Ten Reasons to Follow the O's in '08
With apologies to David Letterman, MASNsports.com's Steve Melewski breaks down the ten most important reasons to follow the O's in 2008.
1 - Adam Jones. Who isn't excited about watching this young talent continue to develop this year? Here's hoping they put him in CF and let him play 160 games. Don't worry if he struggles at times, because he will show big-time tools and brilliance at other times. Jones was the Mariners' minor league player of the year twice, but has hit just .230 in 139 big-league at bats. Be patient and remember Nick Markakis' rough start his first season.
2 - Jeremy Guthrie. Can a player picked up on waivers really turn out to be a top of the rotation pitcher ? We'll find out this year if Guthrie's success last season, when he was 13th in the AL in ERA at 3.70, was a fluke or if he's the real deal. Did the league catch up with him after the all-star break, when his ERA was 5.03 ? With his arm and stuff he has a chance to be the real thing.
3 - Nick Markakis. He's proven to be everything you want from a first-round pick and there seems to be even more to come. Last year he ranked in the top 25 of 11 offensive categories in the AL. Not to mention his top-notch defense and great attitude. He's the quiet kid who carries a big bat. We can't wait to see what he does next.
4 - Dave Trembley, year two. The Birds were 40-53 under Trembley after he took over last June 18. But in his first 50 games, they were 27-23. And during that 50-game stretch they won three straight series from the Yankees, going 6-3 and went 3-3 vs. Boston. He had the club playing well before the season-ending swoon. Joe Torre remarked how the club had more "energy" under Trembley. Maybe he can recapture that "50-game" magic at times during 2008.
5 - New acquisitions. Can Luke Scott out-homer Miguel Tejada? Are Dennis Sarfate, Greg Aquino and Randor Bierd answers for the bullpen? Can George Sherrill take hold of the closer role? Will Mike Costanzo hammer many homers in AAA? It will be interesting to see what some of the new O's contribute and which prove to be part of the future.
6 - The June draft. In three seasons as the O's director of scouting, Joe Jordan has drafted Nolan Reimold, Garrett Olson, Brandon Snyder, Brandon Erbe, Billy Rowell, Pedro Beato and Matt Wieters to name a few. His drafts have recieved solid reviews, so we look forward to this June as the Orioles have the fourth pick in round one. Perhaps in an effort for the club's hitting prospects to match its ams, Jordan has taken a position player first in each of his three Baltimore drafts.
7 - Rick Kranitz. When the O's hired Leo Mazzone it looked like he might become the best Baltimore pitching coach since George Bamberger cranked out 20-game winners. It never happened and for whatever reason, after a team ERA of 5.17, the O's made a change. Kranitz will be judged on how he works with the young pitchers and how they progress. He has a track record in this area and the O's need it to continue.
8 - Let's celebrate '83. The O's will hold several promotions during the season as this is the 25th anniversary of the 1983 World Series championship team. Anyone remember Tito Landrum? Of course you do. It will be fun to remember we once did have some great times around here. The club will hold an '83 turn back the clock night on July 23rd.
9 - Oriole Park at Camden Yards. Are any of us as good as we were sixteen years ago? Well, OPACY is showing no signs of age, since the park opened in 1992. It remains one of baseball's best and a can't miss trip for any baseball diehard. The Camden Yards experience is still one of baseball's best. Now if we could just keep some of those Yankee and Red Sox fans out. Another nice note-OPACY remains without a corporate name costing the club potential millions every year. Thanks to O's management for that and may it never change. [editor's note: Orioles fans are also in store for state-of-the-art upgrades to all of Oriole Park's scoreboards and main video board... all being unveiled on Opening Day 2008.]
10 - Andy MacPhail. We mention him last, but he is far from least. He is the man who holds the Orioles' hopefully bright future in his hands. When he talks he makes sense and he clearly has a vision and plan. His first two major trades were praised from all corners of the baseball industry. He has a track record, he has the owner's trust. What's not to like. In an organization that has lost plenty of good people over the years, Davey Johnson and Pat Gillick to name just two, we need this to work this time. Enough is enough. In Andy we trust.
Let me know what you think of the 2008 O's, post a comment. Steve.
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