Listen in on WNST today at 2:30 PM

I'll be joining Nestor Aparicio on Limited Access on AM 1570 WNST and WNST.net this afternoon at 2:30 PM. Be sure to listen in!

I'm WNST's King of Baltimore Sportstalk!

It's truly been an exhilarating week! On Wednesday night at Padonia Station, I had the opportunity to interview former Ravens head coach Brian Billick, former Baltimore sportscaster John Buren, and WNST's Drew Forrester in WNST's King of Baltimore Sportstalk Finals. It was a great time talking sports in front of a live audience.

At the end of the night, I was crowned the King of Baltimore Sportstalk! The other six competitors did outstanding work, and I truly enjoyed meeting them. It's exciting to know there are others out there just as passionate as me about Baltimore sports. It's such a passionate city filled with knowledgeable and proud fans.

I would just like to thank everyone who have shown their support by reading my blogs and listening to my radio spots. Your kind words and encouragement continue to mean so much to me!

As for the future, I hope to do more work with WNST and WNST.net, but we'll see what happens. It's truly a great sports media company that really knows the pulse of this great city.

Here is a link to my "acceptance speech" blog:

http://wnst.net/wordpress/lukejones/2009/05/28/wish-you-were-here/

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wk0qO6vReIY&feature=related

http://wnst.net/wordpress/nestoraparicio/2009/05/27/luke-jones-is-crowned-the-coors-light-king-of-baltimore-sportstalk-winner/

Update on WNST's King of Baltimore Sportstalk Competition

I thought I'd take a moment to post an update on my status in WNST's King of Baltimore Sportstalk Competition. I have advanced to the final round, taking place next Wednesday, May 27 at Padonia Station at 7 P.M. If you're in the area, I invite you to come out and cheer me on. There are six other finalists, and it figures to be a fun night of local sportstalk.

Remember to read and comment on my WNST.net blog. It can be found at wnst.net/wordpress/lukejones

Thanks for your continued support!

Why the Orioles bullpen held a closed-door meeting

From the home office in Glen Rock, Pa., I bring to you the Top 10 Reasons Why the Orioles Bullpen Held a Closed-Door Meeting on Monday Afternoon.

10. They’re still trying to figure out just how high Radhames Liz’s ERA was in his last stint with the club.

9. “I know we’ve asked you before, but is it pronounced ‘Danny’ or ‘Dan-eez?’”

8. They figured since they can’t manage to close the door late in the game, they might as well try to do it in the clubhouse.

Read the rest and comment here.

Join me on AM 1570 WNST on Friday afternoon!

I'll be in the WNST studio on Friday afternoon at 4:20 to discuss what's happening in the world of Baltimore sports. With the Ravens starting their mandatory minicamp on Friday, it figures to be a hot topic on Friday afternoon.

I'd like to know what you think the biggest story will be heading into training camp at McDaniel College on July 27. Are you most interested in seeing the progression of Joe Flacco from his rookie season to year two? What about the effect new defensive coordinator Greg Mattison will have on the Ravens defense after the departure of Rex Ryan? Or, are you anxious to see who emerges as the replacement for Bart Scott in the Ravens linebacker corps?

There should be plenty to talk about as we get our first tease of football this weekend! You can listen in the Baltimore area by tuning into AM 1570 WNST or listen online at WNST.net. I'll be taking phone calls at 410-481-1570. Start your weekend the right way with Luke Jones on WNST!

Update on WNST's King of Baltimore Sportstalk Competition

For those of you wondering, I have qualified for the second round in WNST's King of Baltimore Sportstalk Competition. I continue to blog at WNST.net and will make an appearance on AM 1570 WNST next Friday, May 8 at 4:20 PM. You can also listen online at WNST.net.

Please continue to check out my blog here and post your comments.

Recently, I've been blogging about the Ravens' draft, the Orioles' woes, and my other thoughts regarding the sports world. Thank you to those who have checked out the blog and tuned in to my audition on the radio. I thank you for your continued support!

Several Dominoes Must Fall for Boldin to Fly to Baltimore

Originally published at WNST.net

In the months leading to the NFL Draft, talk has persisted over the Ravens’ need to select a receiver in the first round. But now with the draft only a week away, could Pro Bowl wide receiver Anquan Boldin be heading to Baltimore?

The Arizona Cardinals have officially placed Boldin on the trading block, and the Ravens are interested in the 28-year-old wideout according to numerous media outlets.

Boldin would certainly be the playmaker the Ravens’ offense needs, but there are several barriers to overcome before the three-time Pro Bowl selection can begin reining in passes from quarterback Joe Flacco.

The Cardinals are reportedly seeking a first- and third-round pick, a likely sticking point for the Ravens who have only six picks in the draft. General manager Ozzie Newsome has not traded out of the first round since 2003 when the Ravens traded their 2004 first-round pick to the New England Patriots in order to select quarterback Kyle Boller.

The fact that the Ravens are even discussing the possibility of trading picks for Boldin suggests a lack of enthusiasm for the group of receivers that could be available with the 26th overall pick. Maryland’s Darrius Heyward-Bey, Rutgers’ Kenny Britt, and North Carolina’s Hakeem Nicks have been mentioned as potential first-round choices, but all have weaknesses and would likely struggle to make an impact in their rookie season.

Director of player personnel Eric DeCosta mentioned earlier in the week that more failed picks have come at the wide receiver position than any other between picks 24 through 32.

And despite Newsome’s immense success on draft day, wide receiver is not a position on which the Ravens typically hit a home run. Past early-round picks include Patrick Johnson, Travis Taylor, Devard Darling, Mark Clayton, and Yamon Figurs–not exactly a group that strikes fear in a secondary’s heart.

If the Ravens are truly serious about getting better at the wide receiver position immediately, Boldin is a far better option than anyone in the draft, including top-rated receiver Michael Crabtree from Texas Tech. While a young receiver could become a threat in the future, none would transform the Ravens into a legitimate Super Bowl contender like Boldin.

