying to score from the dugout. According to a New York Post article, Rodriguez flirted with two young women sitting in the stands after he was removed for a pinch hitter in Game 1 of the American League Championship Series. The Yankees were losing 4-0. Rodriguez, who's 3-for-23 with no extra-base hits in the postseason, supposedly tossed a baseball to one of the women requesting her phone...

Looking back - and way back

Looking back - and way back
One of the primary reasons why the Orioles snapped their streak of 14 consecutive losing seasons was their ability to win on the road. The Orioles recorded 46 road victories, 16 more than their total in 2011 and their most since 1997 (52). The 46 road wins were the most in the America League. It also helps when a team goes 29-9 (.763) in one-run games for the best winning percentage in major league history. There was no way to predict it back in March. The record was previously held by the...

Showalter or Melvin on Nov. 13?

Showalter or Melvin on Nov. 13?
The Baseball Writers' Association of America will begin announcing its 2012 award winners Nov. 12 with the American and National Leagues Rookies of the Year. The Angels' Mike Trout will run away with the honor, followed by the Athletics' Yoenis Cespedes and the Rangers' Yu Darvish. Not much drama attached to this one. The AL and NL Managers of the Year will be revealed Nov. 13, followed by the Cy Young Award winners on Nov. 14 and Most Valuable Players on Nov. 15. Ballots were submitted...

Orioles must decide Matusz's role in 2013 (Hale to interview for Red Sox job)

Orioles must decide Matusz's role in 2013 (Hale to interview for Red Sox job)
I wasn't at M&T Bank Stadium yesterday, but I heard that Orioles manager Buck Showalter received a huge ovation while walking to midfield as the Ravens' honorary captain. He stood on their sideline for the anthem, though the FOX announcers didn't seem to notice. Showalter was positioned in plain view beside coach John Harbaugh. You couldn't miss him. Ravens and Orioles. It's always nice when birds collide. One of the unfortunate developments in the American League Division Series...

Do the Showalter bucks stay here?

Do the Showalter bucks stay here?
I checked the comments on this blog throughout the day and night, and I'm so appreciative of the many kind words. Please don't think for a minute that they went ignored. They meant a lot to me. I plan on watching football today and perhaps consuming a drink that includes an olive or two. There could be a cigar in my future. But I wanted to revisit a few of manager Buck Showalter's comments from yesterday. I spoke to Showalter toward the end of the season about his contract and whether...

Buck Showalter: The day after

Buck Showalter: The day after
Now that the Orioles are done playing in 2012, manager Buck Showalter will undergo surgery Wednesday on a right knee that's required treatment all season and often left him limping or using a fungo bat for support. Less painful was the time he spent chatting with reporters in the home dugout this afternoon. On whether it felt weird to wake up this morning without a game to play: "Weird? Not yet. At some point, your body kind of goes, 'OK, that abuse, I'm getting ready to pay you back.'...

Dan Duquette: The day after

Dan Duquette: The day after
The Orioles estimated that about 500 fans waited to greet them at Camden Yards early this morning when they arrived from New York at 12:50 a.m. The crowd formed a human tunnel and cheered as players, coaches and manager Buck Showalter walked through it. Executive vice president Dan Duquette signed autographs again this afternoon before making it inside the Orioles' clubhouse, where a few players packed up their belongings for the winter. The roll call included Wei-Yin Chen, Troy Patton,...

It seems like only yesterday ...

It seems like only yesterday ...
NEW YORK - The finality slowly hit me. The Orioles are done playing in 2012. The thrill ride has ended, final destination a long, long way from where it was expected to be back in spring training. Remember spring training? Top stories included the arrival of Dontrelle Willis and Ronny Paulino's car, a highly unexpected appearance by slugger-turned-agent Gary Sheffield (whose client, pitcher Josh Banks, never made it out of minor league camp), former Oriole Jason Johnson's highly unexpected...

Final comments from the clubhouse after Game 5

Final comments from the clubhouse after Game 5
NEW YORK - The Orioles' inability to generate any semblance of an offense will most likely be the primary focus of the 2012 postseason. They batted .187 in the American League Division Series, which negated the 2.52 ERA posted by their pitching staff. "Nobody hit," said first baseman Mark Reynolds. "They didn't hit, we didn't hit. There was some really good pitching, I guess. Just couldn't get the big hit when we needed it tonight. It sucks, but we'll be back. We'll be...

Reynolds, McLouth want to return in 2013

Reynolds, McLouth want to return in 2013
NEW YORK - Mark Reynolds is arbitration-eligible and the Orioles hold an $11 million option on his contract for next season. Nate McLouth can become a free agent. If Reynolds and McLouth have their way, they will remain with the Orioles in 2013. "I'd definitely like to come back," Reynolds said. "This is the most fun I've ever had playing baseball, this group of guys. There's a bunch of ballplayers in this room. No prima donnas, nobody for themselves. Just ballplayers who pull for each...

