Before putting rumors, and myself, to bed
Just to recap the day...
It took numerous phone calls, text messages and visits to the 300-level suites to determine that Orioles owner Peter Angelos didn't attend today's Ravens game. I was finally told by a family member that he was home - information that would have come in handy hours before, if I had thought to go that route.
Mark Teixeira wasn't in the MASN suite during the first quarter, or the start of the second. Perhaps he dropped by later. I wasn't on full stakeout. At some point, I needed to get back to the press box.
Just to maintain some perspective here, let's say Teixeira and his wife did, in fact, attend the game. Let's say they even stopped by the suite, grabbed some shrimp and shook a few hands - hopefully after reaching for a napkin. Terrific. How is this news?
If Teixeira was a Boston native, but attended a Ravens game, that would be big. If the Rangers were courting him and he was seen eating a bowl of chili at Texas Stadium tonight, that would be big. But he was born in Annapolis, grew up in Severna Park and attended Mount St. Joe. It's the holidays. I wouldn't read too much into his trips downtown.
The Orioles are trying to sign him. Team president Andy MacPhail admitted that he wouldn't feel nearly as good about the winter meetings if Teixeira ended up with another team. I hope he had a great time today and decides this is where he wants to spend the next eight-to-10 years of his professional life. But he didn't share a soda with Peter Angelos today - enjoy the image of one cup and two straws - and he won't be taking a physical tomorrow.
I'm not under orders from the Orioles to hide the truth. I'm not blindly repeating everything they tell me, which apparently is the idiotic theory of the week. I did, however, pass along their response to the rumor that Teixeira would be Angelos' guest. And I further checked into it while trying to catch at least a few minutes of the game. After all, nothing thrills me more than chasing another rumor.
If Teixeira was there, and I never said he wouldn't attend the game, good for him. I hope it leads to a big, fat contract with the Orioles. But keep in mind that he's a local kid with a rooting interest in the local team. Doesn't mean the Red Sox, Angels and Nationals are sweating over it.
Now that I got all of that off my chest, I'm going to do something really important. I'm going to tuck in my daughter, kiss her on the forehead and tell her I love her. Then I'm going to set the alarm on my Blackberry so I can fix her breakfast in the morning and drive her to school.
I'll approve more reader comments in the morning, file another entry and try not to be as aggravated as I've been most of the day. Nobody likes a cranky blogger.
Good night.
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Categories (click for archive)Roch Kubatko | Roch Kubatko Orioles |
We know you're do everything you can Roch and we appreciate it. There were rumors about him eating lunch at the Hilton across from Camden Yards. So, if you can tell us anything about a possible meeting between the Orioles and Tex, whether it happened today or happens tomorrow, we would all be very excited. Thanks, and keep up the good work!
We love ya Roch.We are just excited about this since it will be the biggest and best thing that happen to us since Cal Ripken.Thats all.
REALLY?!? You're going to tuck your daughter in BEFORE telling us what is going on with Orioles' rumors? Oh...after re-reading that, your position does not sound nearly as unreasonable. I guess if Tex signs with the Birds, we'll know by Spring Training (the next time that it matters). That makes this all less urgent.
Roch--family is more important than baseball and sports. If you need to spend more time with your daughter and this blog has to take a day off because of it, I don't think any of us would really mind...except for those that don't have lives of their own. So go ahead and take some time of after the crazy week and a half that you've had.
Fair enough, Roch. I do enjoy hassling you, but it's time for me to lay off for a good while, I think. :) Everyone is frustrated. There are conflicting reports from all sides. O's fans are desperate. These days everyone on the internet has a source and it doesn't make your job easier.
I appreciate what you do, obviously I wouldn't check the blog all the time if that weren't the case. I hope this Tex fiasco gets cleared up one way or the other.
Get your rest Roch, we all had a crappy day after that game. Lets all get some rest and hope for better things to come.
Hey Roch,
I just want to thank you for all the hard work you do. I want to say I am more even keeled then most fans. I apologize for the comment to follow but as a college student this is one of the phrases that is coming back to my group, but you are the "bomb diggity!"
-Michael
Hahaha have a good nights sleep
And I'll be honest a big heaping bowl of Cinnamon Toast Crunch should slap a smile on that face :D
Hey Roch -
Don't let these people get under your skin. I'm sure it was an incredibly frustrating and irritating day for you, and I'm sorry you had to put up with it.
Just understand that for truly passionate Oriole fans like myself, it's been incredibly frustrating for 11 consecutive years. That doesn't condone any of these idiotic comments, and it's awful that they're taking their frustrations out on you. But unfortunately, it is understandable.
O's fans are so desperate for something good to happen that it's easy to get excited by these rumors. And when something starts on a message board and ends up on SportsCenter the next morning, they're going to be even more excited. So when it turns out to be false, mimicking the last 11 years of losing, the one relaying the truthful yet crushing news unfortunately gets blasted.
