eddie murray

Fans of Baltimore-area sports are feeling an excitement they have not felt for years – they can cheer on two teams at the same time in late September and early October.

Adam Jones and Nick Markakis have different personalities, but when the two take the field together -- as they have on most summer days for the past seven seasons -- they become unified partners for one purpose: capturing the Orioles' first World Series title in 31 years.

By Dan Connolly

Sep 30, 2014

Sales in Birdland are soaring, as the team advances to the post-season. Team merchandise sales leapt 80 percent in the last four weeks, according to SportsOneSource, which collects data from major retailers. In the last 13 weeks, sales rose 33 percent compared to the same period in 2013.

The start times for the Orioles' first two American League Division Series games at Camden Yards were announced Monday evening, contingent on the outcomes of both wild-card games.

Orioles manager Buck Showalter wants to see his collective group of starters in action today for the team's final regular-season game and last action before Game 1 of the American League Division Series on Thursday.

Fan after fan said it as they waited for Ubaldo Jimenez to throw the first pitch Tuesday night at Camden Yards: "We just had to be here."

After being sent to the bullpen, Jimenez to start at least one more regular-season game

MLB and ESPN keep talking and writing about Derek Jeter's legacy and final visits to this stadium and that. There's even talk of a ceremony at Fenway Park during Jeter's final game. Our turn, so to speak, comes this week. The Yankees visit Baltimore for four games from Friday through Sunday, and the series will mark Jeter's last visit to Camden Yards. And you know how I feel about that? Good riddance. I have no problem with the Yankees doing special things to recognize their superstar at their

Right-hander Ubaldo Jimenez said his transition to the bullpen was made easier Saturday when the Orioles brought him in following their three-hour, nine-minute rain delay.

Nick Markakis' catch to rob a home run in Monday's 8-2 win over the Chicago White Sox received some national attention. While Orioles manager Buck Showalter said Markakis deserves that recognition, the right fielder often shuns it.

The Orioles introduced 23 club Hall of Famers to the crowd Friday night.

"I've seen the caliber of players on all the other teams. No reason we can't win this division," Hall of Famer Brooks Robinson said.

Over the years, John Von Paris and the Savage-based moving company he now heads have had their share of Orioles' highlights. This week, the 122-year-old Von Paris Moving and Storage will add one more highlight to the reel when Von Paris and his company are honored before an Orioles game at a celebration recognizing long-time season ticket-holders.

After Nick Markakis picked up the 1,500 hit of his career Sunday, Orioles manager Buck Showalter made an interesting statement.

The Orioles beat the Seattle Mariners, 1-0, thanks to a home run by Nick Markakis to lead off the bottom of the first inning and a strong pitching performance by Chris Tillman.

Nelson Cruz, who has spent the year splitting time in left field with Steve Pearce and David Lough, made his seventh consecutive start at designated hitter Tuesday against the Angels.

The atmosphere at the O.co Coliseum during the Orioles¿ workout on Thursday evening was more like one that took place on the back fields of the team¿s spring training complex in February rather than the end of the All-Star break.

The Orioles have been celebrating their 60th anniversary in Baltimore all season long with patches on the right sleeve of their game jerseys. On Aug. 8, they¿ll do one better.

There's a distinct dichotomy that surrounds Orioles center fielder Adam Jones in Baltimore. He is the club's most consistent performer and surely one of its most ardent community ambassadors. And yet he also receives the most criticism from fans for his play.

Orioles right fielder Nick Markakis ranked 10th among American League outfielders in the most recent All-Star Game fan balloting, but manager Buck Showalter campaigned Wednesday for the team's longest-tenured player to make his first All-Star Game.

With a single in the first inning and a double in the seventh Thursday, right fielder Nick Markakis tied and then passed former teammate Brian Roberts for seventh on the Orioles' all-time hits list with 1,453.

A trip to Houston to face the Astros could be just the right thing to break Orioles right-hander Ubaldo Jimenez out of a pair of sub-par starts.

On Wednesday afternoon, the Orioles announced plans to host a 60th anniversary luncheon, which will recognize the club's history and honor members of the Orioles Hall of Fame.

When Orioles right fielder Nick Markakis slapped a single to left field in his first at bat on Friday night against the Cleveland Indians, he continued his climb up the franchise¿s all-time hit list.

Catcher Matt Wieters celebrated his 28th birthday Wednesday on the road with his team. But Wieters is still waiting out the stiffness in his right elbow, and he remains unsure about when he'll be able to test it by throwing.

Chris Davis became the first Oriole to hit three home runs on the road since Cal Ripken Jr. in 1996

Eddie Murray was honored by Ripken and the Cal Ripken Sr. Foundation at the Baltimore Marriott Waterfront, along with Japanese baseball legend Sachio Kinugasa and New Jersey high school basketball coach Bob Hurley Sr.

Hundreds gathered at Ruck Towson Funeral Home to celebrate the life of Orioles great Paul Blair, a smiling, always-chatting Gold Glove center fielder who helped lead Baltimore to four World Series and two world championships.

What I really want to know is whether you, Mr. or Mrs. Orioles fan, want Mike Mussina to go into the Baseball Hall of Fame as an Oriole.

Sports Illustrated's "Baseball's Greatest" book lists Cal Ripken Jr's as the second greatest all-time shortstop, while Brooks Robinson is listed as the fifth-best third basemen in history.

Chris Davis' memorable and record-setting 2013 season boasted offensive numbers that were worthy of the AL MVP, but it wasn't enough to unseat the best player in the game.

The Orioles continued to meet with possible trade partners and free-agent representatives on Day 2 of the general managers meetings Tuesday in Orlando, Fla.

For the first time in franchise history, three Orioles players were awarded the annual Silver Slugger award, given to the top offensive players at each position in each league.

Thirty years after he pitched for the Orioles in the World Series, Sammy Stewart is out of prison and free of a drug addiction that ruined his life for nearly two decades.

The Orioles were well represented Friday when finalists for this season's AL Gold Glove awards were named.