We are back with the third season of Hitting the Books. I say "we" because without the help of Olivia Witherite producing and Pete Kerzel editing, Hitting the Books would not happen.
And none of our work would matter if you, the reader/viewers weren't there. So thanks to all and I hope this year's books spark an interest to read on.
The selections are mine, sometimes suggested by others, but I do the reading and writing.
Again this year we will have guests to discuss their favorite books....
Daniel Murphy, runner-up for the 2016 National League MVP, silenced critics early in the 2017 campaign when he hit safely in the first 10 games of the season with a .444/.457/.711 slash line. At the time, his 10 games were tied for the longest streak in the majors in 2017 and it was the longest such streak to start a season in his career.
We turn to Bob Carpenter (@scorebook_bob) to give you a recap of one of Murphy's best games during his outstanding start to the season, the Nationals' April...
If you needed something to distract you from this week's bone-chilling weather and Redskins news, we've got you, fam - Nationals pitchers and catchers reporting is just a baker's dozen days away! After you look up flights to West Palm Beach, read up on one of the many curly W's from MASN play-by-play announcer Bob Carpenter's 2017 scorebook:
10 for Gio and the Nats! Monster game for Zim with 2 HRs and 5 RBIs. RBI #906 is franchise record.Nats 10 Marlins 1 August 9...
Just 19 days until Orioles pitchers and catchers report, folks! Until then, sit back with your second (or third) cup of coffee this morning and join us for a few more "Orioles Classics" moments to get you through the rest of the offseason.
After Nationals ace Max Scherzer struck out 11 O's over eight innings on May 9, it looked as though a loss was imminent when the Birds were trailing 4-2. But they were able to pull even in the ninth inning with singles from Adam Jones and Manny Machado, an...
Tim Beckham became a welcome addition to the Orioles lineup when he joined the team at the 2017 trade deadline and immediately impressed fans in his first week with the club. He started things off with a 12-game hitting streak from Aug. 1-12, which led to him earning his first American League Player of the Week honor (for July 31-Aug. 6). Beckham became the third player since 1954 to have a hitting streak of at least 12 games to begin their O's career.
In those first 12 games with Baltimore,...
The 2017 season was the year of the triple play for Baltimore. One of the rarest feats in baseball, the Orioles accomplished it twice in two different ballparks almost three months apart. The first was on May 2 at Fenway Park and was a bit unconventional. A popup from Jackie Bradley Jr. failed to meet J.J. Hardy's glove, but he quickly tossed the ball over to Jonathan Schoop, who tagged Mitch Moreland before touching second to force Dustin Pedroia out, then fired it over to Chris Davis to get...
Happy New Year, everyone! As we inch closer and closer to Spring Training and the 2018 season we'll continue to take at more memorable throwback moments from last year to get you through the next few weeks.
One of the best parts of the 2017 season was MLB's new player-focused initiative, Players Weekend. With customized alternate jerseys, nicknames and commemorative patches, players got the chance to show us all a different, more personal side of themselves that they don't normally get to...
We couldn't end the year without giving you at least one more Ryan Zimmerman moment:
Zim's amazing season continues: 3-4 2HR/3RBIs and still leads the NL in hitting. Nats 10 Braves 5 June 13.This one's for you 91 years young Thelma. Your grandson @ryryjones saved my pix. pic.twitter.com/LlRSmmVZT0
-- Bob Carpenter (@scorebook_bob) December 16, 2017
What happened: After missing some time due to back soreness, he made a triumphant return, hitting his 18th and 19th homers of the season and...
It's the most wonderful time of year. Out-of-office emails are set up, presents are piling up and end of the year "best of" lists are (hopefully) keeping you entertained.
In case you've missed it, MASN Nationals broadcaster Bob Carpenter has been sharing some of his favorite scorekeeping moments from the season on his Twitter (@scorebook_bob). We've decided to take some inspiration from him for this week's #TBT post:
Max goes the distance on 100 pitches w/11Ks, Zim hits #15 & drives...
The 2017 season was full of record-breaking games for Orioles outfielder Adam Jones. One of his first celebratory moments came on April 24, when he recorded his 1,500th career hit with a fifth-inning single against the Rays' Chris Archer. Always humble, Jones didn't realize he reached a milestone until after the game:
His day wasn't over yet. In the seventh inning, Jones' 1,501st hit was a two-run homer that gave the O's the lead in a 6-3 win.
Jones ended the season with 1,650 career...
