Rise and shine
Good morning and welcome back to the School of Roch, where you're only given detention if you forget to bring the teacher a shot and a Yuengling chaser.
No Jager, please.
So is everyone here (and yes, I'm aware that it's a Saturday, but this isn't your typical school). Brian...Jennifer...everyone? I'm taking roll call in a few minutes.
I had an English teacher at Old Mill High whose idea of punishment was making me sit with all of my disruptive friends in a cluster so he could ridicule us as being "groundlings."
Yeah, there's nothing worse when you're a teenager than being forced to push your desk against the ones belonging to your friends. Pure torture. And that "groundlings" remark was so below the belt, I could barely show my face in public.
(And if I truly believed it looked like the one in this blog photo, I'd still be hiding under the bed with my Playboys and dirty dishes).
A black bear on a golf course? Tiger Woods really has had a positive influence on the game.
(OK, it's still pretty early in the morning. Cut me some slack).
Show of hands - and in this classroom, I'm normally fine with you shouting out the answer - if you expected Garrett Olson to be leading the Orioles in victories on Aug. 2.
I might have to crack a few knuckles with my ruler, because NOBODY thought that would happen. Don't even try.
Olson was throwing strikes last night. He was challenging hitters. He looked confident and in control. And he was facing a really bad team. I'll take him every five days in this rotation.
Olson has nothing else to prove in Triple-A. Send him to Norfolk and he'll win 10 straight decisions. So what? He needs to pitch here and be properly evaluated, and to work on the things that will keep him here. That wasn't the case with Radhames Liz. He never should have been brought up, except the Orioles were desperate and Steve Trachsel screwed up everything by failing to eat up innings (Adam Loewen's injury didn't help matters, either).
Has anyone seen Trachsel? With teams so desperate for pitching, it surprises me that he's still unemployed - at least as far as I know.
I hear the next episode of Sesame Street will including a counting game with all the Orioles shortstops. Juan Castro (one), Brandon Fahey (two), Alex Cintron (three)...
The advanced kids get to include Luis Hernandez, Freddie Bynum and Eider Torres.
Finally, a four-man bench. How long has it been?
It's old news, but also a new blog, so I'll also mention that Daniel Cabrera's six-game suspension is ridiculous. I know his reputation, but he wasn't throwing at Alex Rodriguez. Give me a break.
You think Brian Burres gets six games if he comes inside to Jose Molina?
Burres, by the way, will pitch in relief at Norfolk, and not because the Tides' rotation is so deep. This isn't a knock, but Burres is most valuable as a long reliever/swingman.
I'm still trying to get used to Manny Ramirez in a Dodgers uniform. It just looks...strange. So does the No. 99 he's wearing - in honor of his IQ. Or am I giving him too much credit?
A scout told me on Sunday that fifth-round pick Greg Miclat would sign, even though I kept hearing that he would be difficult and the Orioles could lose his draft rights. And sure enough, he signed.
Too bad I didn't have a blog to include that information last week.
OK, it's time to take a break. I'm envisioning Saturday detention on The Breakfast Club. Feel free to roam the halls. Go get a soda. Climb through the ducts. Enjoy yourselves. Life is too short.
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Categories (click for archive)Roch Kubatko |
What a strange game last night -- especially the 9th inning. I think the Mariners had 3 infield hits in the 9th.
Anyway, good job by Olson to pitch into the 9th. Too bad he couldn't get a few more outs for the complete game.
Roch,
Glad to see you are back and as good as ever! I still think this photo is better than the last one. If the O's call up Penn do you think they will call up Bergeson to AAA?
Bay said:
I believe the scorekeeper was being gratuitous with the infield hits in the 9th inning last night. In my opinion, it was poor fielding.
Now I know what it must feel like to be a crack addict in the middle of a snow storm. I have been sitting here for days waiting for my Roch fix. Welcome back dude.
Now for the Montanez thing, 8 rbis, hits for the cycle and still in AA. All I can figure is that Andy feels obligated to keep Murders Rows (Montanex, Reimold, Weiters)in tact for the Baysox playoffs. When Andy gets more acclimated to Baltimore he will understand that Murders Row fits in much better with a Baltimore culture.
