Baltimore Orioles News and Views

Feb 25, 2015; Sarasota, FL, USA; Baltimore Orioles manager Buck Showalter (26) talks to his players during spring training workouts at Ed Smith Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Reinhold Matay-USA TODAY Sports

There is no single Orioles story that is capturing my imagination at the moment, as the early spring training time before games begin is not the most fascinating period. Rather, there are a variety of small items that I’ll group together on this frigid Maryland weekend and final day of the horrible month of February, 2015.

Sad to see Alex Hassan go …

Somebody had to come off the 40-man roster to make room for new infielder Everth Cabrera, and it was Alex Hassan. I would have rather that it be Jimmy Paredes, a player I simply don’t see having any future with the Orioles. Instead, the Orioles DFA-ed a guy with a .387 OBP in his minor league career – a likeable player with Duke University credentials. The Oakland A’s picked him up (for the second time) and I would not be surprised to see him on the field before long against the Orioles.

Orioles fan in space …

It was interesting to stumble across a story of one of the astronauts in the International Space Station being an Orioles fan. It is Col. Terry Virts, who is from the Baltimore area and who has been pictured in the past as wearing a Matt Wieters jersey on the job up there. I’m going to guess he is a Baltimore Wire blog reader … check in with us Terry!

Embarrassing photo for the Pittsburgh Pirates …

News came out on Friday as to the specific identity of “Jihadi John” – a British (but Kuwaiti-born) hunk of scum who is featured in many of the ISIS beheading videos. A picture of him, from before he went off to fight in Syria or wherever, showed him wearing a Pittsburgh Pirates hat. I’m not too big on the Pirates, but I feel badly for them this time. I’ve travelled in Europe and spoken to Europeans wearing American baseball hats. Those with Yankees caps (the most common) usually knew what they had on their head, but practically none of the others had any clue as to what the symbol on their cap was about, much less that it was even an American baseball hat. They just liked the look of it. Jihadi John probably thought it meant “psycho” or something like that.

Papelbon belongs on the Jays …

Papelbon and the Blue Jays deserve each other

Actually, what would have made sense to me is if Jihadi John wore a Blue Jays hat. That would fit as parallel levels of disgusting. In that vein, rumors were around this past week that Jonathan Papelbon might somehow be headed to the Blue Jays. I certainly don’t hope so, and not because I think he really has much talent anymore. There is simply nothing more ridiculous than his goofy snoot and puckered lips as if he’s some sort of tough guy. He belongs with the Blue Jays. They deserve each other.

Johan Santana is with the Blue Jays …

Someone who is too much of a good guy to get stuck in Canada is Johan Santana. But he has signed a deal with Toronto after coming all of the way back from his Achilles injury of last season to pitch a bit in Winter ball. It was too bad the injury happened last year, as it would have been intriguing to see if he could have made it with the Orioles. At age 36 it is hard to imagine he will be in the Blue Jays rotation, but I’ve got to love the guy’s passion to want to play the game and accomplish more … just wish it was in the National League.

Juan Pierre retirement …

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Outfielder and speedster Juan Pierre has officially retired. He has no connections to the Orioles, but he was one player that I always coveted over the years. How could you not like a guy with a career average of .295 and OBP of .343? Now that’s a leadoff hitter! His 614 stolen bases are #18 in baseball history.

Josh Hamilton relapse …

More sad news is the report that Hamilton has fallen back into abuse problems as in the past. There was a time he was highly sought to come to Baltimore from Texas, and it sure has not worked out well with the Angels. I so dislike these sorts of stories, and they fuel not only my hatred of drugs, but of alcohol also – as I don’t understand its celebration in our culture, given the harm it brings to so many. I know I’m totally out of step on that one … but am irritated by a local drunk driver who killed an innocent person in my area today. Just venting.

Stadium Noise …

I have seen a number of articles written about the pop-up workout of the Orioles in Sarasota on Friday with piped-in noise from the Delmon Young playoffs hit against the Tigers. Apparently a local citizen called about a noise ordinance violation. Hey, that is the nature of living next to a stadium. Locals in my area are always annoyed and complain about the noise of the local minor league team’s frequent post-game fireworks displays.

Next: Trying to Get Excited about the Everth Cabrera Deal

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