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Friday, August 8, 2014

Columns:  Orioles execute blueprint for one- win success in 2-1 victory Thursday The Sun 8/8  O's edge Jays courtesy of Joseph's homer MLB.com 8/7  Joseph ties club record for (O's win 2-1) MASNSports.com 8/7  Caleb Joseph ties a club record as the Orioles beat Toronto MASNSports.com 8/7  Caleb Joseph's two-run homer leads Orioles to 2-1 win CSNBaltimore.com 8/7  Joseph homers again as Orioles beat Blue Jays 2-1 AP 8/8  O's edge Blue Jays, take 5 game lead in East AP 8/7

Columns:  expects 'pressure' to play in front of Orioles Hall of Famers The Sun 8/7  With adjustments at the plate, Caleb Joseph helping Orioles offensively The Sun 8/6  As club prepares to honor its past, the Oriole Way reigns again The Sun 8/7  Orioles of the past and present reflect on the club's tenure in The Sun 8/7  Orioles' believes he's 'close' to breaking out of lengthy slump The Sun 8/7  Orioles' Ubaldo Jimenez to start Saturday against St. Louis Cardinals The Sun 8/7  N.Y. court blocks MLB decision in Orioles-Nationals TV rights fee case The Sun 8/7  Ubaldo to start on Saturday in return from DL MLB.com 8/7  Reyes safe on steal as O's lose challenge MLB.com 8/7  Orioles trying to deck the Cards MASNSports.com 8/8  Davis collects another , more on last night's game MASNSports.com 8/7  Roster move coming Saturday MASNSports.com 8/7  Back end of the looks strong as O's are set to begin a big homestand MASNSports.com 8/8  Minor league notes on Luis Gonzalez and Jason Esposito MASNSports.com 8/7  Orioles greats headline 60th anniversary celebration CSNBaltimore.com 8/7  says Orioles have made good decisions CSNBaltimore.com 8/7  Buck Showalter contender for of the Year CSNBaltimore.com 8/7  Report: Orioles win initial broadcast rights battle over Nationals SI.com 8/7  Could Caleb Joseph's Success For Orioles Make Expendable? PressBox.com 8/8

http://www.baltimoresun.com/sports/orioles/blog/bal-orioles-execute-blueprint-for-onerun-win- success-in-21-victory-over-blue-jays-20140807,0,1636290.story Orioles execute blueprint for one-run win success in 2-1 victory Thursday By Eduardo A. Encina / The Baltimore Sun

7:30 AM EDT, August 8, 2014

TORONTO – Games like the Orioles’ 2-1 win over the in Thursday night’s series finale at Rogers Centre are ones that the club will have to win as the season winds down and the playoff chase heats up.

Orioles manager Buck Showalter put it well when he said that his team was able to take advantage of the one mistake Toronto left-hander J.A. Happ made -- a 2-0 fastball that catcher Caleb Joseph hit over the left-field fence for a two-run homer.

“He had kind of blown me away the first at-bat,” Joseph said. “He’s got a good fastball. It’s sneaky. It’s 92-93 [mph], but it feels like about 95. Late life. You saw a lot of guys have some trouble today. He’s a good . I was just fortunate to get some barrel on it.”

Otherwise, Happ was masterful. In the final two games of the series, Toronto starters allowed just three runs in 16 2/3 . But the Orioles still escaped Canada with a series win, their fourth straight on the road and sixth consecutive overall.

The Orioles are now 24-17 in one-run games this season and have won seven of their last nine one-run games. We only need to look back to 2012 to see how important being on the winning end of those close games matters.

And, obviously, a Blue Jays lineup without injured sluggers Edwin Encarnacion and -- both of whom are Orioles killers -- doesn’t strike quite as much fear into opposing .

But give the Orioles pitching a lot of credit for this win, which gave the club a five-game lead over the Blue Jays and the as they enter a weekend interleague series against the St. Louis Cardinals tonight.

Right-hander Miguel Gonzalez struggled early with his offspeed stuff Thursday, but he managed to compensate by being able to pinpoint his fastball to both sides of the plate. The only mistake he made was a solo homer to Anthony Gose in the fifth .

“He did a great job mixing the fastball in and out and kind of sticking with the scouting report and trying to attack weaknesses,” Joseph said of Gonzalez. “That’s just the way you’re going to get through a long season like this. You’ve really got to be able to damage control at certain times.

"Their guy had really good stuff, so we knew going into it that runs were going to be at a premium. [Gonzalez] did a good job of giving us a chance to win and then passing it on to the bullpen which has been so good for us this year.”

Gonzalez said he knew early that it would be tough for the Orioles to score from the way Happ was pitching -- he struck out a career-high 12 and retired the final 14 batters he faced -- but he rose to the challenge in a close game.

“You never know what’s going to happen out there as soon as you let go of that baseball,” Gonzalez said. “I think having a 2-1 ballgame definitely gets me a little more focused and under control to make better pitches and not try to do too much.”

And then give credit to the bullpen.

Left-hander was downright filthy in retiring three left-handed batters on just 11 pitches in the seventh.

Darren O’Day overcame a questionable ball-four call on Jose Bautista with two outs in the eighth that might have rattled other pitchers. But O’Day was able to record a scoreless eighth and now has allowed just one run in his last 19 appearances (21 1/3 innings).

And Zach Britton needed just 14 pitches to retire the Blue Jays in the ninth. His spike got stuck as he came off the mound attempting to cover first base on the final out of the game, and Britton was visibly limping as he left the field. But he said after the game that he had just slightly tweaked his ankle and would be fine.

“It was big,” Britton said of the pitching. “Andrew did a good job and Darren just continues to do what he’s been doing all year. It’s been really fun to watch. He just sets up that inning and makes it a lot easier on me.

"Miguel threw the ball great, battled for us, gave us a really great outing. Happ was outstanding. It was just bad luck on his part. He pitched an outstanding game, but I think we were able to get to him a little bit.”

http://mlb.mlb.com/mlb/gameday/index.jsp?gid=2014_08_07_balmlb_tormlb_1&mode=recap_a way&c_id=bal O's edge Jays courtesy of Joseph's homer Gonzalez, 'pen hold Toronto to one run as AL East lead moves to five By Jamie Ross / MLB.com

8/7/2014 11:44 PM ET

TORONTO -- The Orioles came to Toronto for a series that was pegged by onlookers as the most important of the season to date for the division rivals.

The Orioles traveled north of the border with a four-game lead over the Blue Jays in the American League East and an eye on increasing that margin over the three-game set. On Thursday, one swing of the bat by Caleb Josephaccomplished that.

The 28-year-old had the night off Wednesday, but Joseph came back with a blast as he homered in his fourth consecutive game and gave the Orioles all the offense they needed in a 2-1 series- clinching victory over the Blue Jays at Rogers Centre. The win increased the Orioles' lead in the AL East to five games.

"These are big games," said Joseph, whose two-run shot over the left field wall in the fourth inning tied a club record for consecutive games with a by catcher, previously done by Ramon Hernandez (2006) and (1959). "[Toronto is] right behind us, and when you play head to head games, the lead swings really quick. They're a good team and they're gonna be right on our tails for pretty much the whole year. They do a lot of things right, and we knew we had to come in here and take care of business."

Taking care of business seems to be Joseph's and the Orioles' mantra, lately anyway. Baltimore has won six straight series and five of seven games in August. Since the All-Star break, the club is 13-7.

Joseph, meanwhile, is 13-for-38 with four homers and seven RBIs in his last 11 games after struggling at the plate earlier in the season. He hit two homers in the series against the Blue Jays, and over his homer streak he's gone 6-for-14.

For all the work he's done at the dish, Orioles manager Buck Showalter said Joseph has proven to be solid defensively, which could account for more confidence with the bat.

"It takes a little weight off him offensively," Showalter said. "He's not going to take his lack of experience or his so-so slow start and his good catching as an excuse not to hit."

While Joseph's homer paced Baltimore, Miguel Gonzalez got the job done on the mound for the visitors as he improved to 6-6 on the season with a six-inning, four-hit performance. He's 5-2 in in nine career starts against the Blue Jays and has surrendered three or fewer earned runs in each of his last eight starts vs. Toronto.

Aside from surrendering a solo homer to Anthony Gose in the bottom of the fifth, the right- hander was able to stay out of trouble for the most part. But he admitted the uncertainty of pitching in a tight match makes him squeeze the ball a little tighter on the mound. "You never know what's going to happen out there as soon as you let go of the baseball," Gonzalez said. "Having that 2-1 ballgame gives me a little more focus and control to try and make better pitches and not do too much."

Gonzalez came out of the game after the sixth and turned the ball over to the bullpen, which steered the ship the rest of the way without allowing a hit.

Andrew Miller, Darren O'Day and Zach Britton combined for three innings and one walk to finish off the Blue Jays.

Hits were a premium on both sides, as Toronto starter J.A. Happ delivered a solid outing, going eight innings while allowing five hits and ringing up a career-high 12 in the loss.

He found trouble in the early innings, but several times pitched himself out of tight spots.

Nick Markakis led off the game with a before Happ plunked to put two on with nobody out. But the left-hander retired three straight to escape the frame.

A one-out double from in the second gave the O's another man in scoring position, but Happ recorded back-to-back strikeouts to get out of that jam.

"I got myself into some trouble early. I just tried to relax, tried to make pitches and tried to execute and not put quite as much pressure on myself," said Happ (8-6). "Trying to do that. Once I let go, it's up in the air, what's going to happen is going to happen. I'm trying to execute pitches out there and take a little load off myself and I think that is helping a little bit mentally."

http://www.masnsports.com/school-of-roch/2014/08/joseph-ties-club-record-for-catchers.html Joseph ties club record for catchers (O's win 2-1) By Roch Kubatko/ MASNSports.com

August 7, 2014 8:22 PM

Apparently, Caleb Joseph is tired of being recognized only for his ability to throw out runners.

Joseph hit another home run tonight, his two-run shot in the fourth inning off Toronto starter J.A. Happ giving the Orioles a 2-0 lead at Rogers Centre.

Happ threw three consecutive 93 mph fastballs to Joseph, who cranked his seventh home run of the season.

Joseph has homered in four consecutive games that he's played to tie the franchise record for catchers shared by Ramon Hernandez (June 22-28, 2006) and Gus Triandos (June 13-19, 1959). The last Orioles catcher before Joseph to homer in three straight games was Matt Wieters in Sept. 12-14, 2011.

On the MASN broadcast, pointed out that Joseph and Jay Gibbons are the only Orioles rookies to homer in four consecutive games.

J.J. Hardy doubled before Joseph reached the seats in left field. The Orioles are 1-for-8 with runners in scoring position tonight.

In his last four games, Joseph is 6-for-13 with a double, four home runs, seven RBIs and four runs scored. He's 13-for-37 (.351) in his last 11 games since July 22.

Joseph has thrown out 17 of 35 runners attempting to steal this season. Jose Reyes was ruled safe in the third after Orioles manager Buck Showalter challenged the call.

Update: Anthony Gose led off the bottom of the fifth inning with his first home run of the season to reduce the Orioles' lead to 2-1.

Sixteen of the 20 home runs allowed by Gonzalez this season have come with the bases empty, and 42 of 57 in his major league career.

Update II: The Orioles take two of three from the Blue Jays with tonight's 2-1 victory at Rogers Centre.

Gonzalez, who may be headed to the bullpen, improved to 6-6 with a 3.80 ERA. He allowed one run and four hits over six innings, with two walks and four strikeouts.

The bullpen turned in three scoreless innings - one each by Andrew Miller, Darren O'Day and Zach Britton. Britton recorded his 24th .

