Givens and Baker in Australia

[Frobby]

I got excited when I read today that Mychal Givens was named to the Australian Baseball League all-star game. But then I looked at his stats: .259/.293/.315. Aaron Baker is doing somewhat better, .254/.329/.508.

Stats are found here: http://web.theabl.com.au/stats/stats.jsp?t=l_bat&lid=595&sid=l595

I think our new Executive Director of International Scouting was last working in Australia; I wonder if there is any worthwhile talent down there right now?

[Can_of_corn]

I got excited when I read today that Mychal Givens was named to the Australian Baseball League all-star game. But then I looked at his stats: .259/.293/.315. Aaron Baker is doing somewhat better, .254/.329/.508.

Stats are found here: http://web.theabl.com.au/stats/stats.jsp?t=l_bat&lid=595&sid=l595

I think our new Executive Director of International Scouting was last working in Australia; I wonder if there is any worthwhile talent down there right now?

Evidently the O's didn't send any.

[Tony-OH]

I got excited when I read today that Mychal Givens was named to the Australian Baseball League all-star game. But then I looked at his stats: .259/.293/.315. Aaron Baker is doing somewhat better, .254/.329/.508.

Stats are found here: http://web.theabl.com.au/stats/stats.jsp?t=l_bat&lid=595&sid=l595

I think our new Executive Director of International Scouting was last working in Australia; I wonder if there is any worthwhile talent down there right now?

I don't know, but I would be happy to go down there and scout them for a week if the O's would send me.

[Frobby]

I don't know, but I would be happy to go down there and scout them for a week if the O's would send me.

Have you ever been there? I spent 4 weeks there in 1982, right after taking the bar exam and before I started my job. It's a great place to visit, the people are very friendly and the culture is sort of like what you imagine America was like when the country was still being settled -- people are very free-wheeling, open and honest. And I drank more beer in my four weeks there than I have probably drunk in the last decade combined. Playing baseball down there would be a blast. Oh, and did I mention that the women there significantly outnumber the men?

[Lucky Jim]

Have you ever been there? I spent 4 weeks there in 1982, right after taking the bar exam and before I started my job. It's a great place to visit, the people are very friendly and the culture is sort of like what you imagine America was like when the country was still being settled -- people are very free-wheeling, open and honest. And I drank more beer in my four weeks there than I have probably drunk in the last decade combined. Playing baseball down there would be a blast. Oh, and did I mention that the women there significantly outnumber the men?

Frobby proving that his international experience is just as timely and current as the Orioles'.

[Frobby]

Frobby proving that his international experience is just as timely and current as the Orioles'.

Hey, I also have been to Luxembourg several times!

[Can_of_corn]

Hey, I also have been to Luxembourg several times!

They play ball there?

[csgordos]

I don't know, but I would be happy to go down there and scout them for a week if the O's would send me.

I am sure the Orioles could work out something with my brother (OH-Cricket) to save on the cost of the flight and hotels. He gets like 8+ weeks of vacation, so he has plenty of free time. Beautiful weather, Beautiful women, laid back atmosphere, and 8+ weeks of vacation. People wonder why he doesn't move back home!! So maybe the fact that the players actually make it to the ballpark is a good sign. Seriously he has told me for years that baseball has a small following, but growing in Australia. He asked for a baseball glove to be sent over for his children for Christmas. Reuben Ripken Gordos @ 1 year old isn't ready yet, but hopefully in 17 years an international Ripken will be in the Orioles organization.

[Tony-OH]

I am sure the Orioles could work out something with my brother (OH-Cricket) to save on the cost of the flight and hotels. He gets like 8+ weeks of vacation, so he has plenty of free time. Beautiful weather, Beautiful women, laid back atmosphere, and 8+ weeks of vacation. People wonder why he doesn't move back home!! So maybe the fact that the players actually make it to the ballpark is a good sign. Seriously he has told me for years that baseball has a small following, but growing in Australia. He asked for a baseball glove to be sent over for his children for Christmas. Reuben Ripken Gordos @ 1 year old isn't ready yet, but hopefully in 17 years an international Ripken will be in the Orioles organization.

Umm, how do I get his job?

[Tony-OH]

Looks like the O's missed on Baker. I don't know who recommended him but it looks like he might be hardpressed to succeed at AA. I think next year is Givens' last chance to prove if he's a hitter or not. Looks like the naysayers (Stotle!) may have been right. In a SSS he showed some power and plate discipline in 2010. He showed no power last year and his approach (trigger) looked embarrassingly bad. His stats in Australia aren't encouraging at all. Even I might be tempted to see his arm on a mound before 2012 is over. Remember, Welty tore this league up last year and then had a poor year in AA.

