This and that
I just spotted this headline on the AOL homepage: Scientists Discover Worlds Smallest Snake
It can't wait to grow up and become a sports agent.
What exactly is Brett Favre's trade value at the moment? How much do the Packers figure to get for a future Hall of Fame quarterback who absolutely can't make their roster as the backup to Aaron Rodgers?
The first time Rodgers goes three-and-out, fans will be screaming for Favre. The kid can't be placed in that situation.
The alternative, beyond a trade, is to make Favre the starter and somehow convince Rodgers that he's still their guy and to just remain patient and his time will come and...
Favre needs to go.
I hope that I live to see the day when D-Cab becomes a lot better on D-fence. Another ball got past the Orioles' right-hander yesterday that could have been fielded, and perhaps could have saved him a loss. He still moves like a newborn giraffe out there, but it ain't easy being nimble when you're 6 foot 9.
Meanwhile, the Seattle Mariners crafted an interesting strategy against the Orioles over the weekend. Just keep the ball in the infield. It's the easiest way to score.
Center fielder Adam Jones will undergo his CT scan today in Anaheim, but the results might not be available before tomorrow. I've seen it happen both ways. We get the news quickly, or we're told that it takes a day for team doctors to examine the results.
Assuming that the Orioles bring up Chris Waters to pitch Tuesday, in whatever capacity, it seems likely that Brandon Fahey will be optioned to Triple-A Norfolk, since the club already has two other shortstops. Just a hunch.
Down on the farm, Triple-A Norfolk's Jeff Fiorentino had three RBIs in a 5-3 win over Richmond, and Mike Costanzo became the fifth Tides player to reach 100 hits for the season.
Oscar Salazar came within a home run of the cycle, raising his average to .310. His 37 doubles lead the International League and are four short of the franchise record set by Mark Carreon back in 1987.
The Tides tried to sign one of this brothers, but no more. Apparently, teams aren't allowed more than two Carreons.
Sorry.
Double-A Bowie's David Hernandez won for the first time in eight starts, permitting one run and striking out eight in five innings. Not that he's been pitching poorly. He hadn't surrendered more than two earned runs in any start during the streak.
Hernandez has 32 strikeouts in his last 21 innings. Most people talk about Brad Bergesen, Chris Tillman and Chorye Spoone on that staff - though Spoone's been injured most of the season - but Hernandez deserves our love and attention, too.
More from Bowie: Sebastien Boucher had an inside-the-park home run, and Luis Montanez hit the more traditional kind - his 26th this season - while also extending his hitting streak to 18 games.
2 Carreons? Uh. More jokes like that and we're all boycotting and heading for Schmuckville.
Is it not "now or never" for your boy Montanez? If he gets snubbed on a September call-up during this rebuilding phase, I think it just may not be in the cards. Even if it is to drum up interest you would think he could get a shot. Same probably applis to Salazar who just turned 30.
Has MacPhail provided a definitive answer as to why they are not beginning the conversion of JJ to the starting role or are they still debating whether he is best suited to relief over the long haul?
Hey Roch, has Montanez found your blog now that it's on MASN? What does the guy have to do to get a promotion to Norfolk (and hopefully Baltimore in September)? It's not worth keeping him down at Bowie just so he can win the prestigious Eastern League triple crown award!
I guess the Sun remained petty & kept Roch Around the Clock? Who is going to use that Title? Steele? WELCOME back to Cyberspace!!
Schmuck annoyed me, 3 of my 4 posts on his blog never got posted!! No curses, no flaming anyone, he just didn't care for the "Content". COMPLTELY BOGUS! He is way too uptight for blogging. I won't go there again, he will not get another "hit" from me.
He doesn't seem to care for the competition either Roch, you on the other hand are being cool about it. Your FIRST blog here mentions him & his new blog!
He sent me an email saying he didn't want to mention your blogging here... I had mentioned your move & made fun of the press release. I had edited it some & with humor only, nothing mean. Here are some of his remarks to me in his email...
"I can't run the MASN press release. It's the equivalent of telling everyone to leave my site. I can't advertise his blog..."
When I had finished my "touch ups" it was hardly MASN's press release any longer & it was obvious.
I typed back ..."are you kidding me? Everyone knows Roch is at MASN, I am not giving up any State secrets here..." the Genie is out of the bottle...
I LOVE the Favre situation. If only the Cowpukes could have such a situation. However ,hasn't the guy earned the right to get a legit shot at starting? A fair competition is the least they can do. I mean, he took them within a game of the SB, they weren't 8-8 last year. Before he came along, they had stunk for years too. They could trade him, but they won't do that either. They are scared of him coming back to haunt them. Don't feel bad for the Packers or Rodgers, the Packers want their cake & to eat it too. If Favre wants to play, that's his choice, they can deal him or deal with it.
