A new day, the old issues
I'll be handling a segment today on O's Xtra beginning at 3 p.m. on MASN2.
I always arrive early. Nobody is going to question my hustle getting to the studio. And if my notes blow off the table, I promise not to let them fall between Tom Davis and myself.
I cover more ground, so I'll have to call him off.
Sifting through the post-game comments that were published this morning, it's apparent that Nick Markakis is taking full blame for allowing Juan Rivera's pop up to fall for the go-ahead single. Markakis noted, and you can't argue, that it's easier for him to come in on the ball. For whatever reason, Markakis became preoccupied with Roberts, who was drifting back.
Roberts explained that he thought he heard Markakis call for it. Maybe somebody in the crowd yelled, "I've got it." It works every time, though usually on the playground.
You can't argue this point, either: Roberts needs to run full-speed for the ball. Markakis needs to run full-speed for the ball. And then Markakis needs to call him off and make the catch. Or Roberts can call him off, though it's usually the right fielder's play.
Just show me some hustle. And if the ball still falls, for whatever reason, it'll be a little easier for me to live with it.
And isn't that why we're here, to make my life easier?
Fundamentals aren't the only issue here. The Orioles work on them in spring training, to the point where your head almost explodes from the tedium. Station One, Station Two, back and forth under a scorching south Florida sun. The preparation isn't lacking.
It's up to the players to execute once they're in the game. And to give a total effort, no matter the score, no matter the standings. Manager Dave Trembley can get them ready. The rest falls upon them.
You can lead a horse to water...
I'll be curious to see the lineup, and whether anyone is being benched. The manager does control the lineup. Though he isn't working the front desk at the team hotel, he's still in charge of the wakeup calls.
Or perhaps whatever is said behind closed doors, whether late last night or later today, will do the trick. But something has to be done here.
What happened last night can't fall through the cracks.
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Categories (click for archive)Roch Kubatko | Roch Kubatko Orioles |
Hmmm, who feels good about our chances of winning today with Rich Hill and his 7 ERA on the mound?
My prediction: PAINFUL!
Kool Aid drinkers: "But the O's are 7-2 when he pitches."
Ummm no, the O's are 7-2 DESPITE Rich Hill pitching. Anytime a pitcher struggles to get to the 5th inning on a consistent basis and allows 9 runs in his last outing, he is not helping the team win, regardless of what the final result is.
Roch i am glad you are getting to the point where you finally agree that something drastic needs to be done.You have made my day.
Man, at our family barbecue, I was left alone defending why the Orioles are worth watching. I was ridiculed for watching them. They play the way they did last night and I promise you, my defense job gets harder and harder.
That was downright embarrassing. They started off well, but amateurism set in mid way through the game.
Roch, it appeared that Albers had stabilized the game. Why did DT take him out for the "ball presenter?" I am not a fan of Baez. Never have been. He and Guthrie's deliveries are plate setters. It is almost as if they announce their pitch before throwing.
Anyway, when Makakis and Roberts played footsie with the ball in RF, I turned the game off and went to bed. The score of 11 to 4 was not a surprise when I woke up. They imploded. AM has a problem.
Hi Roch,
Everyone is so easy to bad mouth the players when they do something wrong. Everyone makes mistakes! Remember all the game winning plays that Roberts and Markakis have made. How many amazing catches Roberts has made to get an out and how Nick is a leader in assistance. It takes a real man (like Nick) to admit that it was his fault and he should have called off Roberts because he had a better read of the ball. Those are the kind of players I want on my team, honest and with integurity.
What I tell my nephews who play baseball is everyone (even Major Leaguers) go through rough times what makes you better is how you handle it. Do you come out crying like babies or do you go back out and do it better and learn from your mistakes.
You watching the match Roch? Roddick has looked pretty good, but Fed always finds a way.
The 2nd set tie break had memories of the Canada Day Massacre.
Roddick with four set points and gives up six straight points to lose the set.
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Thanks for the reminder. Was prepping for pre-game show and watching The Sopranos on A&E. - Roch
Thank God I went to bed last night before the implosion everyone is talking about.
Maybe it's just me, but something seems to be going on with the team that I can't put my finger on, being just a fan on the outside. Roberts appears lackadaisical at best every time I see him play. Markakis's supposed lack of hustle last night is uncharacteristic, not to mention worrisome. Mora has been a huge disappointment, both in productive numbers and mental blunders, which is where a veteran player is supposed to excel.
Roch, is there any clubhouse stife that you can see? How much is the starting lineup buying into Trembley's code of play. Has he lost the team?
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He hasn't lost the team, but his patience is being tested here. This clubhouse needs a vocal leader. Any volunteers? - Roch
WE still have the same issues because we have the same manager.