Even the asking price of a first- and third-round pick is not a steep one when solely considering the value of the picks. Using the NFL draft-pick value chart, a point system used by general managers to consider potential trades, the Ravens’ first-round pick (26th overall) is worth 700 points and the third-round pick (88th overall) is worth 150 for a total of 850 points. This is roughly equivalent to the 20th overall pick.

The chart is only used as a tool for evaluating potential trades, but the surrendered picks would be worth no more than the value of a mid-first-round pick. In return, the Ravens would receive one of the best receivers in the NFL. Despite the possibility of only having four remaining picks, the decision is a no-brainer from this standpoint.

And remember, the Cardinals are asking for a first- and third-round pick; that doesn’t mean they will get them.

The bigger issue working against a potential deal is obviously the money. Boldin wants out of Arizona, because he wants a new, lucrative contract to replace the current one with two years remaining. Any team acquiring the wideout would unquestionably have to sign him to a new deal with a huge signing bonus, a proposition far more costly than signing the draft picks that would be surrendered.

The reality is the Ravens have very little salary-cap room. Even the possibility of restructuring existing deals and releasing one or two average veterans would not clear enough room to sign Boldin.

The only way the trade happens would be the signing of Terrell Suggs to a long-term deal, something Newsome has been unable to do after designating the linebacker with the franchise tag for the second straight season. Suggs’ 2009 salary is $10.2 million, eating up a large chunk of cap room.

Signing Suggs to a long-term extension would create several million dollars of cap room, leaving the flexibility to complete a Boldin deal.

Suggs discussed the possibility of providing a hometown discount to re-sign linebackers Ray Lewis and Bart Scott earlier in the offseason. It would be interesting to see if he would be more flexible in signing a deal, if it meant the Ravens could add an elite receiver to the offense.

Even if Suggs agrees to an extension, Newsome will have to assess whether Boldin’s production is worth the much larger financial commitment than the modest investments that would go into the draft selections.

Considering any deal for Boldin would involve an expensive contract, Arizona may not find a team willing to trade the draft picks they desire. It’s possible the Ravens could offer a first-round pick and a conditional 2010 selection, perhaps a third- or fourth-rounder, to get the deal done.

It’s always a risk trading early draft picks for a veteran player, but Boldin is the receiving threat that could push Flacco to become an elite quarterback in the NFL. The combination of Boldin and Derrick Mason would become one of the best receiving duos in the league. It would also allow Mark Clayton or Demetrius Williams to compete against the third or fourth defensive back on the field, creating favorable matchups in Cam Cameron’s offense.

But what about critics suggesting Boldin cannot put up the big numbers without fellow receiver Larry Fitzgerald in the same offense?

Boldin caught 101 passes for 1,377 yards and eight touchdowns in his rookie season in 2003 while Fitzgerald was making acrobatic catches–at the University of Pittsburgh.

I’d say he’s an elite receiver.

The need for an improved offense is more apparent when considering the age of the defense. Mainstays such as Lewis and Trevor Pryce are in the twilight of their careers (both will be 34 at the start of the season) and cannot be expected to play at the same level that they have over the past few seasons. Even the dynamic Ed Reed will be 31 in September and has an impingement in his neck and shoulder that could potentially shorten his career.

The defense can still play at a championship level, but for how long? The window for the veterans on the team is small, so Boldin could be viewed as the missing piece for a trip to the Super Bowl. Keep in mind, this team was a fourth-quarter touchdown drive away from advancing to the Super Bowl last January.

Boldin could be the difference in simply being a playoff contender in 2009 versus becoming a legitimate Super Bowl contender right there with Pittsburgh, Indianapolis, and New England.

They’re close. Trading for Boldin is certainly a risk, both financially and to future player development by surrendering draft picks, but it just might be enough to get the Ravens to the Super Bowl.

With great risk, comes great reward.

Trading for Boldin is a chance worth taking to seize the Lombardi Trophy next February.

Please support Luke Jones in his quest to become AM 1570 WNST's King of Baltimore Sportstalk. You can read his work, comment, and vote at WNST.net.

WNST King of Baltimore Sportstalk Competition

I have recently been chosen as a contestant in AM 1570 WNST’s King of Baltimore Sportstalk Competition to see if I can fulfill a dream of blogging and doing radio for a living. I'd like to personally invite you to take a look at my new blog at WNST.net. The link can be found here.

www.wnst.net/wordpress/lukejones

Please read and comment (as always, agree or disagree as much as you want!) on my work. The competition will also include a voting element that will begin in the near future. My goal is to bring you the same analysis and focus on sports (with a Baltimore-based focus) that I have tried to do since starting my blog in August 2008.

Thank you so much for your support!

Koji Uehara Makes Orioles History Tonight

Orioles fans will get their first look at Japanese pitcher Koji Uehara as he faces the New York Yankees tonight at Camden Yards.

Uehara was an eight-time All-Star and won two Sawamura Awards (the Cy Young Award of Japanese baseball) playing for the Yomiuri Giants of the Central League.

The 34-year-old right-hander is the first Japanese player to play for the Orioles despite the arrival of numerous Japanese major leaguers in the last decade. The Orioles hope Uehara's performance will lead to an increased presence in Japanese scouting after years of inactivity in the Pacific Rim.

It will be interesting to see how well Uehara adapts to the major leagues, as the Yankees will provide as formidable of a lineup as any he will face in the American League in 2009.

WNST Radio Appearance on Friday

I wanted to spread the word that I'll be a guest on WNST AM 1570 on Friday afternoon from 3-4 with Nestor Aparicio. If you're not in the greater Baltimore area, you can listen online at WNST.net. I'm looking forward to discussing Baltimore sports with a Baltimore radio legend, so check it out!

Nine Orioles Innings (Week of March 30)

During the 2009 season, Luke Jones will present Nine Orioles Innings every Monday, sharing his thoughts on what’s happening with the Baltimore Orioles. It will feature a mix of serious analysis and the lighter side of Orioles baseball.