The Orioles improve to 65-49 overall, 35-24 on the road and 24-17 in one-run games. Their series record improves to 21-10-7.

The Orioles lead the American League East by five games.

Having fun yet?

http://www.masnsports.com/steve-melewski/2014/08/caleb-joseph-ties-a-club-record-as-the- orioles-beat-toronto.html Caleb Joseph ties a club record as the Orioles beat Toronto By Steve Melewski / MASNSports.com

August 7, 2014 10:07 PM b Caleb Joseph homered again to tie an Orioles club record and Miguel Gonzalez pitched a solid six innings to get the win tonight as the Orioles edged Toronto 2-1 at Rogers Centre.

The Orioles took two of three in the series between the two top teams in the American League East. They leave town leading Toronto by five games.

The Orioles also kept intact their record of not losing an AL East road series. They have won seven and tied one in 2014, going 17-8.

This was the Orioles' ninth one-run game in their last 13 contests and they are 7-2 in those nine games.

The Orioles have won a season-high six consecutive series and they are 39-22 since May 31.

After the Orioles went 0-for-6 with runners in scoring position the first three innings, J.J. Hardy led off the fourth with a double and one out later scored on Joseph's seventh homer, a two-run shot on a 2-0 pitch from J.A Happ. It gave the O's a 2-0 lead.

Joseph has homered in his last four games to tie the Orioles record for catchers shared by Ramon Hernandez (June 22-28, 2006) and Gus Triandos (June 13-19, 1959).

Joseph and Jay Gibbons are the only Orioles rookies to homer in four straight games. Gibbons did it from June 17-20, 2001. The last Oriole to homer in his last four games was Chris Davis from July 11-14, 2013.

Gonzalez battled his way through six innings and Toronto stranded five runners against him. He gave up four hits and one run with two walks and four strikeouts. Gonzalez improves to 6-6 with an ERA of 3.80.

Gonzalez has an ERA of 2.43 over his last six starts and has allowed two earned runs or less in eight of his last 12 starts.

The Orioles' bullpen came up big again. Andrew Miller pitched a scoreless seventh with two strikeouts. Darren O'Day blanked Toronto in the eighth and Zach Britton pitched a 1-2-3 ninth to record his 24th save in 27 chances.

Happ struck out 12 with just one walk over eight innings and 125 pitches. But one pitch that went over the wall beat him tonight.

The Orioles come home Friday night to begin a weekend series against St. Louis with (8-5, 3.78 ERA) facing Justin Masterson (5-6, 5.63 ERA).

http://www.csnbaltimore.com/blog/orioles-talk/caleb-josephs-two-run-homer-leads-orioles-2-1- win Caleb Joseph's two-run homer leads Orioles to 2-1 win By Rich Dubroff / CSNBaltimore.com

August 7, 2014, 10:00 pm

GAME SUMMARY: Caleb Joseph hit a two-run home run to lead the to a 2- 1 win over the Toronto Blue Jays.

Miguel Gonzalez allowed four hits in six innings for the win. Anthony Gose hit a home run for Toronto’s only run.

Andrew Miller, Darren O’Day and Zach Britton combined for three hitless innings. Britton picked up his 24th save.

The Orioles (65-49) won two of three against the Blue Jays (61-55) and lead the AL East by five games.

THE GOOD: Gonzalez (6-6) allowed one run on four hits in six innings.

THE BAD: was 0-for-4 with three strikeouts.

THE UGLY: J.A. Happ (8-6) struck out 12 Orioles, a career high, in eight innings.

MINI-STREAK: Chris Davis has hit in four straight games. His longest streak this year is eight in April.

JOSEPH GOES DEEP: Joseph has hit home runs in his last four games. He’s the third Orioles catcher to do that. Ramon Hernandez (2005) and Gus Triandos (1959) are the others.

Joseph is just the second Orioles rookie to homer in four straight. Jay Gibbons (2001) are the others.

MILLER TIME: In four appearances since he was acquired by the Orioles, Miller has not allowed a hit in 3 2/3 innings.

Miller didn’t allow a hit in his final four outings for Boston, either.

COMING UP: The Orioles open a three-game series with St. Louis on Friday. Chris Tillman (8- 5, 3.78) faces Justin Masterson (1-0. 7.50).

http://www.si.com/game/818996/recap Joseph homers again as Orioles beat Blue Jays 2-1 By the Associated Press

August 8, 2014

TORONTO (AP) August is only a week old, and it's already the best month of Caleb Joseph's young major league career.

Joseph homered for the fourth consecutive game, Miguel Gonzalez won for the first time in three starts and the Baltimore Orioles beat the Toronto Blue Jays 2-1 on Thursday night.

''Caleb has been doing a great job,'' Gonzalez said. ''He's hungry, he wants to be here. He's doing a good job offensively and defensively. We're happy to have him.''

The Orioles won for the fourth time in five games and lead the AL East by five games over Toronto and the New York Yankees. It was the AL-best 35th road victory for Baltimore, which has won six consecutive series, extending a season-best streak.

''We knew we had to come in and try to take care of business,'' Joseph said of the series with Toronto. ''Taking two of three is gratifying because they're coming after us hard.''

Joseph's drive matched an Orioles record for catchers. Ramon Hernandez (2006) and Gus Triandos (1959) also homered in four straight games.

Chris Davis was the last Baltimore player to go deep in four straight games, accomplishing the feat from July 11-14, 2013.

Joseph, who's filling in for injured All-Star Matt Wieters, is 6 for 17 with four home runs and seven RBIs this month.

Gonzalez (6-6) allowed four hits in six innings, including Anthony Gose's leadoff homer in the fifth. The right-hander improved to 2-1 with a 2.78 ERA in his last seven starts.

Andrew Miller worked the seventh, Darren O'Day pitched the eighth and Zach Britton finished for his 24th save in 27 chances.

Blue Jays left-hander J.A. Happ (8-6) struck out a career-high 12 in a season-best eight innings. He allowed two runs and five hits.

''He was fantastic,'' Blue Jays manager said. ''That's a game you normally think you're going to win.''

Blue Jays Melky Cabrera left in the third, two innings after he was hit on the right elbow by a pitch from Gonzalez. Nolan Reimold took over for Cabrera, who had started as the . X-rays on Cabrera's elbow were negative.

TRAINER'S ROOM

Blue Jays: Brett Lawrie will be out until at least September with a left oblique strain, an injury that ended his return to the lineup after just three innings. Toronto placed Lawrie on the 15-day disabled list, retroactive to Wednesday.

Orioles: Right-hander Ubaldo Jimenez (right ankle) will be activated off the DL in time to start Saturday's game against St. Louis, manager Buck Showalter said.

ON DECK

Blue Jays: Right-hander R.A. Dickey gets the start as the Blue Jays begin a three-game series against AL Central-leading . Dickey has won two of his past three outings but allowed five runs in seven innings in a loss at Houston last Saturday.

Orioles: Baltimore will celebrate its 60th anniversary at Friday's game against St. Louis, with festivities to honor 23 members of the Orioles Hall of Fame, and a laser light show projected onto the right-field warehouse building at Camden Yards. Right-hander Chris Tillman, who is 2- 5 with a 2.78 ERA in 12 home outings, will start for Baltimore against newly acquired Cardinals right-hander Justin Masterson.

ON THE MEND

Blue Jays Adam Lind (right foot) doubled twice in two at-bats in his first rehab game Thursday and could rejoin the team for the opener of a three-game series at Seattle next Monday, general manager said. First baseman Edwin Encarnacion (strained right quadriceps) felt good after testing his injury by running hard Thursday and could begin a rehab assignment this weekend.

IN NEED OF A GNOME

After being shown a photo of the garden gnome in the shape of -A Norfolk manager Ron Johnson that will be given away at the Tides' Aug. 15 game, Showalter asked equipment manager Chris Guth to get him one of the bearded dolls. ''Tell them we'll trade a Chris Davis action figure for it,'' Showalter said, in reference to a recent Orioles giveaway.

http://www.wbaltv.com/sports/os-edge-blue-jays-take-5-game-lead-in-east/27369102 O's edge Blue Jays, take 5 game lead in East Baltimore improves to 65-49 on season

By the Associated Press

10:33 PM EDT Aug 07, 2014

TORONTO —Caleb Joseph homered for the fourth consecutive game, Miguel Gonzalez won for the first time in three starts and the Baltimore Orioles beat the Toronto Blue Jays 2-1 on Thursday night.

The Orioles won for the fourth time in five games and lead the AL East by five games over Toronto and the New York Yankees. It was the AL-best 35th road victory for Baltimore, which has won six consecutive series, extending a season-best streak.

Joseph's drive matched an Orioles record for catchers. Ramon Hernandez (2006) and Gus Triandos (1959) also homered in four straight games.

http://www.baltimoresun.com/sports/orioles/blog/bal-buck-showalter-expects-pressure-to-play- in-front-of-orioles-hall-of-famers-20140807,0,4675385.story Buck Showalter expects 'pressure' to play in front of Orioles Hall of Famers By Eduardo A. Encina / The Baltimore Sun

9:01 PM EDT, August 7, 2014

TORONTO -- Orioles manager Buck Showalter said there will be some pressure to perform well against the St. Louis Cardinals on Friday, when 23 Orioles Hall of Famers will be in attendance for the franchise’s 60th anniversary ceremony after the game.

“It’s going to be some event, probably the highest pressure game for us for the year. We really need to win tomorrow,” Showalter said. “We’ve already talked to the players. That’s a very easy [talk]. It’s after the game. I hope it’s not a long game, and I hope it’s not extra innings. It’s going to be an honor to be around those guys.”

Showalter said he has seen a sneak peak of the postgame laser light show that will be shown off the B&O Warehouse, and he was awed by the presentation.

“I really applaud the organization and the ownership for doing what it takes to once again let them know what we think of them and the path that they blazed, so to speak, to make the Orioles significant,” Showalter said. “It’s about the Orioles and the fans. I know our players have been looking forward to it. They’ve been talking about it. … We’re trying to have the type of season that they’d be proud of. … It will be a big day for us.”

Around the horn

Wednesday’s 5-1 loss to Toronto marked the first time in club history that the Orioles lost a game in which their only hit was a home run. It was the first time their only hit of the game was a home run since Aug. 2, 1995, when hit a second-inning homer in a 1-0 win over the Blue Jays. … Nelson Cruz is scheduled to attend the American Red Cross blood drive at the Mount Hope Donor Center in Baltimore on Friday, greeting donors from 1:30 to 3 p.m. All present donors will be entered in a raffle to win an Orioles jersey signed by Cruz and two ticket vouchers to any Orioles home game. … The Orioles entered Thursday’s game having homered in five straight games and were 54-25 when they hit a home run.

http://www.baltimoresun.com/sports/orioles/blog/bal-with-adjustments-at-the-plate-caleb- joseph-helping-orioles-offensively-20140806,0,1055335.story With adjustments at the plate, catcher Caleb Joseph helping Orioles offensively In his last 10 games, catcher is .343 with three home runs and five RBIs

By Eduardo A. Encina / The Baltimore Sun

8:24 PM EDT, August 6, 2014

TORONTO — Catcher Caleb Joseph has raised his batting average 39 points over his last 10 games. And he also has given the club an unexpected power surge recently with a home run in each of his last three games.

After hitting a solo home run in the Orioles’ 9-3 win over the Toronto Blue Jays on Tuesday night, Joseph said he made some recent adjustments at the plate that have helped him square up on pitches.

