http://masnsports.com/ The Official Website of the Mid-Atlantic Sports Network en Copyright 2008 Wed, 31 Dec 2008 12:03:00 -0500 http://www.sixapart.com/movabletype/ http://www.rssboard.org/rss-specification Wow, that's a nasty visual. If my math is correct, it's been 38 months since the Orioles terminated Sidney Ponson's contract after his latest alcohol-related arrest. The players association filed a grievance on his behalf, and we've waited for a resolution...and waited...and waited. Past hearings were postponed for a variety... http://masnsports.com/2008/11/a-light-at-the-end-of-ponsons.html http://masnsports.com/2008/11/a-light-at-the-end-of-ponsons.html Roch Kubatko Roch Kubatko Orioles Thu, 20 Nov 2008 21:27:29 -0500 I just returned home after MASN's Playmakers show - and a quick stop at Panera in Eldersburg, where my daughter practically worships the chicken noodle soup. If I could fill the bathtub with it, she'd promise to clean her room for at least a month. And that includes picking up... http://masnsports.com/2008/11/a-small-orioles-sampler-platte.html http://masnsports.com/2008/11/a-small-orioles-sampler-platte.html Roch Kubatko Roch Kubatko Orioles Thu, 20 Nov 2008 19:50:42 -0500 I'll be appearing on MASN's Playmakers from 3 p.m. to 6 p.m. I'm sitting in the studio, trying to prepare while doing 12 things at once. Should go smoothly. Joe Jordan (4:45 p.m.), the Orioles' director of scouting, will be calling into the show, along with Hall of Fame pitcher... http://masnsports.com/2008/11/quick-shameless-plug-alert.html http://masnsports.com/2008/11/quick-shameless-plug-alert.html Roch Kubatko Thu, 20 Nov 2008 14:49:25 -0500 I'm taking a few minutes out of my busy day to update my shopping list. I've already decided to give Donavan McNabb a tie for Christmas. McNabb referred to Ravens coach John Harbaugh as "Jim" during yesterday's conference call with reporters. It's been a tough week for McNabb, who also... http://masnsports.com/2008/11/tim-bascom.html http://masnsports.com/2008/11/tim-bascom.html Roch Kubatko Roch Kubatko Orioles Thu, 20 Nov 2008 08:39:35 -0500 Reports are surfacing that Mike Mussina has decided to retire instead of returning for one more season. And they're true. I'm sure of it. Look for the Yankees to make the announcement tomorrow. You can't keep something like that a secret, especially in New York. And especially when Ken Rosenthal,... http://masnsports.com/2008/11/moose.html http://masnsports.com/2008/11/moose.html Roch Kubatko Roch Kubatko Orioles Wed, 19 Nov 2008 18:13:56 -0500 I know this is a few days late, but I can't believe that Philadelphia Eagles quarterback Donavan McNabb had no idea that NFL games could end in a tie. I'm pretty sure they got rid of the penalty kicks in the '80s. The Orioles have released their spring training schedule,... http://masnsports.com/2008/11/spring-training-news.html http://masnsports.com/2008/11/spring-training-news.html Roch Kubatko Roch Kubatko Orioles Wed, 19 Nov 2008 10:47:10 -0500 As the Arizona Fall League nears the end of its schedule, with the championship being decided this weekend, catcher Matt Wieters is batting .290 with four doubles, one triple, one homer, 12 RBIs and 10 runs scored in 19 games. Pretty soon, I'll be able to remove the tracker from... http://masnsports.com/2008/11/the-wieters-debate.html http://masnsports.com/2008/11/the-wieters-debate.html Roch Kubatko Roch Kubatko Orioles Tue, 18 Nov 2008 23:26:00 -0500 If you're trying to ascertain how much elite pitchers like CC Sabathia and A.J. Burnett are worth on today's open market, consider that the Cubs just shelled out $52 million over four years to keep Ryan Dempster. Dempster's contract reportedly includes a $4 million signing bonus and pays him $8... http://masnsports.com/2008/11/dempsters-contract-and-matuszs.html http://masnsports.com/2008/11/dempsters-contract-and-matuszs.html Roch Kubatko Roch Kubatko Orioles Tue, 18 Nov 2008 17:29:31 -0500 The Orioles cleared room on their 40-man roster before next month's Rule 5 draft so they could add players they needed to protect. Today, they added pitchers Brad Bergesen, David Hernandez, Chorye Spoone and Wilfrido Perez, and outfielder Nolan Reimold. They also signed catcher Jose Reyes to a minor league... http://masnsports.com/2008/11/filling-spots-on-the-40-man.html http://masnsports.com/2008/11/filling-spots-on-the-40-man.html Roch Kubatko Roch Kubatko Orioles Tue, 18 Nov 2008 14:09:36 -0500 Headline of the day: "Pirates Hijack $100 Million of Oil" Does this now put them in the running to sign Teixeira? Since Cal Ripken has become a blogger here at masnsports.com, I've decided to work for 2,131 consecutive days at School of Roch. I haven't missed filing an entry