Out of the Park: MASN personalities and the Oriole Bird are ready for spring training games

Out of the Park: MASN personalities and the Oriole Bird are ready for spring training games
They're here! Finally, we have actual baseball being played as spring training games started this week. MASN's Jim Hunter probably couldn't wait to get out of Baltimore and to Sarasota, Fla., faster (especially since we saw snow last night) to call some Orioles spring training games on the radio for 105.7 The Fan. Time to get started. Bonnie dropped me off at BWI to head to Sarasota. @Orioles @masnOrioles #SpringTraining pic.twitter.com/TWZ1L0vyBx -- Jim Hunter (@JimOriolesTV) February 28,...

Out of the Park: Giolito bakes and Harper, Nats say goodbye to Desmond

Out of the Park: Giolito bakes and Harper, Nats say goodbye to Desmond
If you've been following along with the Nationals this spring training, you've probably come across a few mentions of top pitching prospect Lucas Giolito and his baking. Giolito and his roommate at big league camp, catcher Spencer Kieboom, have posted pictures here and there of the pitcher's tasty creations. But this week, we got some good views of Giolito's banana bread. Spring Training Monday baking round 3... pic.twitter.com/ua1ySMQS1m -- Lucas Giolito (@LGio27) February 29, 2016 The...

Out of the Park: Adam Jones is the voice of the O's on social media, plus Scott Van Pelt's Bawlmer accent

Out of the Park: Adam Jones is the voice of the O's on social media, plus Scott Van Pelt's Bawlmer accent
With spring training workouts in full swing (see what I did there?), the Ed Smith Stadium complex has been buzzing this week. The same cannot be said for the Orioles in the Twittersphere. You shouldn't take that as a red flag, however. Obviously, it's more important what the players are doing on the field rather than off it, especially in these very early stages of the 2016 season. But one Oriole we can always count on to be the voice of the team is the face of the franchise, the leader, the...

Out of the Park: A look at what the Nats are doing outside of spring training workouts

Out of the Park: A look at what the Nats are doing outside of spring training workouts
It's been a somewhat quiet week on social media for the Nationals, which can be a good thing with the full team reporting and working out in Viera, Fla. They're more concerned with what they're doing on the field than what they're doing off of it. But how are the Nats winning off the field? (Anyone?) I found some nuggets for those of you who are wondering how the team is doing all-around at spring training. Earlier this week, MASNsports.com's Mark Zuckerman wrote about the story behind new...

Out of the Park: Spring training begins in Sarasota

Out of the Park: Spring training begins in Sarasota
It's all been leading up to this: Baseball is finally back! Orioles pitchers and catchers reported to the Ed Smith Stadium complex yesterday, with the first official workout later today after the players take their physicals. Before we get to the best of the Birds getting ready for and arriving at spring training, I do have some non-baseball-related material to share with you first. And of course, it comes from Adam Jones. The Westminster Kennel Club Dog Show was earlier this week, and as a...

Out of the Park: Friends Day and Truck Day as spring training nears

Out of the Park: Friends Day and Truck Day as spring training nears
We are just under two weeks away from pitchers and catchers reporting to Sarasota, Fla., marking the return of baseball! With that in mind, Caleb Joseph is taking in his last remaining days of the offseason to enjoy himself by going to the NHL All-Star Game in his hometown of Nashville this past weekend. Had an amazing time at #NHLAllStarWeekend with my cousin. My hometown of Nashville put on a GREAT show. Skill level of players was unreal! -- Caleb Joseph (@EutawBackstop) February 1,...

Out of the Park: Nats and MASN personalities get ready for spring training

Out of the Park: Nats and MASN personalities get ready for spring training
It was a slow week on social media for the Nationals, which must mean we are getting closer to spring training. The guys are probably busy getting their affairs in order, planning their workouts for the next two weeks and setting their packing checklist before heading out for Viera, Fla. However, it seems that we do have some guys who are too eager and are already down by Space Coast Stadium. Well hello there!... #SpringTraining #nats #AmIEarly pic.twitter.com/IwtyGdGFjg -- Clint Robinson...