1. It’s hard to believe it was only two years ago that Jeremy Guthrie was an unknown heading to Baltimore on Opening Day 2007 as a long man in the Orioles bullpen. The Opening Day starter now represents the only safe bet in a rotation that is still deciding on the three starters to fill the back end.

The pitching staff will need Guthrie to remain healthy after making trips to the disabled list in each of his first two seasons with the Orioles. The rotation will be extremely thin as is, so the loss of Guthrie could cause a massive implosion.

The organization hopes that Guthrie’s terrific work ethic will influence the many young pitching prospects expected to arrive in Baltimore over the next two years. He may not be a true ace, but Guthrie could provide a calming influence on young pitchers that will undoubtedly experience some growing pains in their first months in the big leagues.

2. Felix Pie has struggled adjusting to his new surroundings this spring, hitting only .216 (through Sunday) and posting a .595 OPS.

With the strong spring performances from Nolan Reimold and Lou Montanez, many are calling for the Pie experiment to end before the team even heads north to Baltimore. The choice is simple when you consider Pie is out of options while Reimold and Montanez can start the season at Triple-A Norfolk.

Are Pie’s critics the same ones that were calling for Nick Markakis to be sent back to the minors when he was hitting around .220 in June of his rookie season in 2006?

While no one expects Pie to become the offensive threat that Markakis is, the young outfielder needs at bats in the big leagues after receiving only 260 at bats in two seasons with the Cubs. The former number-one prospect needs a legitimate chance to play in the majors.

If Pie is still struggling in July and Reimold or Montanez is tearing it up in Triple-A, this questions will be revisited, but for the time being, Pie should be sent out to left field to play everyday.

3. The November unveiling of the new road uniforms displaying “Baltimore” on the front was a far overdue move by the organization to restore some civic pride. The city name will appear on the road uniforms for the first time since 1972.

To take full advantage of the occasion, the Orioles should buck tradition and wear the new road uniforms on Opening Day despite it being a home game.

With the large number of Yankees fans expected to attend, detractors will argue it’s a road game for the Orioles anyway. Why not debut the new gray threads at home?

4. Andy MacPhail’s decision to send Matt Wieters to Triple-A to delay the start of his service time is well-documented and makes sense from a financial standpoint, especially when remembering Scott Boras represents the 22-year-old catcher.

However, should the team decide to keep Wieters in Norfolk until June when he would lose eligibility for Super-2 status, many will view the move as another penny-pinching maneuver.

Though delaying Wieters’ promotion would eliminate a year of arbitration, possibly saving millions, it would harm his ability to win Rookie of the Year as well as simply impede the growth of the catching prospect.

Mimicking Tampa Bay’s approach with Evan Longoria by waiting until the middle of April to promote Wieters is financially prudent; waiting until June is just being cheap.

5. Corner infielders Aubrey Huff and Melvin Mora are both free agents after the season and were the top run producers on the club last year, driving in 212 runs combined.

With no viable prospects at first or third base ready for the big leagues, MacPhail will have to consider bringing back at least one of the two veterans.

Newly-signed infielder Ty Wigginton would be a fine one-year stopgap at either first or third, but the team would have to look to acquire another corner infielder.

The team does hold an $8million club option for Mora, but Huff is five years younger.

Both players are likely to be shopped at the trading deadline in late-July, but look for the club to explore short-term extensions for both players as MacPhail searches for younger answers at each corner.

6. Japanese newcomer Koji Uehara will hold the second spot in the starting rotation, but the Orioles hope he means much more to the future of the organization.

A successful season for the veteran would potentially open the door for other talent from Japan and the Far East to consider the Orioles for their American destination.

Watching Japan win its second World Baseball Classic made it apparent that many more Japanese players have the ability to succeed in Major League Baseball, so the Orioles need to continue to increase their scouting presence in the Far East.

Uehara finding success in Baltimore would not only improve the team’s prospects in 2009 but could lead to more Japanese talent landing with the Orioles in the future.

7. It’s difficult to believe the Orioles are even considering Adam Eaton for the starting rotation. Even putting his spring numbers aside (6.75 ERA), the right-hander was hammered in Philadelphia the last two seasons, posting a 5.80 ERA in 2008 and a 6.29 ERA in 2007.

Ouch.

You might be wondering what his numbers were on the road, considering Citizens Bank Park is a hitter’s park. Eaton pitched to a 4.81 road ERA in 2008 and 6.12 in 2007.

Not exactly a ringing endorsement, especially when you consider Camden Yards is known for the home run.

With the seemingly endless search to fill the starting rotation, the Orioles might want to take a long look at the Bird (no, I’m not talking about Mark Fidrych). He throws some devastating off-speed stuff to the kids in the outfield grass before home games.

Only kidding, or am I? Ask me again in late-April when the bullpen is already being overworked.

The Bird might be throwing some simulated games in the bullpen by that point.

8. Despite the concerns over the starting rotation, the Orioles bullpen looks to be a formidable unit with closer George Sherrill, Jim Johnson, and Chris Ray providing a triple-threat to shorten the game after six innings.

Ray looks to be fully recovered from Tommy John surgery and has been dominant, not allowing a run in 11 1/3 innings of spring work.

A fully-recovered Matt Albers would be key to bridging the gap from the starting pitching to the three stoppers in the late innings.

Even with the vast potential, it’s hard to predict how well the bullpen will perform if starting pitching cannot get past the fifth or sixth inning consistently. In recent years, the bullpen is worn out by August, setting up for the collapse down the stretch.

9. It’s hard to envision any scenario in which the Orioles avoid a 12th-straight losing season in 2009 despite the promising future with the improving farm system. The years of losing have begun to run together, and it’s sometimes difficult to believe how long it’s been since a winning team graced Camden Yards.

To put it in perspective, in the Orioles’ last winning season in 1997, Cal Ripken was playing his first full season at third base, interleague play was making its debut, Michael Jordan was winning his fifth NBA championship, and Nick Markakis was in the eighth grade.

Quite a long time.

