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I hope Ripken isn’t next Orioles hero signing up to polish Angelos’ smelly turd?

Nestor Aparicio

On Tuesday night, as Camden Yards sat mostly empty on another beautiful summer night, it happened again. No, not just another “tough-luck, one-run Orioles loss” en route to what could possibly be the worst season of this era replete with 100 losses, but instead the whining, moaning and embarrassingly homerish “media” scam pulled on a nightly basis in my living room by the likes of Jim Hunter, Mike Flanagan, Rick Dempsey and company at MASN. Along with all of the apologists at The Baltimore Sun, WBAL, PressBox and WJZ (the entire CBS “family” is in bed with the Orioles and has spent 14 years making lame, transparent excuses while taking a paycheck) – it’s amazing these employees of Peter Angelos can put their heads on a pillow at night and believe they have any integrity left in their words this community. The crazy part is that there are still hopeless fans in the orange Kool Aid bunch who refuse to even acknowledge that all of these former “heroes of Birdland” are employed by Peter Angelos and will lie to you every night like state run media in Egypt, Syria and Libya. It’s been said many times in many ways but

Live from Owings Mills: Ricky Williams thinks he'll "fit in well" with Ravens

Luke Jones

OWINGS MILLS, Md. — Though the dread locks and thick beard were trademark looks of his past, a mature, clean-shaven Ricky Williams passed his physical and took the practice field for the first time with the Baltimore Ravens on Tuesday afternoon. After signing a two-year contract worth $2.5 million — with escalators that could reach $4 million total — the 34-year-old met with the Baltimore media explaining why he chose the Ravens over a possible opportunity to receive more carries with the Detroit Lions. “It’s an established organization with a lot of [veterans],” Williams said. “Playing against them almost every year for the past six or seven years, you don’t like playing against them because of the way they play. I thought I would fit in well in this situation and be able to enjoy myself and possibly win a Super Bowl.” Williams only ran a handful of plays as he spent much of the afternoon conferring with coaches and players in order to get up to speed with the offense. Having the advantage of playing in Cam Cameron’s system for their one year together in Miami, Williams admires the Ravens offensive coordinator — a contributing factor for his decision

Live from Owings Mills: Ravens boost running back depth with "proven playmaker" in Ricky Williams

Luke Jones

(Updated: 8:55 p.m.) OWINGS MILLS, Md. — Returning to the practice field with their first preseason game only three days away, the Ravens received a rare piece of good news in free agency after coming to an agreement with veteran running back Ricky Williams shortly before Monday afternoon’s practice. The two-year deal is pending a physical, so the Ravens are cautiously awaiting the results after veteran center Casey Rabach failed his last week to void a two-year contract. However, offensive coordinator Cam Cameron is excited with the experience and production Williams can bring in support of starter Ray Rice. “I think he’ll be a great addition, a guy who will be a great complement to Ray Rice and the other guys in our backfield,” said Cameron, who coached Williams in 2007 with the Miami Dolphins. “Outstanding player and an outstanding person. I’m really excited.” With the release of Willis McGahee and fullback Le’Ron McClain signing a one-year contract with the Kansas City Chiefs last week, the Ravens were previously counting on fourth-year back Jalen Parmele and seventh-round rookie Anthony Allen to back up Rice. Cameron maintained that Rice would be a major contributor in short-yardage and goal-line packages — a

Ravens agree to terms with veteran running back Ricky Williams

Luke Jones

OWINGS MILLS, Md. — The Ravens have agreed to terms with veteran running back Ricky Williams, according to Pro Football Talk. Needing to boost depth behind starter Ray Rice after Willis McGahee’s and fullback Le’Ron McClain signing a one-year deal with the Kansas City Chiefs, the Ravens will likely look to the 34-year-old power back to fill McGahee’s role in short-yardage situations. Williams rushed for 673 yards on 159 carries while sharing time with Ronnie Brown in Miami last season. Williams will reportedly sign a two-year deal worth up to $4 million. Veteran Jalen Parmele and seventh-round pick Anthony Allen had been the strongest candidates for the No. 2 job on the depth chart, raising concerns with the Ravens’ apparent commitment to the running game in 2011. At 5-foot-10 and 230 pounds, Williams gives the Ravens a big back to complement the shiftier Rice in the offensive backfield. Williams is famously known as the 1998 Heisman Trophy winner who the New Orleans Saints — and then-coach Mike Ditka — famously gave up their entire draft to trade up to take him. The free-spirit running back retired in 2004 after two seasons with the Dolphins, only to return to Miami to

It needs to be said: Good riddance, Derrick Mason!

