A few notes on Hess, Núñez, Hall and Thome

A few notes on Hess, Núñez, Hall and Thome
The Orioles are now 50 games under .500 at 36-86 after Friday's 2-1 loss at Cleveland. The Orioles are 15-46 on the road with 17 losses in their last 20 away from Oriole Park. With 40 games to go, the Orioles would have to go 27-13 to avoid 100 losses. Despite another loss, right-hander David Hess pitched well enough to win and that was a positive development. He recorded his first quality start since June 7 and his fifth on the year. After an extended stretch of tough starts, Hess may be...

Notes on the newest Hall of Fame class and voting

Notes on the newest Hall of Fame class and voting
The Baseball Writers' Association of America did a pretty good job with their latest Hall of Fame ballot. They elected Jim Thome, Vladimir Guerrero, Trevor Hoffman and Chipper Jones, and held off Roger Clemens and Barry Bonds. They could have done better by electing Edgar Martinez, Mike Mussina, Omar Vizquel - and even long shot Fred McGriff - but maybe those guys will make it on another ballot. Mussina is on the ballot another five years. Before we get too far into the Hall of Fame analysis,...

A class of four elected to the Hall of Fame in Cooperstown

A class of four elected to the Hall of Fame in Cooperstown
For just the fourth time - and second time in four years - a class of four has been elected to the National Baseball Hall of Fame in Cooperstown, N.Y., by the Baseball Writers' Association of America The class, announced tonight on a live broadcast on MLB Network, is headed up by third baseman Chipper Jones and first baseman/DH Jim Thome, both elected on their first ballots. They are joined by outfielder Vladimir Guerrero, who makes it in his second year of eligibility, and reliever Trevor...

My 2018 Hall of Fame ballot

My 2018 Hall of Fame ballot
You can call the system flawed, you can argue whether steroids users should be in or out, you can debate whether it's more important to have been a consistent performer for 15 years or an elite performer for eight years, you can complain about who gets a vote and who doesn't get a vote. Here's what you can't argue, though: The Baseball Hall of Fame matters. It matters to so many people, from the players themselves to those who work in the game to those who are entrusted to submit ballots to...

What to watch for on Hall of Fame election night

What to watch for on Hall of Fame election night
It's Hall of Fame announcement day, which means two things: Several of the greatest players in baseball history are about to become immortalized forever, and far more attention will be paid to those very good-to-great players who aren't elected this year, for a variety of reasons. Personally, I think it's a real shame that we spend way more time and energy arguing over who didn't get in than celebrating who did get in. But that's the world we live in today. Why celebrate positives when we...

O's game blog: O's battle Chris Sale (Sale and Sox win 5-2)

O's game blog: O's battle Chris Sale (Sale and Sox win 5-2)
Is the reverse lock in effect tonight? Little-known right-hander Alec Asher (1-0, 2.16 ERA) makes the second start of his Orioles career against left-hander Chris Sale (1-2, 1.19 ERA), a five-time All-Star who currently ranks first in the American League in strikeouts and second in ERA and WHIP. Let's just the say the Orioles are the underdog. The Orioles acquired Asher near the end of spring training in a March 28 trade with Philadelphia for a player to be named or cash considerations. He...

Orioles non-update updates

Orioles non-update updates
Stop me if you've heard this one: The Orioles could announce today that they've officially signed Nate McLouth to a one-year contract. McLouth hasn't completed his physical, which explains the delay. I've heard that he had to fly back home, but it could be done later today. McLouth was seeking a deal worth about $2.5 million as the Winter Meetings started up in Nashville. The Orioles are giving him $2 million guaranteed, with another $500,000 in bonuses based on plate appearances. The...

"Bill James Handbook" gives Orioles low marks for baserunning

"Bill James Handbook" gives Orioles low marks for baserunning
The 2013 edition of "The Bill James Handbook," available today, ranks the Orioles as the second-worst baserunning team in the majors. If you've been paying attention, you already know that the Orioles ranked last with 58 stolen bases, and that 28 of those came from Adam Jones (16) and Nate McLouth (12). But that isn't the only deficiency. James notes that the Orioles posted "a -49 net base gain," placing them ahead of only the Detroit Tigers (-67), who happened to reach the World...

Seven Orioles declare for free agency (World Series odds for 2013)

Seven Orioles declare for free agency (World Series odds for 2013)
With the World Series ending late last night, seven Orioles joined the list of major league players declaring for free agency today: Outfielders Nate McLouth and Endy Chavez, pitchers Joe Saunders and Randy Wolf, designated hitter Jim Thome, first baseman Nick Johnson and infielder/outfielder Bill Hall. Stop me if you've heard this one: The Orioles are likely to pursue McLouth and Saunders, and they could hold some interest in Thome if he doesn't retire. That's it. They have a five-day...

