Doing the splits

If the Orioles produce a video of the 2013 season, I suggest that they call it "Platoon." I'm aware that there's a film of the same name, but this one won't include Charlie Sheen. Yesterday's waiver claim of Russ Canzler provides manager Buck Showalter with more platoon possibilities in left field, at first base and at designated hitter. Of course, Canzler has to make the team out of spring training. He has to make it down to Sarasota. He has to make it through today without being taken by another team. I hope he's smart enough to wait a while before getting his new team's logo tattooed on his body. He's been in four organizations since late December. And that doesn't include the Trop stamp he could have gotten on his lower back after the Tampa Bay Rays signed him in November 2010. Canzler is batting .400/.419/.667 in 31 major league plate appearances against left-handers, compared to .212/.254/.273 in 71 plate appearances against right-handers. Perhaps he shares time in left field with Nate McLouth, a career .257/.346/.447 hitter against right-handers, compared to .223/.303/.346 against southpaws. Canzler also could share DH at-bats with Wilson Betemit, a career .228/.285/.352 hitter vs. lefties, compared to .281/.349/.474 vs. right-handers. Then again, that's one reason why the Orioles acquired Danny Valencia, a career .316/.359/.472 hitter vs. lefties, compared to .232/.271/.355 vs. right-handers. Interesting coincidence that the Orioles claimed Canzler on the same day Yahoo! Sports published a story that noted how Valencia's name appears in the records of the Biogenesis clinic, though not next to any specific PED. For now, I'm assuming it's just a coincidence. Anyway, you can't say that the Orioles aren't flexible, because they're quite good at doing the splits. Each acquisition by executive vice president Dan Duquette seems to come with a high OBP - whether it's in the majors or minors - and splits that tilt heavily to one side. Canzler isn't a thumper for the middle of the lineup, but he's a right-handed hitter, which makes sense for this club. Valencia isn't the only player who could be impacted by Canzler's arrival. Trayvon Robinson must wonder how many more outfielders are going to show up in Sarasota. The 40-man roster includes McLouth, Nolan Reimold, Adam Jones, Nick Markakis, Xavier Avery and LJ Hoes. Non-roster invitees include Chris Dickerson, Lew Ford, Conor Jackson, Steve Pearce and Jason Pridie. Robinson is out of options. Is he already running out of chances to make the club? Note: The Babe Ruth Birthplace Foundation has announced several events that will celebrate the 118th anniversary of Ruth’s birth in Baltimore on Feb. 6, 1895. The Foundation will premiere a short film, "“O” Say Can You See: The Star Spangled Banner in Sports" at the Babe Ruth Birthplace Museum on Saturday, Feb. 9. Additionally, the annual Babe’s Birthday Bash will take place on Friday, Feb. 8 from 5:30-9 p.m. at Sports Legends Museum at Camden Yards, where the Foundation will debut its 2013 Members Valuing Preservation (MVP) team membership program. "“O” Say Can you See: The Star Spangled Banner in Sports," was created by the Babe Ruth Birthplace Foundation in cooperation with the city-wide effort to celebrate the 200th anniversary of the War of 1812 and the battle of Fort McHenry in September 1814. The film will employ a new technology that projects images onto multiple surfaces creating a high-tech film experience. The film concludes with a composite rendition of the anthem, featuring bits of the song as performed by various artists and bands at sporting events. “In addition to the film premiere, author Morris Eckhouse will host a special program about Babe Ruth’'s “called shot,” one of baseball'’s most mythic and iconic moments, at 11 a.m. at the Birthplace. Eckhouse has written and spoken about sports for more than 30 years, and is the co-author of seven books. A birthday cake celebration in honor of Ruth will take place at 12:30 p.m., followed by an additional historical program at 1:30 p.m. The foundation will also launch its new membership campaign, entitled MVP (Members Valuing Preservation), at its annual Babe'’s Birthday Bash. Members of the MVP team will receive enhanced membership premiums, featuring a limited-edition Babe Ruth bobblehead, along with additional membership benefits that include admission to the Babe Ruth Birthplace Museum and Sports Legends Museum, 20 percent discounts on museum store merchandise, special membership pricing for events, members-only access to priceless artifacts from the museum'’s collection, free passes for family and friends, and much more. There are several membership levels available for individuals, families and groups. For more information on specific membership packages, visit http://baberuthmuseum.org/members/members/.