Nestor Aparicio

Over the past two weeks I’ve read and heard and watched a myriad of different reactions to the swath of cuts the Baltimore Ravens have made to veteran players and unlike the overwhelming majority of the fan base here, I understand the salary cap and how it works. (If you have any questions, feel free to forward them along: nasty@wnst.net. That’s why WNST.net exists – to educate you and answer your questions about Baltimore sports.) Bottom line: the Ravens played about $14 million over the cap last year in a “wild, wild west” uncapped NFL season. In the new post-lockout 2011 season, everyone will need to align franchise expenditures with the reality of the league. For the Ravens, that means playing with less veteran (re: well-paid) talent. This brings us to wide receiver Derrick Mason, who has somehow at 37 years of age  managed to stir up the fans of Baltimore using his Twitter account and his ever-present voice to make a case for himself as a returning veteran to the Ravens. He was texting with John Harbaugh. He was talking about other opportunities and greener pastures. He was “shocked” by the Ravens’ cut, which had almost happened two other

Live from M&T Bank Stadium: Deprived of training camp, fans flock to see Ravens practice

Luke Jones

(Updated: 4:45 p.m.) BALTIMORE — With their only chance to watch the Ravens work out this summer after the lockout forced the cancellation of training camp in Westminster, 24,078 fans flocked to M&T Bank Stadium to watch a three-hour practice on Saturday morning. Though fans surely missed notable veterans such as Todd Heap — now with the Arizona Cardinals — and free agent Derrick Mason, the enthusiasm was palpable and brought a different feel to practice that players have not experienced in the quiet confines of their training facility in Owings Mills. “It’s different,” said coach John Harbaugh, who gave a mixed review on how his players handled the crowd. “I talked to the team afterwards about communicating. You get in an environment like this and you realize it’s tough. We had a lot of distractions by design. It wasn’t just for the fans to have the interviews and the music and all that. It was also a great distraction for our players to overcome the noise and all that.” Given Friday’s news of free-agent target Malcom Floyd signing a two-year contract to remain in San Diego, a hot topic of discussion after practice was the speculated return of Mason,

Former Ravens receiver Mason close to joining Jets

Luke Jones

(Updated: 8:40 p.m.) OWINGS MILLS, Md. — Ten days after his abrupt release from the Baltimore Ravens, Derrick Mason appears close to finding a new home in the Big Apple. The New York Jets have released veteran Jerricho Cotchery and are moving toward signing the former Ravens receiver. Mason leaves behind six productive seasons in Baltimore in which he became the franchise’s all-time leader in both receptions (471) and receiving yards (5,777) after joining the Ravens in 2005. Rumors began linking the 37-year-old receiver to Rex Ryan’s squad Wednesday night before Mason visited the Jets and took a physical on Thursday. He would join a talented group of receivers in New York that includes Santonio Holmes and Plaxico Burress. While the Ravens continue to pursue the services of 6-foot-5 receiver Malcom Floyd to add more size and diversity in the passing game, quarterback Joe Flacco will adjust to life without his favorite target as Mason acted as the young quarterback’s security blanket over the last three seasons. Mason is the only receiver in franchise history to have a 100-catch season, grabbing 103 passes in 2007. With former tight end Todd Heap having already signed with the Arizona Cardinals last weekend,

Live from Owings Mills: Ravens offense continues hurting over first week of camp

Luke Jones

(Updated: 6:35 p.m.) OWINGS MILLS, Md. — With a lack of depth at several key offensive positions, the Ravens thought they had solved one problem with the return of veteran Casey Rabach on Tuesday. But just like sidelined starting center Matt Birk, Rabach wasn’t healthy himself, failing his physical on Wednesday and wiping out what would have been a two-year contract to return to Baltimore and bring a veteran presence to the Ravens’ center and guard positions. The news now leaves the Ravens with rookie free agents Tim Barnes and Ryan Bartholomew as their only options at the center position. Coach John Harbaugh confirmed Birk underwent arthroscopic knee surgery to “clean out” the bursa sac in his left knee and is expected to miss three to four weeks after the minor procedure on Tuesday. Birk has dealt with knee issues in the past, including last season when he had his knee drained several different times despite not missing a game. With Rabach failing his physical after undergoing shoulder surgery earlier this offseason, general manager Ozzie Newsome will continue looking for a veteran interior lineman, but Harbaugh reiterated the Ravens’ confidence in Birk being ready for the season opener against Pittsburgh

Former Ravens quarterback Marc Bulger retires

Luke Jones

Still without a veteran to back up starting quarterback Joe Flacco, the Ravens will be unable to call upon Marc Bulger, who intends to retire after 11 seasons in the NFL. The 34-year-old signal caller was the Ravens’ backup quarterback in 2010 after signing a one-year, $3.8 million contract, which paid him a higher base salary than Flacco. However, Bulger did not take a snap all season as Flacco started all 16 games. The Ravens currently have sixth-round pick Tyrod Taylor and practice squad member Hunter Cantwell as the only quarterbacks on the roster behind Flacco. Despite a strong endorsement from offensive coordinator Cam Cameron on Tuesday and the fact that Flacco has never missed a game in his three-year career, it’s unlikely the Ravens would feel comfortable with the listed 6-foot-1 Taylor as the backup quarterback. Bulger’s best years came with the St. Louis Rams, where he began as the No. 2 quarterback behind Kurt Warner and eventually became a two-time Pro Bowler. He finishes his career with 122 touchdown passes, 93 interceptions, and an 84.4 quarterback rating. With Bulger no longer an option as the backup quarterback, general manager Ozzie Newsome must now deal with an underwhelming quarterback

Ravens sign offensive lineman Casey Rabach to two-year deal

Luke Jones

OWINGS MILLS, Md. — With concerns over 35-year-old center Matt Birk’s health and a lack of depth on the interior offensive line, the Ravens have agreed to terms on a two-year contract with offensive lineman Casey Rabach. Drafted by the Ravens in the third round of the 2001 NFL draft, Rabach spent four seasons in Baltimore before being signed by the Washington Redskins in 2005. Rabach served his first three seasons with the Ravens as a reserve guard and center before starting all 16 games in 2004 as starting center Mike Flynn dealt with injuries. With the departure of reserve Chris Chester via free agency and Birk entering his 14th season in the league, the 33-year-old Rabach provides a nice insurance policy for the interior line. The veteran center has missed only one game over his last seven seasons in Washington and Baltimore.

