Jim Hunter Archive
The big topic of debate with the many passionate Orioles fans this offseason has been the desire to add a "Power Bat" to the middle of the O's lineup for the 2010 season. While I agree with the benefits that type of hitter would bring to Baltimore, the Orioles ... Read More
Holiday Greetings everyone. My guess is, like us, you are busy trying to balance the remaining time and the "must get done list." As the Christmas decorations went up around the house, it dawned on me that the baseball offseason is more than half over, and before we know ... Read More
Now that the 2009 season is complete, I wanted to take a moment to reflect and to thank the Orioles fans and the crew at O's Xtra. For the past 6 months O's Xtra set the scene and recapped the action of the Orioles games. We were able to ... Read More
Chris Tillman and Brian Matusz are the youngest players on the Orioles. Matusz is 22, and Tillman is 21. But despite their youth and inexperience, their passion reminds me of what baseball is all about: Having fun while playing the game and enjoying the moment. ... Read More
Baseball is a game of numbers. Most are obvious - 4 balls for a walk, 3 strikes for a strikeout, 3 outs in an inning, 9 innings in a game. But for some major league teams, a significant number can be more subtle. And for the 2009 Orioles their ... Read More
Here's a quiz for this week's entry: How many Orioles fans know who David Jennings is? How about Lamar North? Does the name Ed Sprague Sr. or Mark Ralston ring a bell? If not, its understandable but O's fans should get to know them or at least be aware ... Read More
The Orioles' rebuilding plan has been well documented, and it's working. The progress is subtle but noticeable and better times are ahead. It is understandable that O's fans are frustrated the team isn't winning more now, but even while turning over the roster and getting younger the O's have ... Read More
During spring training in Ft. Lauderdale, Orioles President of Baseball Operations Andy MacPhail made it clear that he expected to see progress on the field and in the won-loss record as the 2009 season progressed. MacPhail stated the Opening Day roster would look different by Memorial Day, still different ... Read More
In my last entry I talked about why I feel Interleague games have lost their luster and are not as appealing to fans. I received more responses on the Interleague topic than any other, and the consensus is that fans and players do still like the concept and want ... Read More
When Major League Baseball made interleague play part of the schedule in 1997, there was genuine excitement and interest in the games between American and National league teams. But now, in its 13th season, interleague games just don't have the flair they once had. ... Read More
Even with the Orioles on a west coast road trip, the Warehouse at Camden Yards has been a buzz of activity as Joe Jordan and his staff go through the final preparations for the 2009 First-Year Player Draft. This will be Jordan's fifth draft as the Orioles director of ... Read More
For the first weekend of interleague baseball, the Orioles were scheduled in Washington D.C. for the first of their home and home series against the Nationals. It was a coincidence of the schedule but it was wonderful to be in the nation's capital over Memorial Day weekend. ... Read More
Every young pitcher coming to the big leagues for the first time has to go through the adjustment process of facing experienced and patient major league hitters. Big league hitters know what they want to hit and they are patient enough to wait out a pitcher, especially an inexperienced ... Read More
During an appearance at the ESPN Zone in the inner harbor Wednesday, Chris Ray reflected on the lonely time spent in Sarasota last season while rehabbing from reconstructive elbow surgery which cost him the 2008 season. Before signing autographs, Ray spoke to fans, recalling how tedious, and at times ... Read More
As The Orioles returned home to Camden Yards to open a seven-game homestand, I caught up with hitting coach Terry Crowley to talk about the O's 1-4 road trip and overall team hitting. Talking with "The Crow" on the field during batting practice, I asked Crowley about the numbers ... Read More
As the Orioles concluded their nine-game homestand, Koji Uehara gave the starting rotation a much needed deep outing. Uehara pitched 6.1 innings in a tough luck 3-2 loss to the Angels. Getting deep into games has been a consistent dilemma for the Orioles rotation and that has put the ... Read More
Brad Bergesen was spectacular in his Orioles debut against the White Sox. He had a plan; he executed the plan; and he pitched. He mixed up his pitches, used his slider and change up effectively and he held a very good hitting White Sox team in check. ... Read More
With their series win in Texas to begin the first road trip of the season, the Orioles have put together three consecutive series wins to begin the season for the first time since winning the first four series to begin 1998. After going wire to wire in 1997, the ... Read More
Opening Day at Camden Yards was, as always, a big event, and successful with the Orioles' 10-5 win over the Yankees. There was a tremendous electricity in the air as O's fans, devoted to their team, made their presence felt and created an exciting home field advantage. Opening Day ... Read More
Andy MacPhail's announcement that the Orioles will go with a 12 man pitching staff on the Opening Day roster still gives the O's an extra arm if needed in the early season games. If the O's decide to keep the top four starters on normal rest in the rotation, ... Read More
With Opening Day less than two weeks away, the Orioles still have some difficult decisions to make for that day's roster. The biggest decision is the make up of the pitching staff and whether to go with 12 or 13 pitchers. With the starting rotation still a work in ... Read More
When asked what he is looking for from the pitching candidates in spring training camp, O's manager Dave Trembley made a simple statement: "Pitch to contact and good things will happen." After a season of watching Orioles pitchers lead the major leagues in walks and hit batsmen the manager ... Read More
Quality Competition is the lifeblood of a major league baseball organization. And the Orioles are in the process of a competitive spring training camp for the 2009 season. After spending the last week with the O's in Florida it's apparent Andy MacPhail's blueprint for making the Orioles more competitive ... Read More
Ever wonder what your favorite broadcasters do during the baseball offseason when they're not announcing games for you every night on MASN? Here's a look at how one broadcaster has been filling his offseason hours along with his own reflection on the impact sports can have on people's lives. In ... Read More
There will be little not discussed at the Orioles organizational meetings in Sarasota, Florida. President of Baseball Operations Andy MacPhail will preside over the meetings, where the front office staff, manager Dave Trembley, Minor League personnel, and scouts will go over every player in the organization, from the 40-man ... Read More
The 3rd annual Brian's Baseball Bash at ESPN Zone was an overwhelming success. And Brian Roberts again came through as a gracious and accommodating host. Three years ago, Roberts decided to do something big for the University Of Maryland Hospital for Children. Roberts is a frequent visitor of the ... Read More
When the Orioles drafted catcher Matt Wieters with the 5th overall pick in the 2007 draft, they knew they were getting a special player. He was the top rated position player in the draft; he's a switch hitter with power; and he understands what it takes to be a ... Read More
Andy MacPhail has made it the Orioles' number one organizational priority: develop pitching. This season 23 different pitchers have appeared in games for the Orioles, several with little or no Major League experience. The opportunity is there. And pitching coach Rick Kranitz hopes the pitchers take advantage of it ... Read More
There's nothing more entertaining than a well pitched Major League game, unless your team gets the big hit to upset the opponent's outing. And the Orioles have been getting more than their share of big hits. Did you know the O's have a team batting average .300 since the ... Read More
The best approach a Minor League prospect can take is to work on his game, continue to improve, and put up numbers. Prospects get noticed by success and consistency. Brad Bergesen of the Bowie Baysox is doing exactly that, and he is pitching his way toward the Major Leagues. ... Read More
