Late Orioles Head Groundskeeper Pat Santarone has today been named one of the newest members of the Major League Baseball Groundskeepers Hall of Fame.
Santarone joined the Orioles as Head Groundskeeper in 1969, spending 22 seasons tending the grounds at Memorial Stadium before retiring on Opening Day in 1991. During his tenure, Baltimore infielders won a total of 25 AL Gold Gloves, while the Orioles captured five American League pennants and won two World Series titles (1970, 1983).
...
The Washington Nationals today named their Minor League managers, coaches and coordinators for the 2015 season. Nationals Vice President of Player Personnel Bob Boone, Assistant General Manager and Vice President of Player Development and Pro Scouting Doug Harris and Director of Player Development Mark Scialabba made the joint announcement.
The Nationals promoted Paul Menhart to Minor League Pitching Coordinator and named Spin Williams a Senior Advisor for Player Development. Menhart embarks...
FanFest autograph vouchers will go on sale January 17
The launch to the 2015 baseball season will begin on Saturday, January 31, as the Orioles host their annual FanFest event at the Baltimore Convention Center. 2015 FanFest, presented by Visit Sarasota County, will feature appearances by current and former Orioles players and coaches as part of a day-long celebration of baseball that will also include clinics, exhibits, and interactive games. The event will be held from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m.,...
It is officially the new year, Birdland. This means we are that much closer to the start of a new baseball season.
As winter weather appears to be in full swing this week, you can stay warm by reliving some Orioles magic from this past season, as well as the 2012 campaign.
Here's what's on deck this week:
Wednesday, Jan. 7, 9 a.m.: It was the bottom of the ninth on June 23, 2014, and the Orioles were trailing the White Sox 4-3 with two on and one out. Chris Davis stepped to the plate,...
Happy new year from the MASNsports.com staff!
As the snow continues to fall this morning, remember we are just 44 days away from the date Nationals pitchers and catchers report to spring training.
While you're trying to stay warm from today's snow, check out which "Nationals Classics" MASN HD is airing this week.
Here's what's on deck:
Tuesday, Jan. 6, 11:30 p.m.: The Nationals kicked off the 2013 season with a bang from young stars Bryce Harper and Stephen Strasburg. Harper hit two home...
"I am saddened to learn of the passing of Hank Peters, and on behalf of the Orioles organization, I extend my condolences to his daughter Sharon, his son Steve, and his entire family. Hank was highly regarded throughout baseball as a man of integrity and great character. He was an integral part of the Orioles' winning tradition, including 10 consecutive winning seasons from 1976 to 1985 and the club's third World Series championship in 1983. His impact was felt by multiple organizations...
The start of a new year makes me even more excited for the start of a new baseball season. This week, I'm throwin' it back to one performance that makes every Nationals fan excited for 2015.
After hitting just 13 home runs and 32 RBIs in just 100 regular season games, Bryce Harper dominated in the playoffs. Harper homered in three of the Nats' four games and drove in six of their nine postseason runs.
His most memorable blast of the season came in Game 4 of the National League Division...
This week, I'm throwin' it back to a moment that may have slipped your mind. In fact, I'm shining a spotlight on the most mysterious play of the season.
That's right, I said mysterious.
In the third inning with the Nationals leading 2-1 in Houston, Jason Castro hit a shot to left field. As the ball bounced off the wall, Kevin Frandsen turned, ran toward the infield and stuck his glove behind his back. Somehow, some way, without even a glance back, the ball ended up in Frandsen's glove....
It may be 2015, but that doesn't mean we can't look back on the Orioles' most memorable moments from last season. On that note, let's take a look back at the best defensive play from 2014.
In case you don't already have an idea of which play I'm referring to, let me break it down for you. The Rays had runners on first and second with no outs in the sixth inning. Evan Longoria crushed a ball deep to center field, sending Adam Jones back to the wall. Jones not only reached over the fence...
The Orioles today announced that they have claimed catcher Ryan Lavarnway off of waivers from the Cubs. To make room for him on the 40-man roster, outfielder Quintin Berry has been released.
Lavarnway, 27, batted .283/.389/.370 in 62 games for Triple-A Pawtucket in 2014. In 301 major league plate appearances since 2011, Lavarnway has batted .201/.249/.315 with five home runs. He was claimed off waivers by the Cubs on December 19 after originally being selected in the 6th round of the 2008...
