For tonight's All-Star Game trivia question, viewers were asked which year's event featured the most first-time All-Stars.
Call me crazy, but wouldn't that be the first year the game was played?
The Orioles' PR staff released its first-half report on the club, and here are a few not-so-fun facts that jumped out at me:
The Orioles (41-49) have been in fourth place, or tied for it, every day since April 29. This is the eighth time in the last nine seasons they've gone into the break with a losing record.
Improvement might come if they win more games away from home. The Orioles have lost 27 of their last 40 on the road.
They're also 8-22 against left-handed pitching, with a .233 average that ranks last in the league. They're 33-27 vs. right-handers and rank fourth with a .288 average.
Miguel Tejada bats right-handed. So do Melvin Mora, Ramon Hernandez, Javy Lopez, Jeff Conine and Kevin Millar. What's the deal?
The Orioles have used 15 players who weren't on the Opening Day roster. They've used 14 different relievers and eight starting pitchers.
At least they can't be accused of standing pat.
Oriole pitchers have allowed 118 home runs, second in the AL. They lead the league with 359 walks. They've also allowed four runs or more in an inning 34 times this season, most in the majors.
Here are your pitching matchups for the Texas series that begins Thursday:
Thursday: Daniel Cabrera (4-6, 5.15 ERA) vs. Vincente Padilla (8-5, 4.44 ERA)
Friday: Kris Benson (9-7, 4.79 ERA) vs. Kevin Millwood (8-5, 4.83 ERA)
Saturday: Erik Bedard (10-6, 4.28 ERA) vs. John Rheinecker (4-3, 3.96 ERA)
Sunday: Rodrigo Lopez (5-10, 6.77 ERA) vs. John Wasdin (2-1, 4.26 ERA)
Yes, John Wasdin is still in the league. Remember when he pitched for the Orioles? Remember when the Boston media nicknamed him "Way Back" Wasdin for all the home runs he allowed?
Stop by the Yard and say hello to Gary Matthews and Jerry Hairston - two media favorites during their time in Baltimore. I'd have to add them to my "good" list. Two quality individuals.
And finally, I was bored enough a few nights ago to google my name and see what came up. I found the following critique of The Sun's baseball writers from two years ago. I have no idea who wrote it because I don't see a name attached, but I like the guy's taste:
Good Reading
If you are looking for a place on the internet for good baseball info, the Baltimore Sun baseball page is a must. Three writers - Peter Schmuck, Roch Kubatko and Joe Christiansen - are particularly good.
Schmuck, the top dog of their baseball staff, gives fine overviews of what's going on in baseball. I disagree with his take of the effect of DC baseball on Baltimore, but he's got the pulse of the owners and commish; not much that MLB does ever surprises his readers. Amidst a chorus of cutesy sameness from the vast majority of sports columnists, his wry tone and clear vision through baseball's fog of clichés is refreshing.
Christiansen does some of the most well-researched interviews with players I've seen. His interview with Rafael Palmeiro this year running the gamut of growing up a Cuban-American, his days at Mississippi State as a collegiate All-American and his perceived break-out from "having gap power" to becoming one of the best power hitters in the last 30 years is seamlessly woven and a perfect example of his craft.
Kubatko is wickedly funny. In addition to regularly covering the minors, he writes the weekly "Team Rankings", appraisals so sharp and witty they'd make H.L. Mencken chuckle. Some examples from this week are:
(7) Cubs -Sammy Sosa used as designated hitter against cross-town rivals. Forgets how many outs there are from the bench.
(8) Athletics - Team decides Arthur Rhodes isn't a closer. Also discovers the earth is round.
(12) White Sox - Place pitcher Scott Schoeneweis on disabled list with inflammation of his last name
(18) Devil Rays - Lou Pinella would be enjoying this more if he hadn't sold his soul to the devil.
(25) Mariners -Major league team in Portland? How about one in Seattle?
One of my favorites from last year highlighted Pat Burrell's struggles - and could well be applied to Kevin Millar this year:
Phillies - Pat Burrell promises sick kid in hospital that he'll hit a pop-up to short.
Great stuff!
(OK, I'm blushing. But I just had to share.)