Morning Reaction Tuesday Top 7: Most Entertaining Sports Figures I've Ever Watched

Luke Jones

In honor of the great Deion Sanders being inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in Canton this weekend, today’s Morning Reaction Tuesday Top 7 was “The 7 Most Entertaining Sports Figures I’ve Ever Seen.” With Glenn Clark filling in on The Afternoon Drive this week, Drew Forrester kindly included me in the weekly spot. Remember you can hear our explanations for our Top 7 lists in the BuyAToyota.com Audio Vault right here. Luke Jones’ list… 7. Bo Jackson 6. Ray Lewis [youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=d60hKgNPlVE[/youtube] 5. Randy Moss [youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tmJcUlrkMNg[/youtube] 4. Tiger Woods

WNST Purple Football Roadtrips now on sale to San Diego, Jacksonville, more…

Nestor Aparicio

With all of the frenzy of the lockout and the ensuing fallout of free agency and mayhem, I’m getting tons of requests for the WNST Purple Football Roadtrip information. It took a week to put it all together but we proudly announce four total roadtrips for your selection and we’ll also be throwing our traditional Purple Pep Rallies and Parties in virtually every city on the road in 2011. Our first trip is next Thursday to Philadelphia to see the Ravens first game of the preseason. It’s just $89 for the entire evening of fun in the City of Brotherly Love. If you are interested in a specific party on the road and you’ve already made your travel plans, simply drop me an email: nasty@wnst.net and I’ll get you on the “first information” list once the parties go on sale next week. To purchase seats for all of our roadtrips, simply click on the TRIPS tab at www.wnst.net or here. If you want to see what our Purple Parties look like, just click here to see the evidence from Charlotte last fall: [youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RA0xYf3IeQk[/youtube] Here’s a full lineup of all of our trips for 2011: 2011 Purple Roadtrip to Jacksonville (Oct.

Live from Owings Mills: Rice labels new fullback Leach "all about business"

Luke Jones

OWINGS MILLS, Md. — Asked about the signing of All-Pro fullback Vonta Leach, running back Ray Rice broke into his rendition of “I’m So Excited” by the Pointer Sisters after practice on Monday. And why wouldn’t he be after Leach was responsible for paving the way — or blowing it up — for the rushing champion as a member of the Houston Texans a season ago? “I watched what he did for Arian Foster,” said Rice, referring to Foster’s league-best 1,616 rushing yards. “He’s an amazing fullback. He lays the wood on people. Everybody knows what his reputation is. I just can’t wait to follow him. I could probably trip and get five yards running behind him. “I’m just excited to have a guy like that in front of me, because he’s all about business and all about hard work.” Unlike free-agent fullback Le’Ron McClain, who seemed more interested in carrying the ball himself than opening holes for Rice, the Ravens know what they’re getting in Leach. After Leach received only three carries in his first seven seasons combined, it’s doubtful we’ll see any “Leach for Running Back” t-shirts popping up for sale. With improving the running game deemed a

Live from Owings Mills: Ravens top pick Jimmy Smith practices for first time

Luke Jones

OWINGS MILLS, Md. — Upon finishing his first practice after signing a four-year contract Friday morning, first-round cornerback Jimmy Smith was asked how his first NFL workout went. “It was hot,” the 27th overall pick said after a steamy three-hour practice. “It’s really hot.” At least, Smith is honest. Seeing comparisons between the defenses the Ravens run and the defensive playbook he had at Colorado, Smith feel pretty comfortable despite having only completed his first practice as a professional. Smith ran with the second defense — as Domonique Foxworth and Lardarius Webb took first-team reps — but moved to cornerback in the starting defense’s nickel package, with Webb sliding to the inside. “I think he’s got a ways to go in a lot of ways, but we have a lot of work in front of us over camp,” coach John Harbaugh said. “Obviously, he’s got all the tools. He’s got a really good attitude. He’s a hard worker. I think he’s got to learn how to be a pro, and I’m very certain he can do that.” At 6-foot-2 and 205 pounds, many have seen similarities between Smith and a young Chris McAlister due to the former’s physical style of

Ravens place Suggs on non-football injury list, 4 others on active PUP list

Luke Jones

Word began trickling out overnight that the Ravens have placed Terrell Suggs on the non-football injury list. The Pro Bowl linebacker had his upper leg wrapped during Thursday’s practice and did not participate in the workout. Suggs is eligible to return to practice at any time and still counts against the 90-man roster. Before panicking, defensive tackle Terrence Cody was placed on the same list at the beginning of last year’s camp after not passing his conditioning test. If Suggs has a tweaked hamstring, it’s possible he is simply waiting a day or two to take the test. Every player on the training camp roster must pass the conditioning test before taking part in practice. The Ravens have also placed starting left guard Ben Grubbs (ankle), receiver David Reed, defensive tackle Brandon McKinney (unknown), and offensive tackle Ramon Harewood (knee) on the active physically unable to perform list. Each player still counts against the 90-man roster and is eligible to return to practice at any point during training camp. In 2010, ten Baltimore players began training camp on the active PUP list, including safety Ed Reed. Reed, however, was transferred to the reserve PUP list before the start of the

Ravens cornerback Jimmy Smith breaks the news about himself?