On a gorgeous Sunday afternoon in our nation's capital, the Nationals put on a hitting clinic against the Mets pitching staff that ended in a 23-5 victory, making up for dropping the first two games of the series. What fans will remember most is the All-Star performance by third baseman Anthony Rendon.
Rendon came out of an early season slump when he went 6-for-6 (including two singles and a double), blasted three homers and collected a career-high 10 RBIs (his previous career high was four...
Although the season is over, that doesn't necessarily mean players are done for the year. Earlier this afternoon, Trey Mancini, Mike Wright and Tim Beckham joined MASN broadcaster Jim Hunter and former Orioles Al Bumbry, Larry Bigbie and Scott McGregor at the annual Orioles REACH Holiday Party at the Dave & Busters at Arundel Mills Mall.
Players went head-to-head with 80 third- through fifth-graders from John Ruhrah Elementary/Middle School, one of Baltimore's largest English as a Second...
It's the biggest event of the baseball offseason and it's finally here. Baseball's Winter Meetings will take place at the Walt Disney World Swan and Dolphin Resort in Orlando starting Sunday, Dec. 10 and continuing through Thursday, Dec. 14, and we're excited to announce MASN will be bringing you wall-to-wall coverage throughout the week!
On Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday during the week, be sure to LIKE and tune in to the "MASN All Access" Facebook page, as we'll be streaming a show...
April 10 wasn't exactly the prettiest night of baseball in D.C., but the Nationals overcame a flurry of ugly errors and missed opportunities with a seven-run eighth inning to win 14-6 against the Cardinals. The offense delivered, and to no surprise, Bryce Harper was one of the heroes at the plate.
Harper had himself a night, as he reached base in all six of his plate appearances, finishing the night 4-for-4 (all singles) with two walks and three RBIs. His four hits tied a career high and it...
Despite the freezing cold and rainy temperatures in Denver on April 25th, it was easily the hottest night of Trea Turner's career. The Nationals outlasted the Rockies 15-12, but Turner stole the spotlight as he hit for the cycle, drove in a career-high seven RBIs and scored four runs.
With gametime temperature hovering around 37 degrees, donning a ski mask and warm gloves, Turner turned his fourth full game back from the disabled list into a stellar night with:
* Single in the first* Two-run...
The Orioles recently announced the return of the weekly "Orioles Hot Stove Show" on CBS Radio's 105.7 The Fan (WJZ-FM), the flagship station of the Orioles Radio Network.
Starting Thursday, Nov. 30 from 6-7 p.m., listeners can tune in with MASNsports.com beat writer Roch Kubatko and MASN broadcaster Jim Hunter live from the Orioles Grille at the Sheraton Inner Harbor, located at 300 S. Charles St. in Baltimore. The one-hour program will feature Orioles news, analysis, debate and special...
Happy Thanksgiving, Birdland! From our MASN family to yours, we hope you have a happy and joyful holiday with family and friends. Thanks for watching along and following us on social all year long!
Since we know you're going through baseball withdrawal during this football-heavy time of year, we're giving you a few dramatic O's moments to help get you through the next week.
Earlier this season, the Orioles and Tigers competed in a bizarre back-and-forth marathon at Comerica Park with...
They played together for eight seasons with the Orioles, collectively earning 12 All-Star appearances, a Rookie of the Year Award, an MVP Award, six Silver Sluggers and three Gold Gloves. And on Wednesday, Hall of Famers Cal Ripken Jr. and Eddie Murray reunited for another impressive reason.
The duo was on hand in West Baltimore with the Cal Ripken, Sr. Foundation to unveil the new Eddie Murray Field at BGE Park.
Together, Baltimore Gas and Electric (BGE) and the Ripken Foundation noticed the...
On April 3, Orioles fans were spoiled with a dramatic and thrilling opening day contest in a 2016 American League wild card game rematch against the Blue Jays.
Tied 2-2 with two outs and two strikes in the bottom of the 11th inning, O's slugger Mark Trumbo picked up right where he left off in 2016, when he led the majors with 47 home runs during the regular season. A solo shot to left-center field notched his sixth career walk-off homer, this one coming off Jason Grilli, which led the Birds to...
Oh, there's no place like Winterfest for the holidays!
As the weather gets colder, we're already thinking about gathering around the MASN booth at the Walter E. Washington Convention Center in Washington, D.C. We'll have tons of presents for you, including photo sessions with some of your favorite players and broadcasters, multiple chances to win autographed prizes and a new, exclusive prize you can take home!
Just in time for the holidays, we're giving away ugly sweater-themed long-sleeve...