Orioles to raise funds for Haitian relief effort

Orioles to raise funds for Haitian relief effort
The Orioles and OriolesREACH will help to raise funds for the Haitian relief effort through a variety of means at the team's FanFest celebration this Saturday at the Baltimore Convention Center. A portion of the money generated from FanFest ticket sales, as well as proceeds from silent auctions and sales of O's memorabilia will be donated to the Haitian earthquake relief effort. Collection buckets will also be placed at various locations throughout the Convention Center for fans who wish to...

Getting plenty of Birds for your buck at Orioles FanFest

Getting plenty of Birds for your buck at Orioles FanFest
On the fence as to whether or not you want to head to Orioles FanFest tomorrow? Aside from the fact that your time could hardly be better spent than supporting the O's on a Saturday just weeks from the start of Spring Training, you'll get plenty of the Birds for your buck. Tickets to FanFest are just $10 for adults and $5 for children 14 and younger and fans 55 and over. Parking is complementary. Now first, factor in the portion of your ticket dollars that will go toward the Haitian...

A fantastic FanFest

A fantastic FanFest
This year's Orioles FanFest is in the books, and the event appeared to be an overwhelming success. Lines stretched around the block as fans eagerly awaited entrance to 2010 FanFest, and the Convention Center and its surrounding streets were flooded with Oriole orange and black. The sprawling first floor of the Convention Center held everything from Orioles Bingo to Fan Forums, ticket counters, giveaway booths, baseball clinics, memorabilia sales, and autograph stages. As Roch and Steve...

First sign of spring

First sign of spring
It wasn't much of a challenge to find Ed Smith Stadium today. Just hang a left at the huge sign, complete with the cartoon Oriole bird, which welcomes you to the team's new spring training home. I'm seeing a lot of orange and black around here. That Cincinnati red has been covered up nicely. Jim Johnson just threw off flat ground, with Chad Moeller providing the target. "I'm back home," said Moeller, who trained here with the Reds in 2007. Koji Uehara is jogging in the outfield. And a...

Where in the Yard? (Updated w/ Answer)

Where in the Yard? (Updated w/ Answer)
Following an O's-filled weekend that brought you 2010 Orioles FanFest, we're right back here in the Orioles Buzz for another Monday edition of 'Where in the Yard?' Last week we looked at a few standings, which put Lauren in the lead, but this week the slates are wiped clean. We'll start over and give you all a fresh chance to out-identify Lauren on all things Orioles. If you're new to the O's Buzz and/or 'Where in the Yard?' - Welcome to either or both, it's the perfect time to...

Koji update

Koji update
Koji Uehara threw off a mound for the first time yesterday at the club's minor league complex, which is located about 15 minutes from Ed Smith Stadium. "I'm feeling good," Uehara said through his interpreter, Jiwon Bang. When I asked about Uehara's hamstring, he replied, "So far, so good." A smile creased his face. He knows it won't be the last time we're checking on his health. Uehara said he hasn't talked to manager Dave Trembley or anyone in the front office about moving to the...

A big hat for Bergesen

A big hat for Bergesen
After the long winter months of the offseason, the O's news is finally starting to heat up. From FanFest to single-game ticket sales, promos, and the return of Tejada, there's no shortage of Orioles buzz in the days leading up to spring training. But before we get to all that this weekend, let's jump back to FanFest for a short story involving rookie pitcher Brad Bergesen. Early on in the day, as Bergesen walked into an Orioles corporate sponsor VIP room, he took a seat next to new Oriole...

A first look at the O's plans for Sarasota

A first look at the O's plans for Sarasota
Orioles fans don't have long to wait before the O's report to their first spring training in Sarasota, but you can steal a look at the renovations in the works for 2011 even sooner than that. The Major League facilities at Ed Smith Stadium and the Minor League complex at Twin Lakes Park, now dubbed the Buck O'Neil Baseball Complex, will both undergo renovations to make Sarasota the true spring home of the O's by next year. But a handful of artist renderings of the plans for the team's...

Arrieta and Mickolio

Arrieta and Mickolio
Jake Arrieta showed up today with a neatly trimmed beard that will be gone tomorrow. Arrieta has thrown about 12 bullpen sessions since Jan. 4. He'll try to squeeze into the rotation, perhaps bumping Chris Tillman from the fifth spot. Assuming Brad Bergesen avoids the disabled list, that would be Arrieta's best shot. "Whether there's an opening or not, I have to do everything I can to come out here and perform to the best of my ability and be confident in myself that all the hard work...

Where in the Yard? (Updated w/Answer)

Where in the Yard? (Updated w/Answer)
It's February 1st already, which means the Orioles officially report to spring training this month. That said, O's fans probably don't need extra help getting excited for Orioles baseball, but a mental walk around the Yard never hurts - so we're back for another 'Where in the Yard?' photo challenge in the Orioles Buzz. And no, this week's image isn't a gimme - the giveaways don't start until Opening Day, and even then, you'll have to head to the ballpark gates if you're looking for...