Extra Innings: For an organization in the midst of 11-straight losing seasons, the Orioles could definitely benefit from a stronger marketing campaign to create excitement for the 2009 season.

Though young pitchers such as Brian Matusz and Jake Arrieta were in the major league camp, MASN scheduled only four television appearances for the Orioles in the spring. In fact, Wednesday’s game against the Marlins will mark the first televised Orioles game on MASN in over three weeks.

Yes, televising spring games costs money and does not earn huge ratings, but subscribers are paying hefty fees to receive MASN in their cable lineups. The Orioles owe it to their customers to televise a few more games and could create more interest in the club in the process.

In comparison, the Yankees’ YES Network televised 16 spring games while the Red Sox’ NESN showed nine.

With struggling attendance, the Orioles need to provide more opportunities for fans to follow the team in the spring. Their own cable network is here; they need to use it.

Televising eight or nine spring games is more than reasonable.

For those turning to the radio for their Orioles fix, the flagship radio station 105.7 The Fan abandoned the final eight innings of Sunday’s broadcast following a lengthy rain delay.

While it may not have been a regular season game and will be forgotten quickly, the story is no less pathetic and was even featured on Yahoo! Sports.

With these television and radio blunders, the question begs to be asked: how badly do the Orioles even want their fans back?

The organization needs to try much harder.

How the NFL Can Boost Revenue Without Changing the 16-Game Schedule

By: Luke Jones

The NFL’s annual league meeting brought much discussion regarding the pending labor showdown, rules changes to improve safety, and commissioner Roger Goodell’s desire to expand the regular season to 18 games.

Though the expiring collective bargaining agreement is the league’s most pressing concern, the juxtaposition of passing new rules to improve players’ safety and the desire to extend the season of such a physically demanding sport seems peculiar, if not preposterous.

Under the proposed plan, the league would shorten its preseason to two games and add two regular season games to the 16-game schedule. An additional bye week would also be included in the schedule, increasing the regular season to 20 weeks.

Though many have called for a shorter preseason to decrease the number of injuries in meaningless games, it’s far more likely for marquee players to suffer injuries having to play two more “real” games with higher stakes and intensity.

In reality, many of the league’s top players partake in only a small portion of the preseason, sometimes sitting out entire games or only playing a series or two in each contest.

If the fundamental goal is to protect the players, would a plan calling for a 12.5 percent (two regular season games) increase in players’ exposure to potential injury really be the answer?

Frankly, the NFL is only interested in increasing its revenue despite these rules changes and calls to increase safety. Using the veil of safety is motivated solely by the revenue the top stars of the league create—stars such as New England’s Tom Brady who missed the entire 2008 season with a knee injury suffered in Week 1.

Goodell and the league can speak of improving player safety, but a few isolated rule changes will not supersede the increased risk of exposing players to injury and fatigue in an expanded regular season.

How often do we see players running on fumes—physically or mentally—by the time they enter the postseason? Now, just add two extra games to that equation. It would be extremely difficult for teams to maintain a high quality of play deep into the playoffs.

Do we really want players that are barely able to compete in the conference championships and Super Bowl?

Traditionalists will also point to the effect an 18-game schedule would have on the record book—both single-season and career numbers alike.

We’ve already seen the records from the 1950s through 1970s crushed due to the progression from a 12-game schedule to 14 games in 1961 to the current 16 games in 1978. There has to be a point when the league begins pushing the limit to maintain some reverence for the history of the game.

Colts quarterback Peyton Manning is already rewriting the record book, but an expanded 18-game schedule would provide him with a 50 percent increase in the number of games he can play in a season compared to legendary quarterbacks of the 1950s such as Johnny Unitas playing 12 games a season.

To put this in perspective, using a stat-happy sport such as baseball, Babe Ruth hit 60 home runs in a 154-game schedule in 1927. If baseball adopted a 50 percent increase in regular season games, Albert Pujols would have 231 games this season to take aim at the Bambino’s career-high mark.

A current NFL running back playing eight seasons would be able to play 16 more games—one extra season—than all-time rushing leader Emmitt Smith would have had in eight years. This could easily be an additional 1,500 rushing yards in a career, a significant boost in climbing the all-time rushing list.

Why even bother keeping statistics anymore?

Though Goodell would never admit it publicly, he is far less concerned in improving player safety and preserving its history than he is in strengthening the moneymaking machine that is the NFL. All of these discussed topics center around increasing revenue.

So how can the league increase revenue while sincerely maintaining safety and protecting the record book?

A far simpler plan would address nearly all of these concerns while still increasing league revenue.

The league does need to revise the preseason schedule. The modern NFL player maintains a high level of conditioning throughout the calendar year, so a four-game preseason is unnecessary.

Dropping one preseason game would provide enough time for coaches to evaluate unproven talent while limiting the risk of injury to established players.

While this would leave an unbalanced home-away schedule of three games, teams could schedule an extra scrimmage at their stadiums to recover lost revenue in seasons when they played only one home preseason game. Though less-appealing to season ticket holders, teams could opt to recover the loss through a prorated increase in the nine remaining home games in the package.

The remaining lost revenue from these 16 preseason games (the total number of league preseason games would decrease from 64 to 48) would be recouped by the proposed changes to the regular season and playoffs.

The elimination of one preseason game would provide an open week in the NFL’s calendar. Instead of increasing the number of regular season games, a second bye week would be added to each team’s regular season schedule.

The NFL included two bye weeks in each team’s schedule in 1993, but the response was unfavorable. However, with the astronomical money involved in the league’s current television contract, the extra week in the regular season would provide more nationally-televised prime-time games with lucrative advertising revenue.

Another benefit from an additional bye week would be added flexibility to schedule international or neutral-site games. One of the biggest complaints from players regarding playing overseas is the sacrifices that have to be made for traveling and adjusting to the different time zone. Providing teams with another bye week would ease the strain of playing in these international games.

The league could easily schedule a few more international games under this plan.

The extra bye week would also provide more recovery time for teams, increasing their chances of remaining healthy for the postseason.

