McDonald shares insights on Ripken, Rutschman, broadcasting and more (with video)

So I was at it again yesterday, recording another Zoom video interview. That's three now with a few more coming. Hopefully, our readers here are enjoying the interviews and stories.

Today's chat, with former Orioles pitcher and current MASN broadcaster Ben McDonald, featured some great insights and stories. Fans have been thrilled to have Big Ben back with the organization the last few years.

He and Adley Rutschman are the only two humans on the planet that can say they were drafted No. 1 overall by the Orioles. It happened 30 years apart - not 20 as I was wrongly said on the video. But the two O's 1/1 picks have quickly bonded over their connection. McDonald got to know Rutschman even before the O's drafted him through his broadcasts and coverage of college baseball.

McDonald liked what he saw from the kid in Sarasota during O's camp in Florida.

"I was impressed with how he presented himself in camp," McDonald said of Rutschman. "He just wants to be one of the guys and play baseball. But he's also like a sponge, too, where he should be right now. Didn't talk a lot, but he had his ears open and he was learning from the veteran guys. The way he carried himself, he fit in with everybody.

"That is what I love about this young Orioles team - these guys really like each other and they get along on and off the field. And that's why, while I think it's still going to be a few years down the road, I like the direction the Orioles are headed. I love some of these guys in the organization.

"Defensively, he can catch in the big leagues right now, there is no doubt in my mind. But he needs some at-bats at the minor league level. Just get some experience, learn how to be a professional guy."

McDonald can obviously relate to the pressures that come with being the top draft pick in baseball.

"I'd be lying if I told you I didn't feel that pressure. I did," he said. "I walked in the clubhouse and Frank Robinson told me I had to win 20 games or the Orioles would not have a good season. I was 22, didn't yet know how to pitch. It was like I got hit by a sledgehammer. I felt so much pressure to perform.

"I think it's a little different for Adley. I think he's more mature than I was and he's able to accept it. He asked me at the College World Series, 'What's it like (being taken 1/1?)'

"I told him that Cal Ripken Jr. wrote me a long letter back in '89. He wrote that he knew my work ethic and that I worked hard. He said, 'Come be part of our team. Be the first one at the park every day and I want you to outwork everybody.' He said, 'If you do that, the fans in Baltimore will take to you.' That's all I ever tried to do."

McDonald told me how much he enjoyed being on the field during spring training as a guest instructor.

"That was really cool for me," he said. "In my job as a broadcaster for the Orioles, it's good to get to the know the players and their personalities. I was able to visit with them on and off the field.

"And from an analytical standpoint, understanding with the pitchers what they rely on and what they like to do. It was fun to talk to those guys and learn what they like to throw. Then when I get on the air, we start talking about the guys (and) you have a real idea of how they like to attack hitters, and I can use that on a broadcast and give the fans something to look for."

Speaking of broadcasting, McDonald has become a big part of that with the Orioles, too. Fans seem to love his analysis and insights on both radio and TV. He told me he's thrilled to be back with the Orioles.

"I was a kid when I got there. In a lot of respects Baltimore is my second home. It's where I grew up and became a young man," McDonald said. "For whatever reason, I always hit it off with and enjoyed the Orioles fans.

"I got some advice when I first started doing games from an older lady in a grocery store. She said, 'I like how you call the games.' I was learning and asked her what she liked. She said, 'You keep the game simple. I don't understand and watch a lot of baseball, but when I watch you, I understand what you are talking about.' I always took that to heart. I try to keep it simple and I hope the fans in Baltimore like that style."

They sure seem to, and I absolutely had a great time talking with McDonald. He even shared the story of Ripken offering to help him call pitches, which led to him learning more and growing as a pitcher.

By the way, follow Ben on Twitter here. He's been doing some interesting things lately.

If #Wifey ain't happy...nobody is happy...her request this morning..."please remove the #hummingbird from the garage without injuring him" 🤔 this turned into #COVIDー19 project 3102! @Realtree #HummingBird #HummingBirdRescue #WifeyHappy #INeedBaseball #IMissBaseball #CarryOn pic.twitter.com/LX88A9kRtC

-- Ben McDonald (@realbenmcdonald) April 22, 2020