Starting over
You found me.
Thanks for looking. And a few people owe me money after insisting that nobody would bother (which brought disturbing flashbacks of me at age 7 and a game of hide-and-seek gone horribly wrong).
I warned you that I would turn up again, and I didn't have to go door-to-door or set up a roadside blogging stand.
The fine folks at MASN decided to take me in, like a stray who kept coming back for more scraps. You feed me, you may as well keep me, because I'll be pawing on your door again tomorrow. Just be glad that I clean up after myself.
We have a new blog name - School of Roch - and slim hopes that Jack Black will stop screening my calls and pick up. We also have a new photo that I'm in the process of trying to change. I took enough abuse for the old one.
Maybe I was just born with a cheesy grin. This one looks like my face is going to split on both sides. But we'll try to get past it and focus on the content of the blog.
It's going to be a lot like my previous one, only different. More video, and not just the stuff I find on YouTube after one of my childhood favorites dies. Video of me shot at Camden Yards.
Why just read me when you can watch and listen to me, too? What a deal.
I'll be checking on Peter Schmuck's blog at The Sun, just as he'll be visiting his friend and former colleague here at MASNsports.com. There's room for both of us in this town, though Schmuck takes up most of the space.
(I could make a joke about him being able to carry my jock, but not necessarily fill it, but really, why go there? And who needs the visual?)
I hope to do a little more traveling on this job than my last one, which should come as welcomed news to my loyal readers. It's always nice to take the act on the road once in a while.
I also wish that I could thank each of you individually for the warm wishes that were sent my way after I posted my farewell entry on The Sun's site. I won't lie, I got pretty choked up as I scrolled through all 167 responses. It's been an emotional week, and I almost went over the edge earlier today. But I pulled myself together, wiped my face with my sleeve and vowed to bust my tail to make this blog even more popular than its predecessor.
It was tough to lose access to a blog as the non-waiver trade deadline approached this week, but there's always the Aug. 31 deadline for teams setting their postseason rosters. And we'll find out who starts Tuesday's game, when the Orioles need a replacement for Radhames Liz (who seemed to pitch a lot better before we were told to pronounce his name "Leez.") It seems to be a race between Triple-A Norfolk's Hayden Penn, who's allowed four earned runs over his last two starts covering 14 innings, and Double-A Bowie's Brad Bergesen, whose 13 wins have tied the single-season franchise record.
The Orioles didn't want to dip below Triple-A for pitching help, but they're definitely willing to do so now. And they don't have issues with adding Bergesen to the 40-man roster, so don't regard Penn's inclusion on it as an advantage.
Both pitchers are scheduled to start tonight. If one of them is scratched or placed on a low pitch count, you can expect to see him in Anaheim Tuesday.
Going back to Liz, the right-hander made his first start for Norfolk since being optioned and retired 19 of the last 20 batters he faced while earning the victory. He allowed three straight hits in the first inning, and none after that, going seven innings and throwing 50 of his 82 pitches for strikes.
Yes, he only needed 82 pitches to get through the seventh.
Liz walked one and struck out five.
Double-A Bowie's Luis Montanez hit for the cycle, finishing with five hits and eight RBIs. His hitting streak is up to 16 games.
I'm not asking why he isn't with the Orioles. I'm asking why he isn't with the Tides.
Brandon Snyder homered for Single-A Frederick. I think some people gave up on him a little too soon.
OK, that's it for now. The Orioles are winning, 9-0. I'm now 1-0 in blogging for MASN.
Thanks for finding me. I promise not to leave you again. It's lonely out there.
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Categories (click for archive)Roch Kubatko |
It is good to find you made it through your emotional week (and as you can see from the comments you read, your readers also had an emotional week). And from the time of your first entry (12:01 AM; August 2), it appears you met the terms of your buyout agreement by waiting past August 1 - even the lawyers are happy with you!
Keep up the good work.
As usual; good read. Keep up the good work. I always enjoy the minor league updates you provide. Hopefully MASN won't filter your work too much. Please critize away when necessary.