Each team would receive its first bye some time between Week 3 through 9 and the second between Week 10 through 16. All 32 teams would play in Week 17 and 18 to maintain competitive balance.

The most radical change would be to increase the number of playoff teams in each conference to eight, the four division champions and four wild card teams.

With the extra bye week in the regular season schedule, the first-round bye for the top two teams in each conference would be eliminated. No other major professional sport offers byes in the first round of the playoffs, so why should the NFL?

This would create an additional four games in the Wild Card round, improving revenue for these four playoff teams as well as the entire league through added television revenue.

The top team in each conference would still earn home-field advantage in the playoffs, and the teams would be reseeded for the Divisional round (the best team in the conference would play the worst remaining team).

For good measure, the league could even address the criticism of the current system by no longer promising a home game to each division winner. The four teams with the best records in each conference would play home games in the first round of the postseason. Division winners would only be guaranteed a spot in the postseason, thus creating more incentive for teams having already clinched a weak division to continue competing for one of the top four seeds.

When considering this plan, the league would simply have to examine the lost revenue of 16 total preseason games against the potential revenue gained from an extra week of nationally-televised games, four more playoff games, and the flexibility to schedule more international and neutral-site games.

On top of that, the owners would not have to fight the union over the contractual issues created by increasing the number of games in the regular season schedule.

And even though they are not top priorities, it would actually be a fundamental step in protecting the health of players by adding an extra bye to the schedule while also preserving the game’s modern history.

Will it happen? Probably not, but it’s something to ponder before making radical changes to the fabric of the National Football League.

Surviving the 2009 Orioles

Depending on how you look at the current state of the Baltimore Orioles, two vastly different conclusions come to mind.

On one hand, the Orioles’ minor league system is in better shape than it has been in over 20 years, consistently ranking in the top 10 according to various publications.

Along with catching sensation Matt Wieters, who is expected to be promoted to the big leagues in the early weeks of the 2009 season, the Orioles boast three of the top pitching prospects in all of baseball.

Brian Matusz (2008 first-round pick), Jake Arrieta (2007 fifth-round pick), and Chris Tillman (acquired from the Seattle Mariners in last winter’s Erik Bedard trade) provide a rock-solid foundation upon which the Orioles hope to rebuild their woeful pitching of the past decade.

In addition to these three, other top pitching prospects include Brad Bergesen, David Hernandez, Brandon Erbe, Zach Britton, Chorye Spoone, and Troy Patton.

Unlike past pitching prospects such as Rocky Coppinger, Sidney Ponson, and Adam Loewen, no single prospect needs to be viewed as the supreme savior for the organization, but all will instead be developed methodically, mastering each level of the minors before being promoted. The Orioles hope this depth will pay dividends in the near future.

General manager Andy MacPhail has continuously preached patience with the organization’s talented, but inexperienced, pitchers.

But from the other perspective, the thought of patience seems unbearable, if not impossible, to the many Orioles fans that have suffered through 11-straight losing seasons in the American League East. To them, the rebuilding has continued far too long.

“It’s time to win now—not in 2011,” they insist.

But sadly, they see a rotation that will only contend to be the worst rotation in 56 seasons of Orioles baseball, much less compete against the Yankees and Red Sox.

Beyond ace Jeremy Guthrie, the rotation overflows with question marks. Newcomer Koji Uehara was a star in Japan, but no one knows what to expect when the right-hander begins competing against the fierce lineups of the AL East.

Lefthander Rich Hill, acquired from the Chicago Cubs, hopes to regain his 2007 form in which he won 11 games and pitched to a 3.92 ERA, but has missed much of spring training with a sore elbow.

Though there is hope for these three to somehow keep the starting rotation afloat, the laundry list of candidates to fill out the final spots of the rotation includes veterans Mark Hendrickson, Danys Baez, and Adam Eaton and unproven young pitchers Brian Bass, Hayden Penn, and Alfredo Simon.

Yikes.

Clearly, the Orioles will not contend in the toughest division in baseball. The starting pitching will be too ineffective, and the improved offense and bullpen will not be able to overcome this deficiency.

So, the question begs to be asked: what should Orioles fans reasonably expect in 2009?

Those hoping and praying for a pennant race will inevitably be disappointed while those choosing to focus on the deficiencies of a rebuilding team and asking why the team is not trying to win this season will undoubtedly look past any bright spots concerning developing players such as Felix Pie and Adam Jones.

For Orioles fans bracing themselves for a 12th-straight year of losing baseball, the truth may hurt. The reality is the last 11 years of losing mean very little to the present state of the club. MacPhail was president of the Chicago Cubs while manager Dave Trembley was managing in the Cubs’ minor league system when this period of losing began in 1998.

Despite how infuriated Orioles fans have become over the decline of a once-proud franchise, these men cannot and should not concern themselves with the mistakes of their ineffective predecessors.

Fans have every right to criticize owner Peter Angelos, the one constant throughout the past 11 seasons of losing baseball. His annual late-season proclamations of grandeur for the following year are just a small sample of the empty promises given by the organization during his ownership.

Orioles’ loyalists deserve to be angry and have expressed their displeasure in recent years, ranging from a fan protest in 2006 to the drastic decline in attendance from 3.7 million in 1997 (the club’s last winning season) to just under two million fans in 2008.

Despite this anger and intense yearning for a winning team, many fans’ cry for a quick fix by signing a couple veteran pitchers is the wrong wish and is the exact thinking that has plagued the organization over the past decade.

For the first time throughout this eleven-year nightmare, the Orioles finally get it. They have finally committed to rebuilding after so many half-hearted, feeble attempts.

This organization should be playing for 2011—not making shortsighted moves for the false hope of competing in 2009.

Fans need to view the organization like that friend that has been driving around that beat-up car for years. Yeah, he tried to make the quick fixes and even used a bit of duct tape, but it never ran well. After years of denial, he finally conceded that it’s time to start over completely, because there’s just no salvaging it.

