Baltimore Orioles: No manager before the Winter Meetings

The Baltimore Orioles and GM Mike Elias are going through the process of finding a new manager. This much we know. But at this point it doesn’t appear that they’re going to have anyone in place before next week’s Winter Meetings. That could change, but at this point that’s what appears to be the case.

I said two weeks ago that it would behoove the Orioles to have a manager by then. I do stand by that statement, but in reality it’s also more important overall to get the right person. I suspect that it should be obvious where the organization is going, and odds are that won’t hamper the organization at the meetings.

I wouldn’t expect Elias to do much wheeling and dealing, because while the Orioles have said that they could be active in free agency, it won’t be big name free agents. Possibly role players who could help lead the younger guys along.

Baltimore Orioles: Managerial search

According to MLB Network’s Peter Gammons and The Athletic’s Ken Rosenthal, the Baltimore Orioles are starting to narrow their list of names regarding their managerial search. Or perhaps form their list is more the term I should use. One way or the other, GM Mike Elias has been busy.

The Orioles apparently have interest in bench coaches Chip Hale (Washington), Brandon Hyde (Chicago Cubs), Pedro Grifol (a coach in Kansas City), and AZ Director of Player Development Mike Bell. The Orioles are mum on any of these names – the search goes on. Hale is the only one of that aforementioned group who’s commented. At the Nationals’ Winter Fest he said that he hadn’t been contacted by the Orioles, but would be interested in managing anywhere.

Speaking for myself, I’d be apt to look at a bench coach or perhaps a base coach more than anyone else. I recognize that someone like Mike Bell is probably attractive in the new wave of thinking given that he’s in player development. But keep in mind that a manager still has to know X’s & O’s more than anything else.

Player development is something that the organization needs, and I suspect they are and will be focusing on it. I just think that whomever patrols the dugout should have a coaching background. Nevertheless, the search goes on. At the very least there are names attached to the search at this point.

Baltimore Orioles: Does fandom come with caveats?

Be it on twitter, a message board, radio, etc, I don’t think I can recall hearing one fan of the Baltimore Orioles say that Mike Elias was the wrong hire as the Birds’ General Manager. In fact, one theme I noticed was that plenty of fans seemed to indicate that because of the direction that the team appeared to be going, they were renewing their fandom. As in, they considered jumping ship.

So…is this “a thing?” For starters, I do think that much of that attitude is overblown. Meaning that people say that and perhaps they think they even believe it. But do people truly have to be in love with the direction of the franchise in order to remain a fan?

If you would have asked Orioles fans in 2011, many of them may well have thought that the direction of the franchise was the same as it had been previously. At that time, I don’t recall hearing anyone talking about jumping ship. Granted however, while it existed Twitter wasn’t as big as it is now.

But again, do people really consider jumping off the bandwagon if they don’t like where the franchise is headed, or what they’re doing? If people are to be taken at their word, I suppose that they do. Whether or not that’s a proper course of action is up to the individual.

People may well ask if they should be expected to be all in on the team when they don’t think the team’s going to win. Maybe that’s a fair point. But does that mean you “find another team?” I suppose the answer is not necessarily so. Maybe you watch from afar and so forth. But needless to say, I think most of Baltimore supports the course of action that the Orioles seem to be taking.

Baltimore Orioles: The President that opened Camden Yards

The Baltimore Orioles joined the rest of the American world in mourning former President George H.W. Bush. President Bush passed away late Friday evening, although most Americans probably didn’t get the news until yesterday morning. He was 94 years old.

All of the accolades that we’ve been hearing about President Bush this weekend are well deserved. Like most Presidents and politicians, you either agreed with his stances and actions or you didn’t. But he was a person who transcended politics. He treated everyone with respect, regardless of where they stood politically. He care me deeply about this country and about his fellow Americans. The fact is that we need more like him in America.

