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Orioles

Adam Jones wrong to label Orioles fans choosing to voice displeasure as “fools”

Luke Jones

For those who’ve followed my work at WNST.net over the last three years, you know I rarely insert myself into a story. It’s not my style and, frankly, I prefer keeping the focus on the topic at hand. But I do feel the need to offer my first-hand account of comments made by Orioles center fielder Adam Jones that sparked plenty of controversy and dialogue via social media on Thursday afternoon. When asked about the spectacle of Opening Day by another reporter, Jones began describing the event before shifting his attention to those aiming to voice their displeasure with the state of the organization. “I was reading my Twitter earlier and I saw this thing with ‘Occupy Eutaw Street,’ these fools, or something trying to create a walkout or something in this ballpark,” Jones said. Surprised by his word choice in describing fans involved with the movement — which is not affiliated with WNST.net and has a Facebook page of over 600 people — I then saw Jones look in my direction as he continued on. “And you work for that station — I don’t care — but I’ve seen [‘Free The Birds’] going on a lot.” Prepared to ask

Opening Day roster set as Orioles enter 2012 season

Luke Jones

Making their final cuts of the spring, the Orioles have formulated their 25-man roster for the start of the 2012 season. Japanese left-handed pitcher Tsuyoshi Wada has been placed on the 15-day disabled list, retroactive to March 28 with an elbow ligament impingement. The Orioles hope Wada can improve his conditioning and continue to adjust to American baseball before the club must make a decision whether to place him in the bullpen or insert him in the starting rotation. In five spring innings, Wada allowed five earned runs, five hits, two walks, and six strikeouts. Backup catcher Taylor Teagarden was also placed on the 15-day disabled list as he continues to recover from a strained back. The move is retroactive to March 26 after Teagarden received only five Grapefruit League at-bats while dealing with the lingering back issue. The Orioles selected the contracts of first baseman Nick Johnson and catcher Ronny Paulino to fill their final two spots on the 40-man roster. Johnson hit .292 in 48 spring at-bats and — more importantly — remained healthy after being invited to camp as a non-roster invitee. Paulino will take Teagarden’s place as the backup catcher and hit .216 in 37 at-bats

Orioles option RHP Tillman to Triple-A Norfolk, place Simon on waivers

Luke Jones

With the start of the season less than a week away, the Orioles moved closer to shaping their pitching staff with a pair of moves over the last 24 hours. Right-handed pitcher Chris Tillman has been optioned to Triple-A Norfolk where he will presumably be a member of the Tides’ starting rotation. Showing improved velocity, the 23-year-old Tillman posted a 2.92 earned run average in 12 1/3 innings over five outings this spring. The Orioles likely view Triple A as a better fit for Tillman as he tries to build on a successful spring and extends himself as a starter. Though he was still a dark-horse candidate for the fifth starter job, Tillman likely would have found himself as a long reliever only pitching a few innings a week. The club also reportedly placed right-handed pitcher Alfredo Simon on outright waivers despite his ability to pitch as either a starter or a reliever. Battling a groin injury during sprain training, Simon was lit up for six runs in two innings of relief work on Wednesday. Simon’s impending removal from the 40-man roster will clear a spot for one of two non-roster invitees likely to make the 25-man roster heading north.

Roberts, Britton to begin year on 15-day DL; Orioles make more spring cuts

Luke Jones

With Opening Day less than two weeks away, manager Buck Showalter and the Orioles continue to sort out which 25 players they’ll be taking north to open the season against the Minnesota Twins on April 6. Second baseman Brian Roberts (concussion symptoms) and left-handed pitcher Zach Britton (left shoulder impingement) will begin the season on the 15-day disabled list. The veteran infielder continues to progress from the concussion symptoms he’s dealt with for the better part of 18 months but is not ready to resume his role as the Baltimore second baseman. Britton is currently receiving platelet rich plasma therapy in hopes of rebuilding strength in his pitching shoulder and will likely be out until at least May. The decision to place Roberts on the 15-day disabled list means he will remain on the 40-man roster. Some speculated Roberts would be placed on the 60-day list, but it appears he will travel with the club to Baltimore to get re-acclimated to a major league environment before potentially going on a minor league rehab assignment. The Orioles trimmed their spring roster to 35 on Monday by optioning infielder Matt Antonelli and pitchers Brad Bergesen and Jason Berken to Triple-A Norfolk. They

