O-The-Memories

This is clearly hyperbolic, but it seems like it's similar to an abusive relationship in some ways. The owners know we aren't going to stop being fans because of these sorts of things, so who cares if we don't like it. I'm upset, but I'm still going to games, listening to the audio when I can, and I still buy Orioles gear. I think they are banking on none of us being THAT upset about these sorts of things to leave Orioles fandom forever. Business owners exist to make money, so maybe there's someone out there that calculated that it will cost them less in lost fan revenue than it will to pay for the travel expenses. Of course, judging by the way they've handled the roster so far this year I'm probably giving the front office way too much credit!

I don't know how the Baltimore Sun stays in business. They had so many layoffs and their subscriber base is way down too. Online subscriptions can't make that much money, so I understand why they might make concessions. Angelos however, has more than enough money to send an announcing crew to follow the team. The cost over the course of a season to send guys on the road, put them up in hotels, and pay for food can't be more than a couple million dollars a year. That would make a lot of us happier, and ticking off an already small fanbase isn't a good idea. I despise having to listen to the B-crew on audio when I can't even stream the Orioles in Southern Maryland without being blacked out of the video feed. Sign one less Jordan Lyles and you pay for a few years of good audio. It's indefensible.

The Means injury hurts to say the least. That's a guy I truly enjoyed watching pitch. I also wish we could see Bradish, but the issue to me isn't Diplan being called up, it's Lakins being up here instead of Bradish. Diplan is a guy I would like to evaluate a little more as well. I think Lakins is 28 or so and he isn't even really a BP arm I want to see more of. I truly hope we get to see lots of real prospects this year. Fans will show up to see Grayson, Adley, DL Hall (maybe I'm being a little optimistic with him) Bradish, and Stowers. So many of us understand that it's not about wins and losses, but I don't want to keep on seeing guys like Lakins, Watkins, Odor, Owings, McKenna, etc.

The older I get, the more I realize that other people enjoy stuff that I strongly dislike, and that's OK. I like seeing people having fun at a game, even if things like "Thank God I'm a Country Boy" and the wave are things I'm not a fan of (to say the least). I think we can also look at older times with orange tinted nostalgia. Memorial Stadium wasn't nearly as nice of a park as Camden Yards to actually watch a game, and the seats weren't comfortable. There were plenty of days where the games weren't heavily attended and the crowd wasn't always into the game back then either. I try to just enjoy things in the moment, and I had a lot of fun last night. I'll still enjoy seeing us play a team like the Royals with 9,000 people in the ballpark, but last night had a cool environment in my opinion.

In section 336 last night we had a couple beer vendors come by, but none of us drink, so it would have been nice to have other options. Myself and my three friends had a blast though, although I understand that it would have been different if we brought our kids along. The prices can be mitigated by bringing your own food, or eating outside the ballpark, but I do know the lines were too long. Jimmy's moved pretty quick, and their crab cake egg rolls are good (though you're paying a premium at the stadium). I think that people don't really know that the cost of Maryland lump crab meat is in many circumstances. Very few places actually use Maryland harvested and picked crabmeat because the cost is just so high. 22 bucks for those really small crabcakes is steep, but not abnormally so. The profit margins on french fries, ice cream, and soda is a lot higher actually. Was awesome to be in an environment resembling the good old days when the fans were into the game and the stadium was mostly full. We saw a 12 inning walk-off literally, and the game was tension packed and we were hanging on every pitch. The weather was good and we actually won against the Yankees with a payroll that's like 1/7th of theirs. I had a great time although I understand the frustrations I am reading about. It was live baseball around friends in a good environment, can't ask for much more.

Just wanted to say that I appreciate you posting the lineups and commentary. Thanks man!

That's what I'm talking about! Put one in the win column!

I guess going 3-14 with an ERA over 6 grants you the chance to close for the Orioles. We've got to have a better option.

So now we know that they'll save money not sending radio guys on the road, and looks like they don't have audio technicians at home. With our bloated payroll we need to pinch pennies apparently.

Just have to do it one more time for the win!

Crowd not liking that last call at all. Can hear the boos clearly over the MLB audio broadcast.

He should be shut down for a while to see what's going on. It's a pretty glaring problem if all of us are seeing it. Same reason Santander should have been given some time off after being hit on the knee. It's not like it's the middle of a pennant race we are in.

He's just a guy, he is an average BP arm. I think he was once pretty highly regarded by the Yankees, so he has some talent. Not sure what's going on with his velocity. Nice job fellas!

I know we probably lose 100 games this season, but I am irrationally very invested in this game and really want to win. Please hold them here.

Love the energy from Mateo, and he adds a speed element we are lacking. I think he's at least a good bench piece on a contending team. Hopefully Mullins will calm down a bit and get back to playing all-star level ball.

You better be sure you can steal on a breaking ball, especially when Kluber was having trouble throwing strikes. That's bad.

Wells should be out of the inning already, but very encouraging start. We need guys that can strikeout hitters and who have an out pitch.

We have to get better with RISP, I think we've actually been competitive the last couple games, and getting some of those guys in could have won us both games. It's easier to deal with close games than blowouts. I've been encouraged by the bullpen so far too.

Kluber looked at least somewhat healthy last year and clearly after winning two Cy Youngs has the experience and pitch selection to be a tough matchup. He isn't the same pitcher as in his prime, but he still presents challenges. I know it's way early to be concerned about Mullins but I'd like to see him actually make contact at least.

Excited to be able to catch Wells for his first start, not sure why you'd have Mancini in the outfield if you wanted a decent defensive lineup.

They make it so hard to be a casual Orioles fan. The only fans left are ones that are really passionate or kids that root for the same team their parents root for. My son will root for the Orioles because that's the team I like. I'm in Southern Maryland and blacked out for both the Orioles and Nationals. You would think MLB TV would want to earn as much money as possible, and that MASN would put more effort and money into the Orioles product, but it's just not the case. Frustrating to say the least. Jordan Lyles fitting right in already, lol.

It's so sad that I have to try to get a feed from 98 Rock in Baltimore which is already delayed on MLB audio. Instead of Jordan Lyles maybe spend some money on the announcers. I think that would have made for happier fans, lol.

Mateo having himself a good day.

There we go boys! Mountcastle keeping us in the game.

I wasn't a fan of the signing either, but in theory, he should be able to provide innings around a 5.00 ERA. I think it's actually surprisingly hard to find guys like that for a lot less than 7 million, at least in our system. I wouldn't count on any of the fringe guys we have to pitch 160 innings at that ERA.