Luke Jones

Multiple reports have speculated about the imminent signing of first-round pick Jimmy Smith, but it appears the cornerback decided to break the news himself. The 27th overall pick announced on his verified Twitter account late Thursday night that he will officially sign his contract on Friday. “Ok.. its official I sign tomoro..” [sic], Smith wrote on his Twitter page. Of course, there’s always the slim chance of his account being “hacked” like many athletes have claimed after foolishly spouting off on Twitter, but it appears the Ravens will have all eight draft picks under contract in time for the second day of practice. If Smith proves correct, he wouldn’t be the first athlete to break his own news in an era when social media rules over all. And he certainly won’t be the last.

Live from Owings Mills: Ravens thrilled with Kindle's return to field

Luke Jones

OWINGS MILLS, Md. — A year ago at this time, Ravens linebacker Sergio Kindle was in a hospital bed, uncertain of his future quality of life, let alone whether he would ever be able to play football again. But as the Ravens returned to the practice field for the first time since the end of the 134-day lockout, coaches and players alike couldn’t help but take satisfaction in seeing Kindle’s smiling face as he stepped on the practice field for the first time in over a year. Coach John Harbaugh even noted that Kindle smiled as he took — and passed — the dread conditioning test to which every player is subjected. None of it means Kindle will approach the potential he once had when the Ravens selected him with the 43rd overall pick of the 2010 NFL draft, but it’s a large step forward from where the 23-year-old was 12 months ago. Another test will take place over the weekend when the Ravens can go live in practice for the first time. “It’s great for him as a person,” Harbaugh said. “That’s the No. 1 thing — what he’s overcome and to be out there. He looked good. Obviously,

What the hell do these people want from Joe Flacco?

Nestor Aparicio

I love it when Joe Flacco talks dirty. Somehow it hasn’t raised a lot of eyebrows or created a ton of conversation just yet but Joe Flacco’s “Welcome Home” meet up with the media on Wednesday afternoon sure created some stir in my mind. Perhaps a lot of folks haven’t heard it yet or really processed it the way I did but you can listen here. About his skills, Joe Flacco said: “I’m pretty damned good.” And you know what? I agree with him. And his perspective on the whole situation – “there’s only one good quarterback and 31 others who aren’t” – is dead on. Joe Flacco “gets it.” Look, I was as dumbfounded as the rest of you when the Ravens picked him three years ago, especially when on draft day the organization managed to keep it a state secret about their affection for the pride of Newark and all of Blue Hendom. Small school kid, almost geekish in his passion for football, sports and very little else, but he’s made everyone in the scouting department look like a genius with three consecutive January road playoff runs and wins every year. He’s done everything that Kyle Boller —

With veteran targets gone, Flacco wants ball in his hands

Luke Jones

OWINGS MILLS, Md. — Even putting aside the 134-day lockout that ended earlier this week, it was anything but a typical offseason for Ravens quarterback Joe Flacco. There was the firing of quarterback coach Jim Zorn and rumblings that offensive coordinator Cam Cameron and Flacco weren’t on the same page. With two years remaining on his current contract, Flacco expressed a desire for a new long-term contract in the midst of labor unrest. Amid criticism from national media and peers such as Steelers linebacker LaMarr Woodley about his ability to win earlier this summer, Flacco married his high school sweetheart and saw his wedding photos become a viral sensation. But none of that topped Monday’s news of the Ravens’ intentions to release his two longtime targets, Derrick Mason and Todd Heap, who were responsible for securing 33 of Flacco’s 60 touchdown passes over his first three seasons. Suddenly, Flacco finds his safety net torn away, with only Anquan Boldin and a number of young question marks remaining. “I had no idea anything like that was going to happen, I really didn’t,” said Flacco, who expressed strong hope that both can be brought back. “You expect to come back and see

Live from Owings Mills: Ravens tight end Dickson replacing "Superman" with Heap's exit

Luke Jones

OWINGS MILLS, Md. — Second-year tight end Ed Dickson filled in for an injured Todd Heap over the final month of the 2010 season, but in the back of his mind, he knew the veteran was on his way back. It looks like he’ll have no such safety net this year as the Ravens intend to officially release Heap on Thursday to save salary cap room. While some hope remains for Heap’s return at a reduced cost, Dickson finds himself as the projected starter entering training camp. “It means a lot to me that they have that much faith in me,” said Dickson, who weighed in a few pounds heavier than last season. “I’ve been here one year. Like I said, all I can do is improve my game. I can come out in training camp and play my game and just try to get better everyday in camp and work to getting that starting position. They didn’t sign anything over to me right now. I still have competition, and I love competition.” His biggest competition is fellow 2010 draftee Dennis Pitta, selected in the fourth round, and third-year player Davon Drew. Dickson played in 15 games last season, catching

