Happy Friday!
It’s a Happy Friday for me because despite the fact that I have to go to the cesspool that is Washington DC to do it, but I AM going to see Dave Matthews Band tonight.
With DMB taking off next summer, I’m planning on it being 24 months until I can see them again. I no longer consider myself to be some sort of obsessed Dave Matthews fan, but I HAVE seen them just about 50 times in my life. So as far as tonight’s show at Nationals Park is concerned, I’d like to request a few tunes for the band to play before they take this hiatus. I’ll limit it to three requests.
First, “Louisiana Bayou” would be great even without Robert Randolph…
[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=idkddlChfRE[/youtube]
Second, “Seven” was the best song on Big Whiskey & The GrooGrux King. I’ve yet to see them play it, as Barry Aparicio and I wandered in about 3 songs late to Camden, New Jersey last September…
[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6HvR9duHljg[/youtube]
And it’s a long shot; but if there’s ANY chance of it happening; I’d absolutely LOVE to hear “So Right” tonight…
[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fgoCo3VPJLQ[/youtube]
Let’s see what everyone has to say…
1. The AP’s David Ginsburg says Carl Pavano shut down Orioles as Twins cruised to 5-0 win at Oriole Park at Camden Yards
I’ll get to the ejections.
In the meantime, Kevin Millwood was once again terrible in the first inning, the Orioles offense did NOTHING (including an 0-8 from Felix Pie and Miguel Tejada at the top of the lineup) and there was little or no effort at any point during the game.
Carl Pavano would probably run away with the Cy Young Award if he got a few more games against the Orioles this year.
Ugh.
The sad part is that I looked at the Twinkies’ lineup before the game (without Justin Morneau obviously) and thought to myself, “this is a totally beatable team. They just benefit from playing in the AL Central.”
The flip side that we don’t want to really admit is that the Orioles COULDN’T take advantage of the AL Central. They’d be in last place there too.
You know what I haven’t mentioned in awhile? It really sucks to be an Orioles fan these days.
2. The AP/WNST.net offer numerical evidence of loss
Jake Fox had a double. So did Cesar Izturis.
And that’s about that.
Look, we all know what I’m going to do here. You don’t want to look at this. Instead, I offer this photo of Jillian Beyor from NextRound.net. This will be a much more pleasurable experience for you…
3. Carroll County Times’ Josh Land says Ty Wigginton, Juan Samuel, Rick Kranitz all ejected in Birds’ loss
And with that in mind, I’d like to congratulate Rick Kranitz on his first ever “Apologist of the Morning” award, as selected by “The Great Arbitrator” Drew Forrester…kinda.
“Yeah you know I shouldn’t have done that. It wasn’t the right thing to do, but you know, you get frustrated. Especially when Kevin’s been on the mound, crazy things have happened when he pitched. And he was on a pretty good roll on the time, it was reaction, shouldn’t have happened.”
“Crazy things have happened” when Kevin Millwood has pitched, huh? Crazy things like the dude not being able to get anyone out in the first inning?!?!?
The fact is-Gary Darling DID get the call wrong at first base. BUT-there was absolutely no reason for Ty Wigginton (and then Juan Samuel) to lose their minds the way they did, other than the fact that they both play for the Orioles-which is the type of slow torture I wouldn’t wish on much of anyone.
If you haven’t seen the video yet-here it is courtesy of MASN and DailyMotion…
[dailymotion]http://www.dailymotion.com/video/xe4g9x_samuel-kranitz-and-wigginton-ejecte_sport[/dailymotion]
4. MLB.com’s Brittany Ghiroli says Brian Roberts ‘likely to return’ to O’s lineup this weekend
B-Rob, we love you and trust me when I say we’ve missed you.
That being said-are you sure this is a good idea?
I mean, there are PLENTY of other things you could be doing with your time this summer. You could go to Pier Six Pavilion tomorrow night like I am (with my parents) and check out the Beach Boys, or you could even go to the movies. I mean, “Ramona and Beezus” opens this weekend. How could you miss that?!?!?
The point is-nothing good is happening here. There’s just no reason for you to be in a rush to get back to this mess. If today you decided that you wanted to go to Dewey Beach instead of Charm City; no one would be resentful towards your decision.
As far as who would be sent down if Brian were to be called up today? I’ll say Matt Albers or Scott Moore. Make sure you’re signed up for the WNST Text Service, as we’ll send out the info as soon as it’s available.
5. The Sun’s Dean Jones Jr. says Nolan Reimold had big night, Zach Britton struggled for Norfolk Tides on farm
Before we move on from the Orioles, a few things…
-Game 2 of the 4 game set between the Birds and the Minnesota Twins is tonight at OPACY. First pitch between Brian Duensing (who replaces Nick Blackburn) and Jeremy Guthrie is at 7:05pm; and the game can be seen on MASN. I’ll take the Twins-mostly because they’re playing the Orioles. The other pitching matchups this weekend are Scott Baker vs. Brian Matusz tomorrow and Kevin Slowey vs. Jake Arrieta Sunday.