“I’ve just been working on some mechanical things, and they’re slowly starting to show their head in terms of results,” Joseph said. “It’s one of those things. You start getting more and more comfortable with the more at-bats you get. You’re starting to face people multiple times because remember, the first time up, I’m seeing some of these guys the first time ever. You slowly start to get more comfortable the more you face these guys.”

Hitting Jim Presley said he told Joseph to stand more upright in the batter’s box and hit down on the ball. In recent days, Joseph has been able to get the barrel of the bat out in the front of the plate, leading to the homers.

“He hit a home run at our place, and he started getting the barrel there instead of worrying about everything else,” Presley said. “Stand up taller, load up and stay high. He’s really done that. I showed him on the video, and he really came out and made the adjustment, and he’s been hitting balls hard.

Over his last 10 games entering Wednesday, Joseph is 12-for-35 (.343 batting average) with three home runs and five RBIs.

“You don’t have to tell him twice,” Presley said. “He’s a very smart kid. He makes adjustments. He’s quick. … He’s got a ways to go. He’s not quite there but him and [Nick Hundley] have really held that catching job down really well for us.”

Manager Buck Showalter said Joseph’s defense — he leads the American League by throwing out 50 percent of base runners (17-for-34) and ranks fifth among AL catchers in total zone runs with five — has allowed the club to give him at-bats to work through his early struggles at the plate. “I think it was a matter of time,” Showalter said. “The reason he earned the opportunity to keep playing is that he caught well. If he hadn’t, he would be sitting [in the ] with me, or he’d be catching in Norfolk. That’s what allows him to stay in the lineup. …

“That’s one thing guys in our organization know. … That’s what’s allowed him to work this out. It’s not like we knew he was going to hit and we just ran him out there. We ran him out there because he was catching well. There ain’t no chicken and the egg when it comes to that.”

http://www.baltimoresun.com/sports/orioles/bs-sp-schmuck-orioles-anniversary-0808- 20140807,0,4227499.column As club prepares to honor its past, the Oriole Way reigns again Orioles will honor past with postgame celebration, other 60th anniversary events Friday

By Peter Schmuck / The Baltimore Sun

6:20 PM EDT, August 7, 2014

On the final day of the 1991 season, the Orioles and their fans said goodbye to Memorial Stadium with an emotional celebration of everyone and everything that forged the bond between Baltimore and its beloved baseball team.

There really wasn't a dry eye as the theme from "" enveloped the ballpark and dozens of the greatest stars of yesteryear slowly took the field to the cheers of fans who were preparing to enter a new era at brand-new Camden Yards.

That new era hasn't always been so warm and fuzzy. But when the Orioles celebrate their 60th anniversary with a full day of nostalgia-packed events Friday, they will be able to pay tribute to the team's storied past at a time when the Oriole Way is no longer just a historical footnote for a new generation of fans.

The Orioles are in first place in the American League East, and they got there by doing the same things that made them the most successful team in the major leagues during the franchise's golden years. They have re-established a tradition of strong fundamental baseball and top-to- bottom organizational development.

Thank Buck Showalter and for that, and don't forget Andy MacPhail, who took a lot of heat while he was doing the dirty work of re-establishing a coherent front office blueprint after a decade of dysfunction. Maybe this isn't exactly your grandfather's Oriole Way, but there is certainly a strong resemblance.

"It looks a lot like it," said , who will be among the 23 Orioles greats introduced during a glitzy postgame laser light and fireworks show after the Orioles open a three-game interleague series against the St. Louis Cardinals on Friday night. "We were missing something during all those years when we weren't in contention."

Powell is in a position to know. He was there when the Orioles went to the four times in six years (1966-71), and he's still around the team on a daily basis, running his famous barbeque stand. This incarnation of the Orioles doesn't have four 20-game winners, but he sees plenty that reminds him of the terrific teams of the past.

"It's great," he said, "but it does make me nervous when they play so many close games. I know how that feels. We played a lot of close ballgames, but we didn't worry about it. We knew we were going to win."

This Orioles team exudes the same confidence, thanks largely to an airtight bullpen and a defense that set major league records last year for fewest errors, most errorless games and highest . The starting pitching has come together at midseason, and wouldn't complain about an offense that entered Thursday's series finale in Toronto leading the major leagues in home runs.

"Buck and Dan Duquette have just revitalized the entire organization," said , who was named World Series Most Valuable Player after the Orioles won their last title in 1983. "The hands-on approach Buck has had has put the organization back on the map.

"I think we had lost a lot of credibility, but we're moving back in the right direction, developing young players inside the organization and finding players that are good all-around players, not just hitters."

The celebration also will include a sold-out luncheon honoring members of the Orioles Hall of Fame and a pregame tribute to the Oriole Advocates and fans who have had season-ticket plans since the inaugural Orioles season in 1954.

Obviously, it's no coincidence that the 60th anniversary observance is taking place while the St. Louis Cardinals are in town, since it was the old St. Louis Browns that moved to Baltimore 60 years ago to renew the city's love-affair with that dates back to the 19th century.

The Oriole Way doesn't go back quite that far. It started in the 1950s with general manager and manager , who insisted on a standardized instruction program throughout the relocated organization and placed a strong emphasis on pitching development. Many of the great players who will be honored Friday learned the fundamental aspect in the minor leagues from Cal Ripken Sr., who was a stickler for perfect practice and execution.

"There was one way to do it all the way through the system," Powell said. "When you got here to the big leagues, everyone knew all the same cutoff plays … they knew the way we expected thing to be done. So, when a or a came up, they had no problem making the adjustment, except adapting to big league pitching. Those things you didn't have to worry about."

Sound familiar? Showalter has made a practice throughout his managerial tenure of keeping in very close contact with the minor league managers and coaches, and that has been reflected in the seamless way players have shuttled back and forth between the major and minor leagues.

Dempsey also sees similarity in the way Weaver embraced new ideas and the way Showalter seems to be constantly looking for new ways to put the Orioles in the best possible position to win.

"I think back then everybody looked at the Baltimore Orioles for the innovative ways to approach major league baseball," Dempsey said. "All of the sudden, we lost that, and now it's back again."

http://www.baltimoresun.com/sports/orioles/bal-orioles-60th-anniversary-players-remember- history-pictures,0,2873141.photogallery Orioles of the past and present reflect on the club's tenure in Baltimore By Mike Klingaman and Dan Connolly / The Baltimore Sun

August 7, 2014

As the Orioles celebrate their 60th anniversary, Baltimore Sun reporters Mike Klingaman and Dan Connolly talk to some of the signature players in the club's history. Browse images of a key player from each decade to relive the highlights and lowlights.

Brooks Robinson and the 1950s Orioles

Sixty years ago, the Orioles stank. They lost 100 games, couldn't hit a lick and finished 57 games back in the 1954 season.

Good thing. Had they done better, might have gone elsewhere.

Robinson, 18, signed with the club in May 1955, believing his ascent to the big leagues would be faster with the Orioles than elsewhere.

"I remember sitting with my dad and [first-year manager] Paul Richards, who said: 'If you have some ability, you can play here [in Baltimore] quickly because we're not very good,' " Robinson recalled.

To prove it, a month later, the Orioles played an exhibition game against the York (Pa.) White Roses, their Class B farm team, and lost, 13-1. Robinson had two hits for York, including a 380- foot home run off starter Joe Coleman, who was promptly released.

Come September, Robinson was recalled by the parent club, the ninth of 10 third basemen the Orioles used that season. He went 2-for-4 in his debut against the Washington Senators and thought he'd arrived. He went hitless (0-for-18, with 10 strikeouts) the rest of the year.

"Lesson learned," he said.

The 1955 Orioles tried 101 different lineups and staggered home with 97 losses. Yet Robinson, who would spend the rest of the decade straddling the majors and minors before settling into a Hall of Fame career, shrugged off defeat.

"I was living my dream," he said. "What other team would have given me the chance to play at 18? Being young, playing every day is all you think about, not winning or losing.

"But in the back of my mind, I was thinking, 'We're going to get better.' I mean, you can't lose 100 games every year; it's just impossible. Nobody can keep being that bad."

In 1957, the Orioles climbed to .500, a heady accomplishment for a historically dreadful franchise that had managed just 11 winners in 52 years as the St. Louis Browns before moving to Baltimore in 1954.

Give credit to Richards, the Orioles' pilot for six-and-a-half seasons, Robinson said. Richards, also the general manager, shook the club to its senses, built a farm system that would serve the Orioles for decades and traded for anyone who might hold the team together until kids such as Robinson matured.

"Paul was the best manager I ever played for. He never got a lot of respect because he never won a World Series, but I thought he was God," Robinson said. "He knew every position and what made it tick. He was a wheeler-dealer and a master at picking up pitchers who were over the hill -- like Hal ["Skinny"] Brown and Connie Johnson -- and making them better."

Richards made 48 deals in his first two years, including a historic 17-player trade that sent the Orioles' two best players -- pitchers and -- to the New York Yankees for slugging catcher Gus Triandos and a cast of mostly nobodies.

Fans decried the move -- Turley would win a and Larsen pitched a in the -- but Robinson defends it still.

"The early Birds were outclassed in every area. They were the old Browns and they picked up right where the Browns had left off," he said. "They just didn't have enough talent. Richards saw that and said, 'Let's do something dramatic.' He thought he could bring in [mediocre] guys and help them become good players."

The crafty Richards also dealt for aging third baseman , a future Hall of Famer and, like Robinson, an Arkansan who arrived in 1956 to mentor his sure-handed successor.

"George took me under his wing, on and off the field," Robinson said. "He related what it was like to be a big league player, and he took me to see my first stage play in New York."

Robinson learned quickly. in 1957 found him playing third base, with Kell moved to first.

By mid-1959, Robinson was here to stay and the farm was cranking out "Baby Birds" such as (1960 American League Rookie of the Year) and pitchers , , and Jack Fisher.

Though they finished sixth, the Orioles were poised for a run at the in 1960, when Robinson batted .294, made the All-Star team, won a Gold Glove and placed third in the Most Valuable Player voting behind the Yankees' and .

"Looking back on those years, I was up and down for a while, but Richards knew what was best for me and for others," Robinson said. "When I got back [from the minors] in 1959, I was a better, stronger player.

"Paul really knew what he was doing. He laid the groundwork for what was to come."

Boog Powell and the 1960s Orioles

When squeezed the fly ball for the final out in the 1966 World Series, Brooks Robinson leaped toward heaven and the home crowd of 54,458 rose as one and roared. Downtown, car horns blared and revelers raced through the streets, throwing confetti and firecrackers amid shouts of "Birds! Birds! Birds!"

The Orioles had come of age. When the 1960s began, the Orioles had never had a winning season. Ten years, two pennants and a world championship later, they'd emerged as the American League's winningest team of the decade (911 victories, 698 defeats).

"It was a time of transformation," said slugger Boog Powell, who signed with the Orioles in 1959 and stayed for 16 years. "We began [the decade] searching for an identity."

The club found it, reaching contention with a core of homegrown players and taking the final step with the famed trade for 1961 Most Valuable Player , whom the general manager termed "an old 30." The outfielder put the Orioles on top with his bat (.316, 49 home runs and 122 RBIs, good for the Triple Crown in 1966) and an us-versus-them demeanor that galvanized teammates who took his mantra to heart.

"In years past, our guys would yakety-yak with other teams' players before the game. Or they'd get on base, stand there and blah-blah-blah with the ," Powell said. "Frank saw that and said, 'What's all this socializing crap with the other team? Screw that. We're out there to beat their ass.'

"With Frank, it was, 'No more Mr. Nice Guy. Play hard.' Not that we hadn't been. But I think we went the extra mile after he got there."