I think Roberts needs to take sometime off. I just doesn't look like his heart is in it. With Izzy coming back soon and Andino play good baseball, they should sit roberts more and let Andino play second.
That doesn't help now, so Markakis has to take the fall, sit him today and move Nolan to right.
The team just doesn;t know how to win, so they need to be shown what it's like to be held accountable for their mistakes. Winners don't make these kinds of mistakes.
it appears that the team is too "Comfortable" playing for Trembly. People who played for Weaver thought he was impossible to play for and as Dave McNally said in frustration, " The only thing Weaver knows about pitching is that he couldn't hit it" But Weaver was all over everyone to play hard and play well and he was a royal pain in the butt to the people who played for him.
Trembly manages this team as if it were a minor league club. There is nothing to be promoted too. If you can't play at this level you are soon gone. He accepts too many failures as if they will improve soon with a bit more experience. Here you either win or you lose your job.
I think the team needs a new manager. It looks as if everyone is much too accepting of failure. They make too many mental mistakes and that is a sign of a team that does not feel threatened to lose their jobs. That needs to change. I would like to see both Roberts and Markakis sit on the bench for a few games. It just might wake them up a bit.
Here is my line-up for today.
Jones CF
Pie RF
Scott DH
Huff 1B
Reimold LF
Wiggington 2B
Salazar 3B
Weiters C
Andino SS
Bench Roberts and Markakis for lack of communication. Neither is a vocal leader and apparently cannot be vocal on the field with each other either. Mora apparently cannot hit anymore, so Salazar starts at 3rd today.
When that pop up fell in, I turned the TV off.
I like Chone Figgins alot, but I don't think Figgins is the answer. O's need power on the corners...I'd rather see a year of T Wigg. Certainly Figgins has the glove, but he's losing a step, and will cost a chunk of money for someone on the down slope (but right now certainly an improvement). More than 1yr w/ option is too much.
Over all lack of hustle and desire by some of the O's is quite disturbing....forget the stupid stuff.
Too bad we do not have an outstanding pitching coach/manager/GM like Dummie_Oriole on the team. He could straighten Rich Hill and everything else out, right? Man, what a pathetic moron.
I can't see Markakis being benched over that. He has his head on right, I'm sure the play itself was a good enough wake-up call for him. Maybe he'll get dropped a spot or two in the lineup....
Hey Roch, any news on draft pick signings?
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I'll pass along whatever I have. Nothing more at this point. - Roch
Roch,
Send me to the back of the class for not taking notes, but can Andino play 2B?...BRob could obviously use some rest, and with Izzy returning this would be a nice remedy for all.
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He's played 17 games there, including 2 with the Orioles, at the major league level. - Roch
A refreshing post. Thank you. It would be nice to hear this topic come up on your portion of O's-X with you voicing the same sentiments. Thanks again.
I have avoided ripping B-Rob during his struggles. He's a great player who will undoubtedly find his way out of this, hopefully.
But you have to wonder if he has an injury or something going on in his life. Swinging at bad pitches, careless errors and a lot of other uncharacteristic displays.
Either that or he is sick of losing and has decided to mail in the season.
I hope that is not the case, but given the fact that winning is clearly not a priority for Andrew, you never know.
I agree with Ray. Trembley seems to be trying to keep his players happy instead of putting the best nine in the lineup. Reimold should be playing everyday. Mora has not been getting the job done and he should be benched for Wiggington. I understand some of the moves Trembley makes with the bullpen but they are tired and if you have someone cruising (Albers, Bergusen) You should let them finish and rest the back end of the bullpen.
I live in florida and get the baseball pagage so I can watch the orioles every year.
i was taught if the 2nd baseman calls the ball he yells "2nd base 2nd base"..right fielder calls the ball..r"ight field" this way there's no confusion if 2 guys start yelling "i got it".
Brummie,
I've got a couple of questions I'm hoping you'll answer so I can better idea of where your negativity of everything Orioles is coming from. I'm not challenging your views in anyway, just curious. When did you first become an Oriole fan? Who was your favorite Oriole growing up? What were the most exciting years for you to watch other than the playoff years? What kind of baseball background do you have? Just trying to get some better insight into why you post the things you do. I think this might help some people understand.
We could sit here all day and pass the blame on who is at fault for the way the Orioles have played this half. I have been saying all along, this is a team looking for a reason to LOSE or IMPLODE.
I dont want to harp on DT, but he clearly is a manager who reminds you of a parent who tries to be a friend first and parent second to their children. I feel sorry for DT in some ways. He was given a terrible SP rotation to start the season. The team never recovered from the hole dug for them by Andrew from the start.