The O's and their top three minor league teams scored 51 runs and 64 hits in four games last night. Break up the O's war machine. It is a wonder all of the other teams weren't trying to raid the O's minors at the trade deadline. Well maybe they were and we just didnt read about it because of Roch's inability to "work the streets" for a few days.
Roch on Dude.
wow. such gravity! am i actually on masn.com????????
yr pal, t.w.o.
ps. schmuck is blogging with youthful ferocity. i don't think he can keep up that pace.
Hey Roch, congrats on the new job. I've read your blog since the beginning and I'm so glad it's not gone.
I agree with you on the D-Cab suspension. It's just ridiculous that MLB thought he was throwing intentionally and Edwar Whatever-His-Name-Is wasn't. I've said time and time again, you just can't throw at the Yankees. If you do, you'll be hanging from a crucifix.
Hey Roch - I'm sensing a little bitterness towards the Sun. Did they not let you post any O's info after you let the cat out of the bag?
Anyway, great to see you land on your feet.
Welcome back!
I was hoping they would leave Olson in to complete the game. He was, however, up to 117 pitches. Did Trembley say anything about Olson being tired, or was he just looking at pitch count?
We need to get the our top pick sign do you no when that is goning to happen
Welcome back, Roch! Great game last night even though I struggled to stay awake for the very end. Definitely no Jaeger for me.
must have been tough missing the trade deadline, but it's great to have you back on an active roster. Almost as big as Manny to the Dodgers! I think Olson is growing into the starters role-good patience by the FO. Rich- can we get an opinion on the O's standing pat in July?
It may take a few of your blogger pals to realize school is back in session. It may take a few days, but we'll all find you eventually. But not to worry, you'll soon be back to passing along your knowledge to the old crew. I'm sure Jennifer, Kevin on the Shore, JPA, Tom D, Brian and the rest of your crew will be along soon.
Great to have you back! I'm sure more than a few of us have been going through Roch withdrawals over the past week.
Welcome back, Roch. It's been a long 4 days without your blog...
Looks like Cormier is becoming Cormier.
I keep asking...why don't the O's go after Freddie Garcia?
At this rate Miclat will be in town by the end of the week.
Olson is doing fine. He's progressing nicely. Tell him to feel free to share that with a few of his co workers.
Spent yesterday arguing with a less mentally gifted person about the O's standing pat. I was fine with it, he wanted to dump everybody including the grounds crew. I say if ya can't fleece em, keep what you have.
Welcome back Roch.
Judging by the comments, your readers are handling your relocation a LOT better than we did the re-design of the Sun website. I hope you told Luis Montanez how to get to the new blog.
Since you work for MASN, is Peter Angelos your boss? Doesn't he own MASN? Or is that just what disgruntled Nats fans claim? Is your switch to MASN going to force you to play up the O's-Nats "rivalry"?
Can anybody inform Jennifer that Roch is in MASN now?
Roch - So glad you are back. After not missing a day of Roch Around The Clock for the last 2 years, last week was pure torture. Thanks for all you do to keep us O's fans informed and entertained.
Are you getting concerned about our number one pick yet?
What is your opinion about the O's standing pat at the deadline?
Roch, maybe you can help out the people at MASN, I'm trying to subscribe to your RSS feed, but instead I'm getting EVERY blog post from EVERY person at MASN.
Most blogs have an RSS icon or something, but I can't find one.
Anyway, great to see you're back.
Hey Roch! It's great to see you up and running. It's a pleasure reading your blogs and it's been strange not reading your blogs in The Sun. It became part of my daily internet routine, so I guess now I have to add masnsports.com to that routine. Either way, it's worth it and we're glad to see you're still around. Only problem is now we have to see that goofy lookin' mug of yours on masn every night for pregame! :P
Roch,
I was driving up through Philly last night and saw a billboard that Juan Samuel is going to be inducted in the phillies HOF. Will our 3rd base coach miss a game?