Roch,
I have been reading your blog for the last few years and I love your perspective mixed with your humor. I am glad to see your new mug shot with a grin the Joker would love. Often times it takes some adversity
and transition to get you where you will shine the brightest. At MASN I think you will be in your sweet spot and I have listed you as a favorite and have enrolled for school!
Roch, good to have you back. I like Schmuck but he's no Roch!
Love the Blog. Great to reconnect. Think Montanez will be the Orioles future shortstop? Wasn't he a shortstop earlier in his career? How come he's not playing that position now?
great to have you back... 3 days without your insiders was like an eternity... love your blog ... we will keep supporting (hit entry) you.
Great to have you back Roch.
The photo's not so bad. Yes, you've got cheese all over your face, but it's not terrible. Good blog, glad you're back. It was strange not reading your blog on the 31st.
I really hope it's Penn. It's his turn and I can't imagine how I would feel if I were passed over again (even when pitching well, which he does when healthy). Give him the same breadth as Liz was given, as Olson has been given. Let him stay up the rest of the season and get acclimated. Olson has done a good job this year. I really feel he benefited from the learning curve he was allowed. He's going to be solid next year. If Penn gets that same chance, I bet he becomes the same (and he's even an entire year younger than Olson - easy to forget that). Bergesen should be brought up too, though. There's two spots. Let both get their feet wet and see if we've got a rotation for next year.
Good luck, Roch.
This is like when Letterman left NBC for CBS.
okay, now i can finally update my web site with your RSS.
hmmm. no RSS feed?
anyway, welcome back :)
oh - and i think it will be Penn, with Bergesen moved up to prove his stuff with the Tides. just my guess.
what would brady anderson say @ that hairstyle?
Roch:
What's a cup of tea and a bagel w/out reading your blog this past week? As the saying goes, "It just wasn't the same!". Welcome back...now I look forward to your blogs on MASN!
Great to see you again, though this landing spot had been rumored for awhile. It must have been great to read all those wonderful well-deserved closing comments at Roch Around the Clock.
Keep on Truckin'!
Rich, your photo is fine. Accurate, anyway. I much prefer it to Mr. Schmuck's inexplicable need to be photographed in comic fashion. It's about the O's, not the pose. Glad you're back, glad you found work, glad you're making something of yourself. I apologize for calling you Rich one last, intentional time. From now on, I will give you the respect your deserve and wish you continued success. You go, Rick.
Hey Roch -
Are they going to give you a permanent URL or do we need to keep checking the main page for your entries?
Great to have you back!
(Sung to the tune of “Welcome back Kotter”)
Welcome back, our mornings just got brighter
Welcome back, your new photo will make those guns in your shirt fit tighter
(shout here) O, the Sun’s loss is MASN’s gain
And we readers look forward to more of the same
You promised not to leave us
And now you’re back here where we need ya
Welcome back, welcome back, welcome back
Welcome back, welcome back, welcome back
Congrats Roch. I question your decision for the naming of the new blog, Roch is so close to the word Crotch that to not take advantage of the similarity seems wasteful.
Yes... Roch's blog will have a permanent URL and RSS feed... Coming Soon! Here is a temporary url for Roch's posts... http://masnsports.com/masnblogs/roch-kubatko-1/
Job transitions are tough; mine first one didn't go as well as yours did, I was out of work for two months... you seemed to be a wanted man.
Just my thoughts; I want to believe that MacPhail really wants to keep the Bowie team together for as long as possible to see if they can pull out an Eastern League championship. It's really comforting to know that there is enough talent down there to do that. I think the league ends in early September, and however the expanded rosters work with regards to that, it wont be till after then we'll see Lou or Bergesen.
Of course Wieters is probably ready to hit in the majors; but there's a lot to be said for developing rapport with our young pitching staff, learning to call a game and not rushing the service clock so we can have Matt for as long as possible without paying him what he deserves.