Mason says it's up to Ravens to decide if he returns

Luke Jones

OWINGS MILLS, Md. — On a day when players were thrilled to return to the Ravens training facility, receiver Derrick Mason faced the sobering possibility of leaving a place he’s called home for the final time. Though it doesn’t become official until Thursday, the 37-year-old wideout will be released in a cap-saving move, along with veterans Todd Heap, Kelly Gregg, and Willis McGahee. Mason was at the facility for his exit physical and met with general manager Ozzie Newsome. After spending the last six seasons in Baltimore, becoming the Ravens’ all-time leading receiver, Mason remains upbeat and willing to return — if the Ravens want him. “If they want me back, I’m back,” Mason said. “That’s all I can say. Now, if some other team wants me, then I think that’s one of those things you have to look at. My first thought would be to come back here. This has been my football home for the last six years, so why leave it so abruptly? I’m going to do what I can, and hopefully they’ll do what they need to do in order to try to bring me back. If not, hey, I can play football.” Mason caught 471

Live from Owings Mills: Ravens back to work, react to key veteran cuts

Luke Jones

OWINGS MILLS, Md. — With the training complex alive with players and media alike for the first time since draft weekend, the Ravens leave a long labor war behind them and thankfully turn their full attention to preparations for the 2011 season. Tuesday’s voluntary report day included the likes of Ray Rice, Domonique Foxworth, Lardarius Webb, and Terrence Cody while rookies took the opportunity to gain their bearings in a facility in which some of them haven’t been able to set foot. Players had the option to take their physicals and conditioning test a day ahead of Wednesday’s report date for those under contract. The entire team will meet for the first time at 6:00 p.m. on Wednesday, according to coach John Harbaugh. “The heat broke, the players will be happy, it cooled down a little bit, they’re just in time!” Harbaugh said. “We have labor peace and we have a break in the heat wave.” While players expressed their enthusiasm for returning to work, Monday’s news of the impending cuts of veterans Derrick Mason, Todd Heap, Kelly Gregg, and Willis McGahee put a damper on an otherwise exciting day in Owings Mills. Some players such the third-year cornerback Webb

After Scott’s injury, Orioles should look even harder at trading Guthrie

Luke Jones

BALTIMORE — With the trade deadline only a week away, the Orioles have a very difficult decision to make when it comes to the future of Jeremy Guthrie, who could be making his final start with the club at Camden Yards on Sunday afternoon. Do you trade your most consistent pitcher — even with an ugly 4-13 record — and further destroy a starting rotation sporting a 7.88 earned run average over its last 23 games entering Saturday’s action? Or do you retain your lone veteran presence on a club still hoping to develop the likes of Zach Britton, Jake Arrieta, and Brian Matusz and forgo any potential return of younger players for the future? The trade winds have whispered Guthrie’s name for a few seasons now, but the Orioles ultimately viewed their de facto ace as more valuable to them than any other team trying to pluck him at the deadline. Despite a 42-61 record in five seasons with the Orioles, Guthrie has a career 4.10 ERA over that span, including three seasons in which he finished with an ERA below 3.85. By no means should the Orioles simply send Guthrie to the first taker, but perhaps a look

Sure, Angelos is at heart of Orioles misery but 25 others are accountable, too

Nestor Aparicio

This inglorious 14 years of misery, lies and ineptitude for fans of the Baltimore Orioles all over the world has been hard to watch at every level. I’m exasperated with the media corruption, lack of integrity and pure filth of heart of Peter Angelos and his profiteering and lack of civic pride for something that this community held near and dear to its heart — bringing tens of thousands to literal tears in 1991 when the memories of 33rd Street moved downtown. But circa 2011, on a night-to-night basis, the only ones who can change the course of the franchise “in the moment” are the players Peter Angelos is paying millions of dollars, Andy MacPhail has hired and the ones Buck Showalter has morbidly signed up to manage this summer. Sure, Angelos is to blame for this entire mess — that much is self-evident at this point — but that does not exonerate alleged Major League Baseball players from being able to produce in the glare of the bright lights in the eighth inning of a one-run game. Take Friday night’s multiple fiasco-fest with the game on the line vs. the Angels. Nick Markakis came to bat with two outs

Orioles fall to Angels, lose Scott for rest of season

Luke Jones

The Orioles not only lost the series opener against the Los Angeles Angels Friday night, but they lost Luke Scott for the rest of the season. After being activated from the 15-day disabled list prior to Friday’s game, Scott went 0-for-3 and would not have batted in the ninth inning of a 6-1 loss had his spot in the order come to the plate. The left-handed hitter once again experienced pain in his right shoulder after deciding he would take one more trial to play through the pain of a torn labrum before electing to undergo surgery or a season-ending rehabilitation program. “Luke’s been a tough guy. A lot of guys would have flown the coop, and he wanted to play,” manager Buck Showalter said. “He knew it was something he was going to have to do, anyway. I applaud him for that, for the ‘want-to.’ It’s not fair for the Orioles or for Luke to proceed down this path anymore.” Prior to the game, Scott said he planned to play the next three to five days to gauge whether he could continue playing or would need to forgo the rest of the season and decide on a course of

Live from Camden Yards: Scott giving injured shoulder one last run as Angels come to town

