Why Not?

I don't disagree with your observations. But the perception of danger is keeping participation numbers down. I have three sons and have successfully steered them away from football. I was concerned about injury but also was not fond of the culture around our local leagues.

My 9-year-old played a doubleheader last week. This was between two "travel" teams, so at least the kids are engaged and have some ability. During the first game, the ball was hit into play 4 or 5 times over 5 innings before the 2-hour time limit was reached. It was dreadfully boring to watch. I can't imagine it was fun for anyone buy the pitchers and catchers.

I think you're right. But it's important to note that those two controllable years wouldn't be terribly cheap and the O's are not planning to compete anyway.

Jumping to conclusions there.

In my neck of the woods, the number of baseball participants is rising, especially at the T-Ball level. That said, the number of players declines at each age level. My kids' league had 9 T-Ball teams last year but just 3 teams at the 13-15 age level. I don't think it's that baseball is boring in general. But if you aren't any good, it can be VERY boring. Who wants to strike out three times and play RF two nights a week? Baseball is heartless. If you stink, it's painfully obvious that you stink. When kids realize that they stink, they quit. If you stink at field sports like soccer, football or lacrosse, it's not as evident. It's easier to hide weak players and the kids don't get as discouraged/embarrassed as quickly

Welington Castillo's baseball career is irrelevant to YOU. To Welington Castillo, Welington Castillo's baseball career is the absolute most important baseball career in baseball history.

You CAN, it just takes longer (and you save four bucks)

Watch that language!

I hope they don't take Bursitis Johnson in the second round.

...and he knows that his broadcast partner was not a hall-of-fame pitcher, and is alive.

I gave it a try. God we're a bunch of jackals piling on this guy.

Scully does play-by-play. Palmer does color. Apples and oranges. They have very different roles in a broadcast. You might want to quit while you're ahead, or at least before you make an utter fool of yourself.

Jim "Not Catfish" Hunter. Wow, talk about a social gaffe.

If a guy like Bedard could be used like Stewart was, it would be worth a shot. But that would mean a real revolutionary change in bullpen usage. I don't recall reliever kicking in 120 innings in recent history (though I could be wrong). Even with his struggles, I'd hate to relegate Bedard to 75-85 innings a year.