Markakis family to make Turkey Day brighter for Maryland families

Markakis family to make Turkey Day brighter for Maryland families
The baseball season might be over, but the season for giving is quickly upon us; and in that spirit, the Markakis family will continue their charitable efforts throughout Maryland communities by helping to give area families full and happy Thanksgivings this season. Nick and Christinia Markakis will join the Maryland Food Bank this Saturday, November 21 from 11:00 a.m. to noon to help distribute frozen Thanksgiving turkeys to pre-registered families in need. While the Markakises will be the...

Minor achievement on Sept. 20, 1998

Minor achievement on Sept. 20, 1998
Another rumor for me to chase: I hear Tom Brady's baby wanted to bounce on daddy's knee, and he drew a 15-yard penalty. I'm playing a hunch here, but I bet Ryan Minor's legacy in baseball won't have anything to do with being hired as Delmarva's manager. It has to be his tenure as a York Revolution coach. Or maybe - just maybe - it will be the night he replaced Cal Ripken at third base. On Sept. 20, 1998, Ripken walked into manager Ray Miller's office at Camden Yards and voluntarily...

Offseasons, retirement don't stop these former Orioles

Offseasons, retirement don't stop these former Orioles
If you talk to a sports broadcaster or front office member, they'll likely laugh a little as they use the word "offseason." There's not a whole lot "off" about it, they'll say, as everyone from the grounds crew to the front office spend their winter months preparing for next season, while broadcasters often fill their "down time" with the equally non-stop schedule of another sport. In former Oriole turned MASN broadcaster Rick Dempsey's case, he's not providing color analysis for...

Another September swoon

Another September swoon
The O's can only hope the saying "it's darkest before the dawn" might apply to baseball as well. It's getting pretty dark around here lately. Until this ten-game losing streak, the Orioles were not only competing with but they were beating good teams. They took two of three from Texas and won back to back series over the Yankees (on the road) and vs. Tampa. That all happened in September, although it seems years away now. With some recent blowout losses, the teams' effort can be...

MSA performs maintenance on OPACY

MSA performs maintenance on OPACY
There are still well over 100 days until Orioles baseball officially begins in 2010, but Nicole Sherry and her grounds crew haven't been alone inside Oriole Park over the last few weeks of the baseball offseason. It's too early for FanFest, let alone ballgames at the Yard, but since I'm lucky enough to have a ballpark-facing office here in the MASNsports.com WebStudio, I couldn't help noticing the hum and I asked Director of Communications Greg Bader what the buzz was all about. Many of...

Interest remains in Delgado

Interest remains in Delgado
The Orioles will send representatives to Puerto Rico next week to scout Carlos Delgado, who recently began playing for Gigantes de Carolina. Delgado hit his first home run last night, a solo shot in the eighth inning, and collected his first two RBIs. He's batting .364. The Orioles tried to scout him in Puerto Rico earlier this winter, but he wasn't ready to play. Delgado has been serving as the designated hitter, but the Orioles consider him an option at first base. They also have...

The final road series: O's at Tampa

The final road series:  O's at Tampa
Game Preview Orioles (60-95) at Tampa (79-76) After going winless at Toronto and Cleveland, the O's play at Tampa tonight. It's the start of the final week and final road series of the year. The Orioles are 0-6 on this trip and have lost ten games in a row. Tonight, the Rays host the Orioles in the opener of a four-game series at Tropicana Field at 7:08 p.m. Pitching Matchups - Tampa series: Mon, 7:08p - Mark Hendrickson (5-5, 4.37) v. Jeff Niemann (12-6, 3.81) Tues, 7:08p - Jeremy...

Quick Q&A's

Quick Q&A's
When you were little and you wrote a letter to Brooks or Cal, you probably didn't ask him which right-handed bat the Orioles might sign this offseason or where the Orioles might find a left-handed reliever. If you did, maybe you were ahead of the curve, and if those are the questions you're asking as an adult, you're at least in the middle of the class. But back then, things like "What's your favorite TV show?" or "What kind of junk food do you like?" were more likely to top your list...

Everything Orioles

Everything Orioles
The shopping season has officially begun. But if you're more excited about "Cyber Monday" than "Black Friday," you might also be interested in the Orioles' Holiday Gift Guide. Inside the guide, you'll find links to purchase Orioles season plans, ballpark tours, personalized jerseys, Orioles Yearbooks, 2010 O's pet calendars, gift certificates and more. Make a gift truly your own by uploading your own photo in the Orioles Photo Store, which offers anything from mouse pads to mugs to...

Tonight's pitchers: Hendrickson vs. Niemann

Tonight's pitchers:  Hendrickson vs. Niemann
LHP Mark Hendrickson (5-5, 4.37) tonight makes his 10th start of this season, his 5th on the road and his 4th vs. Tampa Bay. Hendrickson pitched well, but did not get a decision Tuesday at Toronto. Over six innings, he gave up four hits and two runs, throwing 68 pitches. Hendrickson, 2009 season: As starter: 1-5, 5.73, nine starts As reliever: 4-0, 3.44, 42 games The Hendrickson-Niemann pitching matchup tonight features a pair of 6'9" hurlers. Hendrickson pitched with Tampa from...