Also, great to see you back in action. Obviously MASN made a great move signing as this website will see alot more traffic. Should be cool to see some of the interactive features of your blog now too. I still think though one day we will see you on PTI.
Roch - Best of luck over here. Your insights are always appreciated.
I think you are right about Manny wanting his IQ. He first requested #66, but was turned down for some reason.
I think Penn should make the start Tuesday. No reason to rush another guy to the majors like we did with Liz. Penn has some experience, and, while he hasn't been great at AAA, probably has a better chance to succeed here than Bergenson.
"Excuse me, Roch? Will milk be made available to us?"
Speaking of the Cabrera suspension, how come Joe Girardi doesn't get suspended for ordering the retaliation pitch on Millar? Does anyone really believe Ramirez came up with the idea on his own?
Yay for Roch being back! I've missed your blogs over the past couple days. It was great to see Olson do so well last night - only wish it wasn't such a late game..oh well. And hey, the O's are the featured team on Fox's This Week in Baseball today, which is on right now...fun!
Cabrera's suspension is BS. He came inside to everyone that game. He's done it all year. It's too bad Girardi poured gasoline on the fire with his comments. He lost a lot of points in my book. He should be embarrased.
If Rodriguez didn't think it was on purpose that should be the end of it. How else to you pitch to Rodriguez? It's power vs. power.
Good luck with the appeal Danny boy.
... Present, here and accounted for.
Anyway, I was pretty stunned when I checked the score this morning.
The last I had known the Orioles were up 9-0, and (I think) it was going into the eighth inning.
Besides the fact my eyelids were getting heavy, my insomniatic and pregnant wife — a deadly combo, for sure — (hold the replies, ladies, I am SO sensitive!) had some episodes of “Baby Story” piled up on Tivo she wanted to check out.
I was too sleepy to argue, so I just rolled over while figuring the Orioles had the win in hand. They did, but not as much as a I thought.
Besides, if I had to put up with a live viewing of the ninth inning, I might have ended up with insomnia!
Echoeing Matt K., though, major props to Olson pitching into the ninth.'
... Anybody have a No. 2 pencil I can borrow?
Ugh! I hate seeing suspensions handed out based on reputation rather than act itself. Granted, Daniel has had his moments of hot-headedness in the past, but he has been a lot more collected emotionally this season. The pitch that hit Rodriguez was on his freaking elbow protection if I remember correctly...I've studied Alex Rodriguez's physique over the years (say what you will, he's hot!) and I do not recall any freakish abnormalities where his elbow is that particularly close to his head. Had it been someone other than Alex OR had A-Rod not hit a homerun off Cabrera in the previous at-bat we wouldn't be having this discussion right now.
Don't think I would have suspected him for the lead, no. But I am just tickled that he's finally pitching with some aggressiveness and showing what he is capable of. Somebody finally got through to him that it wasn't working the other way!
Alex Cintron should be our everyday shortstop.
Glad to hear that Miclat is signed. What's the latest with Matusz?
I was trying to figure out what that empty void in my life was all week... My friends were concerned I was on a downward spiral. But Roch is back, the O's have won 4 of 5 and all is well.
I saw Olson pitch last year for Norfolk and it was obvious he had a chance to be a good major leaguer. I think his command and confidence will improve if he's given the chance at this level, and hopefully by this time next year he'll be consistent start to start. A big test next Wednesday for him in Anaheim after they just saw him, and now they have Tex, though Kotchman wasn't exactly a pushover last weekend.
Any chance the O's pick up Livan Hernandez? I think he can at least keep the opponent to 5 runs or less and get through 7 innings pretty much every time out. He won 10 games with the Twins who score a little more than the O's (though at this point in time, I think the O's a stronger offensive team). It's not like it would cost anything.
And I vote for Hayden Penn. If he is healthy and his velocity is as good as reported, he's the real deal. I'm not sold on the AA pitchers yet. Bergensen allows too many hits and does not make enough batters swing and miss. Hernandez walks too many. He mas more upside with his stuff. I would like to see what some of these guys could do in AAA, but Bowie has a chance to win their championship this year... wouldn't it be great to see them finish off strong this year, and then have most of that team in AAA next season and have success. A lot of folks point to the overall losing record of the O's minor league affiliates this year, but I think you have to look at the strength at the AA level, where the real prospects are. A lot of the other teams that have what are considered strong farm systems have strong AA teams.
