What's loyalty worth? Not much. Ask Nick Markakis ("Nick Markakis agrees to four-year deal with Braves," Dec. 3).
It seems the new Oriole way is to devalue team chemistry, hard work, commitment to team play and to community — you know all those things O's management says they believe in. His teammates and media report Nick wanted to be an Oriole for life. He had a home here. He played his heart out. So why not offer him a contract for life with a coaching job or other position in the organization after his playing days?
Nelson Cruz indicated he wanted to stay, too, and watching him in the dugout last year mentoring the young players, one believed him, but again, the O's management didn't value this. Makes one wonder if Cal Ripken Jr. would have made it to be a lifetime Oriole with this current management.
Linda Sullivan Schulte, Westminster