Orioles’ Britton dealing with sore pitching shoulder

Luke Jones

With pitchers and catchers set to report to Sarasota to begin spring training this weekend, the Orioles will be monitoring the health of perhaps their most promising young pitcher. Speculation began Wednesday morning regarding the health of Britton’s left shoulder as he begins his second season in the big leagues. Former Orioles executive and MLB.com analyst Jim Duquette used his Twitter account to disclose that the left-handed pitcher would be limited at the start of spring training due to a lingering shoulder issue. “We are currently monitoring Zach Britton,” executive vice president of baseball operations Dan Duquette said in a team statement. “He has already reported to spring training and is scheduled to begin his throwing progression this Friday.” Britton was placed on the 15-day disabled list with a left shoulder strain on Aug. 5 but returned Aug. 22, spending just over the minimum of 15 days out of action. The 24-year-old went 11-11 with a 4.61 earned run average in 154 1/3 innings over 28 starts. Upon his return to the active roster in late August, Britton made eight starts, finishing with a 5-2 record and a 4.47 ERA over that season-concluding stretch. It’s premature to panic over Britton’s

Orioles, Jones avoid arbitration by reaching 1-year deal

Luke Jones

The Orioles announced on Tuesday that they have agreed to terms with center fielder Adam Jones on a one-year deal, avoiding a arbitration hearing scheduled for Friday. The 26-year-old Jones batted .280 with a .319 on-base percentage and slugged .466 in 2011 for the Orioles. He set career highs in games (151), doubles (26), home runs (25), RBI (83), stolen bases (12) and total bases (264) on his way to being named the club’s most valuable player. Set to become a free agent following the 2013 season, the one-year contract does little to address Jones’ future in Baltimore, but it does avoid a potentially contentious situation had the sides gone to arbitration. Executive vice president of baseball operations Dan Duquette has reportedly entered very preliminary discussions with Jones’ agent Nez Balelo over the possibility of a long-term deal, but it doesn’t appear talks will continue once the season begins. With Jones’ status resolved for 2012, the Orioles have no remaining arbitration cases to address with spring training set to begin in Sarasota this weekend.

Morning Reaction Tuesday Top 7 Unforgettable Moments

Luke Jones

In honor of one of the most unforgettable playmakers in NFL history, wide receiver Randy Moss, announcing his desire to return in 2012, we offer our lists of our top 7 most unforgettable plays. These moments had to be witnessed in person or on television as they happened — eliminating plays we’ve only seen on highlight shows such as Sportscenter — and we had to remember exactly where we were when they took place. Luke Jones’ Top 7 … (Listen to full explanation HERE) 7) Mike Tyson biting Evander Holyfield’s ear http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aXYpk8V3stQ 6) Christian Laettner’s shot against Kentucky 5) David Tyree’s helmet catch http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=27XeNefwABw 4) Drew Nicholas’ game-winning shot against NC-Wilmington 3) Michael Jordan’s game-winner against Utah in 1998 NBA Finals http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=i8Cf0BelurM 2) Anthony Mitchell blocked field goal return for a touchdown in 2000 divisional playoff 1) Jeffrey Maier takes the ball away from Tony Tarasco *If you really want to see it again, click HERE. Drew Forrester’s Top 7 … (Listen to full explanation HERE)

Wieters, Markakis grab first Gold Glove awards

Luke Jones

For the first time since 1998, the Orioles have claimed multiple Gold Glove awards as catcher Matt Wieters and right fielder Nick Markakis each became first-time recipients when Rawlings named their 2011 recipients late Tuesday night. The 25-year-old Wieters is the first Orioles catcher to claim the award after throwing out 37 percent of runners attempting to steal and being named to his first All-Star team this season. The catcher committed five errors and had one passed ball in 132 games this year. His .995 fielding percentage tied for the American League lead among catchers. Markakis earned his first Gold Glove after committing the first error-free season by an Orioles outfielder playing at least 150 games. His 14 outfield assists was fifth in the American League. Since 2006, Markakis ranks second in the majors with 72 outfield assists, with only Jeff Francoeur (84) having more. The 27-year-old outfielder is the third Orioles outfielder to receive the honor, joining Paul Blair (1967, 1969-1975) and Adam Jones (2009). Wieters and Markakis became the 14th and 15th players in franchise history to win a Gold Glove. This season marks the 17th time the Orioles have received multiple winners but the first since 1998

Hey Peter Angelos: If you can’t honor Brooks Robinson, why the hell do you own the Orioles?