Baker was nothing more than a throw in during a salary dump so I don't think they really missed on anything. As for Givens, if I'm the Orioles, I'm seeing what he can do on the mound. He's far down the list of infield prospects currently in the organization. At 21-years old this year it would be like getting a fresh arm out of college.

[Cricket]

Umm, how do I get his job?

Marry an Aussie that lives in Northern NSW near the beach and get a gov't job working on fish. I have a 35 hr week for a salary 2x what I would get in the States, I currently have Monday's off to look after the kids, 4 weeks mandatory leave, plus any overtime accrues and I can take time off when I want, which equates to a total of 8 weeks per annum. I live 15 min walk to the beach in a temperate climate. The Aussie economy is growing with employment around 5 %.

And people wonder why I love it over here.

Tony - if you ever want to visit, let me know I'll set you up with some nice places to see, but set aside at least 3 weeks as its a big country with not much in between places.

[Tony-OH]

Marry an Aussie that lives in Northern NSW near the beach and get a gov't job working on fish. I have a 35 hr week for a salary 2x what I would get in the States, I currently have Monday's off to look after the kids, 4 weeks mandatory leave, plus any overtime accrues and I can take time off when I want, which equates to a total of 8 weeks per annum. I live 15 min walk to the beach in a temperate climate. The Aussie economy is growing with employment around 5 %.

And people wonder why I love it over here.

Tony - if you ever want to visit, let me know I'll set you up with some nice places to see, but set aside at least 3 weeks as its a big country with not much in between places.

Sold me, I'm coming over!

I came so close to a TDY to Australia when I was in Hawaii but it fell through. I'm big fan of shrimp on the barbie, I like koala's and I'm a big fan of Fosters! Oh, and I've seen all the Crocodile Dundee's!

[Cricket]

Sold me, I'm coming over!

I came so close to a TDY to Australia when I was in Hawaii but it fell through. I'm big fan of shrimp on the barbie, I like koala's and I'm a big fan of Fosters! Oh, and I've seen all the Crocodile Dundee's!

First off, you need to start talking like an Aussie. They are prawns, not shrimp, koala's smell and most have chlamydia (seriously, its a growing problem), and Fosters is non-existent over here. I'm currently drinking James Squire, a nice golden ale. Paul Hogan was huge, I go to one of his pubs he used to own with his former work partner John Cornell from time to time in Byron Bay, but he's having some tax issues at the moment. And please don't mention a blooming onion or outback steakhouse...

Baseball is a bit non-existent, but there's a few good comps around. I mostly get into Cricket now (summer sport) and rugby (winter) - its pretty hard watching Football (Aussies refer to it as gridiron) after watching rugby and seeing all the padding that football players wear and the start-stop nature of the game. Cricket though is awesome. Its a game that can last 5 days in length, and in the end finish in a draw. Very similar to baseball, but a lot more tactics. Plus, what's better than heading to watch a match, going through the gates at 10 am, and the first things you do is order a beer and grab a paper to read in the stands.

Thanks again for running a great website - not sure my wife appreciates it, but it keeps me in touch with my team.

[Tony-OH]

First off, you need to start talking like an Aussie. They are prawns, not shrimp, koala's smell and most have chlamydia (seriously, its a growing problem), and Fosters is non-existent over here. I'm currently drinking James Squire, a nice golden ale. Paul Hogan was huge, I go to one of his pubs he used to own with his former work partner John Cornell from time to time in Byron Bay, but he's having some tax issues at the moment. And please don't mention a blooming onion or outback steakhouse...

Baseball is a bit non-existent, but there's a few good comps around. I mostly get into Cricket now (summer sport) and rugby (winter) - its pretty hard watching Football (Aussies refer to it as gridiron) after watching rugby and seeing all the padding that football players wear and the start-stop nature of the game. Cricket though is awesome. Its a game that can last 5 days in length, and in the end finish in a draw. Very similar to baseball, but a lot more tactics. Plus, what's better than heading to watch a match, going through the gates at 10 am, and the first things you do is order a beer and grab a paper to read in the stands.

Thanks again for running a great website - not sure my wife appreciates it, but it keeps me in touch with my team.

Ok, you lost me at Cricket and Rugby. I'll take baseball and football anyday. G'day mate!

[Frobby]

Fosters is non-existent over here. I'm currently drinking James Squire, a nice golden ale.

Do they still make Castlemaine's XXXX? That was my favorite when I visited 29 years ago. It is mostly regional, in Queensland, I believe.