General info on Patton

General info on Patton
Catcher Caleb Joseph still can't believe that he's in major league camp. He's waiting for someone to pinch him - though that might not be a good idea in the shower area. "All of these names," he said, gazing at the rows of lockers. "It's like Christmas in February." Brian Matusz and Chris Tillman reported to camp earlier today and ducked inside the weight room, which also is much bigger than my townhouse. No more tents set up in the parking lot. Championship banners have been hung...

Sherry named to top 'Singles in Smalltimore'

Sherry named to top 'Singles in Smalltimore'
You probably know that Nicole Sherry is only the second woman to hold the position of Head Groundskeeper for a Major League Baseball team. But did you know that she's also listed in Baltimore Magazine's top singles in "Smalltimore"? Pictured in a short black dress and matching high heels - a far cry from the khakis, orange polos, and sneakers we're used to seeing her sport at Camden Yards - Sherry made a list of 12 notable singles in Baltimore. The magazine's feature points to "the...

Where in the Yard? (Updated w/Answer)

Where in the Yard? (Updated w/Answer)
Did you survive the snow? I hope so - and if you didn't get any snow over the last few days, there are crowds of us who are jealous of you right now. How many days until the O's report to Sarasota? Then we can at least "think warm" and remember what sunlight looks like... But in the meantime, buckets of snow can't stop your walks down memory lane as you look to identify the item in the photo below for another 'Where in the Yard?' here in the Orioles Buzz. Good Luck and stay warm...

Wrapping it up

Wrapping it up
Day One didn't bring any major surprises in camp beyond the drastic differences between the Sarasota and Fort Lauderdale facilities. No more bumping into players inside a crowded clubhouse. No more tents posing as weight rooms. No more contact highs from the gas fumes at the executive airport. It will take some time before I stop shouting my questions to manager Dave Trembley. It wasn't easy being heard over the sound of planes taking off beyond the outfield fence. I can't get used to...

Become Sarasota's Voice of the Orioles

Become Sarasota's Voice of the Orioles
The Orioles have announced that they'll hold open tryouts on Saturday, February 20 for the position of public address announcer for the O's in Sarasota. So if you live in the vicinity of Ed Smith Stadium and think yours could be the new Voice of the O's for their first spring training in Sarasota, bring your resume and arrive at the team's new spring home by 12:30 p.m. for registration. (Complimentary parking is available in the East Parking Lot at Ed Smith Stadium.) Tryouts will begin...

Sending out another postcard

Sending out another postcard
I've been known to rush into relationships, and I'm ready to pay Sarasota's bills and buy it a sports car. Let's just say the place is growing on me. And fast. It's funny what happens once you venture a few miles from your hotel. If you're heading down here to catch a few spring training games and avoid the next blizzard, you'll want to visit Mediterraneo on Main St., but only if you can handle one of the best Italian meals of your life. Dine at your own risk. I'm listed as...

Where in the Yard? (Updated w/Answer)

Where in the Yard? (Updated w/Answer)
Welcome to a big week in Birdland, as the O's officially report to spring training this week (as if I needed to tell you!). From here, the 2010 season will begin and continue to take shape, and we'll see what the Birds' flock of young O's are capable of soon enough. But for now, welcome back to the Orioles Buzz, where we have another photo from Camden Yards ready for you to identify for this week's 'Where in the Yard?' Just in case you're joining us for the first time, simply take a...

The morning scene

The morning scene
Players are lined up in the clubhouse to take their physicals before the first workout. Brian Matusz and Chris Tillman arrived together again today, and they walked out together to grab breakfast. They stretched on the field together yesterday. You could say they're inseparable. Reliever Wilfrido Perez said his left arm is fine after he underwent surgery over the summer to remove bone chips from his elbow. Perez will compete for the job of lefty specialist, but I'm still guessing that he...

Watch the O's on MASN during spring training

Watch the O's on MASN during spring training
The first Orioles spring training game kicks off on Wednesday, March 3 at 1:05 p.m. against the Rays, with many more to follow. But if you aren't lucky enough to be heading to Ed Smith Stadium to see the Birds in person, you'll be able to catch your first glimpse of the O's on MASN on Sunday, March 7 at 1:05 p.m. That Sunday's game will be the first of four opportunities Orioles fans will have to see the Birds play before they break the 2010 season wide open against the Rays on Opening...

Feeding the Birds

Feeding the Birds
If you're headed to Sarasota to see the O's in their new spring training home, Roch's already sending back good reviews. The facilities are clearly an improvement from the past, and the general opinion is a high one of Sarasota. And while the area has hardly been extensively scouted, here are a few recommendations from Roch and fellow O's fans who've been there: Gus 12th Street Café: According to Roch's quick note at the bottom of his General info on Patton post,...