But, the question remains, does your friend look for that instant gratification and buy a used car with 85,000 miles on it, or drive the junker for just a little longer and save for something brand new?

Sure, that used car may look shiny and new after going through the carwash, but there’s no telling whether it’s going to run well for a few years or be a total lemon.

Investing in veteran pitchers and overpriced free agents would make the current Orioles a team that could approach .500 and maybe contend for a wild card if everything went absolutely perfectly.

But then what happens when these players break down and you’ve already committed millions of dollars to them? The young arms could potentially be ready, but there is no payroll flexibility to add that slugging first baseman or shortstop—not to mention you’re left with the predicament of dumping these veteran starters to create room for the younger pitchers.

Instead, MacPhail is making the right decision by saving the club’s money, enduring another season or two of misery while building that muscle car that can compete with any in the AL East.

The Orioles are saving, waiting for the young pitchers to develop, and then, when the time is right, they’ll spring for the bigger pieces to fill out the roster in free agency.

The plan is the right one, but will it succeed? No one can know for sure, especially in this division. And if the Orioles fail, the criticism will again be justified.

There is no guarantee with pitching prospects, as the Orioles have painfully learned over the last 11 years, but with the vast supply of promising talent, the odds are more favorable this time than any other in the past decade.

Fans may continue to gripe—surely, they have every right to complain until the Orioles retake their place among the game’s respected franchises—but this time, the Orioles are getting it right.

For fans doubting the approach of the franchise, they need only look back in its rich history.

Until the early-1960s, the Orioles struggled to avoid the “second division” of the American League. However, through the construction of a talented farm system based around pitching and defense, the club improved to the point of winning over 90 games in 1964 and 1965.

In December 1965, the Orioles finally knew they were one player away from a championship and sent pitcher Milt Pappas and two others to the Cincinnati Reds for a veteran right fielder named Frank Robinson, the dominant hitter that could put Baltimore over the top.

The rest was history, as the Orioles then embarked on one of the most successful 20-year stretches of any franchise in baseball history.

Obviously, the game is much different today with the high stakes of free agency, but the basic philosophy remains in MacPhail’s mind.

The current Orioles are building for something special, something long-lasting. And when the youthful pieces are in place, they’ll seek out another Frank Robinson to put them over the top.

But it’s going to take a little more patience.

Eleven years is a long time, no question. But hopefully, that excruciating wait will soon be worth it for Orioles fans.

Cringing at the Orioles' Starting Rotation

The vast improvement of the Baltimore Orioles’ minor league system brings much hope for an organization trying to break a string of 11-straight losing seasons and return to contention in the cutthroat American League East.

However, two decisions made over the weekend signal a harsh reality of the present, and the need for more patience as the organization waits for its bumper crop of starting pitching to mature in the minor leagues.

The Orioles optioned pitcher Brad Bergesen to Triple-A Norfolk on Saturday despite the young right-hander being one of the biggest surprises of spring training.

Bergesen pitched 11 2/3 innings with a 3.09 ERA and 11 strikeouts, launching himself into consideration for a starting rotation spot before being demoted.

President of Baseball Operations Andy MacPhail has been assertive in stating the club’s approach in taking its time to promote their young pitchers, wanting them to gain experience at each level before being promoted to Baltimore.

This certainly makes sense, considering Bergesen has never pitched above Double-A Bowie. Manager Dave Trembley wants the young pitcher to improve his changeup and his ability to retire left-handed hitters before making his debut in Baltimore.

Trembley told reporters that Bergesen would be one of the top candidates for a promotion in the early stages of the season.

While the decision to option Bergesen is disappointing to those wanting to see the Orioles’ core of promising pitchers, it makes sense considering other young pitchers such as Hayden Penn and Brian Bass are out of options and would have to pass through waivers before being sent to Norfolk.

The Orioles are not playing for 2009, so it makes little sense to rush any of their top pitching prospects, especially when you have these young placeholders at the major league level that could improve their value for potential trades in the future.

This would be a logical plan, but another decision made by Trembley over the weekend raises more concern about the present state of the club.

Still vying for a spot in the starting rotation, Penn was scheduled to start on Sunday before rain postponed Saturday’s game. Instead of skipping veteran Mark Hendrickson’s scheduled Saturday start, Trembley started Hendrickson and bumped Penn into a relief role in which he pitched only two innings.

While the oft-injured Penn, 24, has lost the top-prospect status he enjoyed a few seasons ago, the club needs to give him and fellow young pitcher Brian Bass every opportunity to earn a spot in the starting rotation.

Skipping Penn for a veteran swingman like Hendrickson fails to provide that opportunity and does nothing for the club’s future.

Penn may not be a long-term solution in the starting rotation, but certainly provides more upside than veterans Adam Eaton and Danys Baez. The veterans have started a combined six games compared to none for Penn. Trembley has given Bass two starts this spring.

Eaton and Baez may provide the veteran presence Trembley likes on his club, but they do not provide a productive presence.

Eaton has failed to post an ERA below 5.00 since 2005 and was released by the Phillies before signing a minor league contract with the Orioles. Baez is returning from Tommy John surgery in 2008 and posted a 6.44 ERA for the Orioles in 2007.

Why are these ineffective veterans receiving more opportunities than Penn? A veteran does little for a staff if he is being annihilated every five days.

If the Orioles need a reminder of how letting a former top prospect go before giving him a fair opportunity can backfire, they only need to look at John Maine, who after making eight starts in Baltimore in 2005, was traded to the Mets for Kris Benson. Maine won 15 games in 2007 and 10 in 2008 for New York.

How many wins did Kris Benson have with the Orioles again? Eleven? But he was a strong veteran presence, right?

Penn and Bass are relative unknowns at the major league level, but they do not have to perform at a high level to match what Eaton and Baez would contribute to the club, and could easily exceed the veterans’ projected performance.

The Orioles need to move away from this obsession with ineffective veteran pitchers at the expense of giving opportunities to younger pitchers.

