SouthRider

I remember sitting in jr high school during those winter meetings dreaming of a huge rumored trade between Baltimore and California. It was supposed to include some big names on both sides. Ended up just being this trade. Very interesting article. I did not know the O's pursued Reggie again. The Templeton thing is just bizarre, especially since Baseball-Almanac says he was traded for Ozzie Smith on 12/10/81. I'd say St. Louis did okay on that trade. Ford helped us win it all in '83, but DeCinces had a longer and better career after the deal.

I think their future 3rd baseman will be the guy they draft 1.1 next June. There are a couple of good college SS bats who could get moved over to 3rd.

I love the Giants. It's amazing how they have held off the star studded Dodgers. These two teams remind me of 1980 when the O's finished second with 100 wins, only no wild card then.

I was in San Francisco about five years ago when I spotted a young kid, about 12 or so, walking in Golden Gate Park with his family. He was wearing the current O's home baseball cap, as was I. I ran up to him and in my most exaggerated Bal'mer-ease said, "Go O's. It's good to spot another fan out here." The kid just looked up at me in horror without saying anything. His dad then chimed in, "He just liked the hat."

I'm not too worried about the lack of pitching selections given that next year they will again be selecting #1 or #2 overall. They will be in prime position to select next season's Jack Leiter if they wish. Of course, you have to go BPA. It's telling to me that all the picks have been college guys with the exception of the high upside catcher. I think Elias is trying to establish a good core no matter how he can get it.

I realize the O's are not good but at least get players who can field. Santander has no business being out there if he can't get to that misplayed double. Milone looks like another bum in a long list of free agent starting pitchers signed by the O's. Oh well, it was only 1 game. Well, actually 2.7 games with the shortened season.

It's disgraceful MLB does not have a home for one of its clubs one day before the start of the season. The Blue Jays present no more risk to the lives of Marylanders than the Orioles do. If it's too much risk to host the Blue Jays in Baltimore, or anywhere else in the U.S, then MLB should just shut the whole season down. I don't begrudge Canada for not allowing the Jays to play there. Just look at their curve vs ours. The difference is staggering.

The mlb draft show hosts seem to like the shortstop from Arizona State drafted two slots after Westburg. It will be interesting to see what Elias says about his guy.

I love this pick. This kid hits for average with elite power and is left handed. He also has a strong arm, loves the game, and appears to be a hard worker. Honestly, I don't see any negatives.

McDonald"s hype was just as big as Stephen Strasburg's. Both guys were heralded as the best pitcher to come out of college in 20 years. Ben just didn't have the career Stephen is having. I love seeing our Big Ben working with the current Orioles. He is a great announcer and spring training coach. Bundy was a bigger bust. I don't think his hype was as great. Riley has to be the most hyped prospect who flamed out.

Her choice of outfit for the picture look more like Astro colors. She needs to fix that. I didn't realize she has local ties and grew up an Orioles' fan. That's great. The O's sure are benefitting from the Astros' demise.

Maybe Altuve had a pornographic image on his T-shirt and he didn't want to offend anyone.

Out here in Loudoun Co. VA little league is alive and well. You may have heard the Loudoun South league represented Virginia at the Little League World Series in Williamsport this year. On a side note, my kids had a soccer game on a field next to some Loudoun South baseball games. My jaw dropped when I saw these kids in full major league replica jerseys on multiple fields with nice grand stands and PA announcerments for the players coming to bat. It was a twelve year old's dream. Loudoun is one of the richest counties in America, so I'm sure money has a lot to due with the popularity of the sport here. Same with hockey which I have my kids in. Very expensive. Back on topic. Glad the Nats won. It was great having a rooting interest for a baseball team again in a World Series.

Good move by Dave Martinez keeping Corbin in there for the eight. He saw what happened to the Astros when they went to their pen taking out a guy who was in complete control.

Six outs to go. Can the Nat's bullpen come through? This is going to be epic.

Max has been walking a tight rope so far.

Seams like the Astros figured the Nat's hitters out. Soto and Rendon need to step up or the Nationals are toast.

Here is an article about the Astro's front office that echoes some of B.J. Surhoff's recent complaints. Given Elias's connection to Houston I hope this sort of thing (and Osuna type messes) do not find their way here. https://larrybrownsports.com/baseball/ex-astros-employees-toxic-work-environment/520438

I don't like the Astros. Too cocky with their bat flips and standing there admiring home runs. They remind me of the 2014-15 Royals. I expect Scherzer and Strasburg to shut the door. I was worried how they both would pitch after the long layoff, but they did their jobs and kept their team in the game. Don't sleep on Sanchez either. He has been great this post season. I love the way the Nat's old guys are stepping up.

Good.

Growing up with the Astros in the National League and having my team (O's) American League, my brain keeps thinking Nats are American League since I have taken an interest in them this year. It's kind of weird. I don't get the whole Montreal Expos angle with people wearing Expos hats to National games. To me that is a slap in the face to real Montreal Expo fans. I keep wondering how long the National's luck is going to last. I was sure the bubble was going to burst last night. Dave Martinez is a heck of a manager. He is handling the pitching staff masterfully. I love John Smoltz' analysis during the game. It's like having a pitching coach or manager in the booth. The rest of the FOX crew stink compared to TBS, especially the post game team (Arod, Poppy, Thomas). Yuk.

There is a good Holt interview on MLB Orioles web site. I love hearing about the step up our minor league pitchers had throughout the system this year. He talked about guys not in the conversation prior to the season now forcing their way into it. Strikeout rates took a big jump. It's so refreshing to see this. It shows that there was already talent in the system and how good organizations maximize it. We fans tend to think along lines of hitting or missing on draft picks when it is the development of those picks which is more important.

TBS guys were all over Roberts for allowing Kershaw to start the next inning. They pointed out how Kershaw's stuff was like batting practice to the Nat's hitters after dealing with Buehler all game. Leaving Kelly in was equally as dumb. I understand the Nationals going to Corbin, but LA's bull pen is loaded. No need to go to Kershaw or allow Kelly to struggle. This was the first time I ever rooted for the Nationals to win. Without Harper they seem like a much more likeable team.

Great game. I was going to bed at 1:00am and saw it on my DVR. Started watching and couldn't stop. Nice to FF between innings and even 20 seconds between pitches. I might watch the entire LA series this way.

The poor guy was younger than me. How sad. I'll always remember sitting in the RF bleachers soon after Mercedes was called up by the O's. Some drunk was hanging over the wall yelling at him, "Luis, you're here in the big leagues to stay. You're a keeper." After reading that article it makes me wonder if Mercedes even understood the guy was trying to complement him. Crazy to think the O's were this inept at developing their Latin talent.