Baltimore Orioles: A Place of Beginning Again

Jul 2, 2015; Baltimore, MD, USA; A general view of the game between the Baltimore Orioles and the Texas Rangers during the sixth inning at Oriole Park at Camden Yards. Mandatory Credit: Tommy Gilligan-USA TODAY Sports

The Baltimore Orioles are at it again. What’s that? Getting shut out? Well, yes, there is that. It happened last night for the sixth time in 2015. This seems to be occurring more frequently than in the past, though actually, I was surprised to research that they were shut out 13 times last year. In 2013 it was six times, in 2012 – nine times, and in 2011 – seven times.

To be championship outfit, a team needs to figure out how to beat the best and hottest pitchers. The Orioles did this with the Tigers in the playoffs last year, but too often they are shut down.

Actually, what the Orioles have done again is give a player with a challenging track record that includes some personal indiscretions a chance to renew his career and life. Beyond that, apart from foolish life choices, the Orioles have also been a place where some players are being given a new chance to revitalize a career that has gotten stuck in the mud.

Of this latter category, the list goes on and on: Jimmy Paredes, Chris Parmelee, Brad Brach, Delmon Young, Nolan Reimold, Bud Norris, Evan Meek … just to name a few.

But of the former category, I really respect how the organization is redemptive without being crazy about it. A player who has made a mistake or two, upon evaluation and consideration of his attitude and recovery, is occasionally welcomed to become a valuable asset again.

The most famous of these, and the one that paid off the richest dividends was of course that of Nelson Cruz last year. Everth Cabrera was another who had a stain, and a list of lesser players could be produced. And then there is the internal situation with Chris Davis. Buck often says that none of us would want to have our whole lives judged by the worst moment and lowest point. That’s a good line that has the additional advantage of being the truth.

Yesterday the Orioles signed former All-Star reliever Chris Perez to a minor league deal, even though he is on a 50-day suspension for a second substance violation. There is a known marijuana situation from a couple of years ago. Perez will join the organization in Sarasota, where I suspect much more than baseball rehabilitation is on the regular agenda. He’ll have a chance to rebuild it all, and if he does, the Orioles will have something; and if he doesn’t, he’ll eventually be gone like a certain left-handed reliever of the past who is apparently now out of baseball.

Perez just turned 30 on Wednesday. And I know you’ll be shocked to learn that he was a former first-round draft pick – what else would Duquette sign? It was in 2006 by the Cardinals.

His best success was in 2011 and 2012 – All-Star seasons – with the Cleveland Indians where he saved a total of 75 games. However, even then his ERA was well over 3.46. Over his career, Perez has walked 3.9 batters per nine innings. To put that into perspective, Ubaldo Jimenez has only been slightly higher at 4.1. However, Brian Matusz is at 5.3 for this season, but that’s another story.

So do the Orioles have something in Perez? You wouldn’t want to bet on it. But a new life in a new place – a place we know to be a healthy environment – could make a difference both on the field and off. The risk is small. The effort is honorable.

Next: Looking back at the top 7 Orioles from Junes