Luke Jones

**Join us in the Orange Crush live chat at 7:00 as the Orioles welcome the surging Los Angeles Angels to town for a three-game set** BALTIMORE — With Vladimir Guerrero still sidelined with a broken hand and fresh off a two-homer performance in Double-A Bowie, Luke Scott will take a final chance to see how his injured right shoulder responds after a stint on the disabled list. The Orioles have reinstated Scott — who will occupy the designated hitter spot and hit sixth — and optioned outfielder Matt Angle to Triple-A Norfolk prior to the start of a three-game series with the Los Angeles Angels. The plan is for Scott to play the next three to five days to gauge whether he can be productive with the torn labrum in his right shoulder that’s hindered him most of the season. If Scott feels he is not being productive enough to help the team, he will elect to have season-ending surgery or go the rehabilitation route that reliever Jason Berken chose when he had his own slap tear in his pitching shoulder. The Opening Day left fielder says the shoulder doesn’t affect his throwing as much as when he’s at the

Matusz shelled in latest Triple-A outing

Luke Jones

For those looking for a bit of good news with the Orioles off on Thursday, they didn’t get it from Brian Matusz. Coming off an impressive start in which he tossed seven scoreless innings while showing slight improvement in his velocity from what we saw in Baltimore last month, Matusz allowed seven earned runs in 3 2/3 innings of work against the Toledo Mud Hens in an 11-3 loss for Triple-A Norfolk. The left-hander gave up eight hits and three walks before being lifted in the fourth inning for Tides reliever Nick Bierbrodt. Matusz also struck out two hitters. Though we likely won’t learn what his velocity and overall stuff looked like until Buck Showalter meets with the media on Friday afternoon, whatever he had — or didn’t have — working for him obviously didn’t translate to the box score. In his four starts since being optioned to Triple-A Norfolk following a horrendous start against the St. Louis Cardinals on June 30, Matusz has completed fewer than six innings three times and has a 5.40 earned run average in 21 2/3 innings. The 24-year-old has struck out 19, allowed 24 hits, and walked 10 over the four outings. Those stats

Orioles’ second inning sets punchless tone in 4-0 loss to Red Sox

Luke Jones

BALTIMORE — Games are rarely won in the second inning, but they can sometimes be lost. The Orioles managed just two hits against Boston on Wednesday, falling 4-0 and failing to earn their first series win since late June when they took two of three from the Cincinnati Reds. However, Baltimore failed to capitalize on the wildness of Red Sox starter Andrew Miller in the second inning in their best chance to score all afternoon. With the game scoreless in the bottom of the second, Miller walked the bases loaded with one out and backup catcher Craig Tatum coming to the plate. Instead of showing the same patience shown by the prior three batters against a southpaw who had walked nine batters over his last two starts (7 1/3 innings), Tatum swung at the first pitch and eventually grounded into a 4-6-3 double play on a 2-2 pitch that was several inches off the plate. “He was all over the place and then I came up there and he threw me some good pitches,” Tatum said. “I don’t know. It would have been nice to hit a fly ball or [the grounder] just be a couple feet either way and

Orioles’ concerns growing over Scott’s injured shoulder

Luke Jones

BALTIMORE — Despite completing two rehab starts for Double-A Bowie, outfielder/designated hitter Luke Scott will not be activated from the 15-day disabled list on Tuesday as was previously hoped. And judging from comments made by the left-handed slugger and manager Buck Showalter, surgery on Scott’s torn labrum in his right shoulder appears more and more likely. Despite nearly two weeks of rest in which he didn’t swing a bat or lift any weights, Scott did not appear to be encouraged with the health of his shoulder, claiming “it is what it is.” Scott told Showalter the shoulder is at 70 percent right now. The tentative plan is for Scott to take a day or two to rest before potentially playing in a couple more minor league rehab games. “It’s just been a challenge to deal with,” Scott said. “I took 13 days completely off, not doing anything, and it’s only just two days of rehab at-bats. I’m trying to build it up some more. … If I’m not 100-percent ready or if I’m not in a position where I’m really going to step in and help the team, I need to take the necessary means to get to that point.”

With late chance to win, Orioles not nearly good enough against Red Sox

Luke Jones

I’m not exactly breaking news by telling you the Red Sox are better than the Orioles. A lot better. On most nights, you could argue they don’t even belong in the same ballpark. And yet, they were tied 7-7 entering the eighth inning at Camden Yards on Monday night. The sleep-deprived Red Sox were coming off a 16-inning marathon against Tampa Bay that caused them not to arrive in Baltimore until early that morning. Instead of slamming the door on a tired Boston lineup and turning it over to an Orioles lineup that had earlier scored five runs in the fifth inning to erase a 6-2 deficit, manager Buck Showalter turned to Michael Gonzalez, Mark Worrell, and Chris Jakubauskas to get him through the eighth inning. Yes, you read that correctly. Eight runs later, the Orioles trailed 15-7 and ultimately dropped their seventh straight game against the Red Sox, 15-10. In fairness, Showalter wasn’t exactly playing with a full deck for a bullpen that’s not exactly known for shortening games when it’s at full strength, anyway. Closer Kevin Gregg — along with Red Sox designated hitter David Ortiz — began serving a three-game suspension Monday stemming from the events at

Live from Camden Yards: Gregg, Ortiz begin suspensions as Orioles welcome Boston to town

