More memories from days covering Orioles spring training

Because major league spring training remains delayed and I'm stuck at home for an indefinite period - I'd definitely like to know for how long - I must live vicariously through myself.

Oh, the memories.

I loved the city of Fort Lauderdale and the proximity to South Beach. I had my favorite spots to eat and drink and made lots of friends. I didn't care for the small complex, the flooded dugouts and clubhouse after heavy rains, the limited space, the ballpark lights that didn't work, the plane fumes from the executive airport next to the two back fields.

Yes, only two back fields.

The Ed Smith Stadium complex was spectacular even before the renovations. It's an elite facility now, a top seed in any spring training bracket.

Some days rank higher than others for the beat writers, whether because of the news that breaks or the humor. Thanks to a reminder last week from an old Facebook post, I take you back to Feb. 25, 2017, before the final season of contention for the Orioles.

They lost steam in September, and a lot of games, and smacked rock bottom the following year, which led to the teardown and rebuild.

I wrote in that post that the Orioles averaged like one roster move a day, which seems like a generous count. On this particular day, besides a game against the Pirates in Bradenton, the media learned that outfielder Michael Bourn broke the ring finger on his right hand while trying to catch a football on one of the back fields in Sarasota - less than a week after he signed a minor league contract - and catcher Welington Castillo woke up with neck spasms.

There was more.

The Braves claimed first baseman Christian Walker, which also warranted mention. Left-hander TJ McFarland cleared outright waivers and was placed on release waivers. And then, the Orioles signed veteran infielder Paul Janish while shortstop JJ Hardy was shut down with a sore back.

"Is it safe to drink a martini," I asked, always thinking about myself, "or is Eddie Murray coming out of retirement?"

He did not.

I probably ordered that martini.

"Paul Janish is a qualified major league infielder and a good team member who should help the Orioles this year," executive Dan Duquette wrote in a text message.

I can hear his voice, or Caleb Joseph's impression, as I type that sentence.

My day began with a story about Cuban outfielder Dariel Álvarez being in camp again and showing no interest in making the transition to pitcher.

"At the moment, I'm a hitter," he said through interpreter Ramon Alarcon. "That's where my mindset is right now, to be a hitter. The things that I've done so far as a hitter. So, I look at myself as a hitter right now."

Like I said, no interest.

First baseman/outfielder David Washington remained day-to-day after jamming his right shoulder while diving back into first base on an attempted pickoff. But that was nothing compared to what happened later, and I don't mean a 6-2 loss, when Rule 5 pick Anthony Santander had a game-tying RBI single in the fourth inning and reliever Parker Bridwell gave up three runs in the eighth on back-to-back home runs after striking out the first two batters.

Bourn, who started in right field in the 2016 Wild Card game in Toronto and re-signed on Feb. 22, was released on March 27, signed again on April 11 and was released on May 24. He never got into another major league game after the walk-off loss to the Blue Jays in 11 innings.

Janish appeared in exactly 14 games with the Orioles in 2015, 2016 and 2017. Nice symmetry. He went 2-for-26 in '17, his final season in the majors.

Álvarez never pitched for the Orioles. He injured his elbow in April while trying to make the conversion and underwent Tommy John surgery.

He really was a hitter.

* Catcher Michael Ohlman wasn't supposed to be in major league camp in 2012. The Orioles brought him over from Twin Lakes Park because of Ronny Paulino's visa issues.

Ohlman, an 11th-round pick three years earlier who received a $995,000 bonus that was the second-largest in the Orioles' draft class behind first-rounder Matt Hobgood, was involved in a traffic accident on March 6 after leaving the facility and driving to a local mall to purchase a cell phone case for his sister. His truck was sideswiped by another vehicle and rolled onto its roof, but he remained conscious and was able to crawl out of it.

The seat belt probably saved his life.

The Orioles placed Ohlman on the disabled list with shoulder injury. A month later, he was suspended 50 games for a second violation of the Minor League Drug Prevention and Treatment Program for a drug of abuse.

Ohlman was the second Orioles minor league catcher to be suspended 50 games for a second violation. It also happened to Brian Ward in spring training.

Ohlman's major league career consisted of seven games with the Blue Jays in 2017. His last games were played with the independent Somerset Patriots in 2019.

Hearing his name always reminds me of the accident, and how two of his high school friends, Brett Wagner and Josh Rogers, died in an automobile accident 10 weeks earlier. Ohlman wore bands on his right wrist with their names inscribed.

He did it as a reminder to always wear his seat belt.