While Penn and Bass are unlikely to stick beyond the next season or two, they certainly have a higher ceiling than veteran retreads with no trade value.

If Penn or Bass can perform better than expected, it would be a nice problem to have when the next group of young pitchers is ready for the major leagues. If they do not perform, you simply unload them and find another Baez or Eaton on the waiver wire.

Regardless of which five pitchers make the Opening Day rotation, the results will not be pretty. After ace Jeremy Guthrie, who would be a middle-of-the-rotation arm for a contending club, the Orioles will send out four unproven, if not ineffective, starters against the likes of the Rays, Red Sox, and Yankees.

Though Koji Uehara created much excitement in spring training before going down with a hamstring injury, it is difficult to project how well the Japanese pitcher will perform against major league hitters. His lack of spring training innings further clouds the situation.

The team will receive another potential boost when lefty Rich Hill returns from injury and enters the rotation later in April. Pitching coach Rich Kranitz is trying to fix the former Cubs pitcher’s woes in hopes that he can return to his 2007 form.

Beyond these three, the best bet for tolerating the club’s starting rotation in the first half of 2009 is to close your eyes and think about August, when several of the organization’s young pitchers are projected to be ready for promotions.

The first wave could bring Bergesen, David Hernandez, and even two of the organization’s “Big Three," Jake Arrieta and Chris Tillman.

Starting then, the Orioles will be able to move away from ineffective veterans and out-of-option projects and focus on developing a top-notch staff to compete in the AL East.

But until that happens, whether it’s young placeholders such as Penn and Bass, or veteran outcasts like Baez and Eaton, it figures to be a long couple of months in Baltimore.

Terps-Cal Preview: Looking into the Mirror

Maryland returns to the NCAA tournament for only the second time in the last five seasons on Thursday afternoon.

The No. 10-seed Terrapins (20-13) face the No. 7-seed California Golden Bears (22-10) in an ACC-Pacific-10 showdown in the first round.

The Terps earned an at-large bid after beating North Carolina State and Wake Forest in the ACC tournament while the Golden Bears finished in a third-place tie with Arizona State in the Pac-10.

Both Maryland and Cal rely on strong play from their guards and lack any consistent threats in the frontcourt.

The Terps rely on pressure and penetration from its guards to create offense while coach Mike Montgomery’s Golden Bears lead the nation in three-point shooting, making 43.4 percent of its attempts.

Cal’s three-point shooting is more selective than other long-distance shooting teams like Duke that take over 700 attempts in a season. The Golden Bears took only 468 three-point attempts, 106 fewer than Maryland.

Maryland likes to occasionally switch between man-to-man defense and a 3-2 zone to compensate for its lack of size, but the Golden Bears’ long-range shooting may prevent coach Gary Williams from using this strategy. Cal’s junior guard and leading scorer Jerome Randle makes 46.8 percent of his three-pointers, third overall in the nation.

Guarding the three-pointer is a glaring weakness for the Terps, ranking 225th in the nation and allowing opponents to shoot 35.1 percent from behind the three-point line. If Randle and forward Theo Robertson begin draining long-range shots, the Terps will be in serious trouble.

To advance to the second round, Maryland will need to guard Cal’s shooters closely and refrain from gambling for steals, a trap the Terps often fall into, leaving opportunities for wide-open shooters. Cal’s half-court offense will take advantage if Maryland takes too many chances defensively.

Junior guard Greivis Vasquez leads Maryland in scoring, rebounding, and assists, but reserve guard Eric Hayes has recently become a reliable scoring threat for the Terps. If Cal begins shooting from beyond the arc, Hayes’ long-range shooting will be needed to keep the Terrapins in the game.

Hayes, averaging 10.1 points per game, has sparked the Terps in the postseason, scoring a career-high 21 points against N.C. State in the first round of the conference tournament and 20 against Duke in the semifinal loss.

Another key for the Terps could be the shooting of forward Dave Neal. The 6-7 forward hits 38.9 percent from the three-point line, strong enough to lure a bigger defender away from the paint to contest his shot. This could free up the inside for Vasquez and guard Adrian Bowie to drive to the hoop and get to the foul line.

If the game comes down to foul shooting, the two teams figure to be evenly matched. Maryland shoots 76.8 percent from the line while Cal makes 75.6 percent of its free throws.

This is a tough one to predict given the similarities between the two. While their guards have different strengths, each team lives and dies with the play of its backcourt players. Both teams lack a consistent big man, so the inside game does not figure to play a major factor in the game.

It appears Maryland might be catching Cal at the right time. The Golden Bears have lost four of their last six games while the Terps recovered from a crucial road loss at Virginia in the regular season finale before making their run in the ACC tournament to regain favor in the eyes of the selection committee.

If the Golden Bears’ long-distance shooting comes out hot, the Terps will need Hayes and Vasquez to counter to keep them in the game.

Look for Maryland’s pressure and trapping defense to keep Cal off-balanced and prevent their shooters from getting open looks consistently.

Vasquez is the emotional leader of the Terps and is fully capable of taking over the game if he comes out strong.

Gary Williams has not lost a first round game in the NCAA tournament since 1997. The streak continues as the Terrapins move on to the second round to face the powerhouse Memphis Tigers.

The pick: Maryland 72, California 66

March Madness: Nobody Knows What They're Talking About

As sports fans throughout the country polish up their tournament brackets in anticipation for Thursday, I began to think about this ritual that accompanies March Madness.

It’s remarkable how a simple bracket printed on a piece of paper motivates us to try to become the next Andy Katz or Digger Phelps.

We analyze, dissect, study, and agonize over who will be the next surprise, the next disappointment, and ultimately, the next champion of the NCAA tournament.

We read a few articles published on some of the popular websites or watch an hour-long special on ESPN and suddenly claim to be an expert on the field of 65. All of our friends must listen to us explain why VCU is going to defeat UCLA or how Boston College will fall to the red-hot Trojans from USC.

The discussion over office pools and banter between college buddies is ubiquitous.

And you know what? Nobody knows what they’re talking about. Not even a little bit.