Luke Jones

**Join us in the Orange Crush live chat at 7:00 as the Orioles welcome the Boston Red Sox to town for a three-game set** BALTIMORE — For those anticipating Kevin Gregg-David Ortiz II with the Boston Red Sox rolling into town for a three-game series, they’ll have to wait. Their suspensions were reduced to three games this afternoon, and both will begin their sentences tonight as the Orioles (38-54) hope to make it three wins in a row and extract some revenge after the Red Sox embarrassed them in a four-game sweep at Fenway Park prior to the All-Star break. Gregg agreed to drop his appeal of a four-game suspension after Major League Baseball offered a three-game penalty starting Monday in Baltimore. The respective fines of Gregg and Ortiz were also reduced. “It’s principle, I want to fight for principle,” Gregg said. “But at this point, in regards to the team, I’m trying to take the best interest of the team right now, using what MLB has presented.” With Gregg serving his suspension against the Red Sox, manager Buck Showalter said the Orioles could go with a few different candidates to potentially to close, presumably Jim Johnson, Koji Uehara, or

Am I wrong to not cry over U.S. Soccer women’s loss to Japan?

Nestor Aparicio

Well, it took me about 5 minutes but I got over the loss of the U.S. Soccer women’s team on Sunday afternoon live from Frankfurt, Germany. It sucked. They shoulda, coulda, woulda won — but in the end, it was a biblical choke by our ladies in a heartbreaking penalty kick loss to Japan. Honestly, it was the kind of choke that if the men’s team pulled in the same fashion in the waning moments of the World Cup final that it would’ve been a devastating loss for the ages. It would’ve been the biggest patriotic disaster in the history of modern sports, really. And that’s considering that almost no one in this country pays attention to the U.S. Men’s Soccer team, either, which is probably considered our biggest national mystery to anyone who has ever been outside of America to feel the passion the rest of the world has for “the beautiful game.” I opined moments after the loss on Facebook and Twitter that had this really have been the men’s final vs. Japan, I might’ve been suicidal at the notion of that kind of loss. Or at the very least truly heartbroken and devastated for days/weeks/months/forever- – ya

Despite late scare, Orioles remind us what winning formula looks like

Luke Jones

BALTIMORE — You knew the Orioles would eventually win another game. I was pretty sure, anyway. I just didn’t think Alfredo Simon — scheduled to return to the Dominican Republic on Sunday for a hearing regarding his manslaughter case — would be the one to provide the best start by an Orioles pitcher all month, pitching seven strong innings and allowing two earned runs to snap the club’s nine-game losing streak in a 6-5 win over the Cleveland Indians. And I really didn’t think maligned reliever Michael Gonzalez would be the one to slam the door on the Cleveland rally when closer Kevin Gregg walked the bases loaded and gave up a three-run double to Orlando Cabrera to turn the Orioles’ comfortable 6-2 ninth-inning lead into a one-run heart attack special. However, Gonzalez recorded his first save since April 8, 2010 after signing a two-year, $12 million contract two winters ago to be the Baltimore closer. But these are the Orioles, of course. Nothing comes easy and things rarely go according to plan, especially over the last five weeks. Aside from Gregg’s inability to throw the ball over the plate in the ninth, the Orioles played a relatively crisp game

Guerrero placed on 15-day DL with broken hand

Luke Jones

BALTIMORE — Following the Orioles’ 6-5 win over Cleveland to snap a nine-game losing streak, manager Buck Showalter announced Vladimir Guerrero will be placed on the 15-day disabled list with a cracked bone in his right hand. The Orioles have also optioned relief pitcher Pedro Viola to Double-A Bowie. Taking their spots on the roster will be outfielder Matt Angle and reliever Troy Patton from Triple-A Norfolk. After Guerrero was hit by a pitch last Sunday in Boston, a second x-ray earlier this week revealed a small crack below his right pinkie. The designated hitter attempted to take batting practice on Friday, but he was unable to grip a bat without feeling pain. The move is retroactive to July 6. Angle, the Orioles’ seventh-round pick in 2007, was hitting .266 with four home runs and 29 runs batted in for the Triple-A Tides. The speedy center fielder also has 20 stolen bases. Patton is 4-1 with a 1.83 earned run average in 44 1/3 innings this season for Norfolk. In a brief stint earlier this season in Baltimore, the left-handed reliever allowed two earned runs and struck out three in 2 1/3 innings against the New York Yankees on May

Live from Camden Yards: No DL decision on Vlad yet, Scott close to returning

Luke Jones

**Visit the BuyAToyota.com Audio Vault to hear from Buck Showalter, J.J. Hardy, and Nick Markakis prior to Saturday night’s game with the Cleveland Indians** BALTIMORE — While J.J. Hardy’s contract received the most attention Saturday afternoon, the Orioles continue to wait on a decision to place Vladimir Guerrero on the disabled list. The 36-year-old designated hitter has a broken bone in his right hand and is unable to grip a bat without pain, but the Orioles appear willing to wait for another day, leaving them again with a short two-man bench of only backup catcher Craig Tatum and infielder Robert Andino for the third game of a four-game series with the Indians. “Hopefully we’ll make a decision shortly,” said manager Buck Showalter, who has discussed Guerrero’s status with head trainer Richie Bancells. Considering Guerrero hasn’t played since Sunday in Boston, it seems pointless to wait for the Orioles to continue to wait when Guerrero could potentially return in 10 days if placed on the 15-day disabled list, retroactive to July 11. Instead, the Orioles will play a man down. Outfielder Luke Scott received a cortisone injection on Friday and has taken batting practice a day late. The plan is for