The Orioles had challenged before. In 1960, they won 89 games, spent more than a month in first place and, in September, swept three games from New York to wrest the lead from the Yankees before falling to second.

Bumper stickers trumpeted, "It Can Be Done In '61!" But their 95 victories that season landed the Orioles in third place. After two futile seasons, they surged to 97 wins in 1964 and, buoyed by an MVP season from Brooks Robinson, finished two games back under new manager , a cigar-smoking ex-Marine and former Yankee whose mien rattled the Orioles' cage, much as Frank Robinson would do later.

"Hank was a big difference-maker. He was gruff, and what he said wasn't always pretty, but it was right on the money," said Powell, whose 39 home runs led the team that year. "He brought that Yankee mystique and winning attitude. 'Ain't no singing [on the bus] if we lose,' he'd say.

"He made us wear coats and ties on the road, which nobody liked. But he treated us like men and expected us to act like men. He told us: 'If you walk into a bar and I'm there, don't leave. Buy me a drink and then leave.'"

In 1965, the Orioles won 94 games and came close, but -- despite Bauer's presence -- no cigar. Robinson's offseason arrival from the Reds changed that. He homered on Opening Day, became in May the first player to hit a ball completely out of Memorial Stadium, and twice that summer fell into the stands at while making game-saving catches. But Robinson also lightened the mood, introducing the "kangaroo court" after games in the clubhouse.

"Frank was the judge and wore a mop on his head. He'd fine guys a dollar for stuff like stranding a runner on third base with less than two outs," Powell said. "We only held court if we won, and it seemed like one reason we wanted to win was because we wanted to go to kangaroo court."

The Orioles were 58-29 at the All-Star break and clinched the pennant Sept. 22. Down the stretch, Powell slammed three home runs in a 4-2 victory at Boston, cheered on by his wife, Jan, who'd made the trip eight months pregnant.

"Frank took the pressure off of everybody, on the field and off. We started having fun," said Powell, who, with 34 homers and 109 RBIs, finished third in MVP voting behind teammates the media had dubbed the "Swish Family Robinson," Frank and Brooks.

In their World Series sweep of the , the Orioles played -free ball -- becoming the second team to do so in the Series -- and shut out the Dodgers for the last 33 innings.

A slump in 1967 and slow start the next year led new manager Earl Weaver to come in midseason.

"Nobody could outmanage Earl," Powell said. The 1969 Orioles won 109 games and finished 19 games on top -- the most since the 1936 Yankees -- before being upset in the World Series by the .

"We were flat, but the Mets [who'd won 100 games] weren't exactly chopped liver," Powell said. "Back home, there were probably 5,000 people waiting for us at the airport, holding up signs and crying. We stayed there for half an hour, shaking their hands through the fence and crying, too. That's the closest I ever felt to the city of Baltimore."

But it's memories of the 1966 Orioles that he holds most dear. Of those 25 players, 17 survive.

"I look at the team picture, and the guys who are gone, and my heart just aches," Powell said. "They were part of something really special."

Jim Palmer and the 1970s Orioles

As the Orioles' last regular-season home game of the 1970s ended in triumph, the crowd of 17,205 refused to go. Fans stood, cheering wildly, until manager Earl Weaver stepped from the dugout and doffed his cap. Then players emerged, applauded the fans and led an impromptu "O- R-I-O-L-E-S" chant that rocked Memorial Stadium. Could the team's greatest decade have climaxed any better? In 10 years, the Orioles averaged 94 victories and won a World Series, three American League pennants and five division titles. They had 17 20-game winners, captured four Cy Young Awards and won 29 Gold Gloves.

Their signature stretch runs were the talk of baseball. Twice, in 1970 and in 1971, the Orioles won their final 11 games to reach the postseason; in 1974, they won 28 of their last 34, including five straight shutouts, to clinch first place.

"It was a pretty good time to be an Orioles fan," said. He helped make it so. Of the Orioles' 944 victories in that era -- second to the Cincinnati Reds' 953 -- Palmer won 186, most in the majors. Eight times in the decade, he won at least 20 games. Of his 175 complete games, 44 were shutouts. Three Cy Young Awards and four Gold Gloves went to Palmer, who said it was easy to shine on those clubs.

"What kind of team was I playing on? The Orioles," the Hall of Fame right-hander said. "I was smart enough to know that all I had to do was pitch."

One of four Orioles to stay the decade, Palmer recited the club's time-worn mantra that worked well into the 1980s: Build from within and deal shrewdly when needed.

"We'd bring up the [Bobby] Griches and [Don] Baylors and then make a key trade here and there for a Kenny Singleton or a Mike Torrez," he said. "The continuity was good. was there when came up [to the majors], and Eddie was there when Cal Ripken [Jr.] came up. They passed the baton."

The 1970s began with the Orioles "on a mission," Palmer said. The year before, they'd lost the World Series to the New York Mets as Weaver bristled.

"In , Earl had the whip out early, like a jockey coming down the stretch at the Preakness," Palmer said. The Orioles grabbed first place for keeps April 26, won 108 games -- including 19 of their last 22 -- and defeated the Reds in the World Series. It would be their only championship of the decade, a shortfall Palmer shrugs off.

"It was a tough division," he said. "We won 97 games in 1977 and didn't make the playoffs. Twice, we lost the [AL Championship Series] to Oakland, which won the World Series."

On a team flush with talent, envy wasn't a factor, Palmer said.

"When we had four 20-game winners in 1971, I didn't want the others to not win 20. I just wanted to pitch better than" Dave McNally, and , he said.

Weaver and his staff did their part to spur the starters. On the underside of his cap brim, pitching coach kept a running tally of something that summer, scrawled in ink.

"McNally asked him what it was," Palmer said. "George told him that if we pitched more than 50 complete games, he would get a $5,000 raise. Well, there was no raise. He just wanted to encourage us to do it."

The foursome finished the season with 70 complete games, more than in the entire American League in 2013.

When the team hit a snag, Palmer said, the players tried to fix it themselves.

""We weren't playing well in 1974. Weaver lived by the three-run homer, but we weren't hitting many," he said. "So, on an off day in August, the players met at Paul Blair's house and decided to go back to pitching and defense. It wasn't an anti-Earl meeting; we just needed to return to the 'Oriole Way.' "

Then 63-65, the Orioles finished 91-71 with a fifth division title in six years. Along the way, they pitched 54 consecutive scoreless innings in September, an AL record.

Another time, with the club struggling in midyear, Weaver gathered the team in the clubhouse.

"Earl said, 'I made a mistake,' " Palmer recalled. "We're thinking, 'Wow -- Earl's admitting he was wrong about something?'

"We all sat on the edge of our stools, looking at him. He said: 'I picked the wrong 25 guys.'

"We laughed. That got our attention."

And started a winning streak.

"Earl was Earl. He hated to lose," Palmer said. "Does it really matter if the manager is a nice guy who puts his arm around you? Weaver said, 'I won't shake your hand when you win because what will I do if you lose?' That was his philosophy."

It was a moot point, for the most part, in the 1970s.

Rick Dempsey and the 1980s Orioles

The Orioles finished the 1980s with a handful more victories than losses. But their near-.500 record fails to paint the picture of a tumultuous decade in which the team went from World Series champion to laughingstock to unexpected delight for fans who returned to Memorial Stadium in droves.

Baseball's best in 1983, when they defeated the Phillies in the World Series, the Orioles began a slow decline that bottomed out with an 0-21 start to the 1988 season. A franchise that had been a model for all of baseball for more than two decades was reduced to a national embarrassment.

"We developed ourselves as the most powerful team in baseball," said catcher Rick Dempsey, Most Valuable Player of the . "We created 'Orioles Magic.' We were the team to beat. But time takes its toll on everyone. We wore down, and our era came to an end."

As the decade began, the Magic was in full bloom. In 1980, the team won 100 games, set a major league record for fielding percentage (.9849) and produced a 20-game winner for an unprecedented 13th straight year. Blame the second-place American League East finish on a sluggish spring, a typical start during Dempsey's 12 years there.

"We never began in good weather," he said. "It was so cold, the ball stung your hands. Those were more like endurance contests than baseball games. But we always had it in mind that if we were within six games of the lead at the All-Star break, we'd kick [butt] and the season was ours.

"Nobody else could endure [Baltimore's] humidity in summer. So if you didn't knock out the Orioles in the first half, you weren't going to. Put us away in the first seven or eight rounds, because if you didn't, by the 15th round, you were dead."

They barely missed the playoffs in the strike-shortened 1981 season and in 1982, when the Orioles -- having frittered April away again -- caught in the stretch but lost the division to the Brewers on the final day.

Not so in 1983, as they won 98 games and their third World Series. Cal Ripken Jr. edged teammate Eddie Murray for American League MVP, home attendance topped 2 million for the first time, and Dempsey, the Orioles' No. 8 hitter, muscled them to glory. In the five-game Series against Philadelphia, he batted .385 with four doubles and a home run.

"Hey, it wasn't a big offensive Series," Dempsey said. "Most of all, we wanted to rectify the situation we'd put ourselves in by losing in '79 to Pittsburgh [after leading the Pirates, three games to one]. In the clubhouse before we played the Phillies, somebody said, 'We've got a chance to make up for that now.' In that whole Series, we stayed very quiet, bore down and stayed focused until the final out."

His MVP award, a Pontiac Trans Am, was "icing on the cake," Dempsey said. He set two World Series records, one for most extra-base hits (five) in a five-game series. The other?

"I'm the only guy ever voted MVP who got pinch-hit for twice," he said.

Gradually, the Orioles regressed. The 1986 campaign marked the end of their string of consecutive winning seasons (18), second longest in major league history. In un-Orioles-like fashion, they dropped 42 of their last 56 games, were 10th in the league in fielding percentage and finished in last place for the first time in modern history.

In 1987, they lost 95 games, including, at one point, 17 of 18 in September. The team's ERA, a svelte 3.46 over the previous 33 years, ballooned to 5.01. Dempsey, who left that spring via free agency, had seen the slide coming.

"Guys got older, everyone was running out of gas at the same time, and the younger ones didn't have as much impact anymore," he said. "It was a lean era; we didn't have the [Mike] Boddickers and [Mike] Flanagans coming through the organization. And we started to do things differently. We weren't as fundamentally strong as we'd been before."

The 1988 Orioles landed with a thud, went 54-107 and never left the cellar. The string of 21 defeats in April set an American League record for futility. Changing managers didn't help. Six games in, the club fired Cal Ripken Sr., an Orioles lifer who'd fathered half the starting infield. And in mid-August, with his team 30 games off the pace, owner Edward Bennett Williams succumbed to cancer.

In an about-face, the Orioles won 87 games in 1989, spent 116 days in first place and finished two games out. In one season, attendance climbed by nearly 1 million as fans believed the Magic was back.

But times had changed.

"That era [1979-1983] was an amazing run. Why? We never made mistakes," Dempsey said. "The Orioles weren't afraid to try anything out there because, for seven weeks in spring training, we worked sunup to sundown on little things that gave us an edge and got us the extra outs -- pickoffs, cutoffs and relays -- until we could do them in our sleep.

"Think teams do that now? There are so many players in spring training that a manager can't focus on his own team. There's too much else to take care of. But that's what we did, and that's what made the Orioles the most respected organization in sports at the time."

Cal Ripken Jr. and the 1990s Orioles

The 1990s began with Cal Ripken Jr.'s getting booed for a protracted batting slump and ended with his being lauded as an emblem of all that is right with baseball -- and America.