President Bush also played a special role in Orioles’ history. He was President when Orioles Park at Camden Yards opened in 1992. He was on hand for Opening Day that year, and threw out the ceremonial first pitch – literally the first pitch thrown in the history of the ballpark. Bush, a former first baseman at Yale, threw the pitch in the dirt. He later joked that he did exactly what he wanted to do with the pitch; he threw a slider inside.

President Bush threw out a couple of first pitches at Memorial Stadium as well. He also famously brought Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II of England and her husband Prince Phillip to a game there while he was President. However it’s striking to me that he opened Camden Yards. Thus he has a special place in the history of the ballpark, and in Orioles’ history. May he Rest In Peace, and may we express thanks for his service to our country.

Baltimore Orioles: Jonathan Schoop non-tendered by Milwaukee

When the Baltimore Orioles began their sell off in July, second baseman Jonathan Schoop was one of the casualties. Then GM Dan Duquette traded him to Milwaukee for a fairly decent return. However Schoop struggled in Milwaukee; he never really found his sea legs.

Schoop was ultimately non-tenderer yesterday. In short, that means he was cut and has become a free agent. There are a couple of different angles on this. First off, the Orioles won the trade. I mean – they flat out embarrassed Milwaukee. Anytime you give up a group of players for one guy who is ultimately cut, you got out-jazzed big time.

However don’t forget that Schoop was sorrowful to leave Baltimore. He loved being an Oriole. So…could a reunion be in the cards?

That’s a really tough question to answer. Schoop was never the same player once he left the O’s. There’s no reason to think that he could reclaim his previous status. Although…it’s a new day in Baltimore with new players and ultimately new coaches. Perhaps they could make Schoop into a reclamation project…?

It’s an interesting idea for sure. But as I said, it’s a new day in Baltimore. If Schoop returned, certainly the park, fans, and a few teammates would be the same, but it’s mostly a different organization now. In short, you can never go home again.

If the Orioles decided that there was a potential fit and brought Schoop back, he could easily be a trade chip once again. In fact, that might be their best bet; sign him and let him play for half a season, dealing him at the deadline. As I said, they got a haul for him last year – no reason it couldn’t happen again.

Speaking of non-tenders, Tim Beckham and Caleb Joseph were non-tenderer by the O’s last night as well. Joseph specifically was a fan favorite for some time. It’s an unfortunate part of the business sometimes.

Baltimore Orioles: All’s quiet with Adam Jones

For now, there’s no real news out of former Baltimore Orioles’ center fielder Adam Jones. Jones of course held his annual Stay Hungry Tailgate before a Baltimore Ravens game, raising lots of money for charity. There’s no word on whether he intends to continue the tradition assuming his days with the Orioles are over.

Jones has stated on many instances that he feels he still has some gas left in the tank. And I would agree with him. My personal opinion is that his days in Baltimore are over. And I think he seems to sense that as well. However if he remained unsigned would the Orioles consider bringing him back for the right price?

The answer to that has to be YES. It has to be. Because Jones isn’t wrong when he says that he still has something left. However odds are he’s going to look for more money than the Orioles are going to be willing to pay him, and justifiably so. But if we see an off season in MLB like we did last year (where teams flat out didn’t sign anyone), could the Orioles possibly end up with Jones returning?

Again, the answer to that has to be yes. I just wouldn’t hold my break on it happening. Ironically outfield is one area in which the Orioles do have some depth. And with the likes of Mullins and Mancini remaining, I suspect that the future is bright. However I think that the future is bright for Adam Jones as well. And wherever he ends up is a team and fan base that will be lucky to have him. I suspect he’d be an asset wherever he goes, and in any role.

Baltimore Orioles: Signature moment of the Buck Showalter era?

The Buck Showalter era will always be special to Baltimore Orioles’ fans. This much we all know, and can probably agree. There were lots of moments during that time period which were special. But is there one to which we can point as the “signature moment” of the entire era?

