This and that
Daniel Cabrera had a positive side session today - no cryptic references to his back or forearm area - and is expected to start the second game of Saturday's doubleheader against the Oakland Athletics.
We'll be checking those radar gun readings to see if he can consistently break 90 mph.
With Jeremy Guthrie complaining of a tired shoulder and having his turn skipped, it becomes even more important for Cabrera to rebound and give the Orioles some innings this month. Victories would be a nice little bonus, but at least pitch deep into the games and give them a chance.
Or maybe they should stick to the bullpen-by-committee approach. It worked for six innings today.
Carmelo Anthony will be showing off his Olympic gold medal - I'm pretty sure he didn't get it in the 400-meter butterfly - at noon Friday at his Youth Development Center on 1100 E. Fayette Street in Baltimore. Anthony will share his Beijing experience with the children.
As part of his busy weekend, Anthony also will throw out the ceremonial first pitch before Game 1 of Saturday's doubleheader, scheduled to begin at 1:05 p.m., and serve as honorary captain for the Ravens' 1 p.m. season opener on Sunday.
If Anthony has any extra time on his hands, he'll finish construction on the next downtown hotel.
Former Ravens coach Brian Billick really has thrown himself into the media fray. Not only is he doing color commentary for FOX-TV's slate of NFL games this fall, starting with Sunday's opener between Tampa Bay and New Orleans, he'll also host "Billick Live" at various locations around Baltimore on the first Wednesday of every month on WNST (1570-AM).
The new gig begins tonight at DellaRose's Tavern at Canton Crossing in the 1st Mariner Bank tower on 1501 S. Clinton Street.
Have you heard anything about when Michael Phelps might be throwing out the first ball at an O's game, or doing something similar at a future Raven game? Or building a new hotel?
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Nothing on Phelps yet, but you know it's coming. Maybe not the hotel, but everything else. There must be a community pool that needs dedicating. - Roch
I am embarassed to call myself an Orioles fan--every September the same thing--build up hope just to let it fall flat--
Good to see that Carmelo took time out of his busy schedule of filming Stop Snitching II to help out the community.