Nestor Aparicio

After attending the amazing and memorable Brooks Robinson statue unveiling in front of Pickles Pub on Saturday afternoon my emotions left me two choices – either speak out about the painfully obvious and disgraceful lack of participation by Peter G. Angelos and the Baltimore Orioles or do what the rest of these phonies in the local bought-off media have done: turn a blind eye to the biggest and smelliest orange elephant in the middle of downtown Baltimore and refuse to ask the tough questions. So today is a day when I again unleash my raging fury regarding this sham on Baltimoreans everywhere perpetrated by the smallest of small men of our time in Maryland – Peter G. Angelos. There were roughly a thousand hearty Orioles fans and Brooks admirers at the feet of that gorgeous statue this weekend for a man who literally lifted the first shovel in erecting the modern era of professional sports in Baltimore. Brooks Robinson is a walking living legend and civic treasure and one whose inherent goodness and decency has been wasted over the past 20 years by this awful, mean-spirited and petty ownership group and the Angelos ownership reign of terror that has turned

Unveiling of Brooks Robinson statue very emotional for No. 5

Nestor Aparicio

It was like a scene out of a movie today in downtown Baltimore, as Brooks Robinson was feted with a lifetime of community contributions with a beautiful statue at the foot of Russell Street on the plot of land in front of Pickles Pub. Visitors coming from the south will be greeted by a barehanded, throwing Brooks Robinson in the motion of cutting down another runner. Come with us now at WNST.net via the amazing world of WNStv and take in an afternoon in honor of Brooks Robinson from the statue site. Enjoy these incredible stories of how No. 5 helped shape our lives in sports in Baltimore. Here’s the entire speech from Brooks Robinson: [youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=v2WfCI4V59Y[/youtube] Here’s the unveiling of the statue: [youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MrbRrcAxv_k[/youtube] Josh Charles amazing speech: [youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5kMS6gUaDac[/youtube] Barbara Mikulski’s incredibe authenticity, passion and humor: [youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fnc03DqJWaA[/youtube] Henry Rosenberg, former CEO of Crown Central Petroleum and great friend and business partner with Brooks. He is the one who got this amazing statue built and deserves all of the credit: [youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=choveOOFsWk[/youtube] World-renowned sculptor Joseph Sheppard of Baltimore talks about why he made Brooks Robinson statue and all of the fun facts: [youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bzbzh1P-Yss[/youtube]

The Orioles will be better next year — and more new lies after The MacFailure

Nestor Aparicio

Our cool, growing (and still free!) sports media company had another great B2B-Business To Business event last week in Towson with @CoachBillick and an old friend and reader of WNST.net approached me and asked the eternal Orioles question: “So, Nasty, I’ve read all of the issues regarding the Orioles and Mike Flanagan and Andy MacPhail and Free The Birds, but what are we as fans going to do? You need to offer solutions…” Well, virtually every human being I’ve spoken to over the last three years – and I still have a ton of friends in upper management at Major League Baseball and all over the league — has concurred: this just isn’t going to change on the field as long as Peter Angelos is involved in Baltimore baseball ownership. But, of course, I came to that conclusion five years ago when I did the original Free The Birds rally and campaign because in my mind – and time has proven me correct – this was long past the point of no return with the local community and most people of integrity within the baseball community in 2006. And what I’ve come to realize is that this REALLY bugs the

Happy 5th Anniversary to my Free The Birds friends who want change for Baltimore baseball