That’s all a matter of opinion. And as I said, there are quite a few from which to choose. Buck loading the bases to match up in game three of the ALDS in 2014 might be up there. So might the numerous Machado gold glove-caliber plays at third base. Again, this is all a matter of opinion.

But I’ll give you mine. If I had to pick one singular moment that personified the Buck Showalter era in Baltimore, it would be Delmon Young‘s bases-clearing double in the 2014 ALDS. The O’s of course had taken game one against Detroit the previous night in fairly easy fashion. Fast-forward to game two the following afternoon. The Birds trailed Detroit 6-3 in the middle innings…

…but they slowly chipped away at the lead. Before anyone realized what was going on, the O’s had cut the lead to 6-4 in the last of the eighth with the bases loaded. Buck summoned Delmon Young to pinch hit, in hopes of continuing the rally.

But it wasn’t a rally that was occurring. It was a donnybrook. Young swung at the first pitch, sending a line drive into the left field corner. From the outset you could see that at least two runs would score, tying the game. But as J.J. Hardy rounded third and headed for home, you knew there was a chance that the O’s could take the lead.

And as Hardy slid into home plate (kicking up a cloud of dust), he was immediately ruled safe, giving the Orioles a 7-6 lead. Twenty minutes later the game was over, and the O’s went to Detroit with a 2-0 series lead. That turned into a 3-0 series sweep.

I’ve always felt that moment got overlooked just a bit because the O’s were swept in the subsequent ALCS. However the sheer drama of the moment itself isn’t why I put it forward as “the moment” of the Buck Showalter era. I suppose that’s a part of it, however to me it was all about the crowd reaction. Believe me when I say that I’ve NEVER heard ANY stadium that loud. And I attend a lot of games – both as a writer covering the O’s, and as a fan in other sports. That was the most electrifying moment I’ve ever experienced in a stadium.

And that in and of itself personifies the Showalter era. While his was a name that was well-known and so forth, most Orioles fans probably just assumed that he’d end up another failed manager in Baltimore. But when it became obvious that wasn’t going to be the case, people bought all in.

And that moment was the fans buying all in. You would have been hard-pressed to argue that the O’s weren’t going to go all the way that year when that occurred. Again, that didn’t happen. But I digress; in my view it’s “the moment” of the Showalter era. I’d love to hear about other moments about which you all feel similarly.

Baltimore Orioles: Entertainment negatively impacts sports

The Baltimore Orioles and the rest of the sports world actually has an amicable relationship with Hollywood for the most part. Sports movies get made all the time. In fact, baseball movies as we know are probably some of the best. Personally, I know that my favorite movie is Field of Dreams.

But should sports be so chummy with the rest of the entertainment world? We hear the term sports & entertainment all the time; the two are often lumped together. Many people argue that sports IS entertainment, or at least a part of it. But does that utimately hurt the sports world?

I ask this question because I had some free time yesterday and like any good Italian kid I went to see the latest movie in the Rocky franchise, which is currently in theaters – Creed II, to be specific. First off I do recommend it and I thought it was a great movie. But take my view with a grain of salt, because I’m going to always tell you that any film involving Rocky Balboa is worth my time and money!

That aside, the “movie experience” is much different today than it was when I was a kid. I went on a special discount day, so my ticket was only $6. But the normal ticket price is $15. Then you saunter up to the concession stand and purchase designer popcorn for $8, high end candy for $5, all among other selections. Nowadays theaters serve hot dogs, nachos, icees – heck, and some even have a full bar.

I never thought I’d see the day where you could get a glass of the local craft swill or a mixed drink during a feature picture. Incidentally, many theaters now even have arcades or virtual reality centers. Now while it may sound like I saw my first movie since 1988 yesterday, I can guarantee you that’s not the case! However I suppose I never left the mindset where the movies are all about the movie, and perhaps a popcorn and soda.

Like the movie experience, the sports experience has changed also. Now it’s all about which designer foods you have in your park, and the game day experience. And it’s that word which draws all of this together – “experience,” Nowadays everything’s an experience.

