Baltimore Orioles: Pitchers and catchers report today

Baltimore Orioles’ pitchers and catchers are due to report to Ed Smith Stadium in Sarasota by today. Many of them are already there, as are a few position players. The first workouts begin in earnest tomorrow, and full team workouts begin on February 22nd.

Pitching seems to be a motif for the Orioles dating back to time immemorial. However I suspect we’ll see some open competitions in camp this year for starting roles. That makes the importance of the spring games all the more accentuated.

On that note, the spring schedule has been tweaked slightly. The Orioles will now begin Grapefruit League play on Sunday, February 28th at home against the Pittsburgh Pirates. They’ll also finish up a day later, as they’ll play the Tampa Rays to close the spring slate of games on March 29th. Opening Day is April 1st at Fenway Park in Boston.

MLB also announced last week that the re-tooling of the schedule will pit the teams who train on the west coast of Florida against one another. The same will be true of the east coast of Florida teams. So the Orioles will only exclusively play, Toronto, Boston, New York (Yankees), Tampa, Pittsburgh, Minnesota, Atlanta, Detroit, and Philadelphia. This is being done specifically to cut down on travel due to COVID. Television and radio coverage of the new schedule has not yet been announced.

Baltimore Orioles: Throwing out the “First” pitch

It’s not about the Baltimore Orioles per se, but this is literally one of my favorite recurring columns that I pen every year. It’s probably redundant if you go back and look at previous years. But it incorporates two of my most cherished things in life, civics and sports.

Today is President’s Day, which means it’s a federal holiday. And obviously the Presidency has a very unique link to Major League Baseball. That of course being the President throwing out the first pitch at games. Also known as the “Presidential First Pitch.”

The tradition began in 1910 with President William Howard Taft throwing out the first pitch on Opening Day for the Washington Senators as they began the season against the Philadelphia Athletics. Obviously Washington DC became the most likely venue for a President to throw out the first ball, and it usually happened on Opening Day. President Taft would also return the following year to do the honors again, in what would quickly become a tradition.

In 1915 President Woodrow Wilson became the first President to throw out the first pitch outside of Washington DC, when he did the honors at Philadelphia’s Baker Bowl in the World Series. His successor, Warren G. Harding, would also travel outside of the capital to throw out a first pitch, doing so on Opening Day in 1923 at Yankee Stadium.

Pretty much every President up to and including President Obama threw out a first pitch somewhere. One highlight I always like to throw in (no pun intended) is Opening Day, 1940, at Griffith Stadium in Washington. President Franklin D. Roosevelt arrived on the scene to throw out the first pitch, and apparently hit a Washington Post camera in doing so. I’m not sure why I always work that into this column, but I do. It’s kind of a tradition – embrace it! Of course back in those days the President (or any person throwing out the first pitch) would sit in the front row of the grandstand by the dugout and throw the ball to the catcher on the field. President Ronald Reagan actually began the tradition of throwing from the mound.

When the Senators left after the 1972 season, Baltimore became the most likely destination to host the Presidential First Pitch. President Jimmy Carter came to Memorial Stadium in game seven of the World Series in 1979 to do the honors, and President Reagan came on Opening Day 1984 and 1986.

Memorial Stadium also hosted President George H.W. Bush on Opening Day 1989. The final season at Memorial Stadium brought Vice-President Dan Quayle to town on Opening Day, but the following year President Bush was back in town to throw out the first ball in the inaugural game at Oriole Park at Camden Yards. President Bill Clinton would come to Camden Yards in 1993 and 1996, both on Opening Day.

I do find it sad that the President throwing out the first pitch on Opening Day is a tradition that seems to have subsided in recent years. President Donald Trump was the first President in a line dating back to Taft not to throw out the first pitch anywhere. Every other President has done it at least once – and most of them have only done it once at that. Invariably, that’s probably due to baseball being absent from Washington DC for so long.

Which brings me to the present, where America currently has a new Commander-In-Chief, President Joe Biden. (Who incidentally came to Baltimore as Vice-President and threw out the first ball on Opening Day one year.) My hope is that the Washington Nationals invite him to do the honors this year. I always close this column with the same point: regardless of party affiliation or anything else, I think that the President of the United States should throw out the first ball in Washington DC on Opening Day every year.

Baltimore Orioles to admit fans at Ed Smith Stadium

The Baltimore Orioles announced today that fans WILL BE ADMITTED to Ed Smith Stadium in Sarasota for spring training games. It will be limited to 25% of capacity, however fans will be allowed to purchase tickets for spring games. Each home game will be limited to 1,833 fans, and tickets will be sold in “pod seating,” so as to allow people to socially distance.