While the Orioles fans would love to see a couple bright new faces and retire some older ones, had it occured to anyone to just start listening to Bowie games? The Orioles don't need any help; we aren't contending this year, it's better to pull from Norfolk and sap every last bit of talent we can out of there before we start shocking the world with our arsenal of AA talent.
Whenever I get on the internet, I go on autopilot and load up a few websites. I've checked your old blog four or five times since your last post, just out of habit.
Can you ask masn to give you an easy-to-type address for your blog?
"baltimoresun.com/roch" was easy to remember, and I've typed so many times that I find myself accidentally typing it in the middle of sentences.
Glad things worked out for you Roch..
What can you tell me about Matt Riley?
Today is the 28th bday... no longer the 19 year-old we remember.. he is married, and has been mentally strong enough to work through 3 TJ surgeries.
In AAA this year, he had the following stats:
2-1
2.88 ERA
40.2IP
55 k's
24 walks
37 hits
Too many walks, but the K rate, and hits are impressive... particularly in the PCL... The O's should be cutting Castillo for Riley today.
Great to follow your blog again Roch!! Please keep us O's fans posted on the prospects of signing Matusz and our other draft picks. Looking forward to reading your great and witty work.
Welcome back Roch!
Welcome back. I am certain that the change will be for the better long term. MASN certainly keeps improving! You have been my father's daily dose of Orioles since I showed him your Sun blog years ago and today I proudly sent him your temprary link. Good luck and see you soon at the Yards.
Well, well, well, have a nice vacation? Had to do it.
Any thoughts on the O's standing pat at the deadline?
Liz only threw 82 pitches? Are you sure they counted all of the innings?
Montanez should be on his way to Baltimore as we speak. Ask him to bring a starter or 3 with him.
Congrats on the new gig, but I'm jealous you get to work with Amber, you cad.
I think liz has the tools to be very good he just needs time.
Welcome back to the world. May your lights continue to be green.
Nice to see u didnt get thrown off the island
Hey Roch - Glad to see you landed safely. We were all worried about you! It was strange, frustrating and stupid that you apparently weren't able to blog during this past week of O's vs. Yanks, O's pitching changes and of course trade deadline. Anyway it's great to have you back - looking forward to reading you several times a day.
Dare I say class is in session?
Nice to see you back with the Blog. I will try to read as often as I can. Looked forward to it as before.......
Yay! It was really rough without you blogging several times a day when we just knew there was all sorts of stuff going on that all of us could argue and banter about. Thank goodness it's settled now and we can all get back to business. Congrats on the new spot!!
Now, the only thing I'm going to have to get accustomed to is scrolling down and reading the last comment first and working my way UP the page so the chronology doesn't get me all out of whack.
Glad to find you, Roch! Oriole fans are a faithful bunch. No fair-weather fan sticks it out through 10 straight losing seasons.
Please add my name to the list of 167 people who bade you farewell. My comment was taken down by the Sun because I announced I'd be getting my Orioles coverage from the Washington Post from now on.
Hope MASN will give you your own index we can bookmark, plus an RSS feed.
Hey Roch! Glad to see you landed on your feet. YAY, I found you! You are one of my every day blog reads and I think I was suffering from withdrawls without you. Did you get any hair gel?
Great to hear from you again Roch! Loving the new and improved blog all the way from Japan...same as always!
Did you bring the clock with you to hang in the new classroom?
Yes! Thank you Roch. The video is great too, if not just so I can hear a great baltimore/ A.A.Co. accent.
Found your new location...welcome back to the "e-waves" *G*.
JR
I'm so happy that MASN picked you up off the street. So taking the buyout from the Sun actually worked out pretty well for ya. I'm so jealous that you now get to work beside Amber Theoharis on a regular basis. The three days without your blog was like an drug addict without a fix. Your like a good drug, thanks for the fix!
I for one was somewhat surprised and a bit disappointed that the Orioles did not make a deal before the trading deadline. It won't shake my faith in the job MacPhail is doing. I guess no one was willing to offer what he knows he will get during the off season. Then again, the club got a couple of guys in exchange for Steve Trachsel in late August last year so I suppose a minor deal could still occur. Or the team could get hot and make a run at the wild card... nahhhh!