Dempsey and Markakis light up the season

Dempsey and Markakis light up the season
Two Orioles will be helping Charm City usher in the holiday season this week when Nick and Christina Markakis and former Oriole Rick Dempsey participate in holiday events around Baltimore. Nick and Christina will participate in "A Monumental Occasion," the 38th annual lighting of the Washington Monument, this Thursday, December 3. Nick and Christina will "flip the switch" to light up the Monument in Baltimore's Mount Vernon neighborhood and officially kick off the holiday...

O's fall in Tampa as losing streak reaches 11

O's fall in Tampa as losing streak reaches 11
The O's got a decent outing from a starter and six runs on offense, but their struggling bullpen could not hold on again. Tampa pushed across a run in the last of the 8th to snap a 6-6 tie and beat the Orioles 7-6, handing the Birds their 11th straight loss. It's the longest losing streak since the O's lost 12 in a row from August 16-28, 2004. Ben Zobrist doubled off Chris Ray leading off the 8th and moved to third on a groundout. Danys Baez came on and Pat Burrell's sac fly put Tampa...

Post-game Notes: Pen can't hold lead vs. TB

Post-game Notes:  Pen can't hold lead vs. TB
The pen falters again - The O's bullpen went from bad to worse Monday night. The pen could not protect a 6-3 lead after six and a half innings. Willie Aybar's three-run, pinch hit homer tied it in the 7th and Tampa scored the winning run in the 8th. Tonight the O's pen allowed four hits and four runs over three innings. The pen ERA on this road trip is 8.37. The bullpen ERA over the last 29 games is 6.77. Dave Trembley talks with Gary and Jim after the O's 7-6 loss Starter Mark...

Winter Meetings and Greetings

Winter Meetings and Greetings
The countdown to the Winter Meetings continues, as we draw nearer to the turning point of the offseason. From here, the rest seems like a downhill ride right into spring training and a whole new baseball season. Most of you are probably anticipating Roch Kubatko's coverage from the Winter Meetings for MASNsports.com, as he'll be there for every minute of it, catching every rumor and move and pitching them your way from Indianapolis. So check back for updates from Roch throughout the...

The 'Twitter Meetings' - For Better or Worse?

The 'Twitter Meetings' - For Better or Worse?
The info is essentially instantaneous at this year's Winter Meetings. Reporters are writing, blogging, recording, and tweeting information at all hours and from all angles in Indianapolis. One of the reporters MASNsports.com sent to Indy this year admitted that he was nearly exhausted heading into only day two of the flurry that is the Winter Meetings. The energy and upkeep required of the kind of pace they're maintaining in Indy is incredible, but fans are benefiting with more...

This and That from Indianapolis

This and That from Indianapolis
Video from Indy Have you been keeping up with MASNsports.com's collection of video coverage from this year's Winter Meetings? Access the full collection of Orioles video coverage here, and don't forget to take a look at the daily exclusive one-on-one interviews with Orioles president of baseball operations Andy MacPhail. Observing the activity Craig Calcaterra of NBC Sports put together a brief list of observations from this year's Winter Meetings. There's nothing earth shattering...

A break from the Winter Meetings

A break from the Winter Meetings
A group of 15 current and former Orioles gathered today for an event completely unrelated to the Winter Meetings. Leaving deals and trades, contracts and career stats in Indy, this group of ballplayers spent the afternoon with 80 kids from Lakeland Elementary School at the Orioles Christmas Party for Kids. Chris Ray, Cla Meredith, Jeremy Guthrie, Brad Bergesen, Chris Tillman, and Brian Bass made up the roster of current players; Brandon Erbe, Steve Johnson, and Chorye Spoone joined the lunch...

Working on the Farm

Working on the Farm
They're out there. You might have even heard of someone getting one. And you wonder how they did... Seasonal internships and part-time positions are currently available with the Bowie Baysox, Frederick Keys and Delmarva Shorebirds in the Orioles' farm system. Think you'd love to work in baseball and want to give it a try first? Intern with the marketing department, fan services, or stadium operations and find out how it all works. Interning in the minors, you're likely to have a broad...

Kicking off a new year of Orioles baseball with FanFest 2010

Kicking off a new year of Orioles baseball with FanFest 2010
The Orioles have announced that the next O's FanFest is scheduled for Saturday, January 23, 2010 from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. at the Baltimore Convention Center. Orioles FanFest has been held in the Convention Center in January before, but for the past three years, the Orioles have held FanFest in the stadium at Camden Yards just prior to the start of the new season. Since the O's will open the 2010 season away from the Yard (in Tampa against the Rays on Tuesday, April 6), they've decided to...

Meet the newest Oriole

Meet the newest Oriole
The newest addition to the Orioles' roster met the Baltimore media at his introductory press conference this afternoon. You can check out video from the presser by clicking here to visit the MASNsports.com Media Lounge. But here's your chance to get to know the newest Oriole: Mike Vela Gonzalez... Born: May 23, 1978 High School: Graduated from Harvest Christian Academy in Pasadena, Texas in 1996 College: One year at San Jacinto Junior College in Houston, Texas Resides: Deer Park,...