During the decade, the Orioles' Iron Man passed milestones nearly every season and provided constancy at a time of catalytic change: from the move to Camden Yards in 1992 to the players' strike in 1994-1995 to the abrupt departure in 1997 of manager , who had returned the Orioles to the playoffs in successive seasons after a 12-year absence.

Through it all, Ripken's inexorable march toward history ('s streak of having played in 2,130 consecutive games) kept pace with and often superseded events of the day. But not by design, he said.

"I didn't create the streak. The managers created the streak," Ripken said recently. "They put my name in the lineup. The streak was just an extension of my responsibility."

At times, the boo-birds thought otherwise. In June 1990, fans hooted down Ripken, then hitting a shade over .200, when he played in his 1,308th consecutive game and passed Everett Scott for second place all time. Why was he in the lineup with the Orioles struggling to reach .500?

"At the time, [response to] the streak was fairly negative," Ripken said. "Then people did a U- turn. When I reached about 1,800 games, the streak became a good thing for baseball and all of my worst critics flipped over to the other side."

Each year seemed to tick off another benchmark for Ripken. In 1991, he won American League Most Valuable Player for the second time and, fittingly, was the last player to bat in the final game at Memorial Stadium.

"At the time, we were all torn about leaving there," he said. "I remember standing on the sacred ground that Brooks Robinson had stood on and thinking, 'Why can't we just fix up this place?'

"But all of that changed when we walked into Camden Yards. With its quaintness and intimacy and the Warehouse, it was like history had moved over from 33rd Street. No, it was like history had begun there before we even played there. It energized us, and we started winning."

In 1994, Ripken played in his 2,000th straight game. A year later, in the wake of an ugly strike, he broke Gehrig's mark, received a 22-minute standing ovation from the home crowd and did a lap around the ballpark. The Orioles were going nowhere, but who cared?

"I'd have preferred playing for the pennant that September, but that didn't come about," Ripken said. And while the accolades were heartfelt, he insists he was simply the conduit.

"It wasn't me, personally, that people were celebrating," he said. "It was an attachment to a feeling about baseball that goes back to its history."

In 1996, Ripken became the all-time Iron Man, passing Japan's Sachio Kinugasa (2,215 straight games). That year, Johnson took the Orioles' reins and led them to the playoffs for the first time since the 1983 world championship. Eddie Murray returned to Baltimore ("He should have been an Oriole for his whole career," Ripken said) and the lineup hit 257 home runs -- then a major league record and nearly twice the team's total in 1990. "I was overjoyed," Ripken said of the Orioles' rebound as they advanced to the AL Championship Series before losing to the New York Yankees. "We had some boppers in the lineup [ hit 50 homers, 39 and Bobby Bonilla 28], but the greatest part was being Eddie's teammate again.

"It was like we were part of the city once more. And [a division championship in] 1997 took us one step further. Both years, we were a smidgen away from going to the World Series."

Then Johnson resigned -- he'd never allied with owner -- and the team began a 14- year free fall of losing that battered attendance, which peaked at 3,711,132 in 1997.

"How we'd have done if Davey had stayed, we'll never know," Ripken said. "But at that point in time, you didn't want to change anything; you wanted to ride [success] out. Nobody could forecast what would happen. Little did we know."

On Sept. 20, 1998, with the Orioles mired in fourth place, 28 1/2 games back, Ripken ended his streak at 2,632 games in the home finale.

The following spring, his father, Cal Sr., former Orioles manager and coach, died of cancer. And the club fell further down the well.

"The '90s gave us some unique celebrations and the joy of getting back to the playoffs," Ripken said. "For me, it was the highest of highs and, at the end, the lowest of lows."

Jay Gibbons and the 2000s Orioles

When the playoff-starved Orioles made the postseason in 2012, Jay Gibbons traveled 3,000 miles to sit in the bleachers at Camden Yards and cheer for a team that had bottomed out during his time here.

"It was amazing. I shot video of the crowd the whole time," Gibbons said of the Orioles' 3-2 victory over the New York Yankees in Game 2 of the American League . "It made me a little jealous, too. I thought, 'Man, how much fun would it have been to play like this with these fans behind us?' "

A slugging outfielder, Gibbons spent seven years in Baltimore (2001-2007) during a dismal decade in which the Orioles' fortunes plummeted -- and crowds followed suit: 10 losing seasons, four managers, a carousel of middling players and as many empty seats. Home attendance fell from nearly 3.3 million to 1.9 million.

"Losing drained the fans as well," Gibbons said. "One night, we came out and people had paper bags over their heads. That didn't help our psyche -- not that we didn't deserve it."

Seven times, the Orioles lost at least 90 games. Four times, they finished at least 30 games off the lead. The staff was a sieve. The club trotted out 121 pitchers in the decade, more than in the 1960s and 1970s combined (117). Players came and went and, sometimes, came back again. In 2001, Gibbons' first season, the Orioles used 18 rookies -- a club record -- and tried 139 different lineups (excluding pitchers), to no avail. They lost 98 games.

"I had a lot of teammates, especially late in the year, when we always fell apart," said Gibbons, the Most Valuable Oriole in 2003, when he led the team in RBIs, runs and doubles. "Sadly, on my way down through the minor leagues, I'd meet guys who said we'd played together with the Orioles. I said, 'When, in spring training?' And they said, 'No, in September.' And I said, 'Sorry, there were just so many of you.' "

Why the Orioles' lengthy funk? Let Gibbons count the ways.

"We were a team in transition, looking for an identity," he said. "In 2001, Cal Ripken -- the ambassador of baseball and the face of the Orioles -- retired, and after all of the goodbyes, we thought, 'Where do we go from here?' After that, it was a struggle to make a name for ourselves."

Front-office turnover didn't help.

"With four general managers in that decade, we lacked stability," Gibbons said. "There were injuries, myself included. Plus, [the American League East] was a really tough division."

The years of futility wore on players, he said.

"Even in spring training, you'd hear guys saying, 'Man, this will be tough.' But others would say, 'Maybe I'll have a career year this year.' We tried to stay positive," Gibbons said. "There were a couple of years where we felt we were on the brink, but then we'd fade. In the end, we just came up short, talent-wise, and most of the time, talent will prevail."

The 2002 season ended on a 12-game losing streak. The 2007 team dropped 28 of its last 39 games, including a 30-3 rout by the Rangers. The Orioles, long known for their strength down the stretch, now wilted at the first breath of autumn. The 2005 Orioles were 14 games over .500 on June 21 but finished 14 games under as the bullpen lost 27 games, worst in the AL.

"Nothing we did [in August and September] seemed to work," Gibbons said. "A lot of clubs we played were shooting for the playoffs while we just tried to stay afloat. It was frustrating, in Boston, to look up at the scoreboard on the big Green Monster in left field and see the standings showing the Orioles were 27 1/2 games out.

"I'm not saying the guys gave up, but fighting for first place is a lot easier than fighting to stay out of last." Through it all, Gibbons said, he stayed upbeat on the field and off.

"I'd go to Safeway after a game and fans would vent to me," he said. "I'd be buying milk and they'd say, 'What happened tonight?' I loved that face-to-face interaction, and I miss those times."

He hit .260 with 121 home runs and 405 RBIs in 779 games before being released in March 2008. Several months earlier, Gibbons had admitted to having used human growth hormone and been slapped with a 15-game suspension -- an early culprit of baseball's toughened anti-steroid policy. (Fellow Orioles Rafael Palmeiro, and were also among those linked to performance-enhancing drugs in the decade.)

"I blame myself," Gibbons said. "It was the steroid era, and I made my own bed. My goal [in 2008] was to prove that I could turn things around, that I could make things right, but [management said it] had to let me go."

The Orioles kept losing and finished a forgettable decade with consecutive last-place finishes. Then things got better, as Gibbons knew they would.

"Some teams can turn it around in a couple of years," he said. "Baltimore just took longer."

Adam Jones and the 2010s Orioles

The Orioles started the 2010s the way they had played most of the previous decade: terribly.

"We were true cellar dwellers in the [American League] East, no matter how you want to put it," said Adam Jones, who has been with the Orioles since 2008.

"That's how it was. And then we had a culture shift."

In August 2010, the Orioles announced that they had hired Buck Showalter, their third manager that season, after going through and interim . Showalter brought with him instant credibility, having built winners with the New York Yankees, and .

"We got someone in that's not afraid to hold his players accountable and, at the same time, command it, demand it and earn the respect," Jones said. "You put someone in charge that commands and earns respect, you can do something with that."

The Orioles finished the 2010 season going 34-23 under Showalter, but they finished last in the division with 96 losses. With Showalter, there was some guarded optimism heading into 2011.

The results weren't much better. The Orioles lost 93 games, their 14th consecutive losing season. At the end of the year, team president Andy MacPhail stepped down after his contract expired.

Yet there was a sense that the franchise was on the upswing. And it all came together in the final series of the year, at Camden Yards against the seemingly playoff-bound . The Orioles were playing out the string. The Red Sox were hoping to win at least two of three to get into the postseason.

The teams split the first two games, and Boston took a 3-2 lead into the bottom of the ninth in the season finale. With two outs, Chris Davis and Nolan Reimold hit consecutive doubles to tie the score. Robert Andino followed with a sinking liner for a that scored Reimold and gave the Orioles a walk-off end to their season.

Moments later, the completed their own comeback against the New York Yankees to clinch a playoff spot and knock the Red Sox out of the playoffs.

"The Red Sox were supposed to come in and sweep us, and we took two out of three," Jones said. "That shows we don't quit, especially our manager."

That offseason, the Orioles hired Dan Duquette, who had been out of the big leagues for roughly a decade, as their executive vice president. Scouring everywhere for undervalued assets, Duquette's front office added contributors Miguel Gonzalez, Nate McLouth and Joe Saunders to a club building on the previous September's momentum.

Suddenly, in 2012, baseball in Baltimore became relevant again. The Orioles won 93 games, made the playoffs for the first time since 1997 and won a one-game wild-card showdown against the Texas Rangers in Arlington. Camden Yards again hosted playoff games against the rival Yankees, who beat them in five games in the AL Division Series.

That year was a rebirth of sorts, coupled with the franchise's decision to erect statues of its modern-day Hall of Famers: Earl Weaver, Brooks Robinson, Frank Robinson, Eddie Murray, Jim Palmer and Cal Ripken Jr.

"I think it brought the city alive; that's what I got out of 2012," Jones said. "The city of Baltimore, the metropolitan area, awoke -- the baseball mind of it, anyway. The football mind had been [awakened]. But the baseball part had been dormant."

When 2013 began, it carried with it something that hadn't followed the Orioles in more than a decade: expectations of success.

The 2013 Orioles didn't return to the playoffs, winning 85 games and tying for third with the Yankees. But they sent five players to the All-Star Game, won three Gold Gloves and watched first baseman Chris Davis break the franchise record with 53 homers. They were in the playoff race until the final week of the season. Heading into the 2014 season, the Orioles again are expected to be contenders, especially with the additions of Ubaldo Jimenez and slugger Nelson Cruz to a roster jammed with players in their prime.

"The 2000s were dormant," Jones said. "From 2010 to 2019, we got one playoff series [already]. And now we are working on a second."

http://www.baltimoresun.com/sports/orioles/blog/bal-orioles-nelson-cruz-believes-hes-close-to- breaking-out-of-lengthy-slump-20140807,0,6207243.story Orioles' Nelson Cruz believes he's 'close' to breaking out of lengthy slump -designated hitter had just two hits in 35 at-bats entering Thursday's game

By Eduardo A. Encina / The Baltimore Sun

10:38 PM EDT, August 7, 2014

TORONTO — Even though he has only three hits in his past 39 at-bats, Orioles left fielder- designated hitter Nelson Cruz said he believes he's on the verge of breaking out of the slump.