Orioles shortstop Hardy relieved to have new contract

Luke Jones

BALTIMORE — With the trade deadline two weeks away and the possibility of multiple teams being after his services this offseason, shortstop J.J. Hardy decided he was having too much fun with the last-place Orioles this season. The 28-year-old shortstop agreed to terms on a new three-year contract to remain with Baltimore through the 2014 season. Reports indicate the deal will pay him in the neighborhood of $22 million over the next three seasons and will include a limited no-trade clause. The deal is pending a physical and has not been officially signed. “There are a lot of things I don’t have to worry about now,” Hardy said. “It’s definitely a relief, a big weight off my shoulders, and just worry about playing baseball now.” His 13 home runs is third on the club despite missing a month of the season with a strained oblique muscle. While spending a significant portion of the season in the leadoff spot, Hardy’s .490 slugging percentage is tops among regulars in the Orioles lineup. Hardy had represented the Orioles’ biggest trade chip, but 19-year-old prospect Manny Machado is a few years away from being ready to take over the shortstop position in Baltimore, prompting

Orioles’ 5-week-long wreck painful to watch

Luke Jones

Five weeks ago, I sat in Buck Showalter’s pregame press conference as the Orioles welcomed the Tampa Bay Rays to town to conclude a nine-game homestand. Fresh off a sweep of Oakland, the Orioles were again creeping toward the .500 mark with a 29-31 record and were trying to build momentum before embarking on a nine-game road trip. I casually asked Showalter the importance of seizing the opportunity to reach the .500 mark — after doing it two weeks earlier and then dropping five in a row immediately thereafter — for a young club trying to learn how to win. “We understand the math of common denominators of teams that have a good season,” Showalter said at the time. “At some point, we’ve got to get to and pass that threshold as an organization.” The Orioles won that night to move within one game of .500 as Jake Arrieta recorded his eighth win of the season. But instead of reaching and moving beyond the threshold as Showalter suggested, the club sprinted in the opposite direction to begin a five-week nightmare that’s shattered what once looked like a promising season on which to build. Baltimore’s five-game winning streak came to an

Live from Camden Yards: Guerrero has “small crack” in hand, out again

Luke Jones

**Join us in the Orange Crush live chat at 7:00 as the Orioles face the Cleveland Indians in the second of a four-game set at Camden Yards** BALTIMORE — As if an eight-game losing streak and losing 22 of their last 28 games weren’t enough, the Orioles received bad news in regards to Vladimir Guerrero’s injured right hand prior to tonight’s game against the Cleveland Indians. A second x-ray revealed a “small crack” on the hand below the pinkie and the 36-year-old designated hitter is again out of the lineup as the Orioles hope to snap out of a month-long stretch of abysmal baseball. Guerrero attempted to take batting practice on Friday afternoon, but the session did not go well, according to manager Buck Showalter. “There comes a decision now how long we can or will wait,” Showalter said. “Depending on the severity of it and the pain, guys have played with [it]. It’s not the possibility of hurting it anymore or what have you; just a matter of when the discomfort goes away — if it does.” While Guerrero’s lack of power (seven home runs and a .385 slugging percentage) has been disappointing, this latest development may dim the

Guthrie out of answers after suffering 13th loss of season

Luke Jones

Jeremy Guthrie is one of the most standup guys you’ll find in the Orioles clubhouse. Intelligent and analytical, the Stanford product is regularly willing to talk to the media, providing thoughtful insight after wins or losses. Following Thursday’s 8-4 loss to the Cleveland Indians, in which an ineffective Guthrie suffered his major league-leading 13th defeat of the season, his frustration was clear. Normally preferring to address the media in the auxiliary clubhouse (where manager Buck Showalter’s press conferences take place) after his starts, Guthrie instead held court at his locker, and his words were uncharacteristically brief after allowing six earned runs in five innings to drop his fourth decision in his last five starts (not counting last Sunday’s loss in relief to Boston). “I felt like I wasn’t able to throw the ball where I wanted to,” Guthrie said. “I wasn’t able to get ahead in the count, and when I fell behind, I had a really hard time throwing strikes and getting back into it.” Eleven pitches and four batters into the game, the Indians held a 3-0 lead after Asdrubal Cabrera hit a solo home run and Carlos Santana hit a two-run shot into the right-center bleachers before

Here’s the truth: Baltimore doesn’t want to be told the truth about Angelos and Orioles

Nestor Aparicio

I bite my tongue a lot when it comes to the Orioles. Go back and read the last two or three years’ worth of material I’ve produced when it comes to Peter Angelos and you’ll see that while the losing hasn’t subsided one iota in the standings, my bile, venom and anger have dissipated publicly for lots of reasons. Here are a few: 1.    I’m older and a tad more mellow and I openly realize that while Angelos is one day closer to not owning the team any longer, I’m also one day closer to death. I sincerely hope I outlive him and the losing but as the tragic death of WNST’s No. 1 fan Fergy Commodari taught me last week, life is short so I focus on things I can control. 2.    I’m so insanely busy building WNST.net and all of our web platforms and initiatives that writing blogs every night about why the Orioles suck just isn’t a quality use of my time, energy or ambition. 3.    It’s hard to justify writing these “anti-Angelos” blogs when I have no energy to write about it and you really have no energy to read it. But, that said, it’s during

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