Boo fricking hoo

Today

Today was the Hall of Fame inductions at Cooperstown of Tony Gwynn and Cal Ripken, Jr. Unlike my friend Chad and his wife Jen, I was stuck at home watching the festivities...which, I dare say reduced me to some misty eyed moments while Cal was giving his speech. I've been an O's fan for a long time and to see today's induction was just magical. Yeah, I said it, magical.

Out of all of the op-ed's written over the last week about Cal and his contribution to baseball, this one by Raymond Daniel Burke hits the nail on the head.

Thanks Cal, for all you've done for the O's, Baltimore and Baseball.

Because acting like an idiot is the way to go

"O.k. girls, who's buying drinks. Where are we going?"

My friend Abbey and I were fighting the crowd outside of Camden Yards. The O's had just lost, again, and I was in no mood to deal with the drunk fools we wound up walking next to.

"Come on ladies, he said the line, now one of you needs to do the deed. Who's going to f*ck him?"

I just threw him a side glare out of the corner out of my eye. Abbey just raised her eyebrows, "Do you want to take this one or should I?"

"No, I've got it."

The guys were still walking next to us, making rude propositions. I turned to the closest one looked him dead in the eyes and said, "Look, there isn't enough Jameson's, Jose or Jack Daniels on the face of this earth to get me drunk enough to sleep with you. Besides that, I don't do pity caes."

That shut them up...until they saw a new target.




It was floppy hat night last night, I never miss it! This was taken around the second inning...when the birds were down 5-1, hence the lack of a smile.

Just enough to make me laugh so hard I cried

This.

Oh.My.God. I never laughed so hard before my first cup of coffee before in my life. It truly makes my Oriole's loving heart a little happier to see both the Sox and the Yankees reaching for the panic button at this point in the season.

Then again, when you're an O's fan, you don't need to reach for the panic button because you know that after the All-Star Break, your team will suddenly forget how to play baseball and blow it all anyway.

I'm off to Charm City this weekend to cross my fingers and pray at the alter of Camden tonight then partake in Hon Fest tomorrow.

While I'm at it I might as well just sit down at a table full of steamed crabs with a tin of Old Bay by my side. And beer. Lots of beer.

This and That

Because 1) my computer at home is totally FRIED and 2) my boss keeps walking behind my desk peaking over my shoulder, today's post is going to be short and to the point. Not unlike myself.

- The Red Sux roll into Camden Yards today for the first of a two game series (what the hell is up with the two game series this year?!). Room mate #1 and his sister are going as I have a previous engagement and had to give up my opportunity to revel in the fact that The Birds are actually #2 for now.

- Speaking of the Red Sux and their intrepid pitcher who will be on the mound tonight. Did he or didn't he fake it during the 2004 playoff series with the Spank Me's? Only his stylist knows.

- The talk about Barry Bonds beating Hank Aaron's homerun record is heating up now that he's inching closer. It's been rumored here and there that Aaron refuses to be there when it happens in protest of the whole steroid thing. I personally am conflicted. Yeah, he used a banned substance but you have to give the guy credit for perseverance.

- Green with jealousy over my friend Chad's planned Induction Weekend Trip in July. I soooo wish I could be there to see the Iron Man (and Tony Gwynn for that matter) join the greats in those hallowed halls.

Dear Yankees,

You're in last place. Boo-freaking-hoo. Is it possible that this season, you are unable to buy your way into the playoffs. Could this be the season that sees you all sitting at home in October, drowning your sorrows in overpriced cocktails on the Upper East Side?

As a continuously suffering Orioles fan (23 years and counting since the last World Series and 10 years since the last playoffs season) I find solace in the fact that you are viewing the world from where we usually are. The bottom of the pile.

So save your tears. We don't want to hear about it. When your busloads of fans come to Camden Yards and start boo-hooing all over the place about the state of things in the Evil Empire I will laugh. Oh yes, I will let out a hearty laugh and reply simply "Taste our pain."

Sincerely,
The AG

The Thrilla' near the Dela'

Apparently some managers think that losing your temper will motivate your team to actually start winning. Sure it worked in Detroit but seriously, challanging a radio host to a Battle Royale? I know it's Philly and all but please, a little restraint.

Sure, the Phillies aren't exactly doing that well this year (3-9 after they were pounded by the Mets last night) and yeah, yeah, yeah supposed to be at the top, contenders for the pennant. Blah, blah, blah. Charlie Manuel is out of his gourd if he thinks punching a radio host will do the trick. Then again...nah. He needs to look a little more closely to find the cause of the Phil's early downswing. They tend to act like the O's in my opinion. They get on a hot streak then bam, it's almost like they don't remember how to play baseball.

If throwing a right hook was all it took to get a team winning again, I'd like to nominate Peter Angelos to take the hits for the Birds, thankyouverymuch. And I know I wouldn't be the only one.

Spring has sprung and new things are popping up all over the place

A few posts ago, I alluded to big changes occurring sometime soon. Well, I guess I can spill the beans since both changes are official now.

The first, and in my mind most important is that I am leaving the restaurant industry! A few weeks ago at the beginning of March I went to a job fair for game-day employees being held by our new local semi-pro baseball team. It was more of a cattle call situation in that we were all sent into a gymnasium where the team had set up about 12-15 tables. When it was your turn, you went to a table, sat down and had a short 5-10 minute interview with whatever poor soul happened to be there (front office people ranging from media relations to one of the secretaries). We were told we'd hear from them in about 2-4 weeks. The guy I interviewed with pretty much hired me on the spot...but I still had to wait and as many of you know, I am not exactly the most patient person. My call came Thursday. I am now a "fan concierge" (their term) for the first season, which basically boils down to guest services or customer service. Yeah, yeah, customer service sucks but it's free baseball games and hot baseball players all.summer.long. What more could a girl want?

The other news is that I am now an official Notary Public of the Commonwealth of Pennsyltucky. Not nearly as exciting as the baseball thing, but good for both my resume and job prospects. That and I get a cool stamp to play with.

Baseball season started yesterday. So much for hope springing eternal on opening day.

Magic, magic Oriole's Magic...

It's the end of March, less than two weeks until April and this girl's fancy is definitely turning to thoughts of one thing.

Baseball.

My beloved Birds are looking pretty good in the pre-season (even with Chris Benson out for the start and Cabrerra questionable) making good use of some of their off season acquisitions. Not sure who lit the fire under Angelos' butt, but someone finally convinced him to go out and spend a little money this winter for some better pitching and stronger bats.

The best part is the idea that just maybe, this year, The O's might make it to the playoffs. Heck, I'd be happy to see them post a .500 record. It's the excitement of the possibility that this could be there year that makes me all excited. That and the view from behind.

Room mate #1 left today for a three week trip to Asia (stopping in China, Japan and South Korea) so by default, I took posession of the season tickets for opening day. Only 6 days, 8 hours and 4 minutes until I'm out of work for the day, catching sight of my darling B-Rob and ringing in the 2007 season with Work Friend A and Abbey.

Doesn't get much better than that.

PS: Despite my intense hatred for all things Yankee or Red Sox, I've started reading this blog which amuses me to no end. Hey boys, let someone else win for once. Jeez.