Orioles don't have many decisions to make on their own free agents

Orioles don't have many decisions to make on their own free agents
A few days ago, I gave you the rundown of arbitration-eligible Orioles and educated guesses on which players could be non-tendered. There are enough names on the list to keep any team executive busy. The Orioles don't have nearly as many pending unrestricted free agents. The 40-man roster includes outfielders Nate McLouth and Endy Chavez, pitcher Joe Saunders and designated hitter Jim Thome. Pitcher Randy Wolf and first baseman Nick Johnson are on the 60-day disabled list. This group can...

Is Thome's time up in Baltimore?

Is Thome's time up in Baltimore?
Just when I'm convinced that I've kept up with all the firsts with the Orioles this year, I stumble across another one. On Sept. 26, Jim Thome became the oldest player to homer for the Orioles at 42 years, 30 days. Thome was 11 days older than the previous record older. Can you name him? Answer below. No fair looking it up or scrolling down. While I'm focusing on Thome, I'll mention again that the Orioles don't know whether he wants to continue playing in 2013. That's because Thome...

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...

Orioles lineup against the Yankees (with ALCS ticket information)

Orioles lineup against the Yankees (with ALCS ticket information)
Jim Thome is serving as the Orioles' designated hitter tonight in Game 2 of the American League Division Series. Manager Buck Showalter has been sitting Thome against left-handers, but not tonight. Chris Davis remains in right field. For the Orioles: Nate McLouth LF J.J. Hardy SS Chris Davis RF Adam Jones CF Matt Wieters C Mark Reynolds 1B Jim Thome DH Manny Machado 3B Robert Andino 2B Wei-Yin Chen LHP NOTE: Game 3 of the ALDS in New York is scheduled for 7:37 p.m. Wednesday, but...

Orioles take another swing at Pettitte (updated)

Orioles take another swing at Pettitte (updated)
Andy Pettitte is facing the Orioles tonight. Hold on, this might be an old notebook. Nope, it's the one I've used this summer. Pettitte is starting Game 2 of the American League Division Series. Does this mean Roger Clemens goes in Game 3? The Orioles haven't faced Pettitte since he decided to make a comeback this season. The only player who's had an at-bat against him is Omar Quintanilla, while he was playing for the Mets, but he's not on the Division Series roster. Pettitte is 27-6...

Thome's take

Thome's take
Jim Thome is the voice of experience in the Orioles clubhouse. When it comes to playoff games, that is certainly true. He has played in 67 in his career. The rest of the players in the O's clubhouse had a total of 58 going into Game 1 of the American League Division Series. Thome was asked how crucial tonight's game is as the Orioles try to even this series. "We just play one game at a time. We don't look two games ahead," Thome said. "They've got a very good ball club, we know that...

A few pre-wild card notes

A few pre-wild card notes
ARLINGTON, Texas - It took 15 years for the Orioles to get back into the postseason, and they're facing a team that's beaten them 10 of their last 12 games and outscored them, 102-36. But nothing seems to faze them, so what's another challenge? Besides, maybe the tide is due to turn. The Orioles hit .120 (11-for-92) in the Tampa Bay series. That probably won't be good enough tonight. However, they posted a 2.16 ERA and the starters only gave up four earned runs in 18 innings. Cal Ripken...

Long ball bug bites Chen again (Davis homers again in 5-3 loss)

Long ball bug bites Chen again (Davis homers again in 5-3 loss)
ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. - Wei-Yin Chen surrendered his 29th home run of the season in the bottom of the fourth inning, with Ben Zobrist taking him deep to break a scoreless tie. Chen has surrendered six homers in his last four starts, and at least one in six of his last seven outings. Zobrist also singled in the first inning and is 7-for-14 lifetime against Chen. The Orioles' offense tends to fade when Chen pitches, and their bats must have been left behind in Jacksonville. They have one hit...

Showalter and Jones talk about last night's charter incident

Showalter and Jones talk about last night's charter incident
ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. - The Orioles continue to downplay last night's unscheduled landing in Jacksonville, saying some of the media reports were exaggerated and it was really no big deal. "We're fine," said center fielder Adam Jones, clearly annoyed that the incident remained a hot topic today. Reminded how the Orioles' celebration was delayed because of their unexpected stop, Jones replied, "Doesn't matter. We're still fine. We're here alive and well." Manager Buck Showalter said...

Orioles beat Boston, now on verge of clinching playoff berth

Orioles beat Boston, now on verge of clinching playoff berth
The Orioles have reduced their magic number to clinch their first playoff berth since 1997 to one after today's 6-3 win over Boston in front of 41,257 at Camden Yards. The Orioles would have officially clinched a playoff berth if Los Angeles had lost to Texas, but the Angels rallied in the ninth for a 5-4 win. They play the night portion of that day-night doubleheader at 7:05 and the O's will earn a playoff spot with an Angels loss. The Orioles began the day tied with the Yankees for the AL...