Out of the Park: MASN's Jim Hunter takes on the blizzard

Out of the Park: MASN's Jim Hunter takes on the blizzard
I think we have enough snow to last us until opening day, thanks to Winter Storm Jonas, which crushed the DMV area last weekend. If you want a comprehensive recap of the storm and its aftermath, check out MASN broadcaster Jim Hunter's Twitter timeline. All of it is fantastic, but I'll just show you my favorites. Kudos to all of our local TV reporters braving the blizzard to keep us informed. Thanks from us all ! Outstanding work. #snowmaggedon2016 -- Jim Hunter (@JimOriolesTV) January 24,...

Out of the Park: The blizzard, Throwback Tuesday and new attire

Out of the Park: The blizzard, Throwback Tuesday and new attire
Well, Winter Storm Jonas came through the area last weekend and crushed D.C. like Bryce Harper crushes fastballs. It also crushed MASN broadcaster F.P. Santangelo's elbow from all the snow it left for shoveling. Is there a Tommy John for shoveling snow? #leftarmprobs -- F.P. Santangelo (@FightinHydrant) January 25, 2016 Although Jonas left everyone stuck in their houses and exhausted from shoveling almost three feet of snow, the storm also left a pretty scene at Nationals Park. A beautiful...

Out of the Park: Racing Presidents, Bryce Harper likes that and Nats Park concert

Out of the Park: Racing Presidents, Bryce Harper likes that and Nats Park concert
The Nationals family isn't made up of just baseball guys, since they clearly cannot get enough of the NFL playoffs. Granted, the ending to last Saturday's NFC divisional game between the Packers and Cardinals was unlike anything I've ever seen. Sports are just the best, guys. -- Dan Kolko (@masnKolko) January 17, 2016 This game has officially turned into PE -- F.P. Santangelo (@FightinHydrant) January 17, 2016 I don't believe what I just saw... -- Max Scherzer (@Max_Scherzer) January...

Out of the Park: Welcome back, Crush!

Out of the Park: Welcome back, Crush!
Obviously, the big news this week was first baseman Chris Davis re-signing with the Orioles. The seven-year contract was reported as a done deal early Saturday morning before becoming official with a press conference last night at Camden Yards after Davis psased a physical. But before we get to the best of #WelcomeBackCrush, I think it's important to note that the MASN family spends its time together even outside of Oriole Park. MASN's Jim Hunter's wife, Bonnie, makes a delicious baked ziti,...

Out of the Park: An award winner, quick check-up and #NationalHatDay

Out of the Park: An award winner, quick check-up and #NationalHatDay
As the NFL's season continues, so does that of Tyler Wilson's Packers. After beating the Redskins 35-18 on Sunday, the Pack now heads to the desert to take on the Cardinals in the NFC divisional round. #GoPackGo -- Tyler Wilson (@t_willy18) January 11, 2016 Meanwhile, back here in the Old Line State, MASNsports.com's Roch Kubatko won, too. On Monday, Roch was named a co-winner of the Maryland Sportswriter of the Year award by the National Sportscasters and Sportswriters Association for the...

Out of the Park: The good and bad from the rest of D.C. sports, plus National Hat Day

Out of the Park: The good and bad from the rest of D.C. sports, plus National Hat Day
Good news: Nationals pitchers and catchers report in almost a month (Feb. 18)! Bad news: One of the other D.C. teams that was holding you over until then finished its season last weekend. Even though the Redskins were handed an early exit in their surprising playoff run at the hands of a 35-18 defeat to the Green Bay Packers, there is a lot of upside for this team in the future. And MASN's Dan Kolko, for one, enjoyed a season that surpassed expectations, included a division championship and...