Cruz carried the Orioles offense for most of the first half of the season, leading the major leagues with 28 home runs and 74 RBIs at the All-Star break. But after going 1-for-4 on Thursday, he is hitting just .113 with one homer and three RBIs since making his third All-Star Game appearance last month. Since the break, his average has dropped 29 points from .287 to .258.

Cruz admits that he’s prone to streaks, and he said he knew he wasn’t going to keep producing at the pace of his phenomenal first half. But he said he has tried to maintain the same routine while having faith that he will break out of the slump soon.

“I think it’s more to keep doing what you’re doing, just find the right stroke,” Cruz said. “You can watch videos and hit off the tee, stuff like that, but at the same time, it’s you against the pitcher. I just need one swing or one pitch to click and you can find your swing.

“I feel like it’s there. I feel like I’m close. The last few games, I feel like I’ve had some good swings, and I’ve taken some good pitches. It’s just a matter of time before I come out [of it]. I think the main thing is staying consistent in your routine and continue doing what you’re doing.”

Cruz was 6-for-13 with five runs, three homers and eight RBIs in the Orioles' first trip to Toronto this season, but he was just 2-for-10 with two RBIs in this series. Cruz said opposing pitchers might be pitching him differently, but it’s more about refining his approach at the plate.

“Probably a little bit, but it’s more finding my pitch to hit and not swinging at a pitcher’s pitch,” Cruz said. “It’s tough to stay consistent as I was for 162 games. The only thing you can do is battle.”

Orioles manager Buck Showalter also said he has seen some recent strides with Cruz that would seem to suggest he’s about to break out of his funk.

“It’s always there,” Showalter said. “It’s not that easy. You have to have some cooperation from the pitcher. … I think Nelson’s had some good at-bats. It’s one of those things you go through where it seems like every borderline pitch is a strike and the guy might be wild but he makes three tough pitches on you. Nellie, he’s just trying to shorten it up. He’s close. Like a lot of these guys, if he goes through some struggles, someone’s going to pay for it and it’s always around the corners with guys like him and Chris [Davis].”

Even though Cruz has struggled, the Orioles are 13-7 since the All-Star break without many recent contributions from their top run producer.

“It’s nice,” Cruz said. “You always want to contribute any way you can, but at the same time, when you’re not able to do as much, it’s nice to see the team find a way to win games. The big key for us has been the pitching. The entire pitching staff — the starters and the bullpen — has all done a good job to keep us in the game.”

http://www.baltimoresun.com/sports/orioles/blog/bal-ubaldo-jimenez-to-start-against-cardinals- on-saturday-20140807,0,3180297.story Orioles' Ubaldo Jimenez to start Saturday against St. Louis Cardinals Sunday's starter against St. Louis still to be decided

By Eduardo A. Encina / The Baltimore Sun

8:57 PM EDT, August 7, 2014

TORONTO -- Right-hander Ubaldo Jimenez will come off the 15-day disabled list and return to the starting rotation for Saturday’s interleague game against the St. Louis Cardinals at Camden Yards, Showalter said Thursday.

Since Jimenez returned from a minor league rehab assignment Sunday, the club hadn’t decided its next step with him — whether he would return to the rotation or go to the bullpen. Jimenez hasn’t pitched since July 5 and he has been on the disabled list with a right ankle sprain since July 13.

But after a bullpen session Wednesday that Jimenez called his best of the season, the Orioles decided to give Jimenez — who is 3-8 with a 4.52 ERA on 18 starts this season — the start Saturday.

“He’s healthy, and he’s ready to go,” Orioles manager Buck Showalter said. “He’s physically in good shape, and he’s really looking forward to getting back in the fight and helping his teammates.”

Jimenez is 2-3 with a 3.33 ERA in eight starts against the Cardinals, holding them to a .236 batting average.

Right-hander Chris Tillman will start Friday’s opener against St. Louis. He traveled back to Baltimore ahead of the team to avoid an early morning arrival after Thursday’s game. But Showalter said he hasn’t decided on Sunday’s starter between right-hander and right-hander Bud Norris.

The Orioles don’t need to make a corresponding move to make room for Jimenez on the 25-man roster until before Saturday’s game, and Showalter said that move likely will be dictated by how much the bullpen is needed in the two games leading up to Saturday.

The Orioles likely would need to option a , and left-handed long reliever T.J. McFarland would appear to be the most likely candidate, but he is very valuable in that he can turn around a lineup following a short outing by a right-handed starter.

Right-handed starter Miguel Gonzalez, who started Thursday in Toronto, also could be used out of the bullpen and is able to be optioned.

“Let’s see,” Showalter said. “Something could happen [Thursday] that would dictate that we would need a pitcher tomorrow. We don’t have to make a move for Ubaldo [until] Saturday, but if we have issues in our bullpen that we want to cover tomorrow, then we’d make it before Saturday for somebody in the bullpen. We’re going to continue to cover the ‘what ifs.’”

As for Sunday, Norris is 8-6 with a 3.23 ERA in 16 career starts against the Cardinals, all coming when he pitched for the . He rolled his right ankle in his last start, but the ankle is fine and wouldn't affect him from starting. Gausman has never faced St. Louis.

http://www.baltimoresun.com/business/bs-bz-masn-order-20140807,0,5883207.story N.Y. court blocks MLB decision in Orioles-Nationals TV rights fee case By Jeff Barker / The Baltimore Sun

10:59 PM EDT, August 7, 2014

The Baltimore Orioles took an early lead in the court battle against the and Major League Baseball over television rights fees from the teams' shared regional sports network.

A New York court temporarily blocked a recent Major League Baseball decision that would have diverted tens of millions of dollars in profits from the regional network MASN that flow primarily to the Orioles. The Orioles say that money is critical to maintaining competitiveness and affording quality players.

A judge in the New York Supreme Court Commercial Division for New York County issued a temporary restraining order Thursday in response to a Mid-Atlantic Sports Network petition to block the league decision. A hearing on a permanent injunction is scheduled this month.

Judge Lawrence Marks' order also prohibited the Nationals or the league from "taking any action to terminate MASN's license." MASN, which is controlled by the Orioles, argued that it faced irreparable harm because of a threat that the Nationals could prevent it from continuing to show Washington's games.

The judge rejected the league's request to seal the record, meaning that documents filed by the Nationals and MASN will be open to the public. In documents filed with the court, MASN accused the league of botching the process used to determine television rights fees and of improperly influencing the arbitration procedure aimed at settling the clubs' differences.

There was no response Thursday from the Nationals, but Major League Baseball issued a statement noting that "the court made no determination regarding the merits of MASN's and the Orioles' claims but merely instructed the parties to maintain the status quo until a further hearing can be conducted later in the month.

"We remain committed to working with both clubs to reach an amicable resolution," it concluded.

Commissioner Bud Selig, who is retiring in January, had hoped that the fight over the MASN financial split would not be decided in court. He urged the parties to settle their differences and threatened sanctions. But the parties remain far apart. On May 30, the Nationals sent MASN a default notice contending that the club was not receiving fair-market television rights fees. The ballclub later told MASN it reserved the right to terminate the network's license to broadcast Nationals games.

The dispute began several years ago but only proceeded to court in early July, when the clubs filed petitions that could be considered precursors to full-blown lawsuits. Marks' order prevents the league's decision from taking effect until the matter can be heard by the court.

MASN is contesting a June 30 decision by the owners of the New York Mets, and Tampa Bay Rays. The panel, called the Revenue Sharing Definitions Committee, was selected by Selig to resolve the TV rights dispute between the Orioles and the Nationals.

At the heart of the dispute is how much the Nationals should receive in television rights fees. The club received $29 million in 2011 — the last year for which figures were available — plus more than $6 million for the team's small but growing equity stake in MASN.

The Nationals sought a television deal many times higher — reportedly up to $120 million — on par with the lucrative long-term deals that other clubs have signed in recent years.

The committee's decision, released to the parties last month, has not been made public but would increase the TV rights fees paid to the Nationals and the Orioles. It would divert a substantial portion of MASN profits into rights fees. That would be a blow to the Orioles because 85 percent of MASN's profits flow to Baltimore and 15 percent to Washington, based on their ownership share of the network. Washington's share will climb by 1 percentage point a year up to 33 percent.

In arguing against the temporary restraining order, attorneys for the Nationals noted that the MLB committee had concluded that Washington's fair-market rights fees should be "tens of millions of dollars closer to the amounts advocated by MASN than the amounts the Nationals argued should be awarded."

MASN has argued that there should be no dispute over rights fees because a 2005 agreement calls for using a formula developed by Bortz Media & Sports Group, a Colorado consulting firm.

The 2005 agreement with the league gave the Orioles a majority stake in the network that the team said was necessary to ensure its viability after the Nationals arrived from Montreal, taking a large swath of what was once Orioles territory.

The agreement set up MASN's divided ownership structure and called for the rights fees to be reset at "fair market value" every five years to account for ratings and other considerations. The teams divide the rights fees evenly. MASN recently submitted an affidavit to the court in which Bortz's managing director said the league committee "cherry picked" data and that it "completely corrupts the established methodology" for determining telecast rights fees.

The Nationals argued in a memorandum to the court that the committee "applied the exact methodology required by the parties' agreement, and MASN is not entitled to vacate or modify the award because MASN does not agree with how the [panel] applied the correct formula."

The MLB panel rejected MASN's argument that it was to be bound by the Bortz approach, according to the Nationals' memorandum.

MASN contends that the committee's decision was unfair because, in effect, the league was being asked to render a decision in which it has a stake. Because of revenue-sharing, MASN contends, the league stands to gain money if rights fees are boosted.

MASN noted in court documents that the same outside counsel represented the Nationals, the league and the three teams whose owners made up the panel.

MASN said that the committee's decision "would have the effect of relieving baseball, the commissioner and the Washington Nationals of their contractual obligations and undertakings and would do so as a result of an arbitration that was lacking in honesty and objectivity."

http://mlb.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20140807&content_id=88479176¬ebook_id=8847 9644&vkey=notebook_bal&c_id=bal Ubaldo to start on Saturday in return from DL By Jamie Ross / MLB.com

8/7/2014 7:32 P.M. ET

TORONTO -- Ubaldo Jimenez will make his first Major League start since July 5 when the Orioles host the Cardinals at Camden Yards on Saturday.

Manager Buck Showalter told reporters ahead of Thursday's game in Toronto that Jimenez is ready to go for Saturday, but he stopped short of announcing Sunday's starter.

"I've got an idea about where we're going to go there, but I want to see how things go tonight," Showalter said.

Kevin Gausman or Bud Norris will be in line to take the mound for Sunday's series finale. Saturday would be Gausman's turn in the rotation, so his start will pushed back a day at least. Norris, meanwhile, would be pitching on regular rest should he get the ball. Showalter wouldn't say if a bullpen stint was in store for one of his starters. A corresponding move on the 25-man roster won't have to be made until Jimenez is activated.

"We don't have to make a move for Ubaldo until Saturday," he said. "But if we have issues in our bullpen that we want to cover tomorrow, we'll make it before Saturday."

Jimenez threw a 35-pitch side session prior to Wednesday's loss to the Blue Jays and said that it was his "best bullpen of the whole year."

The right-hander has been on the 15-day disabled list with a sprained right ankle since July 13. Jimenez signed a four-year, $50 million contract with the O's in February.

The 30-year-old has struggled this season, posting a 3-8 record with a 4.52 ERA in 18 starts.

