Dave Johnson Archive
I guess you can go with "Expect the Unexpected." This has been a crazy summer for the Johnson family. Of course, most of you know my oldest son, Steve, was with the Dodgers organization. He had a goal to get to AA this season--he just had no idea that ... Read More
It doesn't take a rocket scientist, or a baseball scout for that matter, to see that Kam Mickolio has progressed greatly in the past year. His delivery is much more smooth and consistent. He is free and easy and looking good. ... Read More
I talked about Felix Pie a little bit before. I was not sold on Felix and did not see all the tools that he supposedly had going for him. In the first two months, he struggled as much as anyone could struggle. He threw to wrong bases or not ... Read More
I know the record is not pretty. But, if you can't see the promise in having the young pitchers in this rotation go out there every fifth day, then you must just be beaten down by the losing. I understand completely. It has not been much fun since 1997. ... Read More
This is the one thing every baseball player can give 100% of the time. I don't see it with every player here or in the Majors. I don't care what other teams are doing. I care about my team, the Orioles. ... Read More
It wasn't the first half we would have liked to see. But, the influx of young arms into the rotation is fun to watch. I hate losing like any other competitor. Losing is...well, it's losing. That means it's not winning. But this season is much more about the starting ... Read More
The Orioles haven't been playing defense up to par. This is alarming and unacceptable. If this club is going to compete, they need to catch and throw the ball better. I just don't see an all-out effort every time. ... Read More
I was able to take in the press conference for the signing of Matt Hobgood Saturday. The first-round draft choice for the Orioles this year has all the tools, including a fastball that touches 97 - with an understanding that getting ahead in the count and mixing his pitches ... Read More
I was just reading the article about Brad Bergesen and his dad on Orioles.com. Okay, I am officially jealous. What a wonderful story. Good for both of them. I had hardly made it halfway through the article before my eyes welled up and I had to go for the ... Read More
I like what I see from Robert Andino. He didn't get a chance to play every day for the Marlins. They have some guy named Hanley Ramirez. It didn't look like he would get a chance to play every day here either. The Orioles had just signed some guy ... Read More
I think I know why the Cubs gave up on Hill so soon. After a very good season in 2007, the Cubs shipped him back to the minors in 2008 after a few starts. ... Read More
I am sure that if you're reading this, you know what's going on with the Orioles. But, just in case you just woke up from a long, long nap. Things are really starting to look up for the Orioles. No, I'm serious! ... Read More
I'm no scout. But, Nolan Reimold looks like a player. If I was pitching, I would want him in the lineup. He seems to have all the tools, and more importantly, the instincts to play the game. ... Read More
Having a shortstop like Cesar Izturis on the Orioles is a big lift to the pitching staff. It's a pleasure watching him play everyday. It's so important to know that the guys behind you are going to make the routine plays. ... Read More
Baseball needs to look at their drug policy again. Manny Ramirez is in the news for violating the MLB drug policy. He was suspended for 50 games. Period! No excuses! No reasons! No explanations! ... Read More
OK, so lets talk about the left field tryout for a moment. So far, not so good. I've heard the hype for Felix Pie for a while now. Not from the Orioles. But, from most of the people who follow the minor leagues. ... Read More
It was nice to see the success of Brad Bergesen on Tuesday night. It was a great night for him and his family, and I know one particular part of his extended family that's feeling proud is the Orioles player development department. ... Read More
We are winning games, but the starters have got to start going deeper. I know it's only the first week of the season, but at this rate our bullpen will be wiped out by the All-Star break. ... Read More
I know it has only been one game. But I am excited about Koji. To me, he is a guy who can show the young Oriole pitchers that throwing strikes equals success. ... Read More
Have you ever wondered how much minor league players make each year? I always get a kick out of the look on people's faces after I tell them how much the players make. ... Read More
This is a great time of year for most baseball players and fans--All the excitement of your major league team dwindling down the roster. For some players, it's wondering if they are going to make the major league team and spend their first opening day as a big league ... Read More
I have always wondered why MLB teams want their bench players to be better defensive players than offensive players. They aren't on the field very often. Sure, they want them to be both. But, they seem to lean towards the defensive side. Especially with backup catchers. They want that ... Read More
I still can't understand why teams and the media put so much stock into spring training performances. It is such a short, quick, unrealistic view. ... Read More
The other night we had a little problem running the bases. Here is the deal. First and second, one out. Huff on second and Salazar on first. HIGH fly ball hit to center. Huff is about three quarters of the way to third and Salazar is about fifteen feet ... Read More
