I really mean it.
I’m over it.
I understand how hurt everyone is by how wretched the Orioles have been on and off the field for what is not the 12th straight year.
But I’m over it.
I’ve replaced them.
I still LOVE the Orioles; but they’re just not important enough for me to pay attention to anymore. I can’t justify getting so involved with the Orioles when they aren’t important enough.
Hey, I love the Baltimore Blast too. And they actually are both A-a model franchise and B-constant winners.
But I couldn’t justify investing my entire sports fandom in the Blast either.
The Orioles are…..irrelevant. And they continue to prove that they don’t want to change. They’ll be hundreds of fans at Camden Yards next week, and they don’t care. They’re not concerned about getting more people there.
And you know what? I don’t care either.
I’m over it.
Baseball has been replaced for me. UFC Fights, U.S. Open Tennis, The NFL Draft, College Lacrosse, UEFA Champions League, The Gold Cup, World Cup Qualifying, Michael Phelps in Rome, The Triple Crown, the rare occasions when Tiger Woods makes golf semi-interesting, Training Camp, Fantasy Drafts, Spring Football, the Nathan’s 4th of July Hot Dog Contest, even a Kings of Leon concert at Merriweather Post Pavilion last night.
They’ve all replaced the emotion I used to invest in Baseball.
And it’s okay.
Will I be back if things change for the Orioles?
Sure.
But it won’t be the same.
To Drew, Bob, Nestor; and everyone else who still lives and dies over it; I’m sorry.
12 straight losing seasons is unacceptable. An organization that continues to embarrass itself by denying the chance to have hundreds, maybe THOUSANDS of extra fans at a September game against the Rays is unacceptable.
But emotionally, I’m checked out. I used to be angry.
But I’m over it.
Let’s see what everyone else has to say……
Best of Monday’s WNST Blogs:
Nestor Aparicio says Orioles won’t allow WNST listeners to “See The Birds”
Drew Forrester says ‘unprofessionalism’ continues from Orioles
Bob Haynie says “Birdland” is now 12 years of losing
Brian Billick says he’ll be hosting online show with FOX
Luke Jones says ‘sky is limit’ for ’09 Ravens
Thyrl Nelson doesn’t think Flacco, Rice, Mason particularly great fantasy plays in Week 1
Lawson Lambert thinks Navy’s Dobbs ‘star in the making’
ORIOLES:
The Official Site’s Maureen Mullen says Hernandez gave up 4 home runs in loss to Sox
The Official Site provides numerical evidence of loss
The Official Site’s Maureen Mullen says Jason Berken takes hill tonight at Fenway Park vs. Paul Byrd
The Official Site’s Maureen Mullen says Birds called up Bob McCrory, Chris Waters, Chris Lambert, Justin Turner, Guillermo Rodriguez from Norfolk
Red Sox Official Site’s John Barone says Pedroia homered twice in win over Birds
The Sun’s Jeff Zrebiec says with loss, O’s clinched 12th consecutive losing season
The Sun’s Jeff Zrebiec says Birds acquired reliever Sean Henn from Twins
The Sun’s Peter Schmuck says Henn previously pitched with Yankees, Padres
The Sun’s Peter Schmuck says Adam Jones placed on 15 day DL; Bergesen, Montanez transferred to 60 day DL
The AP says Pedroia had 2 of 6 homers for BoSox in win
Boston Globe’s Adam Kilgore says Clay Buchholz baffled Birds in win
Boston Herald’s Michael Silverman says Ortiz, Youkilis, Drew, Alex Gonzalez also homered in win
Providence Journal’s Kevin McNamara says Michael Bowden pitched final 2 innings to finish win for Sox
Worcester Telegram’s Bill Ballou says 37,647 at Fenway Park saw Sox top O’s
SI’s Tom Verducci says Brian Roberts has shot at 60 doubles
CBS Sports’ Larry Dobrow has Birds 27th in power rankings
ORIOLES MINOR LEAGUES:
Frederick News-Post’s Stan Goldberg impressed by Matt Angle, Zach Britton, Pedro Florimon, Eddie Gamboa, Tyler Henson, Caleb Joseph, Brian Matusz, Billy Rowell, Brandon Waring, Robbie Widlansky during Keys’ campaign
RAVENS:
The Official Site’s Mike Duffy says Ravens worked out former Giants WR David Tyree
The Official Site’s Mike Duffy says Cam Cameron’s offense could open up in the air
The Official Site’s Mike Duffy says Baltimore native Foxworth has more ticket requests than available tickets for Sunday’s game
The Official Site’s Mike Duffy says Mason hinting towards retirement at end of season
The Official Site’s Mike Duffy says Harbaugh took time to inspire Gilman team during win over Bear Creek (Colorado) at Unitas Stadium
The Official Site’s Mike Duffy says first John Harbaugh Show aired last night on MASN
The Official Site’s Ryan Mink says team introduced new live mascots Rise and Conquer
The Official Site says Harbaugh, Flacco, 52, Reed, Rice, Suggs all to speak to media today
Kansas City Chiefs Official Site’s Pete Moris says Todd Haley hoping to become first KC coach to win debut since Frank Gansz (’87)
The Sun’s Peter Schmuck says sports fans in Baltimore get ‘ego’ back with regular season opener for Ravens
The Sun’s Jamison Hensley and Mike Preston say Tyree passed physical while in town for visit
The Sun’s Edward Lee says Oher expects to be ‘great’
