Bundy's got game beyond baseball

While the Orioles were in Minnesota earlier this month, players killed time in the visiting clubhouse at Target Field by playing chess. Sharpen the mind before the batting eye.

Manager Buck Showalter challenged reporters in his office to name the best of the bunch, or at least someone who could give the king a run for his money.

Dylan Bundy's name wasn't brought up. To be honest, he wasn't a consideration. He just didn't seem to fit the profile.

Big mistake. The guy's apparently got game.

Bundy disputed that he's the best, saying, "That's Brady Anderson." But he's an All-Star among players.

Bundy's passion for the game, and his accolades, date back many years.

"I guess ever since fifth grade," he said. "There was a chess tournament in fifth grade and I ended up winning it and I just always liked playing chess. It's a strategy game, so you've got to think about it. But people definitely don't see me as a chess player. Even being somewhat good at it.

"I wouldn't say I'm the best. We like to play. We played in Minnesota quite a bit. Pedro (Alvarez) was always watching the games that were being played and then he played Gaus (Kevin Gausman). I played Tyler Wilson twice and then (Mark) Quinn."

Just talking about it got Bundy thinking of ways to involve more teammates.

"I might get a board and clock so we can play here, since we don't have one," he said. "We have quite a few guys on the team who actually play. Six or seven."

Someone ignited Bundy's love of the game, but he isn't sure who gets the credit.

"Fifth grade was the first time I remember playing, but I don't remember who actually taught me," he said. "It had to be someone in my family. My brother or my dad."

Shame on those of us who skipped over him while taking Showalter's quiz.

"Well, I'm a goofy person," he said, grinning. "Everybody knows that. And I'm also from the country, so people think typical country small-town kid, hunts and fishes. That's all they think I know.

"Got to surprise them somehow."

Bundy won a cow milking contest before Friday night's game against the Angels. It won't help his chess reputation.

Notes: Left-hander T.J. McFarland is in Baltimore today to undergo an examination of his left knee. The Orioles scheduled an appointment with team orthopedist Dr. Michael Jacobs.

McFarland, making his third start with Triple-A Norfolk, was injured Friday night while covering home plate on a wild pitch.

Odrisamer Despaigne tossed 6 2/3 scoreless innings last night for the Tides, walking none and striking out seven to pick up his first win in six decisions and lower his ERA to 3.97.

Mike Yastrzemski went 3-for-4 with two doubles, a run scored and two stolen bases. He's 8-for-24 in six games with Norfolk.