-Did you miss Twins color analyst Bert Blyleven on “The Morning Reaction” today on AM1570 WNST? Yes, we invited him on DESPITE the fact that he was on the 1979 Pittsburgh Pirates team. You can hear it in the BuyAToyota.com Audio Vault here at WNST.net. Other guests this morning were Bowie Baysox SS Greg Miclat and NBCSports.com “HardballTalk” MLB writer Craig Calcaterra. Both are in the Audio Vault as well.
-Juan Samuel is still the manager. Buck Showalter is still unemployed. Just in case you were wondering.
-Does anyone want to man up and admit that this was you? It’s fine by me. Actually an impressive time! (Thanks Busted Coverage!)
[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ffWxVvHLwXM[/youtube]
6. National Football Post’s Aaron Wilson says Ravens CB Cary Williams suspended two games for violating personal conduct policy
Given the fact that the Ravens acquired Walt Harris and Travis Fisher this offseason and Prince Miller is going to compete as an undrafted free agent; it seemed unlikely that Cary Williams would end up making the roster anyway.
He’ll still have the chance to make it, and the organization says they were aware this was an issue before they even signed Williams; so it shouldn’t make much of a difference as far as his chances of making the roster are concerned.
If the Ravens do end up letting Williams go-I’d really like for them to consider Mafalda Teixeira. Mafalda appeared on the cover of GQ in some sort of foreign country, and is proof that you don’t need to hate everyone with the last name Teixeira (Thanks Brosome!)…
7. BaltimoreRavens.com’s Ryan Mink says John Harbaugh standing by Ed Reed
Established.
Me personally, I’m over all of the Ed Reed stuff. I saw the WBAL interview with him saying that the team wouldn’t give him game film to watch. I was unmoved. I don’t know what to make of ANYTHING Ed Reed says.
I wouldn’t be surprised if halfway through Training Camp, Ed just said “you know what…I can’t do it anymore.”
I’m just done with “Ed Reed week” at this point. He’s a goofy dude. I was surprised when he told us 3 weeks ago today that he wanted a new contract; but I let it go after I realized the team wasn’t going to give him a deal. All of the other interviews he’s done since then have just been…well…maybe even goofier.
8. BaltimoreMariners.com’s John Wolfe says Lenny Moore will serve as honorary captain for Sunday’s AIFA Championship Bowl
Don’t forget-the game is Sunday at 4pm at 1st Mariner Arena. Tickets are available via Ticketmaster. It’s going to be a great time, and I can’t recommend you head out and root the Mariners on to what would be the 1st indoor football title in Baltimore history.
And again-what else would you be doing this weekend? Watching the Orioles? I didn’t think so…
9. San Antonio Express-News’ Jeff McDonald says former Towson guard Gary Neal signed with Spurs
This is just absolutely awesome. A Harford County kid (Aberdeen to be exact) who as far as I know does NOT root for the Steelers who put in tough years with the Tigers and then on forward to Europe now gets the chance to play in the NBA with what appears to be a guaranteed three year deal. As Gary himself said on Facebook yesterday…
“Today was one of the best days of my life…”
That’s awesome. And hey, you can “like” WNST.net on Facebook or “friend” myself (just search “Glenn Clark”). I’m not quite as cool as Gary Neal, but I DO know soon-to-be TV celebrity and celebrated Perry Hall Gators alum Daniela Pane…
(Edit from GMC: She’s on the left. Like it matters…)
10. D1scourse’s Patrick Stevens says RB Caleb Porzel will transfer from Maryland due to academic issues
And if you’ve been listening to the “D1scast” weekly (why WOULDN’T you be?), you would know that Patrick has said on multiple occasions that it was very possible Porzel wouldn’t be part of this team this season. Turns out he won’t be part of the team AT ALL moving forward.
The frustrating part here (as I said last night on Twitter-follow us @WNST) is that Porzel (Good Counsel) is CLEARLY talented. He was never going to be an every down RB in the ACC; but he had the potential to be a guy that could make an impact in multiple ways…on the ground, catching the ball out of the backfield, and in the return game.
Ralph Friedgen’s Terrapins didn’t need bad news this season. There’s really no other way to say that…
And finally, I leave you with this.
As I mentioned-I’ll be headed to Pier Six tomorrow night with the great Tom Clark and Karen Clark to see the Beach Boys-and will be equally excited for “Kokomo”, “Wouldn’t It Be Nice” and “Be True to Your School.” I’ll be MORE excited for John Stamos-who will be sitting in with the Beach Boys this weekend.
Why will I be MORE excited? Are you kidding? Full House? Jesse and the Rippers?!?!?
[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MD6v3QyFuxU[/youtube]
Flexing my mic muscles since 1983…
-G
