On Sunday, September 8, the Oriole Advocates will conduct their 2013 Cardboard to Leatherâ„¢ collection at Oriole Park, presented by Legg Mason. The Oriole Advocates created the program in 1992 to provide new and used baseball and softball equipment to underprivileged youth in developing countries. Since the program started, the Oriole Advocates have distributed tons of equipment to little league ball players throughout the world in places such as Afghanistan, Aruba, Belgrade,...
It's the latest craze!
Since Manny Machado has reached the majors, we've seen "Hakuna Machado" signs and shirts in the stands at Camden Yards. Now, thanks to the MLB Fan Cave, Manny's nickname was made official with its own music video.
With appearances from J.J. Hardy, Adam Jones, Tommy Hunter, Boog Powell, Jim Hunter, Mike Bordick, Orioles fans and even Machado himself, MLB Fan Cave's video proves that "Hakuna Machado" is a wonderful phrase.
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It had been longer than I could remember since I last sat in the stands at Nationals Park, so on Sunday I changed that. Maybe it was the fact that it was "Sunday Night Baseball" on the eve of Labor Day or maybe it was the fact that I was feeling slightly burned out. But either way, I went to that game.
The unfortunate part is that I missed the eighth-inning comeback due to having to catch the Metro in the bottom of the seventh. The superstitious voice in my head said, "You know, the second...
It's no secret that Baltimore sports fans have a bit of a chip on their shoulders. Whether you root for the Orioles, or both the O's and the Super Bowl champion Ravens, you know exactly what I'm talking about. The national media doesn't seem to respect the Orioles in the same way as it does some other teams. Part of it could be understood after a long string of consecutive losing seasons. Then again, I've seen the Pittsburgh Pirates glorified in the media over the past few days as they end...
In a tie ballgame, every play matters.
Jordan Zimmermann found himself in a bit of a jam in the seventh inning with two men in scoring position and only one out. Kevin Frandsen came to the plate and ripped it down the third base line, but Ryan Zimmerman snatched it and got the lead runner going to the plate.
Cesar Hernandez came to the plate with two on and two outs, the game tied at 2-2. He hit a grounder past Adam LaRoche, and well, I'll let the video explain the rest ...
Click here to...
This is normally the time of year where I start to realize that I won't be able to watch baseball again for five or six months, depending on how you count the postseason and spring training. This season, the Nationals have failed to live up to expectations to a degree that has me glad the season is going to end. It isn't a feeling I am proud of, want to embrace or hope others feel.
There was a clinical study recently that said sports can have a profound impact on our moods. It makes sense,...
It's September again. And Baltimore, let's agree, is a great autumn city. It's harsh in the depths of summer and winter, but fall is our reward for enduring both. This is a place for when things get just cold enough for a sweater at night. That's when we're at our best.
In terms of sports, "at our best" in fall also meant, for many years, "the Ravens are back." But we're in year two now of the September experiment, when the Orioles remain relevant even as the NFL settles in to...
The Orioles today announced that they have recalled infielder Jonathan Schoop, outfielder Henry Urrutia and right-hander Josh Stinson from Triple-A Norfolk, and infielder Ryan Flaherty from High-A Frederick.
Schoop, 21, will make his major league debut when he first appears in a game. He batted .256/.301/.396 with nine home runs and 34 RBI in 289 plate appearances while playing second base and shortstop for the Tides this season. Schoop also batted .214/.313/.464 with two home runs in eight...
"September's an eternity." - Buck Showalter
In a lot of ways, September feels like it lasts forever. As August concludes, so too does my favorite time of year as those seemingly long summer days grow shorter and shorter. Kids are back in school, the Baltimore humidity begins to subside (it will soon, I promise) and I start to brace myself for the cold winter that will greet us in what seems like a matter of days.
I don't think Buck Showalter was talking about my animosity towards the...
You will not find his picture on the cover of Sports Illustrated nor Rolling Stone, but Ian Desmond is a rock star. He is a rock, one of the most solid players on the Nationals roster, and he is emerging as a star who deserves to be recognized as such.
Desmond's WAR rating currently stands at 5.2 for the 2013 season. Wins Above Replacement - or WAR - is the blue ribbon of baseball analytics. FanGraphs is one of two Web sites that provide ongoing WAR ratings. WAR provides one magical number...