Out of the Park: #NationalBirdDay, #NationalWhippedCreamDay and some Twitter chatter

Out of the Park: #NationalBirdDay, #NationalWhippedCreamDay and some Twitter chatter
Welcome back to "Out of the Park"! I hope all of Birdland enjoyed the holidays and new year! While most of our area had a very mild holiday season, the Oriole Bird was excited to start the first week of 2016 with some light snow. Did anyone else just see snowflakes falling?? ❄️ Happy first Monday of 2016! ☃ -- The Oriole Bird (@OrioleBird) January 4, 2016 The Bird also later calculated that we are halfway to opening day, which MASN's Jim Hunter thought was very...

Out of the Park: Football playoffs and welcoming a new teammate while another leaves

Out of the Park: Football playoffs and welcoming a new teammate while another leaves
Happy new year and welcome back to "Out of the Park," Nats fans! I hope everyone had a very nice holiday season as we return to the real world this week. It would probably take a short novel to put together all of the holiday posts from the Nationals players over the break, so we'll just pick up from this week. Outfielder Matt den Dekker happened to spend his New Year's Eve in Dallas and was able to get over to AT&T Stadium with wife Christine to watch the NFC East champion Redskins...

Out of the Park: Christmas trees, Twitter changes and charity work

Out of the Park: Christmas trees, Twitter changes and charity work
To start off this week's edition of Out of the Park, I first want to give thanks to the Winter Meetings last week for taking on the majority of the social media buzz. Although it was mostly just rumors, they took up most of your attention on the Twittersphere, blogosphere or whatever sphere you prefer. That being said, let's get to what some Orioles were doing this week with the holidays among us. MASN's Jim Palmer was celebrating this week, but it was wife Susan's birthday instead of a...

Out of the Park: City keys, a rap song and a Nats license plate

Out of the Park: City keys, a rap song and a Nats license plate
Obviously, there was a lot happening on social media last week with the Winter Meetings at the Gaylord Opryland Resort & Convention Center in Nashville, however much of it was just hearsay. Those posts were mostly focused on what was happening (or could happen) on the field. This being our third edition of Out of the Park, you know by now we are more concerned with what is going on with the Nationals off the diamond, and this week didn't disappoint. You knew it was going to be a big week...

Out of the Park: Nationals family takes on football, basketball and the holiday season

Out of the Park: Nationals family takes on football, basketball and the holiday season
Happy holidays, NatsTown! I hope everyone enjoyed their Thanksgiving weekend and is getting into the holiday spirit with your favorite decorations, movies and music. I apologize for not posting an "Out of the Park" last week; I played in my dad and his friends' annual B.S. Bowl. I won't bother explaining what B.S. stands for, but I will say that I channeled my inner Sean Taylor playing safety and honored the late Redskins great on the eighth anniversary of his tragic death with two...

Out of the Park: Crazy finishes, the "Hot Stove Show" and a thank you note

Out of the Park: Crazy finishes, the "Hot Stove Show" and a thank you note
I hope everyone enjoyed their extended weekend over the Thanksgiving holiday surrounded by friends, family and delicious food. My favorite dish from last weekend was my grandmother's chorizo stuffing, with my aunt's green bean casserole topped with crispy onions as my sleeper pick. This was actually a baseball-packed week with the non-tender deadline on Wednesday night and Winter Meetings a mere three days away. And although I'm sure you kept up with the latest news by checking out Roch...

Out of the Park: A.J.'s tailgate, football games and local college rivalries

Out of the Park: A.J.'s tailgate, football games and local college rivalries
Welcome, Birdland, to the first edition of our "Out of the Park" series! In an effort to give your thumbs a break from checking social media all day, we will be bringing you the best of what your Orioles are doing away from baseball. Check back each week for the best tweets, Instagrams and interactions from the entire Orioles family, players and personalities alike! For this first edition, we've got O's talking about tailgates, football games and local college basketball rivalries. But...