And let's face it: this isn't just any other player or any other set of rumors. It isn't often that a LOCAL player of Teixeira's caliber becomes a free agent at a time when his hometown franchise absolutely needs nothing more than to land him. This makes so much sense in so many different ways. Adding his bat in the lineup, his glove at first base, and his face onto the franchise is just plain necessary at this point. The O's can't afford the negative press that will result from Tex landing inside the division (Red Sox / Yankees) or the region (Nationals 30 miles south). And with the trifecta of a sub 2 million attendance in '08, a great depression-like economy, and another winning Ravens season, the O's teetering on the brink of becoming just plain irrelevant. The fans realize this: they are desperate to add Tex (sparking these irrational frustrations) and the O's should be too. We just have to hope that Mr. Angelos has also come to this realization.
Keep up the good work Roch, and don't let these naysayers get you down. Being an O's fan wouldn't be the same without you.
Hey Roch, thanks for all your hard work. It sounds like you could use a vacation from all those haters out there. May I suggest Vegas?
Tex was there but nobody noticed him because he was with Michael Phelps and his eye candy. I'd post a photo of him in the background wearing a Red Sox hat but PhotoShop is acting up.
Hang in there Roch. Understand that after a decade of losing, the diehards are optimists. Frankly, that means if its not positive, they attack the messenger, because it doesn't fit into their plans. I'm sure as a journalist you understand that but I wanted to sincerely reiterate that point. Once this whole thing is over, a lot of people are either going to 1) Look back and commend that you were right, or 2) Not even worry about it, the storm will blow over, and you'll be rejoicing with all of us. Thank you for doing your job o so well, and sticking to the facts and what you hear. Thank you for sacrificing a good game on the phone, running around booth to booth with information in order to satisfy the city's hunger for something positive. Thank you for sticking with the facts you hear. In two weeks or less Tex will be signed and you will have a wonderful holidays with your family. And in the spring, after the debacle is over, you'll still be the great guy you always were. Keep on, keepin on buddy.
as an out-of-towner, i appreciate what i read here far more than anything i read anywhere else. don't let the inmates run the asylum, my friend.
and why does everyone ELSE'S blackberry work as an alarm clock and MINE apparently came without the volume button? it makes no sound. none. "storm"... my a$$.
so. my pretend-boyfriend spooneybarger... still without a job... oh, a girl can dream... i may totally start a rumor over on o's hangout.
Keep up the good work Roch! I appreciate what you do, and I'm sure there are many others who do as well. Unfortunately, it's that time of year, everyone's looking for a scoop. When you don't have the news people want, some are gonna blame it on MASN. Hey, nooone ever said this job would be easy. (or did they, you may have been duped!)
Anyway, I just wanted to pop in and say: Hang in there, keep on keepin' on, Get back on that horse,(insert any inspirational cliche here), etc. . .
Thanks again, and have a happy holiday!
Its a shame Roy Firestone turned out to be wrong.
Maybe next time he can get Up Close with the Truth.
does someone need a hug? i know i will if we don't get tex....thx roch tho and lol bout PA and the lifetime comment, you truly demonstrated your independence linking the FO to.....lifetime? well played sir! ;-)
It sounds like you were in full sprint mode all day. As a fan, I can't thank you enough for trying to confirm the thousands of rumors that pop up like clockwork each offseason. I can imagine how frustrating it gets, and just wanted to stop in and say thanks for putting up with us.
Now get some sleep so you can do it all over again tomorrow!
Roch- I really have to question your priorities. We NEED TO KNOW WHATS GOING ON!!! YOUR FAMILY MATTERS CAN WAIT!!! I kid, I kid.
Roch, you are the man buddy. Your doing great. Don't sweat some some of these bloggers.
Roch- Who do you think are the O's pitching choices now? Free agent pitchers are expensive. The O's seem to drop out as soon as another team get interested. So, we are going to have some real scrubs this year.
I personally think they should take a chance on Mark Mulder. He will be 100% for spring training, and he has to go wherever offers. At 31, he is not beyond the age of getting back to CY Young kinda form. What do they have to lose? I guarantee he is better than Dcab would have been.
Tough day Roch - hope you had a chance to take in some of the Ravens game.
They're giving you some love at the Hangout, so I thought it would be a good time to show my appreciation directly. No way I could stay in touch with the O's, being 3,000 miles away in SF, without your dedicated efforts. Keep up the great work, and happy holidays to you. Here's hoping there is a 6-3 220 lb. switch-hitting gold-glover under the tree.
Thanks for your diligence Roch. Someone's credibility took a hit Sunday and it wasn't yours.
You should have known what you were getting into before you agreed to do this.
Fans are pretty diverse and eccentric people and you aren't always going to be able to speak logic to them and have them believe it. Instead of getting flustered about it and repeating how silly these people are and how aggravating it is that fans actually have an opinion, you can simply state what you know, tell us what the team is saying, what your sources are saying, and move on.
The worthwhile fans that pay attention to you understand your position. There is no reason to justify yourself any more than you have already tried. Heck, they are accusing Peter Schmuck of doing the same thing you are, "being a lapdog for the front office."
