O's on Sunday, March 29 "30 Clubs in 30 Days" 7:00pm MLBN

[wildcard]

Just a reminder

[wildcard]

If you missed it here is where to find the different segments:

http://m.mlb.com/network

Click on the latest videos at the bottom of the page.

[33rdst]

Nice to see the O's getting some support. I think the departure of Markakis and Cruz has left a void in the clubhouse. Not necessarily from a production stand point but from a leadership one. Like the MLB people said, they have the talent to contend but it will be important for the O's to get off to a solid start.

[mdbdotcom]

Nice to see the O's getting some support. I think the departure of Markakis and Cruz has left a void in the clubhouse. Not necessarily from a production stand point but from a leadership one. Like the MLB people said, they have the talent to contend but it will be important for the O's to get off to a solid start.

With all these guys in their walk year, I'd venture to say there will be little slacking off in the clubhouse. Keeping it loose could be a challenge.

[33rdst]

With all these guys in their walk year, I'd venture to say there will be little slacking off in the clubhouse. Keeping it loose could be a challenge.[/

You're right. The "keeping it loose" part is the key. Having players like Markais and Cruz around takes the pressure off guys like Pearce, Schoop, Joseph etc. now we're counting on their numbers.

[weams]

With all these guys in their walk year, I'd venture to say there will be little slacking off in the clubhouse. Keeping it loose could be a challenge.

You're right. The "keeping it loose" part is the key. Having players like Markais and Cruz around takes the pressure off guys like Pearce, Schoop, Joseph etc. now we're counting on their numbers.

Happy Birthday

[33rdst]

Happy Birthday

Thank you sir.

[Frobby]

Nice to see the O's getting some support. I think the departure of Markakis and Cruz has left a void in the clubhouse. Not necessarily from a production stand point but from a leadership one. Like the MLB people said, they have the talent to contend but it will be important for the O's to get off to a solid start.

I don't think there is any great void in leadership. You've got Jones and Hardy here for the long term, and they are the captains of the infield and the outfield. Wieters is an important leader in a way that is irrelevant to Markakis and Cruz.

[wildcard]

I don't think there is any great void in leadership. You've got Jones and Hardy here for the long term, and they are the captains of the infield and the outfield. Wieters is an important leader in a way that is irrelevant to Markakis and Cruz.

I thought the interviews showed that the O's players have a concern about how to replace Markakis and Cruz. They were a major part of last years success and I am not sure the players have convinced themselves that those two have been replaced adequately.

I agree that there is great leadership from both management and veteran players that should fill the leadership gap. The offensive performance of the players on the team should be as good or better than last year. However, there may be a mental barrier that the team needs to get over to prove to themselves that they are as good a playoff team or better than last year.

[33rdst]

I thought the interviews showed that the O's players have a concern about how to replace Markakis and Cruz. They were a major part of last years success and I am not sure the players have convinced themselves that those two have been replaced adequately.

I agree that there is great leadership from both management and veteran players that should fill the leadership gap. The offensive performance of the players on the team should be as good or better than last year. However, there may be a mental barrier that the team needs to get over to prove to themselves that they are as good a playoff team or better than last year.

This pretty much sums up my point. I have no way of knowing this for sure but to me Markakis represented stability On the club. Not just for the new guys but for guys like Jones, Tillman, JJ, Wieters and others. I just sense from some of their comments that Nick's departure is still unresolved. I think they can play through it. If they win early.

[Frobby]

This pretty much sums up my point. I have no way of knowing this for sure but to me Markakis represented stability On the club. Not just for the new guys but for guys like Jones, Tillman, JJ, Wieters and others. I just sense from some of their comments that Nick's departure is still unresolved. I think they can play through it. If they win early.

Well, needless to say, you don't need to convince me of Markakis' value, or the impact on his teammates when he wasn't re-signed, as I've posted about it repeatedly. I'm just saying that Markakis led more by example than with his words, and by now, that example has been picked up by enough of his teammates where I think they can set the example for others.