This and that
This and that
Roch Kubatko
Orioles
If I see one more advertisement that includes a talking pothole or dogs that save Christmas, my head might explode. But at least I can be reminded every 12 minutes that I need to buy diamonds or I'll die alone. With the winter meetings coming up in three weeks, I find my thoughts drifting back to a few names that were tied to the Orioles at last year's gathering in Las Vegas. Braden Looper drew their interest, and we kicked around the pros and cons of adding him to the rotation. He went...
The kids are alright
The kids are alright
Roch Kubatko
Orioles
Interesting strategy by the Jaguars today to keep taking a knee in the final minute with the ball on the Jets' 1-yard line and trailing by one point. They played for the field goal and to ensure that the Jets wouldn't have any time left on the clock for a game-winning drive. Running back Maurice Jones-Drew could have easily scored on a burst up the middle, and the Jets did nothing to stop him, but he purposely slid down at the 1. Quarterback David Garrard knelt on the next few snaps, and...
Injury updates
Injury updates
Roch Kubatko
Orioles
I had the craziest dream last night that Bill Belichick went for it on fourth-and-2 from his own 28-yard line with 2:08 left and his team holding a six-point lead. Must have been something I ate. Maybe Belichick needs a bench coach. I hear Dave Jauss is still available. I exchanged e-mails with Orioles manager Dave Trembley, and not to tease him about Notre Dame. He attended Saturday's Family FanFest in Sarasota, Fla., and had the opportunity to check on Nolan Reimold, Brad Bergesen and...
And the winner is...
And the winner is...
Roch Kubatko
Orioles
Oakland closer Andrew Bailey has been named the AL's Rookie of the Year. Bailey received 13 first-place votes. Texas shortstop Elvis Andrus finished second, one point ahead of Detroit pitcher Rick Porcello, after garnering eight first-place votes (one more than Porcello). Jeff Niemann was fourth, followed by Gordon Beckham and Brett Anderson. Florida outfielder Chris Coghlan won the NL award.
Quick AFL check
Quick AFL check
Roch Kubatko
Orioles
Third baseman Josh Bell hit his second home run tonight in the Phoenix Desert Dogs' 11-1 win over Mesa. Bell also doubled, walked and drove in three runs. He's batting .329 with seven doubles and 18 RBIs. The double came against former Oriole Randor Bierd. Bell homered off right-hander Tim Kiely. Matt Angle, batting leadoff and starting in center field, went 1-for-3 with an RBI, run scored and walk. Josh Perrault lowered his ERA to 1.86 with a scoreless ninth.
Latest on Hendrickson
Latest on Hendrickson
Roch Kubatko
Orioles
The Orioles placed a call yesterday to reliever Mark Hendrickson's agent, Joe Urbon, and were waiting to hear back from him. There isn't much to report beyond that little nugget. Teams no longer will hold exclusive negotiating rights with their free agents after Thursday. Hendrickson would like to re-sign with the Orioles, who are interested in keeping him. Manager Dave Trembley speaks highly of the left-hander, who became a valuable member of the bullpen as the season progressed -...
Heavy Cy
Heavy Cy
Roch Kubatko
Orioles
Major League Baseball will announce the AL's Cy Young Award winner later today, and judging by the title of this entry, you probably think I'm choosing CC Sabathia. Well, you'd be wrong. I'm guessing that Kansas City's Zack Greinke takes home the hardware after going 16-8 with a 2.16 ERA and 242 strikeouts in 229 1/3 innings. Greinke had six complete games, which used to be routine back in the Palmer/McNally/Cuellar/Dobson days. Not so much now. He also tossed three shutouts. Voters...
And the winner is...
And the winner is...
Roch Kubatko
Orioles
Kansas City Royals pitcher Zack Greinke received 25 of a possible 28 first-place votes to win the AL Cy Young Award in a landslide. Seattle's Felix Hernandez, the runner-up, received two first-place votes. Detroit's Justin Verlander had the other first-place vote and finished third. CC Sabathia and Roy Halladay were fourth and fifth, respectively. Greinke also had three second-place votes.
Quick AFL check
Quick AFL check
Roch Kubatko
Orioles
Josh Bell went 1-for-5 with a double in the Phoenix Desert Dogs' 5-4 loss to Scottsdale. Bell (.321) started at third base and batted cleanup. Right fielder Matt Angle led off for the Desert Dogs and went 0-for-4 with a walk and run scored. Eddie Gamboa allowed an unearned run and two hits in the bottom of the eighth, which proved costly when Phoenix rallied for three runs in the top of the ninth. Then again, Phoenix already clinched the East Division title and will play in the championship...
They Bop
They Bop
Roch Kubatko
Orioles
I had no idea that Delino DeShields spent the summer as hitting coach for the Billings Mustangs of the Pioneer League. So you can imagine my reaction when I read yesterday that he was named manager. Delino DeShields? Yep, that guy. I never thought of DeShields as manager material, but the Cincinnati Reds obviously disagree. Perhaps a baserunning instructor, but definitely not a motivational speaker. DeShields, nicknamed "Bop," did a lot of pouting during his three seasons with the...