since... http://masnsports.com/2008/11/choosing-the-best-dh.html http://masnsports.com/2008/11/choosing-the-best-dh.html Roch Kubatko Roch Kubatko Orioles Tue, 18 Nov 2008 12:55:58 -0500 While wondering if two teams that deal players within their own division can be accused of insider trading... If you're a retired athlete and you don't have a gig on ESPN, you need a new agent. Denver Nuggets coach George Karl says former guard Allen Iverson's decision-making and shoot-first mentality... http://masnsports.com/2008/11/seams-like-a-good-time-to-talk.html http://masnsports.com/2008/11/seams-like-a-good-time-to-talk.html Roch Kubatko Roch Kubatko Orioles Tue, 18 Nov 2008 08:24:17 -0500 The Orioles announced today that they signed pitcher Brad Hennessey and infielder Donnie Murphy to minor league contracts that include invites to spring training. Hennessey, 28, has appeared in 148 games with the San Francisco Giants over the past five seasons, going 17-23 with a 4.69 ERA in 360 2/3... http://masnsports.com/2008/11/minor-league-signings-1.html http://masnsports.com/2008/11/minor-league-signings-1.html Roch Kubatko Mon, 17 Nov 2008 17:04:51 -0500 I went 4-0 picking against the spread in the 4 p.m. games yesterday, and also hit with Dallas last night. Now the bad news: I lost Thursday night's game and went 1-8 in yesterday's early games, my only correct selection being Green Bay over Chicago. They don't call me "Mr.... http://masnsports.com/2008/11/touring-the-nfl.html http://masnsports.com/2008/11/touring-the-nfl.html Roch Kubatko Roch Kubatko Ravens Mon, 17 Nov 2008 12:32:30 -0500 Just for grins, I'm going to give you a list of 10 Orioles free agents (six of them minor league free agents). You can only keep one of them. Please tell me who and why. Greg Aquino Ryan Bukvich Freddie Bynum Juan Castro Alex Cintron Luis Hernandez Kevin Millar Jay... http://masnsports.com/2008/11/free-agent-to-choose.html http://masnsports.com/2008/11/free-agent-to-choose.html Roch Kubatko Mon, 17 Nov 2008 08:23:53 -0500 I just had it confirmed by a second person close to the situation that Scott Proefrock, the Orioles director of baseball administration, has been hired by the Philadelphia Phillies as an assistant general manager. It should be noted that Proefrock isn't one of the "confirmers." I haven't heard back from... http://masnsports.com/2008/11/proefrock-leaving-organization.html http://masnsports.com/2008/11/proefrock-leaving-organization.html Orioles News Roch Kubatko Sun, 16 Nov 2008 22:01:25 -0500 Word out of Philadelphia is that Scott Proefrock, the Orioles' director of baseball administration, is a finalist for an assistant GM position with the Phillies. (They already have two). Jim Duquette, former vice president of baseball operations, also is in the running, along with former Reds GM Wayne Krivsky and... http://masnsports.com/2008/11/orioles-could-lose-member-of-f.html http://masnsports.com/2008/11/orioles-could-lose-member-of-f.html Roch Kubatko Sun, 16 Nov 2008 18:39:05 -0500 Did anyone catch ESPN's Outside the Lines earlier today? They aired an interesting segment on outfielder Manny Ramirez, providing new information on how the Red Sox were going to suspend him on July 25 for refusing to play. They gave him a letter detailing their plans, but Ramirez informed club... http://masnsports.com/2008/11/morning-with-manny.html http://masnsports.com/2008/11/morning-with-manny.html Roch Kubatko Sun, 16 Nov 2008 10:25:19 -0500 If you're a Julio Lugo fan, you'll want to conveniently overlook the following stat: Lugo hit .139 with runners in scoring position this season, the lowest for a qualifier since Ron Gant (.130) in 2000. Oakland's Jack Hannahan followed Lugo in the non-clutch race with a .155 average. Cleveland's Franklin... http://masnsports.com/2008/11/not-automatic-in-the-clutch.html http://masnsports.com/2008/11/not-automatic-in-the-clutch.html Roch Kubatko Sat, 15 Nov 2008 15:04:12 -0500 Who? I understand if that's your reaction. He was the Orioles' 22nd-round pick in the 2006 amateur draft who appeared in only one game at Aberdeen the following year before being shut down with left elbow inflammation. So what's the big deal about Chris Salberg? Why am I mentioning him?... http://masnsports.com/2008/11/chris-salberg.html http://masnsports.com/2008/11/chris-salberg.html Roch Kubatko Sat, 15 Nov 2008 10:18:26 -0500 "Catching" is an interesting word to choose, since outfielder Lou Montanez has grown tired of hearing about his defensive shortcomings. Montanez keeps reading about the club having issues with his defense, and he counters by pointing out that becoming the regular left fielder would give him the chance to make... http://masnsports.com/2008/11/catching-up-with-lou-montanez.html