Welcome back to the blog scene. Didn't even have a chance to miss ya.
Welcome back Roch! I was like a coffee addict not getting his morning cup for the last couple of days :)
HELLO ROCH GLAD TOO HAVE U NO MASN I WATCH ALL THE TIME NEVER WHEN YR WITH ANITA SHE TALKS TOO MUCH FOOTBALL I WAS STOCKED THE ORIOLE DID NOT MAKE A TRADE FOR A SS I WAS HOPING THAY WOULD GIT JACK WILSON HES 30 AND CAN HIT AND THE PIRATES ARE GIVING PLAYER AWAY EVEN A MIDDLE OF THE ROTATEING PICTURE U CAN EMAIL ME WITH YR COMMITS AT JNBARGER922@YAHOO.COM IM FROM HAGERSTOWN
HELLO ROCH GLAD TOO HAVE U NO MASN I WATCH ALL THE TIME NEVER WHEN YR WITH ANITA SHE TALKS TOO MUCH FOOTBALL I WAS STOCKED THE ORIOLE DID NOT MAKE A TRADE FOR A SS I WAS HOPING THAY WOULD GIT JACK WILSON HES 30 AND CAN HIT AND THE PIRATES ARE GIVING PLAYER AWAY EVEN A MIDDLE OF THE ROTATEING PICTURE U CAN EMAIL ME WITH YR COMMITS AT JNBARGER922@YAHOO.COM IM FROM HAGERSTOWN
Hey chipmunk cheeks, how about trying just a half smile, that way you won't look like you're storing nuts in your face? Come on Rochet Man, you know I'm just snappin' your jock. Hey, now we get you and Schmuck (have you seen his blog picture? Stay away from this man if you see him hanging around the playground. I guess his momma never told him to stand up straight). Love ya man!!
I've been reading your blog for years now, but this is my first comment. Glad you're back after a few days off. Congrats on the move!
I hope this time when they give Penn his chance he doesn't develop another injury. Let's see what he can do after some seasoning in the minors.
Glad to see you back!! :)
Hey Roch,
Do the Orioles have any interest in Felipe Lopez?
Roch,
I'm glad that everything worked out for you and you're blogging again. I missed my fix! :) Welcome back!
Roch, Great to see you and welcome to MASN although you don't need any introductions here. I was a little confused before about you always appearing on MASN with Amber and Anita, but I can't blame you. This is a great day indeed that I finally found your blog. Now I have Pete's and your blog to read. It took me so long to get caught up before and now I'll have two blogs to sift through. I still want those little nuggets of info you dig out and wouldn't be cool if you posted on Schmuck's blog just like the rest of us Oriole fanatics and he did the same here? Have a good day Roch. Roch On!
Roch,
Good to see you are back. I'm an OLD orioles fan (in years and age).
I know Molly Dunham's mother and I used to play Santa Claus in Amber's neighborhood. You'd think I'd remember if I ever got to hold her but I don't.
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Hilarious! I also dressed up as Santa in her old neighborhood. Unfortunately, it wasn't during Christmas. Is that weird? - Roch
Congrats Roch and I look forward to your new blog format. The video will be a nice addition.
Found you pretty quickly... good luck with the new blog!
Roch Eric:
Once again congratulations on your career move--Checked in on your blog while visiting Allison and family in Cleveland(yes I said Cleveland)I still think it would be more fun if MASN offered a piece of the ROCH instead of sending us back to school with you.Your dad tells me that was bad enough the first time around!!!
O.P. Bill
Hey Roch! Am not a blogger but didn't see your byline & thought you'd gone on vacation. Now I know. Bad month for the Sun losing you and Doug Donovan. Time to reconsider the old subscription... Don't know if I'll continue to see you in the O's press box at the Sunday games but if so, will say hello. Cheers and congratulations on the move!
FOUND YOU.
Way to quit on me RIGHT as I was going on vacation, Roch. About gave me a heart attack. Schmuck is good but he isn't you.