Launched in July, MASN has been rewarding its top fans on social media with exclusive Orioles prizes. By sharing Facebook posts, retweeting our writers, tagging Instagram pictures with #masnOrioles and more, fans have earned points, which at the end of the month, accumulated and earned them signed gear from their favorite Orioles.
Well, this month is no different. Signed Adam Jones baseballs and a bat autographed by the center fielder are on deck for September.
Be sure to sign up for "Touch...
Launched in July, MASN has been rewarding its top fans on social media with exclusive Nationals prizes. By sharing Facebook posts, retweeting our writers, tagging Instagram pictures with #masnNationals and more, fans have earned points, which at the end of the month, accumulated and earned them signed gear from their favorite Nationals.
Well, this month is no different. Signed Denard Span baseballs and a bat autographed by the center fielder are on deck for September.
Be sure to sign up for...
The Orioles today announced that they have recalled left-hander Zach Britton from Triple-A Norfolk.
Britton, 25, is 2-3 with a 4.76 ERA (34.0IP, 18ER) in six starts for the Orioles this season. In 19 starts for Norfolk, Britton was 6-5 with a 4.27 ERA (103.1IP, 49ER).
In 46 career games (45 starts) for the Orioles, Britton is 18-17 with a 4.74 ERA (248.2IP, 131ER).
The Washington Nationals salvaged the last of the three-game weekend set with the New York Mets on EPSN's Sunday Night Baseball, overcoming an early deficit with a three-run eighth inning to win 6-5, spurred by Bryce Harper's sacrifice bunt with men on first and second and no outs, trailing by two runs.
The percentages say it was a bad play. Statheads throughout Natstown winced. The Nationals only had six outs left and Harper gave one away on purpose.
The next batter, rookie Anthony...
I appeared on a New York podcast late last week to talk Orioles-Yankees going into the weekend. Out of the 45 minutes of questions they asked, two stood out: Will the Orioles make a move before the waiver trade deadline, and which player(s) are you watching the closest as the pennant race heats up and the season winds down. My answer to question one was that indeed I did believe the Birds would make a deal. My response to the second question was that whoever the Orioles did pick up in a trade...
The Washington Nationals today recalled right-handed pitcher Erik Davis and left-handed pitcher Ian Krol from Syracuse of the Triple-A International League, as well as catcher Sandy Leon from Harrisburg of the Double-A Eastern League. Nationals President of Baseball Operations and General Manager Mike Rizzo made the announcement.
Davis joins the Nationals for second stint this season. He posted a 6.23 ERA in five June appearances with the Nationals. Davis finished 3-7 with a team-leading 15...
Following yesterday's game, the Orioles made four roster moves, designating catcher Taylor Teagarden and minor league outfielder Eric Thames for assignment and selecting the contracts of catcher Chris Snyder from Triple-A Norfolk and RHP Eric Beaulac from Double-A Bowie. Beaulac was placed on the 15-day disabled list with a torn labrum in his right hip.
The Orioles this morning announced that they have recalled left-hander Wei-Yin Chen from Rookie-level Gulf Coast and catcher Steve Clevenger...
The Orioles today announced that outfielder Michael Morse has reported to the club and they have placed outfielder Steve Pearce on the 15-day disabled list, retroactive to August 28, with left wrist tendonitis.
Morse was acquired Friday from Seattle and will wear uniform #38.
Pearce batted .241/.328/.361 with three homers and nine RBI in 38 games for the Orioles this season.
The Orioles today announced that they have acquired outfielder Michael Morse from the Seattle Mariners in exchange for minor league outfielder Xavier Avery.
Morse, 31, is a career .284/.338/.479 hitter with 83 homers and 272 RBI in 561 major league games with the Mariners and Washington Nationals. In his major league career, Morse has batted .293/.349/.495 against left-handed pitching. Morse will wear number 38.
Avery, 23, saw action in 32 games for the Orioles in 2012, batting...
How are the 2013 Orioles different from the 2012 Orioles?
If you answered that the bullpen isn't as good this year, you're right.
If you said this year's team doesn't hit as well with runners in scoring position, you're wrong.
And if you concluded that this year's team is a heavier hitting bunch, you're both right and wrong.
Let's address each one in order.
First, the bullpen. The 2012 Orioles bullpen was lights-out while the 2013 version is more of a dimmer switch.
O's...