The Sun’s Mike Preston says Stover wished Hauschka, Ravens ‘nothing but the best’
The Sun’s Mike Preston doesn’t agree with Harbaugh’s assessment of Frank Walker
The Sun’s Kevin Van Valkenburg says Ravens remain ‘healthy’ economically despite recession
Carroll County Times’ Aaron Wilson says biggest health ‘question marks’ are LJ Smith, Marshal Yanda
Carroll County Times’ Aaron Wilson says Ravens have no ‘immediate’ plans to sign Tyree
3 of 8 USA Today analysts picked Ravens to win AFC North (4 of 8 picked Ravens to miss playoffs altogether, 1 of 8 picked Ravens to win Super Bowl)
USA Today has Ravens 6th in power rankings
USA Today’s Tom Pedulla says Ravens-Packers, Ravens-Steelers amongst best games of season
Sporting News’ Jeff D’Alessio says Reed named 7th best player in NFL by SN; Ray Lewis 11th, Suggs 45th, Ngata 92nd
CBS Sports’ Pete Prisco has Ravens 12th in power rankings
Pro Football Weekly has Ravens 10th in power rankings
ESPN.com has Ravens 10th in power rankings
ESPN.com’s James Walker thinks Oher ‘will be fine’ making first NFL start Sunday
ESPN.com’s James Walker says Ravens ‘on the cusp of being an elite team’
Fox Sports’ Adam Schein picks Ravens to win AFC North
Fox Sports’ Adam Schein thinks Ngata will be NFL Defensive Player of the Year
TERRAPINS FOOTBALL:
The Sun’s Jeff Barker says Terrell Skinner, Nolan Carroll held defensive players only meeting after blowout loss to Golden Bears
The Sun’s Jeff Barker says Don Brown defended defense, took responsibility for struggles in Berkeley
The Sun’s Jeff Barker says Ralph knows Terps weren’t ‘at best’ Saturday night
The Sun’s Jeff Barker says Ralph wouldn’t address Campbell’s injury
The Sun’s Jeff Barker says Ralph was pleased with Kenny Tate returning punts with Tony Logan out
The Sun’s Jeff Barker says Terps ‘concerned’ about swine flu
Carroll County Times’ Matt Zenitz says Terrell Skinner knows Terps can still compete for ACC Championship
The AP says Ralph wants players to ‘grow from’ blowout loss at Cal
Washington Post’s Eric Prisbell says Terps will be without Bruce Campbell when they face James Madison Saturday
Washington Post’s Eric Prisbell says Phil Costa confirmed Campbell out, Pinegar to LT, R.J. Dill to start at RT
Washington Post’s Josh Barr says future Terp Titus Till dealing with fractured shoulder blade
Washington Times’ Patrick Stevens says 41,000 tickets at Byrd Stadium sold for Saturday’s opener vs. Dukes
Washington Times’ Patrick Stevens offers photographic evidence of change from Chevy Chase Bank Field to Capital One Field at Byrd Stadium
Washington Times’ Patrick Stevens says Ralph will wait until Thursday to address Jamari McCullough’s ankle injury
Washington Times’ Patrick Stevens says Ralph doesn’t want to ‘panic’ about swine flu
Washington Times’ Patrick Stevens says Ralph expects Tony Logan to be ready to go against Madison
Washington Times’ Patrick Stevens says Terps won only previous meeting with JMU
Washington Times’ Patrick Stevens says James Franklin wouldn’t rule out Turner running option
Washington Examiner’s Rick Snider says losing to JMU could ‘cripple’ Terps’ season
Sporting News’ Matt Hayes has Terps 10th in ACC power rankings
ESPN.com’s Heather Dinich has Terps 10th in ACC power rankings
Terrapin Times’ Mike Ashley says Terps hope ‘jitters’ gone after California loss (must subscribe)
Terrapin Times’ Claire Knudsen profiles freshman OG Pete White (must subscribe)
Turtle Sports Report’s Matt Owings gives only praise from Cal loss to Nick Ferrara, Travis Baltz, Torrey Smith
TERRAPINS BASKETBALL:
Terrapin Times’ Dan Painter gauges Terps’ interest in prospect Tsafack (must subscribe)
TOWSON FOOTBALL:
The Official Site says Tigers to honor Towson community September 19 during home opener against Coastal Carolina
MORGAN FOOTBALL:
The Official Site previews Saturday’s opener at Akron
The Official Site offers complete Bears/Zips release (pdf)
LOYOLA BASKETBALL:
The Sun’s Matt Bracken says Patsos looking forward to what Shane Walker will bring to Hounds
HOPKINS LACROSSE:
Inside Lacrosse’s Geoff Shannon says Eddie Shuerr (Somers, NY) committed to Jays
NAVY FOOTBALL:
The Official Site says fans can vote for Dobbs for Davey O’Brien Award
Annapolis Capital’s Bill Wagner says Niumatalolo doesn’t want Midshipmen feeling too ‘hyped’ after loss to Ohio State
Annapolis Capital’s Bill Wagner says Buddy Green pleased with Blake Carter, Ross Pospisil specifically from loss to Buckeyes
Washington Post’s Camille Powell says Tyler Simmons playing key role spelling Pospisil, Tony Haberer
Go Mids’ Adam Nettina breaks down Navy/Louisiana Tech (must subscribe)
Go Mids updates seasons for Mids’ opponents
SALISBURY FOOTBALL:
The Official Site says Gulls’ Kowalick honored by ACFC
BALTIMORE MARINERS:
The Official Site says AIFA team bringing back QB Nemeth
SOME QUICK THOUGHTS:
-I’m not particularly excited about a possible David Tyree acquisition. He would be little more than a special teams contributor. I think his story is incredible, but I don’t think he’d offer much to the Ravens.
Talk to you tomorrow.
-G
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