Rise above it. You and he are both better than that.
let me tell you all a story:
I am in southern califorina and I'm 50 years old, I am an O's fan from birth. We use to go to Angels games and buy the cheapest tickets we could get, and then move down to the front row. We could do this up until 2003! Yes, even in the year they won the World Series, we could go the games and sit anywhere we wanted, no one was there. The year they won the WS they drew only about 15,000 fans a games.
Don't tell me the Orioles can't compete in the AL east, but they need to be smart about it. The O's lost what, 95 games last year, and still drew 2.1 million fans. the Angels would eat 60 miles of traffic jamed freeway for that kind of attendance. Don't let the medis get you all hyped up about Teixeira, or any other player. Look at what Andy has done in just 2 years. Don't let it go to waste. Just be patient. We are on the right path, and are well on our way, Tex or no Tex. Be well and prosper fellow O's fans, keep the faith. God Bless Andy and the Orioles.
One last thing. God Bless you Roch and your lovely daughter, give her a great big hug for me. At least you know what is really important.
Roch, do yourself a favor buddy and stop reading the morons on the Hangout.You info is greatly appreciated by a bunch of us,excluding the alcoholic conspiracy nuts at the Hangout. That site has lost all credibility with me.
I'd actually be shocked if McPhail made Tex a big offer considering he's pinching pennies everywhere else.To coin a phrase the offer "was big enough to fail."
If you read between the lines,he'sot that excited about extending Nick and BRob either.Wouldn't surprise me at all if he low balled brobso he'd have an excuse to trade him.What McPhail doesn't get is money is a sign of respect with today's players and lowballing them is personally insulting.
on espn radio this morning (12-15)buster olney said he heard tex would get much more than $160 million and he expected the orioles to drop out of the bidding this week.
Clearly, this is all about credibility. Actual journalists such as Roch, Schmuck, etc. are held accountable for their actions. TMZ.com, I mean Orioles Hangout, is a gossip rag where administrators and washed-up interviewers are given cart blanche. Anyone who dares criticize them is sent packing from their site. The banned should consider themselves lucky to not be associated with that site anymore. The amazing thing is you can't embarrass these people. Instead of taking responsibility they blame others and make excuses. More power to them if they've turned a fan site into a money-making venture and they've made friends with a has-been Emmy winner. It's come a quite a cost: their credibility.
The Tex thing has been taken to a ridiculous level. I want him to sign here as much as anyone else, but the downright obsession about it is too much.
The O's fan base is already dwindling... let's not turn on each other quite yet, people.
The way I see it, a lot of readers here are admitting they are so anxious and desperate about this Teixeira thing, they are acting irrationally. Isn't that exactly what ownership has done in the past? Mr. Angelos may be a lot of things but one thing I'm fairly certain of is that he does care a great deal about the Orioles. Yet in the past, when he acted the same way as so many of us have just demonstrated, he gets torn to shreds. I think it took him years to figure this out, and my hope is he has finally charted the proper course with the help of Andy MacPhail and company.
And would people please stop with the "baseball is a child's game" analogy. It is big business, and it directly affects the livelihood of thousands of people. Same goes for any of the major sports. Personally, I lost my job a few years ago as a result of the NHL lockout. Sports is an industry first and a game second.
Oh, and Ann-Marie, I believe Peter Angelos was spotted at the local tatoo parlor yesterday with your beau Mr. Spoonybarger.
Thanks for doing your due diligence as a reporter, Roch. Hopefully something will actually happen with the O's soon so the fans have more to do than cling to desperate rumors.
You're getting a little testy replying to a rumor that was reported locally and mainstream on ESPN. Is this because you were scooped or because of the Orange tape you have to go through now to post something? You were excellent with the Sun but your quality is not the same since you switched to MASN.
Good Luck, Roch!
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How can I get scooped about something that wasn't true? Good luck explaining that one. - Roch
I feel for ya Roch. It's like the 9 year old girl that calls me and requests the Jonas Bros. and then calls back 5 minutes later demanding to know why I haven't played it yet. And she'll keep calling me for the same song for the next 3 nights. Thanks for all of your hard work as usual, it's much appreciated!
OMG! Roch! I just heard from my best friend's cousin's cat's catsitter's uncle's roommate from college's ex-girlfriend's father's son's step-father's brother, who lives less than 10 blocks from the Warehouse, that Teixeira was seen eating Double Cheeseburgers and Frosties at Wendy's with Peter Angelos!!! You need to look into this to confirm!!!
Seriously though, I tip my hat to you, Roch. This whole "Teixeira at the Ravens game" is the lamest rumor that I've heard from in a while. The lengths that people go to feed their obsessions. I would have just ignored this thing from the get-go. But you stuck with it.
I mean, I hope that Teix comes here as much as any other O's fan, but come on, let's be realistic here and not spend all of our time in fantasy land.
Keep up the good work, Roch.