When you earn the rep Cabrera has you just have to deal with the umps. At least on the road. Isnt about right or wrong, it is all about perception and his rep fits into that. Part of the game and they got the "makeup call" the next day while they were still in NY so the Umps are clean.
There you are.
Roch, any ideas from brass about next years payroll? Mild increase? Large increase?
Most people seem to be talking about Bergesen as a possible call-up, but what about Jason Berken or Dave Hernandez? Any reason they're not receiving consideration? Or at least a promotion to AAA!
Roch,
Glad to see you're still blogging with your new gig.
What in the world are the O's doing with 3 mediocore to poor SS on the active roster? It makes no sense whatsoever. Why not bring up one of the young bucks instead? Montanez anyone??
Roch,
Is the change in the Blog's name due to the Sun's ownership of the name "Roch Around the Clock"? If so, it's B.S. they didn't let you keep it, but exhibit #1 why people in the blogsphere need employment attorneys with an understanding of IP (Intellectual Property) when entering into contracts. It's obvious the worth you have brought to both the Sun and to MASN, I hope you protected yourself this time.
Anyway, congratulations on the new job. What are the chances of you now having to cover the Redskins too, considering MASN's "regional" coverage? If you get that opportunity, at least you'll be talking about the playoffs in November and not about the highest rated OT in the draft.
Roch,
Welcome back, So I read that you will be working Raven's Extra. Can we expect Ravens news in the blog or will this be a strickly O's blog?
Hopefully you can give us reports on Loewen in the instruction all league.
Roch,
I've gotta admit that I am a little disappointed that Andy did not attempt to make the best deal for George Sherrill prior to Thursday afternoon's deadline.
I think that Andy's going to find if he tries to move him after the season that he's going to get worse offers than he was now. Everyone knows that the market for closers - and even good setup guys - is highest during the season.
Yeah, George is under the Orioles' control for awhile, but when he is ready to walk, he'll be like 34 years old and the Orioles aren't going to re-sign him at that point (or rather shouldn't re-sign him at that point).
If they could have gotten a Jason Donald or Reid Brignac for George - even if they could not get a 2nd player - Andy should have made the deal.
JR
I remember a game Daniel pitched against the Yanks when Latroy Hawkins started throwing at our hitters. I think Cabrera and the umpires remembered that game also. Revenge is a dish best served cold.Glad to see you at masn Roch.Amber is cute.
Roch,
Did we really make the faux pas of forgetting to bring you an apple on the first day of the blog? Shame on us.
I'd vote for Penn filling in the next start. Is there any indication of what roster moves would have to be made? Meaning, is the four-man bench a short lived arrangement, or will they send someone down?
Great to have you back.
Jake
2 questions for you Roch
Have the O's shown any interest in signing F. Lopez once he clears waivers? And what is the over/under on Hayden Penn getting hurt just before the call-up on Monday?
PS, glad you and your blog did not disappear.
Glad we only had to go a few days without you. :)
Very glad to have you back blogging, Roch. Great insight, great personality ... goofy grin!
WHat do you think are the O's chances of signing Tex during the off season? Think he'll cut an extension with the Halos, go hometown, or (my luck) end up with a member of the Northeast Evil Empire?
Was it in your contract that you would have to change your picture? Good choice.
Yay! Roch's back!
Anyone know of a way to create a syndicated feed for the new blog? I found one for the entire MASN site, but that looks like it'll be Nats news (which I don't care at all about) and Raven's news (which I only care marginally about). I'd prefer it to be just Roch's blog, but at least only the Orioles related information... suggestions?
When is Trembley going to let one of his pitchers actually stretch themselves out and learn to pitch while fatigued? There was no good reason to remove Olson after 117 pitches. Give the guy a chance to finish the game. You can't complain about the bullpen being overworked if you constantly yank the starters at the first sign of major trouble.