Showalter speaks after 3-1 loss in Game 5

Showalter speaks after 3-1 loss in Game 5
NEW YORK - Orioles manager Buck Showalter walked into the interview room one last time in the 2012 postseason. Here's the transcript: Q. Buck, can you go for a little bit about the (Nate) McLouth call and what the umpires told you on that. SHOWALTER: "They didn't tell me, you know, they said it was foul. And I appreciate them checking. And there is something in place to double-check. I couldn't tell. I knew it was real close and obviously during the regular season or in the playoffs we...

Duquette: "We're a first-division outfit"

Duquette: "We're a first-division outfit"
NEW YORK - Though the ending to the 2012 season stung the Orioles, it didn't cloud their view of what they accomplished. Executive vice president Dan Duquette said he was "proud of the effort of the whole organization." "We took some great strides forward," Duquette said after leaving manager Buck Showalter's office. "We're a first-division outfit. To win 96 games is really an accomplishment and I'm proud of the work and effort that everyone did. Obviously, we're disappointed in...

Angelos comments on season and future, umpires issue statement

Angelos comments on season and future, umpires issue statement
NEW YORK - Majority owner Peter G. Angelos visited a quiet Orioles clubhouse tonight, shaking hands with players and speaking briefly with reporters. "These young men and certainly Buck (Showalter) and Dan Duquette and all the other officials of the organization have done a spectacular job," Angelos said following a 3-1 loss to the Yankees in Game 5 of the American League Division Series. "We are thankful as we are to you, the press,the broadcasters. "As far as the local team here is...

Orioles' season comes to an end

Orioles' season comes to an end
NEW YORK - The Orioles' first trip to the playoffs in 15 years has ended in Game 5 of the American League Division Series. Left-hander CC Sabathia retired the side in order in the top of the ninth inning, and the Yankees held on to defeat the Orioles 3-1 before a non-sellout crowd of 47,081 at Yankee Stadium. Adam Jones led off the inning by flying to left, making him 2-for-23 in the Division Series. Chris Davis struck out swinging and Matt Wieters bounced to the mound, setting off a Yankees...

Orioles argue McLouth homered, umps say otherwise (O's down 3-1)

Orioles argue McLouth homered, umps say otherwise (O's down 3-1)
NEW YORK - What's a playoff game at Yankee Stadium without a little controversy? Or a big one? No fan interference this time, but we had a situation here that brought manager Buck Showalter out of the dugout and led umpires to huddle for a review. Nate McLouth sent a long fly ball to right field with two outs in the sixth inning that appeared to hook foul by maybe an inch, landing in the second deck of seats, but a close-up replay may have indicated that the ball changed trajectory after...

Orioles get a baserunner, might need starter for Game 1 of ALCS (O's down 1-0)

Orioles get a baserunner, might need starter for Game 1 of ALCS (O's down 1-0)
NEW YORK - Nine up, nine down for Jason Hammel. Nine up, nine down for CC Sabathia before Nate McLouth singled leading off the top of the fourth inning. McLouth's eight postseason hits tie Derek Jeter for the most among American League players. He's been quite a McPest to the Yankees. McLouth stole second with two outs, but Chris Davis flied to center. These teams are a combined 2-for-29 with runners in scoring position in the last three games including today. Should the Orioles win...

Britton and Betemit joining team, ALCS times set

Britton and Betemit joining team, ALCS times set
NEW YORK - Just in case the Orioles advance to the American League Championship Series, they've made arrangements for left-hander Zach Britton and infielder Wilson Betemit to join them in New York this afternoon as potential additions to their playoff roster. Britton and Betemit would fly with them to Detroit, though their inclusions on the ALCS roster haven't been decided. It's just easier to have them with the team now than to make flight arrangements later, with Game 1 scheduled for...

Ford the DH, Thome sits

Ford the DH, Thome sits
NEW YORK - Lew Ford will serve as the Orioles' designated hitter today for Game 5 of the American League Division Series. Jim Thome is on the bench. Robert Andino gets the start at second base, as manager Buck Showalter continues to platoon him with Ryan Flaherty. Alex Rodriguez has been benched by Yankees manager Joe Girardi. He's 2-for-16 with nine strikeouts in the Division Series and has been lifted for a pinch-hitter the past two nights. For the Orioles: Nate McLouth LF J.J. Hardy...

Thome continues to marvel at Machado

Thome continues to marvel at Machado
NEW YORK - Whether 42-year-old future Hall of Famer Jim Thome is in today's Game 5 lineup for the Orioles or sitting on their bench - well, he'd be doing it either way, since he's the designated hitter - he will continue to appreciate the contributions of 20-year-old rookie third baseman Manny Machado. Machado is 2-for-14 in the American League Division Series, but he's homered, doubled and scored the decisive run in last night's 2-1 13-inning thriller over the Yankees. He also made...

It's Hammel vs. Sabathia in Game 5

It's Hammel vs. Sabathia in Game 5
NEW YORK - So it comes down to this. Jason Hammel gets the ball this afternoon knowing the Orioles' bullpen is running on fumes, knowing the entire team is attempting to move forward while having its backs against the proverbial wall. Do or die, just like the wild card and Game 4 of the American League Division Series. Win and advance. Lose and go home. "You know, it's obviously an honor to be the one toeing the slab, but it's been a team effort to get here," Hammel said. "It's been a...