As Orioles fans, we got to see No. 4 make the Orioles No. 1

As Orioles fans, we got to see No. 4 make the Orioles No. 1
Thinking back, I'm so glad that the Orioles returned to the playoffs last year because that meant Earl Weaver got to see his Orioles win again. We didn't know it then, but we know now that was his last season watching his beloved Birds. One reason we know Buck Showalter is great as a skipper is that we have Earl to compare him to. I'm so glad I was there in September 1982, when the Orioles lost to the Brewers but Earl got a sendoff that was incredible. I'm glad I was there in Cooperstown...

More from Showalter on the passing of Earl Weaver

More from Showalter on the passing of Earl Weaver
Orioles manager Buck Showalter met with reporters behind the main stage at the Baltimore Convention Center after signing autographs and appearing at two fan forums. It's been a busy day. Showalter has been deeply moved by the passing of Hall of Fame manager Earl Weaver, who had an open invitation every spring training to come inside the clubhouse and talk to the players and coaches. Showalter would absorb every word like a sponge. Even if he knew the answer ahead of time, he still wanted to...

Davey Johnson comments on the passing of Earl Weaver

Davey Johnson comments on the passing of Earl Weaver
Nationals manager Davey Johnson played under legendary Orioles manager Earl Weaver for four years from 1968-72, making three All-Star games in that time. Last night, Weaver passed away at 82. Weaver was beloved not only by fans in Baltimore, but by those who suited up for him, as well. Johnson has said in the past that Weaver was a mentor of sorts to him, and he had a close relationship with the former Orioles skipper. "I grew up in the minor leagues with Earl Weaver and we proceeded to...

Jones on Wieters and Weaver

Jones on Wieters and Weaver
Center fielder Adam Jones joked today at FanFest that he's in catcher Matt Wieter's ear about signing a contract extension, "but he's got Boras." That would be super-agent Scott Boras, who usually prefers that his clients test the free agent waters. Wieters agreed to a $5.5 million contract yesterday. He's got two more arbitration years remaining. "I'd like him up here," Jones said. "He's a fixture in this city. He's our leader behind the plate, he's a leader on this team. I...

Palmer becomes emotional remembering Weaver

Palmer becomes emotional remembering Weaver
We've seen Jim Palmer become emotional before - for instance, this year during his legends ceremony, when he talked about Mike Flanagan. Today, the Hall of Famer kept it together pretty well when talking about Earl Weaver until very late in an interview with reporters covering FanFest. "Mike Flanagan came up to me and said, one year after (I) had pitched during a spring training game, Earl called him over said, 'See that guy out there? Just do what he does and you'll be fine,' " Palmer...

More from Duquette on Earl Weaver

More from Duquette on Earl Weaver
Orioles executive vice president Dan Duquette shared his thoughts on Hall of Fame manager Earl Weaver, who passed away last night at 82. "I have to be grateful that Earl was with us for the legends series and we got a chance to spend time with him, like every single statue unveiling," Duquette said. "He was terrific and his simplicity and the clarity of his leadership and his passion for baseball, he's unmatched. And he's a treasure for the Orioles and we're so grateful that we had the...

Duquette and Showalter on Earl Weaver

Duquette and Showalter on Earl Weaver
At the beginning of their forum with Orioles season ticket holders, which kicks off FanFest each year, executive vice president Dan Duquette and manager Buck Showalter each made comments about Hall of Famer Earl Weaver, who died this morning. "Earl obviously was a great manager," Duquette said. "I was grateful last year we got to share a lot about his career when he was with us last year. You could see the love between the players and Earl. Earl was a simple guy. You pitch it, catch it, hit...

An enduring memory of the Earl of Baltimore

An enduring memory of the Earl of Baltimore
FanFest began with a moment of silence in memory of legendary Orioles manager Earl Weaver. As the assembled season ticket holders hushed in reverence, one fan, attired in an O's T-shirt and cap, at the Convention Center tapped his heart, pointed skyward, thrust four fingers in the air and yelled, "We love you, Earl!" Memories of the Hall of Fame skipper, nicknamed "The Earl of Baltimore" and revered as a favorite son in Charm City, are flooding through FanFest today. The mood is a little...

Duquette and Showalter on Earl Weaver

Duquette and Showalter on Earl Weaver
At the beginning of their forum with Orioles season ticket holders, which kicks off FanFest each year, executive vice president Dan Duquette and manager Buck Showalter each made comments about Hall of Famer Earl Weaver, who died this morning. "Earl obviously was a great manager," Duquette said. "I was grateful last year we got to share a lot about his career when he was with us last year. You could see the love between the players and Earl. Earl was a simple guy. You pitch it, catch it, hit...

Goodbye to an Orioles legend

Goodbye to an Orioles legend
I will never forget a weekend I spent with friends in Cooperstown, N.Y., in August 1996. We made the drive north for the Hall of Fame induction of Earl Weaver. So many memories of No. 4 come rushing to the forefront today with news that Earl died last night. He was 82. I was there not to work as a reporter, but as a fan to honor a man who was a big reason that my childhood was a happy one. When you are a young kid and baseball means so much to you, it's pretty cool that your boyhood team...