The airlines are really making golf trips a drag... that bag will cost ya now!
WHY is Montanez still in Bowie? I hope they at least bring the guy up in Sept, he has earned a trip to the Show being the good soldier, not to mention tearing up the league.
I actually like Favre as a starter. He's not getting any younger, and he's being a bit of a distraction; but he carried them to the playoffs with a bye last year (As well as my fantasy team). As you said, Rodgers isn't getting any younger either, though.
Its going to be interesting to see how that one plays out.
Roch,
You going to have the same seat in press box or are you going to be getting closer to the action?
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Hard to get much closer than front row, unless I replace Jauss as bench coach. I'll probably have to relocate, but I'll still be close enough to harrass my former colleagues. - Roch
"more than two Carreons" ... I actually slapped my forehead!
When will the O's start considering Montanez for the 25 man roster? The guy is having an awesome season at Bowie. We keep hearing that many organization have their best prospects as AA, so why isn't he being considered a prospect? Does he have a position or would be another in the long line of Oriole DH prospects?
Enjoying the new blog, keep them coming.
I can't seem to find the rss feed button to sign up for the blog, am I missing it or is there not one available?
witty post Roch.
This is my first time over here on MASN, as i'm an out of towner who never gets to watch the network.
Lou Montanez is a name I've heard almost exclusively on your blog, Roch. Do the Orioles envision him having the same upside as Nolan Reimold or Chris Vinyard? Is he going to get a real shot at making the O's roster next year.
I hope Lou has found the blog at this new location.
Also, speaking of minor league outfielders, I'm surprised that Tike Redman hasn't been able to find his way to Baltimore this season. He hit so well for us last year.
GUYS, don't be a Schmuck.... refuse to accept cheap imitations...
I'd say we should probably cut Schmuck a bit of a break. He's an older guy who's written for a print newspaper his whole life and done a little radio work and doesn't much experience with the Internet yet. Sometimes it takes some time to realize that information is a freer on the Internet and some of the traditional rules about mentioning you competitors and so forth may no longer apply. The Internet isn't a zero-sum game in the same way a radio show might be (You're listening to one or the other) or even a newspaper might be to a lesser extent (You may only be able to afford to subscribe to one). You can link all over the place and they link back and you can share your user base and everyone wins with more readers and hits on their webpages. But it makes sense that the new guy may not realize that yet, because it goes against everything his previous experience in the off-line world has taught him.
Having said that, I like Roch better! :) I remember when "Roch Around the Clock" was my lifeline to Baltimore and spring training when I lived 2500 miles away that first spring training that Roch covered on the blog. It was wonderful to get them several times a day reports on the Birds, helped ease the homesickness. :) So, of course, even though I live much closer to Baltimore now, the "School of Roch" RSS feed was added to my Firefox as soon as it was available, and I'm looking forward to many more years to come of reading it. :)
Like Brian I have had several comments unposted, however mine went without explanation. As for me the "Schmuck stops here."
Montanez isn't considered much of a prospect because he's been toiling in the minors since 2000, which the overall number 3 draft pick shouldn't be doing when he's approaching his 27th birthday (consider Chase Utley went 15th that year). He's never really hit that well above AA--only .259 with 7 homers at Norfolk last year.
Hopefully he's just a late bloomer, because he's about to win the Triple Crown in AA--quite an accomplishment. I would think they would let him finish the season at AA because he could win the Triple Crown and Bowie has a real shot to win the Eastern League title. If Jones is out for an extended period, I bet they'll bring up Fiorentino (who is on the 40-man roster) until the rosters expand in September. I would think Montanez deserves to be up here when Bowie's season is over. It would be fun to see what he can do.
I decided to poke some fun at Schmuck and he did print my comment.
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I have two useful suggestions for your blog.
1.) Rename it "Roch Around the Clock"
2.) Let Roch write it.
I think these two easy steps will ensure the quality of the blog.
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Joe: I understand how you feel. I remember when I had my first man crush. pete
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Mind you he probably only printed it with the zinger in mind, but I still think mine was funnier. :)
Why is everyone hating on Schmuck? It's not like this is Schmuck's fault that Roch is on MASN now. If you don't want to read Schmuck or post comments on his blog, then don't. There's really no reason to be up in arms about everything.
I think Montanez needs to be promoted to Norfolk. I understand that he may not be much of a prospect now and his presents in Bowie's lineup makes Weiters and Reimold better, but MacPhail has stated he wants his players to dominate and earn a promotion. Montanez has earned a promotion and should be called up to AAA. He may fail but I like the message that is sent to other players.
If Jones needs to go on the DL, I would live to see Reimold get a call up but Redman has also earned it.
Have Daniel Cabrera take notes on how Jeremy Guthrie is in fielding position after every time he throws. That means he can come off the mound and get balls that get hit 40 feet and is ready for comebackers.