What I’m saying is this; perhaps the Orioles compete lightly with the Ravens, University of Maryland, and to a lesser degree Washington’s teams for people’s money. There are people out there who do have to sit down and decide if they want to invest in an Orioles’ ticket plan, Ravens’ etc. Heck, sometimes the Orioles even have to compete against their own minor league affiliates for ticket sales.

But the Orioles, and sports in general also have to compete with the entertainment industry. Everyone’s stepping up their game, because sports & entertainment are lumped into one category. now. It’s probably cheaper for a family of four to go to the movies as opposed to a night at the ballpark. And it’s a shorter day, which is now taken into account as well.

And in this region there’s also more to it than just that. We have shows, concerts, and museums which compete with the sports industry for money as well. This is not to say that it’s either or, because for the most part I don’t think that’s the case. However as a society we’re billing sports and entertainment as one. So people perhaps are being conditioned to think it’s either or.

In my view if you have a Saturday with your family, perhaps you take them to a museum, head to the movies, and then perhaps an evening at the ballpark sucking down hot dogs. Nowadays however, people’s attitudes are that they have $150-$200 to spend on their family of four. What’s the best bang for their buck in terms of entertainment? And it’s up to each individual sport or team to ensure that the money comes their way. Not only that, but they’re competing against every other entertainment outlet in the region.

Baltimore Orioles need a manager in the next two weeks

The first step to the future for the Baltimore Orioles was hiring a GM. They got their man last week in Mike Elias. He’s now obviously taxed with finding a new direction for the franchise. The next step in that entire process is finding a new field manager.

And Elias has pretty much said that’s the priority. However there is an hourglass filled with sand that’s rapidly running. The MLB Winter Meetings are in two weeks in Las Vegas.

The Orioles aren’t expected to be a massive force in free agency. However odds are they’ll need to sign a couple of players along the way. So it would be preferable for them to have a structure in place before then.

It wouldn’t look good for prospective free agents to wonder where they would fit into the Orioles’ plans given that there’s no manager in place. Mind you, hiring Elias was a major part of shaping the future in Birdland. But Elias won’t be involved in on-field decisions, strategy, etc. That’s up to the manager.

So I would submit that the O’s need to have a manager in place or at least an announcement made prior to the Winter Meetings. Otherwise they risk hampering whatever progress could be made at the meetings. All part of the process.

Baltimore Orioles: What’s MLB’s Thanksgiving?

The Baltimore Orioles took pause with the rest of us last week as our nation celebrated Thanksgiving. I’m not going to lie; it’s my favorite holiday. Food, family…and football.

As we know, when it comes to sports Thanksgiving Day belongs to the NFL. I say Thanksgiving Day because in reality it’s one of the busier sports weeks overall on the calendar. There are numerous College Basketball tournaments (such as the Maui Invitational) that are played, and HUGE college football games which occur on Friday and Saturday of that week. But Thanksgiving Day itself is the NFL’s.

And I suppose that the only parallel that can be drawn is the NBA’s grasp on Christmas Day. I believe it’s either five or six games spanning from noon until well after midnight. You could also throw New Year’s Day in there for College Football bowl games. Does MLB have anything remotely like that?

I suppose I would throw out two holidays; Memorial Day and the Fourth of July. However I’m not sure those get the billing in baseball that Thanksgiving gets in the NFL or Christmas in the NBA. And in reality it’s all about marketing. You can schedule games for those days, but if you as the league don’t market it as “special” (in terms of playing on a holiday and so forth), it’s not going to feel special. The NBA literally goes out of it’s way to talk about how much of an honor it is to play on Christmas Day.

The difference is that baseball is played everyday. Memorial Day is special for sure, however you played yesterday and you’ll play tomorrow. The same with the Fourth of July. So it would be a tough sell for the league to argue that it’s anything on par with the NFL’s Thanksgiving or the NBA’s Christmas. The one difference is that there’s usually a plethora of games on national television. But the comparisons end there.