Another series for Orioles that wasn't played

The Orioles would have been finishing a two-game series against the Cubs tonight at Camden Yards if not for the pandemic and slamming of brakes on the baseball season.

A screeching halt before it actually got started.

Manager Brandon Hyde would have been able to reminisce about his years in the Cubs organization and visit with friends. No social distancing to keep them apart.

The whole scene could have played out again on June 2-3 with the teams meeting at Wrigley Field. Only there would have been more Chicago media to descend upon him.

Much like the Astros series last summer in Houston for executive vice president/general manager Mike Elias.

Reliever Rob Zastryzny actually owns a World Series ring after appearing in eight games with the Cubs as a rookie in 2016 and allowing only two earned runs with 17 strikeouts in 16 innings. No one else in camp this spring could say the same.

Zastryzny made his major league debut on Aug. 19 in Colorado and his lone start came in his final appearance on Sept. 29 in Pittsburgh, when he worked 3 2/3 innings and surrendered an unearned run.

The Cubs added Zastryzny to the roster for the National League Championship Series - he didn't pitch - and removed him before the World Series.

That's enough to earn a ring? Yes it is.

Former Orioles left-hander Brian Matusz also has a ring and he appeared in only one game with the Cubs, surrendering six runs and six hits, including three home runs, in three innings in a July 31 start against the Mariners at Wrigley Field.

The Cubs outrighted Matusz to Triple-A Iowa and he hasn't thrown another pitch in the majors.

You're really an Orioles fan if you remember that the team acquired minor league pitchers Brandon Barker and Trevor Belicek from the Braves for Matusz and a Competitive Balance B round pick. The Braves only wanted the pick and released Matusz.

Barker has spent the past two summers pitching for the independent Fargo-Moorhead Redhawks and Trois-Rivieres Aigles. Belicek hasn't pitched since appearing in six games with the independent Washington WildThings in 2017.

The Braves used the pick, the 76th overall, on University of California catcher Brett Cumberland, who's now in the Orioles organization after former executive Dan Duquette acquired him as part of the Kevin Gausman/Darren O'Day trade.

Matusz didn't pitch in 2018 and spent most of last summer with the independent Long Island Ducks, where he made nine starts and registered a 4.05 ERA and 1.157 WHIP in 46 2/3 innings. He was hoping to get a tryout in spring training prior to the shutdown.

Zastryzny was hoping to break camp with the Orioles, who could have carried 13 pitchers on a 26-man roster. Past ties to Hyde might be beneficial, but the left-hander allowed five runs and nine hits in five innings.

Rosters could expand to 29 players if the season starts. Did Zastryzny put himself on the bubble or in Triple-A?

* An article yesterday in The Athletic provided more details on the behind-the-scenes activity that so far has failed to yield an ideal plan for a truncated season.

Games played only in Arizona? Games played at the spring training complexes? Or this one, taken from the article:

"For example, some in the game speculate that if government officials deemed the virus under control in certain cities with domed or retractable-roof parks, the sport might be positioned to resume in certain regional hubs. Six teams could be assigned to five areas - say, Phoenix, Miami and Tampa Bay, Dallas-Fort Worth and Houston - then spend two to three weeks playing each other in round-robin style before relocating to another facility."

Much like politics, I'm left to choose among the lesser of the evils.

I haven't heard a proposal that legitimizes the season. Round-robin style games in five areas? How about each team electing a captain to play rock-paper-scissors?

* Former Orioles coach Jim Frey passed away on Sunday. He was 88.

The independent Somerset Patriots announced the news yesterday morning. Frey had served as the team's vice chairman.

Manager Earl Weaver promoted Frey to his coaching staff in 1970. Frey served as hitting coach until the Royals hired him as manager prior to the 1980 season.

The Royals lost to the Phillies in the 1980 World Series and Frey was fired the following year during a strike-shortened season.

Frey guided the Cubs to the playoffs in 1984 and later became general manager, but I'll always remember him as part of an Orioles coaching staff that at various junctures included George Bamberger, Billy Hunter, George Staller, Ray Miller, Cal Ripken Sr., Frank Robinson and Elrod Hendricks.

The Orioles won three American League pennants and the 1970 World Series with Frey on the staff. Just hearing his name brings back fond memories.

RIP.