SAN ANTONIO de GUERRA, Dominican Republic – Orioles executive vice president/general manager Mike Elias recited some of his club’s accomplishments earlier today – the best record in the American League and the top farm system in baseball getting their proper due – before redirecting his attention to the reason for the enormous gathering. The grand opening of their state-of-the-art training academy that attracted several of the country’s dignitaries and the club’s top officials.

“But,” Elias said with impeccable timing, “this is the most important achievement our group has made in these five years.”

The 22.5-acre complex is home to the Orioles’ regional facility for Caribbean, Central and South American player development operations, and includes three full fields, a sports turf agility field, batting and pitching tunnels, administrative buildings, dormitories and educational facilities. It can hold more than 100 players, coaches and staff, compared to 60-70 at the old facility in Boca Chica.

The project was led by landowner and developer Brian Mejia of Brison SRL, who choked up several times today and wiped away tears as he shared his mother’s wish to see the completion of the academy. She passed away last month.

Spectators applauded and encouraged Mejia during his emotional speech. He’d pause, try to regroup and push ahead.

The sports shutdown is depriving us of live broadcasts - arm wrestling, for instance, is impossible at a six-foot distance - and networks are digging into their vaults for classic games to feed starving fans. The Mid-Atlantic Sports Network keeps airing Orioles wins from as far back as the 1970 World Series. You can count on an exciting finish rather than heartache. Nerves won't be frayed. Yesterday's menu included the four-run, eighth-inning rally to defeat the Yankees on Aug. 13, 2014 at...

The hiring of Koby Perez as the Orioles' senior director of international scouting enabled executive vice president and general manager Mike Elias to reach further into his professional past, all the way to his Cardinals days in their scouting department. Elias also has brought in assistant Sig Mejdal, who worked with him in St. Louis and Houston, and minor league pitching coordinator Chris Holt, formerly the Astros' assistant pitching coordinator. If anyone needs additional information on...

Orioles manager Buck Showalter indicated today that he's choosing between Alec Asher and Ubaldo Jiménez to make Friday night's start against the Red Sox at Camden Yards. Showalter said the decision will be made Tuesday to let everyone know and prepare accordingly. "We'll decide what direction we're going to go tomorrow, take everything in, see how everybody's feeling, see how we get through today," he said. "It's just been such a quick turnaround. We talked a little bit on the plane...

Orioles fans didn't have a whole lot to cheer about between 1998 and 2011. That's 14 years of losing, met with a lot of disappointment and sitting in the cellar of the American League East. There were few bright spots, but one of them was Melvin Mora, who spent about 10 years in Baltimore. As it turns out, Mora decided to spend more than that in the area. Mora made a decision to settle down in Harford County during his playing days. Despite spending time with the Rockies and Diamondbacks...

Ten former Orioles are included on the latest Hall of Fame ballot released today by the Baseball Writers' Association of America. The most prestigious newcomers are Vladimir Guerrero, Manny Ramirez and Ivan Rodriguez. Guerrero concluded his 16-year career with the Orioles in 2011, batting .290/.317/.416 with 30 doubles, 13 home runs and 63 RBIs in 145 games. The 13 home runs were his lowest total since he hit 11 in 90 games with the Expos in 1997. Other former Orioles include first-timers...

Justin Turner would be the ideal utility player and a perfect fit for the Orioles if he hadn't outgrown the role. He plays every infield position and even has one inning of experience in left field. His power developed late. He's a great teammate and is willing to do whatever is asked of him. But the utility train has left the station. Turner is one of the more attractive pending free agents on the market and his timing is impeccable with career highs across the board: 622 plate appearances,...

So in their first game after being no-hit, the Orioles scored eight runs on 16 hits and hit three home runs. In their first game after pitching the no-hitter, the Seattle Mariners allowed 15 runs on 21 hits. The Mariners are the first team to allow 15 or more runs in the first game following a no-hitter since the 1905 Red Sox. So, yeah, baseball. Of the six relief pitchers the Orioles used last night, the only one that gave up any runs was closer Zach Britton. Yep, baseball. You can't explain...

Former third baseman Melvin Mora and outfielders Gary Roenicke and John Lowenstein will be inducted later tonight into the Orioles Hall of Fame, the ceremony taking place before the 7:05 p.m. game against the Athletics at Camden Yards. Long-time scout Fred Uhlman Sr. will be inducted as this year's Herb Armstrong Award winner. Lowenstein is on a cruise and unable to attend. Mora and Roenicke met with the media prior to this morning's luncheon at the B&O Warehouse. They expressed their...

Orioles shortstop J.J. Hardy has moved his workouts to Triple-A Norfolk, where he's expected to take batting practice and ground balls this afternoon. However, team officials confirmed that Hardy won't begin his injury rehab assignment. Hardy has been hitting on the field at Double-A Bowie and going through a series of workouts. The Orioles won't clear him for games until he's able to get full extension on his swing without any traces of discomfort in his left shoulder. The Orioles placed...

BOSTON - Third baseman Melvin Mora and outfielders Gary Roenicke and John Lowenstein have been elected into the Orioles Hall of Fame. Roenicke and Lowenstein, the popular platoon duo, will be enshrined as selections of the Veterans Committee. Long-time Orioles scout Fred Uhlman Sr. will be inducted as this year's Herb Armstrong Award winner. Mora, Roenicke, and Uhlman will be honored at a luncheon at Camden Yards sponsored by the Oriole Advocates on Friday, Aug. 14 at noon, and again during an...

Breathe, Birdland. We're one week closer to the start of spring training. If you are suffering from Orioles withdrawal, we may have a cure: Five "Orioles Classics" on MASN HD this week. We have a variety of games, including three from the past two seasons, one from 2007 and one from 1992. Here's what's on deck: Monday, Jan. 19, 2 p.m. and 11 p.m.: We have two 2014 games for you to watch today. First, you don't want to miss the Orioles' 60th anniversary game from Aug. 8. After the game,...

Too soon for leftovers? There will be lots of cold turkey and stuffing in the coming days. And if you're like me, you'll prefer the cranberry sauce that jiggles out of the can. In the meantime, I've got some leftover Orioles notes and quotes to pass down the table. Try not to spill them on the white tablecloth. As the Orioles began compiling a list of candidates to interview for the job of hitting coach, they briefly considered Melvin Mora before deciding against it. Mora was a career...

Chris Tillman has retired the first six Yankees tonight, striking out Chase Headley to end the top of the second inning. Tillman has thrown 30 pitches, 20 for strikes. Yankees starter Michael Pineda is pitching for the first time in the majors since April 23, when he was ejected from a game at Fenway Park for using pine tar on the ball. And his cap. And his neck. And his pregame meal. Helps with tartar control. A New York reporter asked Showalter whether he'd be checking Pineda for a...