Nothing has been announced in the way of fan admission for regular season games, however that 25% capacity number shouldn’t necessarily tell us how many fans will be admitted come April. First off, every locality is different. That number’s based on where Florida is in terms of COVID right now. However Oriole Park at Camden Yards is also a much bigger facility than Ed Smith Stadium. It may well end up being that the Birds can get away with allowing 40 or 50% capacity in Baltimore.

The Orioles also announced all of their game times yesterday. There are a few changes from years past; Monday-Thursday home games will begin at 6:35 PM as opposed to 7:05 in April, May, and September. I suspect this is being done to allow the games to end earlier for kids in school. Exceptions to this rule: Thursday, April 15th vs. Seattle (1 PM), Thursday, April 29th vs. NYY (1 PM), Thursday, May 20th vs. Tampa (12:30), and Thursday August 16th vs. NYY (1 PM).

During the summer months (June, July, August) the mid-week games will revert back to the 7:05 start time. All Friday games will begin at 7:05, as will most Saturday games over the course of the season. However select Saturday games will begin at 4:05, and all Sunday home games will begin at 1:05 PM.

Baltimore Orioles: Felix Hernandez coming to the O’s

The Baltimore Orioles yesterday signed former Cy Young award winner Feliz Hernandez to a one-year minor league deal. Hernandez of course had many great seasons with the Seattle Mariners, earning him the nickname, King Felix. His last season was 2019, as he opted to sit out last season due to the pandemic.

This sounds like the Orioles signing washed up stars once again. However bear in mind that it’s a minor league deal. Very low risk to the organization. Hernandez will presumably have an opportunity to compete for a roster spot during spring training, and could well end up an innings eater, back-of-the-rotation type of guy on the 2021 Orioles.

Baltimore Orioles: MLBPA rejects delayed and shortened season

It appears that Baltimore Orioles baseball will be returning in 2021 at the previously prescribed moment. Last night the MLBPA rejected MLB’s proposal of a 154-game season, starting roughly a month later than scheduled. The proposal also included expanded playoffs, universal use of the DH, and the players being paid based on 162 games.

In my view this is the best outcome in general. I personally don’t see how delaying the start of the season would do anything in regards to COVID. As of now, camps are set to begin on February 17th. Opening Day is set for April 1st. Teams are being instructed by the league to prepare to get things going based on that original schedule. And again, I see that as a good thing.

Baltimore Orioles trade Alex Cobb to Los Angeles

The Baltimore Orioles are sending RHP Alex Cobb off to Hollywood. The Birds this morning traded Cobb to the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim. Formerly known as the Anaheim Angels. But known to my generation as the California Angels. You get the idea.

Cobb has one year remaining on his contract, which is set to make him $15 million this year. The O’s will in essence eat half of that salary, or in other words send it to Anaheim along with Cobb. In exchange, the Birds will be getting second baseman Jahmai Jones.

The Orioles had been looking for some infield depth, which Jones will provide. He’s set to make $1.1 million this year, and has seven total at-bats at the big league level – going 3-for-7. He was once a second round draft choice for Anaheim, and most recently was rated as that organization’s seventh best prospect.

This is a salary dump more than anything else. While it won’t shock me to see Jones at the big league level with the O’s this year, it’s a low-level acquisition. Now in fairness, it also opens up more of a competition for rotation spots going into spring training. It’s a curious move since the Orioles are looking for solid starting pitching, but as I said it’s a salary dump. Nothing more.

Baltimore Orioles: MLB proposes 154-game season

MLB is proposing a 154-game season to the Baltimore Orioles, the rest of the teams, and the MLBPA. This per Jon Heyman of Foxsports. This of course after last year’s labor issues on the heels of COVID, and what ended up being a 60-game season.

The bare bones of the proposal as reported are a 154-game season, which would start roughly a month late. There would be expanded playoffs, which this year would reach into November, and a universal DH in both leagues. The players would also receive their full salaries as based on the 162-game schedule.

Obviously these alterations are being proposed due to COVID. My hope is that the MLBPA doesn’t agree to it. Now I’ll admit that in total it is a reasonable proposal. But my point would be why is it needed?

I get trying to keep everyone safe from COVID. And I’m in no way suggesting that the league shouldn’t be attempting to take precautions for players and coaches. But we should also keep in mind that as the vaccines are being administered, COVID numbers are going to go further and further down as time goes on – presumably. So will it be the threat that it was in 2020?

I know that sounds arrogant or even foolish to some. And I say all of this as the son of a COVID survivor. My father was in the ICU for two weeks battling for his life. I don’t wish it on anyone. Also keep in mind that the NFL was able to play it’s season with relatively few issues. The NBA and NHL just started up recently, but they’re doing their thing as we speak. As is college basketball.

