More on Chris Davis playing right field and the "Franchise Four"

While sorting through my mailbag last week, I omitted one of the more popular questions posed by fans.

Why is Chris Davis playing right field?

Manager Buck Showalter hasn't said much about it, except that Davis is capable of playing first base and right field, that he's just as good at one position as the other.

When I relayed this explanation to Davis, hoping that he'd provide more insight, he feigned anger and replied, "What the heck is that supposed to mean?"

But seriously ...

Davis has made 14 starts in right field and figures to stay there for Friday night's series opener against the Tigers at Comerica Park. Chris Parmelee and Steve Pearce have been playing first base.

"I think you guys have heard pretty much the same as me," Davis said. "It gives us a little bit better option to get some more guys in the lineup. When I first went out there I didn't know if I was going to be playing it every day or if it would be kind of a rotation thing, but my whole thing was as long as I'm not losing at-bats, as long as I'm getting continuous playing time, I don't mind it.

"I think it's probably been more beneficial for me to be out there day in and day out because it helps me get adjusted a little bit more, but I think it's just about putting the best nine guys out there you can."

Davis wasn't a stranger to the position. He played 30 games in right, including 28 starts, in 2012. It had just been a few years.

Rather than make any assumptions, Davis arrives at the ballpark each day and checks the lineup card. He's ready for anything - or anywhere.

"I kind of treat it like first base or DH," he said. "You don't know if you're going to DH one day or play first one day, so I just come in here every day prepared to play right or play first or to DH.

"I don't think there's any rhyme or reason to it. I'm sure Buck has a reason for doing everything, but I'm OK with it."

As part of its All-Star Game festivities, Major League Baseball announced its "Franchise Four" selections for each team as voted upon by fans. It also gambled that Pete Rose's hair wouldn't change color again before the final out.

The Orioles' Mount Rushmore included Brooks Robinson, Frank Robinson, Jim Palmer and Cal Ripken Jr. I have no argument. I'm also making the assumption that managers weren't eligible.

Eddie Murray is the glaring omission. How many franchises can exclude a member of the 3,000-hit, 500-home run club? But how would you make room without expanding it to the "Franchise Five"?

Murray, Dave McNally, Paul Blair and Boog Powell were the other finalists, and it speaks volumes about the history of the Orioles that they couldn't crack the list and that you easily could come up with other worthy candidates.

If you want another debate, what about the fans' selections of Hank Aaron, Willie Mays, Johnny Bench and Sandy Koufax as the four greatest living players?

Clearly, no love for Barry Bonds, for reasons that don't require an explanation. The question is whether those reasons should be set aside.

Also, for all his faults, should the all-time hits leader also be excluded from this list?

Give me your thoughts.