With that said, where do they go? To be frank...I dont know. They have the talent on the team to compete at the mid grade level, but the cultural or atmosphere is not condusive to winning here in Baltimore. Probably the first thing that needs to happen is call up Tillman and Arrieta. Start Bergy, Tillman, Arrieta, Hernandez and Guthrie. Everyone else fights it out for bullpen time. All of the others have had their chances. Second, trade Baez, Hendrickson, Mora, SHerril, Zaun and Huff, Pie and Hill if at all possible. The termite infested wood is only hampering the forest.
It is sad because it didnt have to be like this. As with B-Rob sometimes you see him playing around too much. This is a business and not a childs game. People have to be held accountable from Angelos down to the bat boy. And within the O's oranganization, there is NO accountability. DT has to be held accountable for the players playing, Andrew has to be held accountable for placing the best team on the field. If they cannot do their job, time to remove them and put someone in there who can. This isnt about who can BS or can put the best PR show on. This is about winning and the manager and GM has to be held accountable for the "lack of" winning taking place....PERIOD
As for Hill pitching today, another example of DT not having the tools to put on the field everyday to compete. Hill is clearly not a ML level pitcher. Mr. Electricity has to focus on established players, not being the hero at the golf course with trying to catch lightning in a bottle. It happens once every decade, not with every Cub's cast off.
The IMPLOSION has to stop here!
Come on people stop making excuses for these players!! Markakis and roberts received new contracts making more money than most of the orioles fans will see in a life time!! Roberts knew what he was doing when he signed his contract.. If he is tired of losing go somewhere else if not we as fans expect 100% from him! He signed because he knew no one else would give him that amount of years and money!! Look at orlando hudson! Today's game? Doesnt look good on paper and it is Sunday!! Then off to seattle and they have gotten at least the series from the red sox at boston with garrett olsen pitching that game yesterday 6.1 innings- 2 runs! Where are the answers???????????????
Roch,
Palmer called it right (as usual). Roberts let the ball play him. Its his ball until Nick calls him off. Saying that he "thought he heard Nick call him off" is a cheap excuse, I'm sorry.
Combine that play with the play at second base where he pulled Andino off the base with a high throw, and I think Roberts has lost some focus.
Do you think he may be hurt?
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If he's hurt, he's keeping it a secret from everybody. I don't think health is an issue. - Roch
Hey Roch,
In a nutshell, the non-play in shallow right last night seems to further illustrate that neither Nick or B-rob has any true leadership qualities whatsoever. They both had the chance to take charge, neither one did. They're both really good players, both very capable of making that play effortlessly, but they didn't. Period.
Does Jeter or Pedroia let that happen? Or how about Adam Jones? I still can't get the image out of my head from earlier this week of Jones' "Glove with Ball" still life, laying in the bullpen, as he struggles to remember what day it was.
I guess I'm just a little bit worried that when the talent and the opportunity finally arrives for the Baltimore Orioles to compete successfully in this league, we won't know how. I think we still might need a few more Adam Joneses.
And did anybody really pay attention to the replays of the Andino/Mora play at 3rd? Melvin has caught nothing but crap for that play, but it looked to me like his progress towards 3rd was interrupted by Andino's sorry throw, which was well up the line and would have surely ended up in the camera well if Melvin doesn't stop, then reach back to make the catch.
10-10, 5th set tiebreak. Gotta go.
Janet Zahn,
If I "remember all the game-winning plays," why are we a consistent 7-10 games under .500? There have actually been more game-losing plays. Not that I don't think Nick is good, or Brian is, uh, pretty good. Not that I don't remember Brian's game-winning homer, either. I'm just sayin'. This team is all about making headway and then giving it right back.
If we ever get all the way "up" to 1 game under .500, I'm going to need oxygen.
There is a point where the "child" grows up and has to be held responsible.
Over the last few years, Roberts & Markakis and others have been in an environment that is kinda like a kindergarten classroom. They've had time to learn and grow and work together.
Now that they've signed big contracts, and the team is ready to turn the corner, they need someone to tell them that they MUST step up. I believe DT can do that. And I believe he will. He talks tough before & after games. These players have to be reminded that they're in the major leagues playing for the BALTIMORE ORIOLES.
Sometimes, a twenty-something needs to be reminded that they're grown up now and so we need more maturity from them. Kids in their 20's often forget that, longing to go back to when things were easier.
DT has to transition these guys into being adults, much like a parent getting their kid ready to be on his own.
The manager gets them ready, the rest is up to them. I don't think so. This manager doesn't get this team ready for anything except embarrassment. In my opinion, they have quit on him, especially Roberts. The only guy likely to be benched todayn is Pie. Yeah, let's blame last night's play on him!
Roch, I know it's no Magic Pill, but do the O's still take infield practice every series?
