Orioles Questionnaire
I'm an Oriole fan and always will be. If you are too than you have noticed the, for lack of a meaner term, (just yet) flux in our once proud organization.
From 1966 to 1997 no team won more games than the Baltimore Orioles.
We were prided with greats like Brooks, Frank, Earl, Cupcake, The Blade, Cuellar, Cal, Eddie, Jim Traber and until recently Raffy.
Now in case you haven't noticed - and judging by the attendance you haven't - our best player and heart of the team wants to leave and go with his gay lover Papi in Boston or to a "contender". I can understand this but it still wretches my soul. It also caused me to write this testimony of love and hate. I love Miguel Tejada - there I said it - I LOVE HIM - I LOVE YOU MIGGY!. If Baltimore were dumb enough to trade a player of his caliber for the likes of Manny Ramirez and Matt Clement I swear I may burn the warehouse down. But, if he's not happy you have to do something. I would hope that that thing would be to sign a front line pitcher or anyone to hit behind him.
Aye Papi!
We also have, what is now believed to be the worst owner in the last 30 years of baseball. Yes Mr. Angelos is worse then Steinbrenner and Lucifer himself. His resume' of blunder includes the signings of Albert Belle, Joe Carter, Andy VanSlyke, Chris Sabo, Glenn Davis, David Segui, Marty Cordova, Jesus, Joseph Stalin, Syd Motherfuckin Thrift, and Ray Miller (twice). Need we not forget that he also let go of Davey Johnson, Pat Gillick, John Miller, Miguel Tejada (whoops), Mike Mussina, David Wells, Kevin Brown, Curt Schilling, Steve Finley etc...
And you may say that it is the GM's that have signed these players or let them go. Ask a true Oriole fan or a staffer who makes the decisions coming out of that office and it will be none other than Mr. Angelos himself on every last little detail. Even Big George had sense enough to just write checks in the 90's. Anyway - we aren't the Yankees when it comes to deep pockets but we are a city with a loyal fan base, a beautiful stadium, a rich baseball heritage, and Old Bay.
So this is a mail I got today asking me what I thought of the upcoming year. After the worst year in Oriole history - here let me recap for you -
Raffy wore friggin ear plugs -
I had no idea what was in the INJENCTION I put in my ass.Sammy was awful -
The Collapse of a 1st place to a disgrace -
Firing Lee Mazzilli
Elly R.I.P. -
Anyway on to what most are predicting to be the most unheralded start to a year since Fred lynn turned 40 and still played Center Field. - who knows - I love my O's but that doesn't mean I have to like what they have become. I hope for the best, but like any Oriole fan over the last 8 years - I fear the worst.
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Are you happy with the current state of the Orioles?
No. About as happy as I would be if my hand got caught in a blender full of rubbing alcohol and the boogie man was working the buttons.
Do you think they’ll have a winning season in 2006?
No. The Vegas odds of a winning season are at 29-1.
What is the biggest problem you have with the O’s?
Lack of planning.
Our owner is a meglomaniac that should pass this team on before he becomes the most hated man in this city since Irsay.
Failure to take risks with unproven younger players with high reward/failure factors when team is going nowhere.
Failure to invest in solid front-line pitchers or corner power players to cover a decent middle of the lineup.
What are the O’s currently doing right?
They aren’t trading away quality prospects.
Hiring Leo Mazzone.
What is the one player you wish the O’s signed this offseason?
Kevin Millwood
Any of the Marlins
A bucket of balls for Luis Matos
Who do you think will have the best season in 2006?
DCab (powerful thrower and looks good in winter ball)
Jay Gibbons (contract year)
Who do you think will have the most disappointing season in 2006
Erik Bedard (looks like a prick and plays like a pussy - 2.5 months for a tender knee)
Brian Roberts (I like Brian - but he won't do that again.)
Who will be the biggest positive surprise this season?
Hayden Penn (He'll be bald at 25 but he'll be good at 25 too)
Nick Markakis (hear great things - can't wait to see him)
Chris Ray (guys like this benefit from Mazzone)
What is the strongest part of the team?
The vendors
The mascot
The fact that our coach doesn't look like a porn star.
What is the weakest part of the team?
Bullpen (Latroy Hawkins was on of our BIG signings)
outfield (Go ahead name the starting outfield uh huh - yeah worst in baseball)
What impact do you think Mazzone will have on the pitchers?
Good impact, although I still think the SP will have their ups and downs and growing pains as always.