Hall of Fame manager Earl Weaver passes away (updated)

Hall of Fame manager Earl Weaver passes away (updated)
On the day that the Orioles are holding their annual FanFest, news has spread through the Baltimore Convention Center that Hall of Fame manager Earl Weaver passed away last night. He was 82. Weaver died while on a cruise ship, according to people close to the Orioles organization. Weaver managed the Orioles from 1968-82, and again from 1985-86. He won four American League pennants and one World Series, and compiled a 1,480-1,060 record. The Orioles honored Weaver with a statue unveiling on...

One more vote, with a local tie

One more vote, with a local tie
For years, when asked why he never played in the majors, former Orioles manager Earl Weaver has cracked wise about his path to the St. Louis Cardinals being blocked by Marty Marion, a pretty good player in his own right who was nicknamed "Mr. Shortstop." Marion, who died in 2011, was a defensive whiz at a time when glove artistry was appreciated as much as the three-run homer. The guy nicknamed "Octopus" because of his propensity for getting to everything hit near him, was a career .263...

About last night and the Orioles' past ...

About last night and the Orioles' past ...
Biggest win of the season? That's the debate after the Orioles gave up five runs in the top of the eighth inning last night to blow a 6-1 lead and proceeded to hit three home runs in the bottom half to send a sellout crowd into a frenzy and avoid falling two games back in the American League East. I've been saying that the 17-inning win in Boston was the best game of the season. You can make a solid argument that last night's victory topped it because it's September and the Orioles pulled...

Davey excited to see both Nationals and Orioles play so well

Davey excited to see both Nationals and Orioles play so well
It is the rarest of moments in the baseball lore for the D.C. and Maryland surrounding areas to have the Orioles and the Nationals both in first place at the same time. It is happening right now. Manager Davey Johnson, who used to be a player and manager for the Orioles, has noticed how well the team to the north has done this season and is excited for both clubs. "I think it is great," Johnson said. "I grew up in this area. I grew up an Oriole fan, seeing them playing like I always think...

Some highlights from the Jim Palmer statue ceremony

Some highlights from the Jim Palmer statue ceremony
Well, that is 3-for-3. The Orioles have now had three statue ceremonies, and they have all been fantastic and a great reunion of Baltimore Orioles royalty. Jim Palmer was honored today and there was a real buzz in the crowd when the fans got a glimpse of Brooks Robinson, who attended today along with Cal Ripken, Eddie Murray and Earl Weaver. Also present were many former Orioles, including Brady Anderson, Mike Bordick, Al Bumbry, Rick Dempsey, Dick Hall, Billy Hunter, Boog Powell, Terry...

Seeing the Earl of Baltimore highlights busy weekend at the Yard

Seeing the Earl of Baltimore highlights busy weekend at the Yard
So, did anything happen the last two days at Camden Yards? Well, first Earl Weaver was honored and it was amazing, emotional and special. Just as we were finishing writing our stories on that came word of a trade and that Jim Thome would be headed to Baltimore. Then we interviewed the other players talking about Thome's addition. Then we found out the Orioles had three All-Stars and Jason Hammel could become a fourth. Then we interviewed them to talk about the honor. Then the game...

During press conference, Weaver remembers the call that made him Orioles manager

During press conference, Weaver remembers the call that made him Orioles manager
During a press conference after his statue ceremony today, Earl Weaver remembered a phone call he got around the All-Star break in 1968. It was from then-Orioles general manager Harry Dalton. "We were sitting by the pool relaxing. I was first base coach at the time and it was the first time I didn't have to worry about making up a lineup and I was enjoying it," Weaver said. "Harry said, 'I want you to be the manager.' I told (my wife) Marianna and she said, 'Is that good?' I said I...

Great start to day, rough beginning for Eveland (O's down 2-1)

Great start to day, rough beginning for Eveland (O's down 2-1)
It's only 91 degrees at first pitch. Anyone have a sweater I can borrow? I had to keep reminding myself that the Orioles were playing a game today. I've been a bit distracted by all the Hall of Famers roaming around Camden Yards. I braved the stifling heat to watch the unveiling of Earl Weaver's statue in the picnic area, and I wasn't alone. You may recognize a few of the names: Frank Robinson, Cal Ripken, Eddie Murray, Jim Palmer, Paul Blair, Al Bumbry, Don Buford, Scott McGregor, Rick...

Weaver thankful and honored during statue ceremony at Camden Yards

Weaver thankful and honored during statue ceremony at Camden Yards
The Orioles hit another home run with their statue ceremony today for Hall of Fame manager Earl Weaver. It was so well done and seeing Earl on stage, and players like Cal Ripken, Frank Robinson, Eddie Murray and Jim Palmer sitting in the front row, would make any O's fan feel a sense of pride. "Just looking at that first row there, how could I lose," Weaver said at the beginning of his speech. "It's been 26 years since I last put on a Baltimore uniform. During that time I've made many...

Orioles and Indians lineups

Orioles and Indians lineups
Now it's Ryan Flaherty's turn to start at third base. He's handling the hot corner for today's game against the Indians after starting in right field last night. Wilson Betemit stays at first base. Matt Wieters is batting seventh again after homering in that spot last night. For the Orioles: Brian Roberts 2B Xavier Avery LF J.J. Hardy SS Adam Jones CF Wilson Betemit 1B Chris Davis RF Matt Wieters C Mark Reynolds DH Ryan Flaherty 3B Dana Eveland LHP For the Indians: Shin-Soo Choo...