It was good to see Olson get "his marbles back." The next time he pitches at home everyone should each have two bags of marbles and shake them at him, ala Major League 2.
roch-
glad to have you back so soon. found out this morning on the tom davis show. can you find out if the masn site will set up your blog for an xml feed? it's a lot easier for me to keep up with your posts through my RSS reader.
Thanks and good luck with your new gig!
Roch - My 88-yr-old mother is an Orioles/Ravens/Roch fanatic. I print out your posts for her, and she never misses you on Anita's show. When you posted your final blog at BSun, she was crushed...until I told her I had heard Trembley wish you luch at MASN after a game last week. She wasn't convinced until the formal announcement, then badgered me for new posts. Everytime she saw me it was the same "No Roch?" question. Having to wait until August 2 instead of August 1 was difficult for her - she was on pins and needles. I was pleased to deliver two posts to her this a.m., and she was much relieved. She loves your comments and for an 88-yr-old it's great that she also loves and gets your sense of humor. Life is good again for her!!! I'm glad you only went as far as MASN; I thought that Sports Illustrated would snap you up.
Good to have you back Roch. I will definitely be visiting MASNSports.com more now.
Welcome back, Roch! Its been a rough couple of days without my "fix". Glad to hear you'll be taking the school on the road from time to time.
Good to see Olson's performance last night (OK, I didn't make it past the 7th). Encouraging that he can make it into the 9th. Hopefully he can build on the last 2 starts and finish the season strong.
Welcome back, Roch,
/) .-"".L,""-. ; :. : ( 7: ) : ; "..-"-.."A Yuengling chaser.
_.._..,_,_ ( ) ]~,"-.-~~[ .=])' (; ([ | ]:: ' [ '=]): .) ([ |:: ' | ~~----~~____ .' '. /'-....-'\ | Go O's | \.-''''-./ '.____.'Roch!
So glad you're back, I saw you on MASN last night and about had a heart attack.
Glad to see Olsen pitch two quality games in a row. Let's hope he continues and helps solidify the rotation. Although we still need Cabrera to pitch like he did earlier in the year. Maybe Sarfate was just nervous to make his first start against the Yankees and he will get it going now. Glad Jones had a good game against his old team on his birthday. He's getting better and better every game. Go O's!
Heya Roch can't say I love the layout over here but I will give it a shot. Nice to hear they will be letting you out more.
Welcome back, Roch. To quote John Bender, "What can I say, I'm thrilled!" Good to see you on the Tom Davis Show as well. I do not want to see the Orioles pick up Felipe Lopez either. How is Jim Howey progressing? Grab some wood there bub.
Welcome back. We'll be getting MASN here in Myrtle Beach soon because of the arbitration win over Time Warner so I can see your new shows. And I'll be able to boot Extra Innings to the curb. Hope this one posts. Got a new computer and the first few didn't get through. Maybe a settings issue...........
Tracy - I understand but if it was based on the action, either EVERY hit batsman or NO hit batsmen would be cause for ejection. The issue is umpire's judgement of intent and rep has to come into play on that basis. Not perfect but errors and bonehead plays are part of sports.
Jarrod - too funny - as if an extra two outs was about "stretching him out". If Tremblay screwed up at all (and I dont think he did) it was in getting sentimental over the complete game and letting him come back for the 9th inning. If it had been me I might have thrown Sarfate or JJ out there to get them a taste of closing in a non save situation. But he gave G.O. every chance to finish it and he loaded the bases.
Looking good Roch. Congratulations on the new gig. You're already there but you're also still on your way up. I'm hoping that you are such a draw that MASN starts making a lot more money and finally upgrades to 162 in HD.
You guys all have me convinced. I want to see Hayden Penn get some starts. Now let's go beat Felix Hernandez and his ship of fools.
Good to have you back Roch. I will definitely be visiting MASNSports.com more now.
Hey Lucky Horseshoe,
Sarfate's a starter now! Can't have him doing mop up duty...
Roch -
So you had Mr. Wilkerson for English too?