"He's healthy, he's ready to go, he's physically in good shape and looking forward to getting back in the fight and helping his teammates," Showalter said.

http://mlb.mlb.com/news/article/bal/toronto-blue-jays-jose-reyes-safe-on-steal-as-os-lose- challenge?ymd=20140807&content_id=88488206&vkey=news_bal Reyes safe on steal as O's lose challenge By Jamie Ross / MLB.com

8/7/2014 8:35 P.M. ET

TORONTO -- O's manager Buck Showalter lost a challenge in the bottom of the third inning of Thursday's game against the Blue Jays after Jose Reyes stole second base with two outs.

With Nolan Reimold at the plate, Reyes broke for second on a 2-2 pitch from O's starter Miguel Gonzalez. Reimold took the pitch and catcher Caleb Joseph fired down to Jonathan Schoop, who applied the tag to a diving Reyes.

Reyes was initially ruled safe by second-base Jeff Kellogg, prompting Showalter to challenge the call. After review, it was ruled that the call on the field would stand.

http://www.masnsports.com/school-of-roch/2014/08/orioles-trying-to-deck-the-cards.html Orioles trying to deck the Cards By Roch Kubatko / MASNSports.com

August 8, 2014 6:08 AM We're going to have fireworks and a laser show tonight at Camden Yards.

Finally, it's time to celebrate the umpires making the right call after a review.

Manager Buck Showalter says the Orioles lead the majors in calls that "stand," meaning there supposedly isn't enough evidence to overturn them. And he's not bragging about it.

As for tonight's game, the Orioles will wear uniforms from 1954 as part of their 60th anniversary celebration. Chris Tillman may want to throw it back if he has a poor outing.

Who was the Orioles pitcher who threw a major tantrum and stuffed his throwback uniform in the trash? I want to say Armando Benitez, but I could be wrong.

This is the third series between the Orioles and Cardinals. St. Louis swept the Orioles in a three- game set at Camden Yards in 2011, outscoring them 20-9. batted .462.

The Cardinals won two of three in St. Louis in 2003. had a complete-game victory for the Orioles. Deivi Cruz homered twice.

The Orioles haven't lost consecutive games this season since June 28-29 against the Rays.

Tillman is making his 12th start this season at home, where he's 2-5 with a 2.78 ERA. He's never faced the Cardinals, but he's 0-1 with a 6.35 in 11 games against the National League.

At least he doesn't have to bat tonight.

Three of the current Cardinals have faced Tillman, including new catcher A.J. Pierzynski, who's 5-for-18 (.278). is 2-for-12 (.167) and Mark Ellis singled in his only at-bat.

The Cardinals are sending one of their new pitching acquisitions, Justin Masterson, to the mound tonight. He's 6-5 with a 5.04 ERA in 15 games (11 starts) against the Orioles, and 2-3 with a 6.98 ERA in eight games (six starts) at Camden Yards.

Left-handers are batting .332 against Masterson this season and right-handers are hitting .222. Keep that in mind while writing out your lineup.

Ryan Flaherty is 4-for-7 (.571) with a double, home run and four RBIs against Masterson. David Lough is 3-for-8 (.375). Keep that in mind, as well.

Nelson Cruz and Chris Davis are both 4-for-16 (.250) with a home run. Davis also had two doubles.

Nick Markakis is 5-for-28 (.179) and is 3-for-21 (.143).

Steve Pearce hasn't started since Aug. 2. He's in a 4-for-35 (.114) slump over his last 10 games.

Adam Jones is in a 4-for-34 (.118) slump. He struck out three times last night. Andrew Miller retired the Blue Jays in order last night with two strikeouts. He's a real force in the back end of the bullpen. Pair him with Darren O'Day in set-up roles and it's almost unfair.

If I'm Miller's agent, I'm promoting him as a closer this winter.

http://www.masnsports.com/school-of-roch/2014/08/davis-collects-another-hit-more-on-last- nights-game.html Davis collects another hit, more on last night's game By Roch Kubatko / MASNSports.com

August 7, 2014 7:39 PM

Chris Davis doubled with one out in the second inning tonight, pulling a 79 mph curveball from Blue Jays left-hander J.A. Happ past first baseman Juan Francisco.

Davis didn't score, but he's now 4-for-11 with two home runs, three RBIs, two walks and three runs in his last four games.

Happ threw three consecutive curveballs to Davis.

Manny Machado was hit on the left foot by a Happ pitch in the top of the first inning. Miguel Gonzalez hit Melky Cabrera on the right elbow in the bottom of the first.

I'm going with coincidence.

Nick Markakis led off with a double, but he never made it around to score. He's now 68 hits behind Boog Powell for fifth on the Orioles' all-time list.

I'm still counting.

The Orioles are 0-for-5 with runners in scoring position and have stranded two in the first two innings.

The Orioles already have two hits to exceed last night's total. They were held to one for the first time since June 18, 2012 against the Mets in New York.

Last night marked the first time that the Orioles' only hit was a home run since August 2, 1995, when Harold Baines delivered a solo shot in the second inning against the Blue Jays in a 1-0 victory at Camden Yards.

The Orioles have played four games when their only hit was a home run, but last night produced the only loss. Going back to the Harold Baines game, the starting pitchers that night were and Paul Menhart. The Orioles' lineup included Bret Barberie at second base, Kevin Bass in left field and Jeff Huson at third base

http://www.masnsports.com/school-of-roch/2014/08/roster-move-coming-saturday.html Roster move coming Saturday By Roch Kubatko / MASNSports.com

August 7, 2014 6:39 PM

The Orioles' pitching staff will undergo some sort of adjustment before Saturday afternoon's game against the Cardinals at Camden Yards.

Manager Buck Showalter told reporters in Toronto that Ubaldo Jimenez will come off the disabled list and start Saturday, which will necessitate a corresponding roster move.

Jimenez has been on the disabled list with an ankle injury. He made two starts on a rehab assignment, but he hasn't pitched for the Orioles since Game 2 of a July 5 in Boston, when he allowed four runs and five hits and walked six batters in 3 2/3 innings.

In his previous start against the Rangers, Jimenez permitted an unearned run and four hits in eight innings.

Jimenez still leads the American League with 60 walks, six behind the Phillies' A.J. Burnett.

With Jimenez returning to the rotation, the Orioles must eliminate a pitcher from the 25-man roster. Does another starter go into the bullpen?

Showalter prefers to give Wei-Yin Chen and Miguel Gonzalez extra rest when the schedule allows it. He doesn't seem to embrace the notion of a six-man rotation. Or perhaps it's just the repeated questions about it.

T.J. McFarland has options and could be sent down to Triple-A Norfolk. Gonzalez could move to the bullpen.

Stay tuned.

Jimenez is 2-3 with a 3.33 ERA in eight career starts against the Cardinals. He faced them most recently in a 2012 start for the Indians, surrendering one run over seven innings.

In his only start in 2011, Jimenez permitted six runs and 12 hits in six innings. In two starts in 2010, he allowed one run and struck out 16 batters over 16 innings. In two starts in 2009, Jimenez allowed six runs and struck out 16 in 15 innings. He gave up six earned runs (seven total) in 10 innings over two starts in 2008.

Chris Tillman is starting Friday night. The Orioles haven't listed a starter for Sunday, but Showalter told reporters that Kevin Gausman and Bud Norris are candidates. His interview aired on "O's Xtra" on MASN.

A reminder that the Orioles will hold their 60th anniversary celebration Friday night at Camden Yards.

Come for the game, stay for the fireworks and laser show.

The list of former Orioles on hand will include Brooks Robinson, Frank Robinson, Eddie Murray, Cal Ripken Jr., Jim Palmer, Brady Anderson, Bill Hunter, Milt Pappas, , , Boog Powell, , Doug DeCinces, Rick Dempsey, Dennis Martinez, , Scott McGregor, , , , and B.J. Surhoff.

http://www.masnsports.com/steve-melewski/2014/08/the-back-end-of-the-bullpen-looks-strong- as-the-os-are-set-to-begin-a-big-homestand.html Back end of the bullpen looks strong as O's are set to begin a big homestand By Steve Melewski / MASNSports.com

August 8, 2014 8:00 AM

We may have gotten a look at the Orioles future game plan for October last night. That is, if the club is fortunate enough to make the postseason.

With a very strong back end of the bullpen, the O's can turn a contest into a six-inning game. Turn over the lead late to Andrew Miller, Darren O'Day and Zach Britton and you can win some games. That trio was outstanding in the seventh, eighth and ninth innings last night at Toronto.

Miller fanned two and has struck out six in 3 2/3 scoreless innings as an Oriole. Britton has recorded 10 straight scoreless appearances, allowing just two hits in 9 1/3 frames and going 9- for-9 in save chances. O'Day has given up one run over his last 21 1/3 innings.

This was the first time that trio all pitched in the same game but it certainly won't be the last. A bullpen that has pitched to an ERA of 1.55 in the last 17 games has been big during a stretch of plenty of one-run games. Nine of the last 13 O's games have been one-run games and they've gone 7-2 in those nine.

The Orioles have gone 6-for-60 scoring just three runs the past two games and they managed to go 1-1. They won another AL East series and they have lost just one of their last 12 series in the division, going 9-1-2.

The O's return home with a five-game lead a top the division. All we heard going into the All- Star break was about the club's tough schedule coming out of the break. Well, they've gone 13-7 in 20 games against this tough schedule and their division lead has gone from four games at the break to five now.

It's impressive and the fans have plenty to cheer for right now. It should be a big homestand that begins tonight with six against the Cardinals and Yankees.

The Orioles are celebrating their 60th anniversary season with a series of events today and tonight at Camden Yards.

The Orioles are welcoming back 23 Orioles Hall of Famers, who will take part in a spectacular postgame celebration. Expected to attend are Orioles Legends Eddie Murray, Cal Ripken Jr., Brooks Robinson and Frank Robinson.

Also slated to attend are Brady Anderson, Mike Bordick, Don Buford, Al Bumbry, Doug DeCinces, Rick Dempsey, , Chris Hoiles, Bill Hunter, Dennis Martinez, Tippy Martinez, Scott McGregor, Ray Miller, Gregg Olson, Milt Pappas, Boog Powell, Ken Singleton, B.J. Surhoff and Eddie Watt.

There will be special pre-game ceremonies and the O's will wear 1954 replica throwback uniforms during the game. Following the game, the Orioles Hall of Famers will be introduced on the field during a laser light and fireworks display, which will feature highlights from the Orioles' 60 years in Baltimore that will be displayed on the Oriole Park video boards and the side of the B&O Warehouse.

This all figures to make for a very special day and night at the Yard as the current winning Orioles meet some Orioles from Baltimore's proud baseball past.

http://www.masnsports.com/steve-melewski/2014/08/minor-league-notes-on-luis-gonzalez-and- jason-esposito.html Minor league notes on Luis Gonzalez and Jason Esposito By Steve Melewski / MASNSports.com August 7, 2014 1:50 PM

Yesterday, the Orioles named minor league pitcher Luis Gonzalez the organizational Pitcher of the Month for July. That is a nice honor for a player who has barely been in the organization for a year.

The 22-year-old left-hander from the was originally signed by the Phillies, but they released him. On July 18, 2013 the Orioles signed him as a minor league free agent.

"Our Latin American program did a really good job of finding this guy as a released player in the Dominican," Orioles director of player development said. "He was a 20-year-old player who had been released by the Phillies. He came to our academy and threw a bullpen and our Dominican staff signed him.

"When you look at him you see Eduardo Rodriguez's body and a similar delivery. He's been very impressive. He's very mature with good composure."

Last year Gonzalez pitched in the Orioles' program and in May of this year they sent him to Single-A Delmarva.