So I guess my point is, why isn’t the 2021 season being treated as business as usual? That may be a bit strong; it won’t be business as usual. Teams will have to decide on an individual basis whether to admit fans. And how many at that. But given the relative success of other sports, does the 2021 season really need to be altered?

The difference I suspect is that baseball does series’. In those other sports teams fly into a city the day before a game, and are on the way home immediately following it. In baseball teams are in a cut for between 2-4 days. And in essence guys can’t leave the hotel. However despite a few major hiccups with various teams at the beginning, even MLB was able to sustain a fairly safe level of play last year.

So I see no reason the season should be delayed or shortened. However time will tell if the MLBPA accepts this offer.

Baltimore Orioles sign Freddy Galvis

The Baltimore Orioles appear to have found their new starting shortstop for the 2021 season. Earlier this week they inked SS Freddy Galvis to a one-year deal. This isn’t a move that’s going to make many waves or raise any eyebrows, but Galvis is decent enough as a placeholder.

Galvis signed for $1.5 million – again, just for one year. The contract also pays him an additional $250,000 if he’s traded during the season. GM Mike Elias on Galvis (quote courtesy of Joe Trezza, MLB.com):

He definitely looked like a really good fit all along. We wanted to target some proven veteran middle infield presences, and I think Freddy Galvis is an ideal solution for us to that end, with what he brings to the table with his accomplishments, being a proven commodity and how we feel he’s going to fit in with this young lineup.

At 31 years old, Galvis is a career .247 hitter with 95 homers over nine seasons. However he’s best known as a solid defensive shortstop. And that might be just what the Orioles need to anchor the infield defense in 2021. This as they continually look for their shortstop of the future.

Baltimore Orioles: Changes in the booth

Late last week it was found out that the Baltimore Orioles (in conjunction with the Mid-Atlantic Sports Network) were making some major changes in how they’re covered starting in 2021. Gary Thorne, Jim Hunter, Tom Davis, Rick Dempsey, Dave Johnson, and Mike Bordick are no longer with the team. Their contracts expire at the end of January, and they will not be renewed.

MASN also announced that they will no longer be producing pre and post-game shows (O’s Xtra) for the Orioles and Washington Nationals. Instead there’ll be a 15 minute lead-in mainly with the game announcers prior to every game. The team will have the option of paying to produce it’s own pre and post game shows, however again that comes at their cost.

I think this is all a real shame. Gary Thorne is a pro’s pro behind the microphone. Speaking for myself, I remember him calling National Hockey Night games in the NHL back when I was in Junior High. I always felt having an announcer of his caliber was an asset to the franchise. Jim Hunter and Tom Davis have been affiliated with the Orioles for years, and it will certainly be a change not hearing their voices in team coverage.

Obviously the other three names on that list are former players. Specifically Rick Dempsey, who’s put most of his professional life into the Orioles in some capacity. Unfortunately however, these are business moves. And often business can get in the way of a good thing. And all of the affected parties know that. Everything’s a business, including sports.

The Orioles also announced today that their broadcast team would be Scott Garceau, Rob Long, Geoff Arnold, Kevin Brown, Brett Hollander, Melanie Newman, Jim Palmer, and Ben McDonald. There’s no differentiation between television and radio, however I would assume that Garceau will be the primary play-by-play guy on MASN. Palmer and McDonald are obviously familiar to fans, especially Jim Palmer. Any broadcast is going to be better with him on it.

Again, it’s a shame that so many talented people who meant so much over so many years to the organization are no longer there. However again, these sorts of things happen in companies across America all the time. Needless to say, you’ll still be able to see and hear the Orioles on television and radio this year. It’ll just look and sound a little different.

Baltimore Orioles avoid arbitration with Trey Mancini

The Baltimore Orioles of course were without Trey Mancini for the entirety of the 2020 season. Well, save for perhaps a few spring training games – if you count that. Mancini of course underwent treatment for colon cancer, keeping him away from baseball activities for the entire year. Or the semblance of the year, at least.

But now that we’re in 2021, he’ll be back. The Birds tendered him a contract last month, however they still had to agree on a salary for the season, unless they wanted to go to arbitration. Luckily, it appears that neither side wanted that.

Mancini and the Orioles agreed earlier today on a salary of $4.75 million for 2021. As I’ve said in the past, I would submit that arbitration is one of the most damaging and ridiculous processes through which a player and a team can go. It causes nothing but ill feelings on both sides, and generally the sides are only arguing in principle over a couple hundred thousand dollars. Chump change in the baseball world.

But the good news is that Mancini and the club decided to stay away from that route. Hopefully that makes for a smooth camp for Mancini, and an even smoother transition back into the regular season.