Where in the Yard? (Updated w/ Answer)

Where in the Yard? (Updated w/ Answer)
It's officially a new year for Orioles baseball, but the slates haven't been wiped clean here in the Orioles Buzz. We're already two weeks into the new weekly feature, 'Where in the Yard?' and a few of you are two-for-two. Whether this will be your first attempt or you've been here before, add another to your tally by guessing where the photo below was taken in or around Oriole Park at Camden Yards. Want to know where you rank with other fans? Check back to the Orioles Buzz following...

Bergesen's injury

Bergesen's injury
Orioles pitcher Brad Bergesen confirmed tonight that he injured his right shoulder in December and will be "a little behind" the other pitchers in spring training, though he fully expects to be ready for Opening Day. The injury occurred during a commercial shoot inside a batting cage at Camden Yards. Bergesen said he tweaked the shoulder as he was finishing up, and he contacted the team's trainers when the discomfort wouldn't subside. Bergesen said he strained the capsule in his shoulder...

More on Bergy

More on Bergy
I placed a call to pitcher Brad Bergesen shortly before 9 p.m. last night, which he returned about 20 minutes later. We had a nice chat, though I kept it brief. The poor kid will be dealing with the media on a daily basis beginning next week, so I try not to intrude much during the winter months. I wanted to check on his health, and whether the rumors were true that he sustained an injury while shooting a commercial two months ago. I heard some whispers, and they grew loud enough yesterday...

ONEderful Wishes

ONEderful Wishes
Of all the Orioles' efforts in the community, Brian Roberts' work with the University of Maryland hospital for children is one of the most well known. Though B-Rob sometimes prefers to keep the specifics of his visits to the hospital out of the limelight, he's always looking for ways to make an impact, and there's no bigger example than his annual Baseball Bash. But this time, Roberts is looking to make a difference for those kids beyond his late summer Baseball Bash and the typical...

Good news on Guthrie; info on Itzoe public viewing

Good news on Guthrie; info on Itzoe public viewing
The Orioles announced that they've reached agreement with Jeremy Guthrie on a one-year contract, thus avoiding an arbitration hearing next week and any potential hard feelings. Guthrie filed for $3.625 million and the Orioles countered with $2.3 million. They agreed to $3 million, the projected figure based on past settlements. Guthrie earned $650,000 last season while going 10-17 with a 5.04 ERA and a league-high 35 homers allowed in 33 starts covering 200 innings. Also, a public viewing...

Where in the Yard? (Updated w/ Answer)

Where in the Yard? (Updated w/ Answer)
This week marks the fourth round of the O's Buzz photo feature 'Where in the Yard?' and more than a few of you are showing just how well you know your very own Camden Yards. We'll really find out how well you're doing when we post a few standings here in the O's Buzz following next week's photo challenge. But in Week 4, I'm predicting that there might be a wide range of guesses, as the old cartoon Bird has nested in various places around the Yard. If your guesses are all over Oriole...

Guthrie on his agreement

Guthrie on his agreement
Pitcher Jeremy Guthrie and his representatives were prepared for an arbitration hearing, and confident in their chances of winning it, but they elected to avoid the process and reached an agreement with the Orioles earlier today on a one-year deal. "It's exciting to come to an agreement that both sides agree is fair," Guthrie said during our phone conversation a few minutes ago. "We've been working on this for about a year, anticipating this part of my career - with my agents and with...

Orioles renew partnership with WSBA

Orioles renew partnership with WSBA
The Orioles today announced a multi-year partnership with NewsRadio 910 WSBA to air Orioles baseball in York, Pa. WSBA aired Orioles baseball in Central Pennsylvania from 1988 through 2006. The Orioles then made the switch to WOYK 1350, where Yorkers listened to Orioles games for the past three seasons. But after a brief separation, the O's and WSBA have renewed their partnership, and starting again this season, WSBA will air regular season games, select spring training games (starting in...

Hurt so good

Hurt so good
Calling into last night's Hot Stove Show on 105.7 The Fan, Orioles pitcher David Hernandez conceded that he needs to command his fastball down in the strike zone. He can't always live dangerously with the high heater. "You keep repeating the upper strike," he said, "and hitters start looking at that one area." The kid is learning. Hernandez notices that he's constantly mentioned in the same sentence as Jason Berken (see, it happened again), though they're totally different pitchers....

Hurt so good - Part II

Hurt so good - Part II
Calling into Friday night's Hot Stove Show on 105.7 The Fan, right fielder Nick Markakis said he doesn't care whether he bats second or third this season. He pointed out that it really doesn't matter after the first inning. Markakis will mostly hit third, as he did last season, but the Orioles aren't settled at the second and cleanup spots. He'll move around on occasion. Markakis hit second in 14 games last season, batting .317 with seven doubles, two homers, eight RBIs and a .925 OPS....