He's had a strong season for the Shorebirds, going 6-1 with a 2.84 ERA in 14 games, 13 starts. Over 66 2/3 innings he has given up 52 hits with 22 walks and 62 strikeouts. He's allowed an average of just .212 and one stat that stands out is that he has not allowed a homer all year.

Gonzalez went 4-0 with a 1.65 ERA last month and over 27 1/3 innings walked seven with 26 strikeouts. He took a 20 1/3 innings scoreless streak into his start Tuesday but the streak ended when he gave up six runs over 5 1/3 frames.

"He has a quick arm," Graham said. "Throws 90 to 93 (mph) with velocity with late life. His changeup is much improved and he throws a slider for strikes. He's one of those guys if he commands the baseball he has a chance to pitch at a high level."

Meanwhile, at Single-A Frederick third baseman Jason Esposito, the club's second round pick in 2011 out of Vanderbilt, is starting to pick it up .

In 101 games for the season, Esposito, who turned 24 on July 19, is batting .272 with 24 doubles, four triples, eight homers and 40 RBIs. This is a nice improvement after Esposito hit .209 in 2012 for Single-A Delmarva and .222 last season at Frederick.

But in July, the right-handed hitter batted .354 in 26 games for the Keys. I asked Keys manager why Esposito's bat has come to life.

"He's been doing a lot of work and he's staying through the middle," Pujols said. "He has a lot of confidence now and (coach) Torre Tyson is doing a great job with him. He's cut down on his strikeouts and increased his walks. His goal is to finish strong. "They've been working on how he uses his hands, pitch selection and staying through the middle. His average is better against left-handed pitchers, but he's hitting better against right-handers now too."

O's minor league RBI leaders: 89 - Christian Walker, Norfolk 75 - Dariel Alvarez, Norfolk 70 - Michael Burgess, Bowie and , Frederick 66 - , Bowie

O's minor league leaders: 126 - Tyler Wilson, Norfolk 124 - Mitch Horacek, Delmarva 112 - Parker Bridwell, Frederick 106 - , Delmarva and Steven Brault, Delmarva

http://www.csnbaltimore.com/blog/orioles-talk/orioles-greats-headline-60th-anniversary- celebration Orioles greats headline 60th anniversary celebration By Rich Dubroff / CSNBaltimore.com

August 7, 2014, 6:30 pm

On Friday, the Orioles will celebrate their 60th anniversary with a laser light show and fireworks after their game with the St. Louis Cardinals. Nearly two dozen Orioles Hall of Famers will be on hand including Eddie Murray, Jim Palmer, Cal Ripken, Brooks Robinson and Frank Robinson.

A number of Orioles from the past four decades who are often around the club will be on hand, too. They include Brady Anderson, Mike Bordick, Don Buford, Al Bumbry, Rick Dempsey, Chris Hoiles, Scott McGregor, Boog Powell and B.J. Surhoff.

Other members of the 1983 World Series winning team will be in attendance: Dennis Martinez, Tippy Martinez and Ken Singleton.

Doug DeCinces and Gregg Olson will be there, too.

But, the most intriguing attendees are from the early years of the team: , Milt Pappas and Eddie Watt. Hunter, who is 86, and came with the St. Louis Browns to Baltimore in 1954, was a longtime Orioles coach and also managed the Texas Rangers. He concluded his career as baseball coach and athletic director at Towson University.

Pappas was traded to the Cincinnati Reds for Frank Robinson in the winter of 1965. The 75-year- old Pappas was one of the “Baby Birds” and pitched nine seasons for the Orioles, winning 110 games.

Watt played for five Orioles teams that reached the postseason, and the reliever recorded 74 saves when the Orioles starting pitching didn’t leave the bullpen as many opportunities for saves as it does today.

http://www.csnbaltimore.com/blog/orioles-talk/scott-boras-says-orioles-have-made-good- decisions Scott Boras says Orioles have made good decisions By Rich Dubroff / CSNBaltimore.com

August 7, 2014, 6:00 pm

Uberagent Scott Boras represents Zach Britton, Wei-Yin Chen, Chris Davis and Matt Wieters. That means he often deals with the Orioles.

At last year’s winter meetings, Boras had kind things to say about the Orioles, even joking that executive vice president of baseball operations Dan Duquette, who he says he has a good relationship, “has great hair, too.”

Boras appeared at the Smithsonian’s Museum of Natural History on Monday, and in a transcript printed in the Washington Post, continued to dole out compliments to the Orioles

“You give a lot of credit to the idea that in recent time, they’ve gone out and put together and new manager, a new general manager, a coaching staff, and this team is in first place. They’re there for a lot of reasons, and how long they’ll be there, I don’t know, but to be in first place in the American League East…you’re really doing something right,” Boras said.

Boras says that Orioles managing partner Peter Angelos is prompt in returning calls and that Duquette and Showalter have worked well together.

“The Orioles have done a very good job of making their franchise relevant and of interest the last couple of years. Whether or not that continues will be, I think, a big question,” Boras said. “I think that Dan Duquette and Buck Showalter have really formed a force that’s allowed for the development and evaluation of players that, really, when you look at the decisions the last couple of years, are some of the league’s best decisions.”

http://www.csnbaltimore.com/blog/orioles-talk/buck-showalter-contender-manager-year Buck Showalter contender for Manager of the Year By Rich Dubroff / CSBaltimore.com

August 7, 2014, 4:30 pm

In 2012, Buck Showalter didn’t win the American League Manager of the Year award even though the Orioles were a huge surprise. That year they won 93 games. In BaseballReference.com, the Pythagorean theory calculated they should have won 82.

This year, the Orioles have won 64, four more than the Pythagorean theory calculates.

Should the Orioles win the American League East, Showalter would be in an excellent position to win his third Manager of the Year award.

In his 16th season as a major league manager, Showalter has won only one division title, in 1999 with Arizona. That year the Diamondbacks won 100 games, 35 more than they won in their first year, but he didn’t win Manager of the Year.

He won in 1994 when the Yankees were leading the AL East when the players’ strike truncated the season, and in 2004 when his Texas Rangers won 89 games, 18 more than the previous year.

In 2012, Showalter lost out to Oakland’s Bob Melvin, who could be a contender this year. So could , in his first year with Detroit and Lloyd McLendon, especially if the capture the second wild card.

But, it can be argued that Showalter’s best work was done in 2012 when nothing was expected and this year when the team has done well despite losing Matt Wieters.

http://www.si.com/mlb/2014/08/07/baltimore-orioles-washington-nationals--broadcast- rights Report: Orioles win initial broadcast rights battle over Nationals By Dan Gartland / SI.com Thu Aug. 7, 2014

The Orioles won an initial battle in the fight over Nationals television broadcast rights on Thursday when a New York Supreme Court judge issued an injunction refusing a request to pull the Mid-Atlantic Sports Network's rights to broadcast Nationals games, according to The Washington Post.

The request was made by the Nationals and Major League Baseball.

The Nationals moved from Montreal to Washington, which had previously been designated Orioles territory, in 2005. Baltimore Orioles owner Peter Angelos agreed to give up territorial rights in exchange for the right to broadcast Nationals games on his network, MASN.

The Nationals currently own a 15 percent minority stake in the network, which will increase by one percent each year until it reaches 30 percent.

Washington is seeking an increase in rights fees payments from the Orioles and MASN. The Nationals received $29 million in 2012, but the organization is asking for between $100 million and $120 million.

An MLB arbitration panel previously ruled in Washington's favor, but the Orioles argued they "had a legal right to challenge a ruling they viewed as subjective," according to the Post.

http://www.pressboxonline.com/2014/08/08/could-caleb-josephs-success-for-orioles-make-matt- wieters-expendable Could Caleb Joseph's Success For Orioles Make Matt Wieters Expendable? By Paul Folkemer / PressBox.com

August 08, 2014

Move over, Adam Jones.

Step aside, Nick Markakis.

Right now, the hottest hitter in the Orioles' lineup is rookie catcher Caleb Joseph.

Joseph entered the Baltimore Orioles' history books Aug. 7 by hitting a home run during his fourth consecutive game, matching a franchise record for catchers held by Ramon Hernandez (2006) and Gus Triandos (1959). Joseph has a hit during nine of his last 11 games, dating back to July 22, and is 13-for-38 during that span (.342) with three doubles, four home runs and seven RBIs. That included a two-hit, three-RBI performance during the Birds' makeup game at the Washington Nationals Aug. 4, a 7- 3 O's win.

When Joseph hits, the Orioles generally succeed. The Birds are 12-1 this season when Joseph collects at least one RBI.

Joseph's hot bat helped the Birds take two out of three games from the second-place Blue Jays Aug. 5-7, extending the Orioles' American League East lead to five games against Toronto and New York. Joseph's fourth-inning homer was one of many O's hits during a 9-3 blowout win Aug. 5, but he was a one-man offense during the Aug. 7 rubber game. His two-run homer provided the Birds' only runs off Jays starter J.A. Happ, who otherwise had a dominant night, racking up a career-high 12 strikeouts in eight innings. The O's made the slim offense hold up with a 2-1 win.

After beginning his major league career 1-for-26, Joseph has settled in as a capable hitter, posting a .688 OPS through Aug. 7. That's just about in line with the average OPS of all AL catchers (.694).

And defensively, Joseph has carried his weight, throwing out 17 of 35 attempted base stealers (49 percent) and working well with Orioles pitchers. With Joseph behind the plate, the O's haven't suffered too much of a drop-off after Matt Wieters' season-ending surgery.

That brings up an interesting question. With Joseph's emergence, would the Orioles consider parting ways with Wieters before the 2015 season?

On the surface, the answer seems like an easy no. As good as Joseph has been, he's not in the same league (figuratively) as Wieters, a two-time Gold Glover and three-time All-Star. Wieters maintains an excellent defensive reputation, and although his offense hasn't been as productive as once hoped, his career .743 OPS is better than Joseph's current mark.

There's not much doubt that Wieters is the better player of the two. But Wieters is eligible for free agency after the 2015 season, and -- as a Scott Boras client -- he'll likely be more inclined to test the market rather than sign an extension with the Orioles at a hometown discount. As such, Wieters could command a contract that stretches beyond the Orioles' price range.

It's possible that the Birds could put out feelers on the trade market this coming winter to see whether any teams are willing to deal something of value for a year of Wieters' services. Depending on what the Orioles could receive in a return package, trading Wieters might be preferable to the risk of losing him for nothing after 2015.

But Wieters' trade value is likely at its lowest point, considering the elbow injury that wrecked his 2014 season. Though Wieters is expected to return in time to start the 2015 season, other teams may be skeptical about how his surgically repaired elbow will affect his overall game. Will he still be able to throw out runners? Will his hitting be affected? Until Wieters proves that he's back at full health with no lingering effects, he likely won't fetch much through a trade.

And although Joseph might be able to replace Wieters as an everyday catcher, he's no sure thing to be a productive everyday major leaguer. Joseph is on a hot streak at the moment, but is still an unproven commodity, having spent just more than three months in the major leagues. Additionally, Joseph is 28 years old -- one month younger than Wieters -- so his upside is limited. He doesn't project to be a much better player than he currently is.

Ultimately, the Orioles probably won't end up trading Wieters. Even though he has missed most of the season, Wieters is still a key part of the Orioles' nucleus and one of the Birds' most valuable players when healthy. The Birds' chances of winning in 2015 are better with Wieters than without him.

As it stands now, Orioles fans can expect Wieters to be the Birds' Opening Day catcher in 2015. But the capable Joseph will likely be his backup -- and could get his chance to be an everyday player in 2016 and beyond.