http://masnsports.com/2008/11/catching-up-with-lou-montanez.html Roch Kubatko Fri, 14 Nov 2008 13:35:46 -0500 The free agency period has started and the Orioles need blah blah blah. Haven't we covered this already? At least two starting pitchers, a shortstop who can do more with a bat than apply pine tar to it, a backup catcher if they can do better than Guillermo Quiroz, a... http://masnsports.com/2008/11/doing-something-with-the-rotat.html http://masnsports.com/2008/11/doing-something-with-the-rotat.html Roch Kubatko Fri, 14 Nov 2008 08:18:47 -0500 Aubrey Huff's impressive turnaround this season has culminated in a Silver Slugger Award. Huff was honored as the American League's top designated hitter after leading the AL with 82 extra-base hits and finishing in the top 10 in total bases (third, 330), doubles (third, 48), slugging percentage (fifth, .552), RBIs... http://masnsports.com/2008/11/congrats-to-huff.html http://masnsports.com/2008/11/congrats-to-huff.html Roch Kubatko Thu, 13 Nov 2008 17:58:13 -0500 Former Orioles manager Sam Perlozzo has joined the Philadelphia Phillies' coaching staff after one season in Seattle. Perlozzo's duties haven't been defined yet, beyond his usual gig coaching the infielders. Bench coach and third base coach are open. Also, the Yankees acquired Nick Swisher from the Chicago White Sox. Swisher... http://masnsports.com/2008/11/sammy-leaves-seattle.html http://masnsports.com/2008/11/sammy-leaves-seattle.html Roch Kubatko Thu, 13 Nov 2008 17:00:04 -0500 The budding partnership between the Orioles and Ravens brings me to another blog entry. This time, it's revisiting Willis McGahee's holiday food drive, which I wrote about earlier, and Adam Jones' involvement in it. The running back and center fielder met earlier this year when McGahee threw out the ceremonial... http://masnsports.com/2008/11/mcgahee-and-jones-helping-thos.html http://masnsports.com/2008/11/mcgahee-and-jones-helping-thos.html Roch Kubatko Roch Kubatko Orioles Roch Kubatko Ravens Thu, 13 Nov 2008 11:00:45 -0500 In an unexpected development, the Orioles just changed their logo again as I was taking out the trash. OK, on a more serious note, they continue to partner with the neighboring football team, which is a positive development. We should all get along. And the Ravens and Orioles are the... http://masnsports.com/2008/11/familiar-faces-flipping-for-th.html http://masnsports.com/2008/11/familiar-faces-flipping-for-th.html Roch Kubatko Roch Kubatko Orioles Roch Kubatko Ravens Thu, 13 Nov 2008 07:35:29 -0500 I contacted someone from the front office today, and it sure doesn't sound like the Orioles are close to reaching agreement on a contract extension with outfielder Nick Markakis. Markakis' agent, Jamie Murphy, is engaged in talks with team president Andy MacPhail, but the two sides aren't on the verge... http://masnsports.com/2008/11/extension-rumors.html http://masnsports.com/2008/11/extension-rumors.html Roch Kubatko Wed, 12 Nov 2008 20:31:09 -0500 I'm between shows at MASN, so I wanted to pop in real quick and point out a few things from today's rally. Unless I missed it, the Orioles didn't show off their new jackets with the swinging bird on the left sleeve. I saw Dave Trembley wearing a black jacket,... http://masnsports.com/2008/11/a-few-quick-observations.html http://masnsports.com/2008/11/a-few-quick-observations.html Roch Kubatko Wed, 12 Nov 2008 14:16:32 -0500 Whenever I think about the Orioles' old road jerseys, and it's usually during those quiet moments at home while I'm soaking in a tub with a glass of wine and the lights dimmed, I envision Boog Powell wearing that gray jersey with "Baltimore" written across the chest. Maybe I should... http://masnsports.com/2008/11/an-early-look-at-the-road-jers.html http://masnsports.com/2008/11/an-early-look-at-the-road-jers.html Roch Kubatko Wed, 12 Nov 2008 07:46:50 -0500 The Hot Stove Show with Jim Hunter and myself returns to MASN on Dec. 12 at 7 p.m. I'll have more dates and times for you in the next few days, but it's expected to run through February. Here's hoping we have lots to talk about, and not just the... http://masnsports.com/2008/11/whats-coming-up-next.html http://masnsports.com/2008/11/whats-coming-up-next.html Roch Kubatko Wed, 12 Nov 2008 06:49:33 -0500 To answer two of your most pressing questions about the Orioles' new uniforms, the road jerseys have "Baltimore" written across the front for the first time since 1972, and the caps don't come with a cartoon bird. The home whites have the same Orioles script on the front, but you... http://masnsports.com/2008/11/the-new-uniforms.html http://masnsports.com/2008/11/the-new-uniforms.html Roch Kubatko Tue, 11 Nov 2008 12:58:40 -0500