Countdown to Spring Training

Countdown to Spring Training
Orioles spring training tickets go on sale at 10:00 a.m. on Saturday, January 16. If that doesn't tell you that baseball season is right around the corner, what does? The countdown to spring training has officially begun, and in case you're on the fence as to whether you want to make the trip down to the Orioles' first spring training in Sarasota, a handful of O's fans took a break from planning their trips to share their plans with the Orioles Buzz. One O's fan, Monte Schisler, a...

Getting ready to report

Getting ready to report
By this time tomorrow, I'll probably be standing in line to check my bag at the AirTran counter. Or I'll be sitting in the back of a cab on my way to the airport to stand in line to check my bag at the AirTran counter. Or I'll be trying to calm my nerves while standing in line to book another flight at the AirTran counter after mine is cancelled because of the snow. I'm not looking forward to tomorrow. I've packed a carry-on bag, but I still have to load up my suitcase. I've gathered...

FanFest to feature more than 70 Orioles (Updated)

FanFest to feature more than 70 Orioles (Updated)
The Orioles have announced today that more than 70 current, future and former Orioles players and coaches will participate in this year's Orioles FanFest at the Baltimore Convention Center next Saturday, January 23. The Following current and future O's are scheduled to attend: Matt Albers Robert Andino Garrett Atkins Michael Aubrey Josh Bell Brad Bergesen Jason Berken Alberto Castillo Brandon Erbe Michael Gongzelz Jeremy Guthrie David Hernandez Rhyne Huges Jim Johnson Adam Jones Nick...

Running the option

Running the option
One of the more commonly asked questions in spring training involves players who are out of minor league options. You wants names. I want to pass them along to you. It's the perfect storm. It also won't require that you put on a heavy coat and grab a shovel. You can check out this list from mlbtraderumors that contains players who are out of options and have less than five years of service time. They have to clear waivers before being sent down. The Orioles' representatives are Matt...

Season plan holders to receive Brooks Robinson figurine

Season plan holders to receive Brooks Robinson figurine
All 2010 Orioles full and partial season plan holders are in for a one-of-a-kind reward for their loyal support of the O's. Keep an eye on your mailbox for an exclusive Brooks Robinson figurine, depicting the Hall of Famer with his glove dipped in 14 Karat Gold. All fans who renew their full or partial season plans or purchase a plan (with a two-seat minimum) by February 5 will receive the Brooks Robinson figurine as part of the Orange Carpet Program. Fans who have already renewed...

The keys to Koji

The keys to Koji
Any reference to the Orioles' bullpen has to include Koji Uehara. And any reference to Koji Uehara has to include a mention of his health. Uehara missed two weeks in spring training with a strained hamstring and went on the disabled list with the same injury in late May. He returned to the disabled list on June 24 with a sore right elbow, later diagnosed as a partial tear of the flexor tendon. The Orioles finally sent him home in September. The last time we checked, Uehara was playing catch...

Because You Asked - The Final Insult

Because You Asked - The Final Insult
Spring training starts, but the questions won't end. You know them, you need them, you want them, you can't live without them. And you'll keep reheating them and pretending they're fresh. Sort of like the side dishes in the press dining room. No matter how many times I shovel the snow off my sidewalk, the questions are piled much higher. And while no two snowflakes are alike - at least in my personal collection that I keep in a safe deposit box - your inquiries look strangely...

Where in the Yard? (Updated w/Answer)

Where in the Yard? (Updated w/Answer)
Happy Martin Luther King Jr. Day everyone. Whether you're at work or off for the holiday, we're back at the ballpark for another Where in the Yard? challenge here in the Orioles Buzz. This week promises more Birds, but these two aren't the only ones of their kind that you'll find in the Yard. And don't forget, since we've reached Week 5, things will play out a little differently come the mid-week reveal. You'll have until Wednesday to submit your guess for this week's photo, as...

Some Standings...

Some Standings...
Drum roll please... Okay, so it's not that dramatic, but below is the first set of standings for the Orioles Buzz photo feature 'Where in the Yard?' But before you wonder where all the points came from, here's how I broke things down. There were five opportunities to identify photos taken in or around Camden Yards - 5 points. Then on top of those five, there were also opportunities for bonus points. In the first round, knowing a little something extra about Babe Ruth's glove scored...

Postcard from the edge

Postcard from the edge
I have seven weeks to fall in love with Sarasota. Right now, I want to take it out for a nice seafood dinner and never call it again. Let's just say my first impression of the city hasn't been a good one. There's not a lot to see and do on Fruitville Rd., at least the stretch that I've traveled since leaving the airport. I can't imagine that this particular area is a hot tourist attraction unless you're into medical buildings and auto repair shops. In that case, you'll want to keep...