Tag Archives: joeyadams

Meeting the birds: The 2013 Orioles starting rotation preview

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Feb. 11 is just five days away. The first notable date for baseball fans and players alike, the day pitchers and catchers report to Spring Training.

Manager Buck Showalter will have plenty of choices when it comes time to create a starting rotation for the Baltimore Orioles. Aside from possibly Jair Jurrjens, the O’s starting staff will be full of familiar faces from last season.

The 2013 starting rotation for the O's hope to stay healthy as opposed to the 2012 rotation. (Baltimore Sun photo by Karl Merton Ferron)

The 2013 starting rotation for the O’s hope to stay healthy as opposed to the 2012 rotation. (Baltimore Sun photo by Karl Merton Ferron)

In 2012, the Orioles had eight different pitchers start more than 10 games. Showalter would probably prefer a healthier 2013 season for his rotation.

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Who’s on…. second?

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The famous Abbott and Costello skit “Who’s on First” declares a guy named “Who” is on first and a guy named “What” is on second. But for the 2013 Baltimore Orioles, it’s not a question of what being on second but who? Are you following along?… Good!

Let’s begin then.

Four years ago in 2009 the answer to the question “who plays second for the Orioles?” was an easy one, Brian Roberts. Between 2003 and 2009 Roberts’ name might as well have been printed on Oriole lineup cards leading off and playing second base. However since the end of the 2009 season, Roberts has been plagued by injuries (perhaps the most absurd being his self-inflicted concussion) and has played in just 115 games for the O’s.

Roberts has hit at least 50 doubles in three seasons as an Oriole. (AP Photo)

Manager Buck Showalter will have a few options to fill the hole at second base. Roberts, now 35-years-old, is expected to be completely healthy for the start of spring training. However this past offseason the Orioles claimed Alexi Casilla off waivers from the Minnesota Twins and Ryan Flaherty, who started 20 games at second for the birds in 2012, is also on the roster.

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Bird songs: “The Earl of Baltimore” by Terry Cashman

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Terry Cashman, a songwriter and lead singer of The Chevrons in the late 1950’s and early 60’s, as well as one of the producers of the famous Jim Croce, is famous for his songs about baseball. His most famous piece is “Talkin’ Baseball (Willie, Mickey and the Duke).” However Cashman also recorded songs about specific teams and players, including the late Earl Weaver.

Weaver led the O’s to more wins than any other Orioles manager since the team moved to Baltimore in 1954. (Focus on Sport/Getty Images)

Weaver became the manager of the Orioles in 1968. In the next three seasons as Baltimore’s skipper, he led the O’s to three consecutive World Series, four total with one victory in 1970.

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