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First game of every series, though I'm not sure if they include pop ups in shallow right field. - Roch
It is an unfortunate aspect of Markakis' personality that he has no leadership skills. These will not "develop"; you either have them, and project them, or you don't. If ever there was a team that needed someone to step up and take the reins during play it's this one.
I guess we'll have to wait to buy a leader in the off-season.
BRob and nick need to work out some sort of code in RF for balls like those. Roberts is gun shy of a collison so he's not going to scarifice his body for one out in a ballgame.Would anybody want these guys out 6-8 weeks over a collison? No, so the anwser is some kind of communication they can depend on.I'm not that upset about it because the bullpen would have never held the lead anyway and those guys are getting worn down.
Brian Roberts got married before the season started I believe. Maybe part of his focus or lack of is due to changes in his personal life.
Roch, Watching the replay of Bass's pitch to Guerrero, I thought it was actually pretty decent. He pitched down and in, right where Zaun set up. Had Vlad let it go, it may have been called a ball as it was down around the knees.
I think it was more just one of those things than anything else, a combination of a power hitter being long overdue to go deep (much as it was with Big Papi not so long ago) and Guerrero being one of the best bad ball hitters in the game. Not really Brian's fault as I see it.
Wow, to read the comments here it feels like I walked into a meeting of the Glass Half Full society. The short memory loss around these quarters is amazing (quick, break out the Ginkgo Biloba!).
After all, less than a week this same team of "hopeless losers" staged the greatest comeback in franchise history against the AL East division leaders. Of late, the Orioles have had a number of recent comebacks.
And, of course, also quickly forgotten was Friday's 6-4 over the AL West leading Angels.
It's also amazing how much is being made over the pop up that dropped in between B-Rob and Nick. Suddenly, this is being trotted out as proof positive that Brian is now being lackadaisical and doesn't want to be an Oriole anymore. This is such nonsense that no one who knows the kind of dedication and preparation Roberts puts into his game believes that for a moment. Earlier in the week he scored from first on a double, and let's keep in mind that he's also leading the league in runs scored. He's not loafing, people, so don't even go there. As long as Brian Roberts puts on an Orioles' uniform it's a given that he's going to hustle and leave it all on the field.
The other sniping about that issue is that winners don't make that kind of mistake. Yes they do; all teams make mistakes like that every now and then. It happens, especially on the road. What separates the winners from the also rans is that they keep those kind of plays to a minimum and rarely beat themselves.
The O's make more of these gaffs than they should, but it's not like they're occurring every game. As for the pop up dropping, this is the first miscommunication I can think of between Roberts and Markakis all year and yet people are acting like it's a red flag signalling the collapse of the team. Like I said, people are reading way too much into a momentary lapse.
If you want to find a consistent problem area about which to complain, point to base running, because that's a real issue. The O's have run themselves out of scoring opportunities far more than they failed in the field.
Also, Trembley is getting a lot of heat about his laid back managerial style. True, he won't be confused with an Earl Weaver or a Lou Piniella, managers known for getting in the faces of umpires who miss a call or players who are underachieving, but there is more than one way to managing in the big leagues. Joe Torre also is known to take a quieter approach and yet has been highly successful.
We don't know what's going on behind the closed doors of the clubhouse, but just because Trembley doesn't choose to dress down his players in public doesn't mean he's letting everything slide. His philosophy seems to be not to get too high when things are going well or too down when the team is struggling. This seems to me to be a good approach for a team that is only going to be getting younger over the next couple of years.
Off subject, but the Men's Finals at Wimbledon between Federer and Roddick was one of the greatest of all time. It's one of those that was so well played on both sides of the net that it's almost a shame that someone had to lose. Just some incredible tennis. I hope you got to catch it.
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Guerrero is absolutely the best bad-ball hitter in baseball. We'll jokingly refer to someone by that name if he's known to chase any woman at any bar after 2 a.m. I missed the ending of the tennis match. Had no idea who won until I got back home. I think it was 9-9 in the final set when I turned it off. Unreal. Like watching Ginsburg and I. - Roch
Roch, In my previous post I meant to write the Glass Half Empty (not Half Full) Society, which I hope was conveyed despite the faux pas.
Vlad strikes again. Why Hill started him with a fastball I'll never know. I bet Guerrero's eyes got as big as saucers seeing that one coming in towards him. Yet another walk comes back to haunt Rich. He's looked okay at times today, but I think he'd better get tough, because the hoofbeats of the calvary is definitely getting close.
Still, unless he really gets lit up even more, I suppose he'll get another start or two. Berken trading places with Tillman seems more likely to me, because I think like Pie, the Orioles want to give Hill every chance to turn the corner before cutting him lose.
FLASH: We've had a Matt Wieters sighting!!!