Happy Holidays from the MASNsports.com staff!
Our gifts to you this holiday week is four "Nationals Classics" games, including two from this past season.
If you're spending time with your family and want to bond with America's Pastime, tune in to MASN HD.
Here's what's on deck this week:
Wednesday, Dec. 24, 1:30 p.m.: Who doesn't love it when the Nationals beat the Braves? On Sept. 17, 2013, the Nats actually split a doubleheader with the Braves. Emotions were running high at...
Happy Holidays from the MASNsports.com staff!
As the new year approaches, we wanted to give you another opportunity to watch four of the greatest Orioles games from this past season, including all three games from the American League Division Series.
So sit back, relax, enjoy friends and family and watch some baseball!
Here's what's on deck this week:
Thursday, Dec. 25, 9 a.m., 1:30 p.m. and 6 p.m.: Our Christmas present for you is an opportunity to watch the Orioles' playoff sweep of...
The Washington Nationals acquired right-handed pitcher Joe Ross and a player to be named from the San Diego Padres in exchange for outfielder Steven Souza Jr. and minor league left-handed pitcher Travis Ott on Friday. Nationals President of Baseball Operations and General Manager Mike Rizzo made the announcement. The deal was part of a three-team trade that also included the Tampa Bay Rays, who will receive Souza Jr. and Ott.
Ross, 21, went 10-6 with a 3.92 ERA in 23 games (22 starts) between...
The Orioles today announced that they have signed free agent left-hander Wesley Wright to a one-year contract.
Wright, 29, posted a 3.17 ERA (48.1IP, 17ER) in 58 games for the Cubs in 2014, his third straight season making 55 or more appearances. He held left-handed hitters to a .594 OPS, not allowing an extra-base hit to a lefty in 85 plate appearances. Wright also allowed a career-low 0.4...
In the Orioles' search for an outfielder, they have said that they would like to re-sign Delmon Young.
Young's bat was the O's secret weapon off the bench all season, so when the Birds were down by two runs with the bases loaded in the eighth inning of Game 2 of the American League Division series, Buck Showalter decided to pinch-hit Young.
We all know what happened next. I get goosebumps just thinking about it.
Watch Young's bases-clearing double in the video below and check back...
I'm sure every Nationals fan already knows what this week's Throwback Thursday is about. Cue the goosebumps.
Yesterday, it was reported that the Nationals were involved in a three-team trade, dealing Steven Souza Jr. to the Rays and receiving two prospects from the Padres.
Automatically, I know the first thing that comes to mind is "The Catch," so without further adieu, relive the jaw-dropping play below.
Your browser does not support iframes.
After a week filled with rumors at the Winter Meetings, the Nationals returned home to Washington, D.C.
Two days later, your favorite Nationals players and coaches attended NatsFest, giving fans a taste of the upcoming baseball season. To hold you over until spring training, we will continue to air some of the greatest games in Nationals history on MASN HD.
This week, we are airing two "Nationals Classics" from last season, including Jordan Zimmermann's no-hitter and yet another Ryan...
There was a lot of debate in 2014 about who should assume the closer role for the Nationals.
Rafael Soriano was brought in to shut the door in the ninth before 2012, but seven blown saves and myriad other close calls in 2014 left fans with little confidence, and even fewer fingernails, as the final three outs seemed to constantly be a struggle to obtain.
Drew Storen assumed the role, too, racking up 11 saves, including 10 consecutive saves during the team's September stretch run. Still, as...
Let's not mince words. The Nationals are looking for an everyday second baseman.
Kevin Frandsen wants the gig.
"I mean, doesn't everyone?" Frandsen told reporters Saturday at NatsFest. "Do you want to write every day? You want to write every day. That's part of your job. I want to play every day. But is that like me saying, 'I demand?' No, it's the mentality you have to have."
It's certainly the mentality Frandsen has heading into 2015. The Nationals utility infielder is entering...
For young pitchers trying to make it into a team's starting rotation, there are two goals: make the rotation and stay in it.
Last year, Tanner Roark accomplished the first goal. Now comes the second one.
"Somebody can always come in and prove themselves and do better than me," Roark said. "That's what I've got to prove to myself, prove each year that I can be a starter and can still pitch at the big league level. That's my mentality and that'll always be my mentality."
For Roark, he...