Nestor Aparicio

I’ve been watching the Baltimore Orioles since 1973 and I’m not sure any of us could’ve predicted what this franchise was to become back in the late 1980’s when Camden Yards was built, our city was starved without football and the Colts had split town. It’s amazing now because most of the people in my company and many of you reading this under the age of 35 do not remember the Colts at all. Or a time when there was no purple. Or when there was no shiny stadia downtown that we all take for granted. I watched William Donald Schaefer fight for all of this. I watched John Steadman politic and report through all of this as a colleague and a kid at The News American. I watched the first shovel go in the ground downtown. I was at that magical game in 1988 when all of this civic planning was announced on the backend of an 0-21 start that invigorated the renaissance of not only the Orioles but this community as a whole. I wrote more than 75,000 words on this topic five years ago. You can read all of it here… I was there for all of

Five years ago we did Free The Birds rally and I’m still proud of it

Nestor Aparicio

There’s been plenty written about the Orioles demise and the AL East standings and the empty stands at Camden Yards speak for themselves as to what the Baltimore community feels the value of the baseball team is circa 2011. The stadium is empty most nights. Fans stuck with tickets can’t find anyone to take them for free. The city has tumbleweed blowing down Pratt Street most nights when the Orioles play. The fan base is so angry, so disenfranchised, so beaten down and/or disillusioned that they’re literally all but gone. It’s the Fall of 2011 — the most recent version of The Apocalypse for any lifelong Orioles baseball fan and baseball lover like me. With the tragic suicide of Mike Flanagan last month – and the subsequent tales of the trail of a broken baseball man who loved this city and the Baltimore Orioles more than words can express – the Orioles have clearly hit rock bottom. Or have they? Oh, I’ve now been hearing for well over a decade that “the Orioles have bottomed out.” Heck, Ken Rosenthal was writing that stuff 12 years ago when he was covering the Orioles for The Sun. I’m not sure any of

Orioles release 2012 schedule

Luke Jones

PRESS RELEASE, courtesy of the Orioles public relations staff The Orioles will kick off their 20th anniversary season at Oriole Park at Camden Yards with an Opening Day game on April 6, 2012 against the Minnesota Twins, 20 years to the day after the ballpark originally opened. The game is the first of a six-day season-opening homestand that will also see the New York Yankees come to Baltimore. The Orioles will play each of their AL East rivals three times at Oriole Park. In addition to their opening homestand trip from April 9-11, the New York Yankees will make a two-game stop in Baltimore May 14-15 and play a four-game weekend series, September 6-9. The Red Sox will have three three-game series at Camden Yards – May 21-23, August 14-16 and September 28-30. The Tampa Bay Rays will make their first trip to Oriole Park the weekend of May 11-13, followed by two more three-game series July 24-26 and September 11-13. The Toronto Blue Jays will play in Baltimore April 24-26, August 24-26 and September 24-26. In Interleague Play in 2012 the Philadelphia Phillies will make a weekend trip to Camden Yards, June 8-10, followed by a mid-week visit by

Orioles deal Gonzalez to Texas for player to be named

Luke Jones

(Updated: 10:25 p.m.) The Orioles traded relief pitcher Michael Gonzalez to the Texas Rangers in exchange for a player to be named later on Wednesday afternoon. Multiple reports are saying the Orioles will receive 26-year-old pitcher Pedro Strop from the Rangers. He was 0-1 with a 3.72 earned run average in 11 appearances with Texas this season. The often-maligned Gonzalez went 2-2 with one save and a 4.27 earned run average (46 1/3 innings) with the Orioles in 2011. The 33-year-old has not allowed a run in his last 13 appearances, a span of 12 1/3 innings. After a disastrous April in which Gonzalez’s ERA was 9.82 by month’s end, the southpaw pitched to a 3.23 clip from May 1 through his last appearance on Aug. 29, a span of 39 innings pitched. Signed to a two-year, $12 million contract to be the Orioles closer in December 2009, Gonzalez’s run in Baltimore was a tumultuous one after blowing two of his first three save opportunities to begin the 2010 season before being placed on the disabled list with a shoulder injury. Gonzalez finished 2010 with a 1-3 record, one save, and a 4.01 ERA in 24 2/3 innings. The deal

Orioles release 2012 schedule

Luke Jones

PRESS RELEASE, courtesy of the Orioles public relations staff The Orioles will kick off their 20th anniversary season at Oriole

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