No one.

And that’s what makes the magic of the NCAA tournament. The unknown is what draws us to this unique sporting event.

I love college basketball, and I’m comfortable in saying I know a good deal about the sport.

For instance, I know that Jim Boeheim and Syracuse are returning to the tournament after a two-year absence. However, I’ll also admit to knowing more about Stone Cold Steve Austin than I do about Syracuse’s first-round opponent Stephen F. Austin.

I also wonder about the status of Ty Lawson and how it affects North Carolina’s title hopes, but I also wonder about Cornell. Yes, it’s an Ivy League school, and I know that Andy Bernard of The Office attended Cornell, but I couldn’t even pretend to tell you who their leading scorer is.

Northern Iowa? Oh, that’s easy. Arizona Cardinals quarterback Kurt Warner played there, but who’s their top rebounder? Next question, please.

Meanwhile, I’m still trying to remember who Robert Morris even was, let alone who the school’s head coach is.

It isn’t what we know that makes this sporting event so enjoyable, but it’s what we don’t know.

In any other sport, we know all of the teams and competitors. In the NFL or NBA playoffs, the teams are all familiar and most of the key contributors are easily recognizable.

We know the big names of college basketball. We’re familiar with the Connecticuts and Michigan States of the bracket, but for the many household names printed on that piece of paper, we find many that are foreign.

It’s a mystery where several of these schools are even located, so why would we know what to expect when they take the floor on Thursday or Friday?

Most of these unknowns will return to obscurity after their two hours of fame, but every now and then, one of these strangers, a Valparaiso, a Davidson, or a George Mason, surprises us all, and we get to know them.

Instead of simply being that new kid standing on the sideline, waiting for his chance to play but bolting when he can’t hang with the big kids, they steal the show and upstage one of the neighborhood legends.

They become more than just the champion of their mid-major conference somewhere in the Midwest. No longer is it just a funny name or a set of initials we don’t recognize.

We yearn to know who that Cinderella is going to be, so we can take credit for saying it would happen all along. It would make us a god among friends, or even a champion of the office pool.

In that quest, we turn to the experts on television. Surely, Jay Bilas can tell us about Binghamton’s best player and provide some good information from a detailed stat sheet, but answer this question:

Do you honestly think Jay Bilas has seen the Bearcats play more than once or twice all season, or even at all?

The truth is the experts that work countless hours and are truly outstanding at what they do don’t really know what they’re talking about either. There simply aren’t enough hours in the day to really break it down in any kind of precise way. The variables to consider in picking these games are too many to count.

When it comes to picking the upsets and the Cinderella stories, your guess is as good as anyone’s.

So, what does this all mean?

Don’t worry about trying to be so analytical just to impress your friends.

When completing your bracket, simply close your eyes and go with your gut. Avoiding any urge to pick a No. 16 seed would also help.

Just use your imagination.

Listen closely and you might be able to hear Gus Johnson screaming during the final seconds of Dayton’s thrilling upset win over West Virginia.

Close your eyes and you might envision Bob Knight’s breakdown of why Western Kentucky knocked off Illinois on Thursday night’s Sportscenter.

Is it only a crazy dream, or can it become reality?

Nobody knows, but we are all so very eager to find out.

Oh, and by the way, would you like to hear my picks for the tournament?

Gary Williams Coaches Scrappy Terps Back into the Dance

As Gary Williams and his Terrapins walked off the floor following the embarrassing 93-64 defeat at Clemson on Feb. 17, their aspirations for a second NCAA tournament appearance in five years appeared to have all but vanished.

Williams was facing intense scrutiny regarding his inability to recruit bigger stars and his disintegrating relationship with athletic director Debbie Yow and the university.

The highly inconsistent Greivis Vasquez was yapping at his own fans and struggling to lead the offense.

The struggles figured only to get worse for the 16-9 Terps as they prepared for home battles against powerhouses North Carolina and Duke. The final two nails in the coffin, right?

Perhaps we needed a refresher. Never count out a Williams-coached team.

The season turned on the next Saturday afternoon as Vasquez’s triple-double led Maryland to shock North Carolina in overtime, giving the Terps new life in their quest for an invitation to the “Big Dance.”

Though there would be a few more loops in this undulating season, including a crucial loss to Virginia in the regular season finale followed by two wins in the ACC tournament to put them back in good standing, the sweaty palms and nail biting paid of Sunday afternoon paid off as Maryland learned they would be the No. 10 seed invited to face California in the first round of the NCAA tournament in Kansas City.

For all of the harsh criticism for Williams and the struggles of his program over the past five seasons, the coach never wavered, insisting this was one of his favorite teams in his noted career.

There’s no question Maryland is undersized and lacks the talent to consistently compete with the top teams in the country. Of the Terps’ starting five, only Greivis Vasquez would start for the top programs in the country.

These doubts regarding recruiting will continue to follow Williams unless incoming freshmen James Padgett and Jordan Williams can provide the impact size the team has sorely lacked this season.

But for all of the critics droning about Maryland failing to make the NCAA tournament consistently, Williams found a way to silence them in what might be his best pure-coaching job since arriving at Maryland 20 years ago.

From the unimpressive, yet effective, Dave Neal to the out-of-position Landon Milbourne holding his own against burly opponents, the Terps never conceded failure, even when they appeared done in mid-February.

The scrappy play of this Maryland team is unlikely to move them beyond the first or second round, but Williams once again proved there should be no doubting his ability to get the absolute best out of his players.

This is the point that Williams needs to sell to potential recruits, whether they’re looking to win a national championship, go to the NBA, or both.

If he can get this underdog roster of players to play its way into the NCAA tournament, just think what he can continue to do with more talent.

The fire is still there in the 64-year-old coach to win another national championship for Maryland. He just needs to recruit the horses.

Who knows? Perhaps Williams can channel the past, and the Terps can defeat Cal and upset No.2-seeded Memphis to advance to the Sweet 16.

Certainly an unlikely proposition, but it was equally unlikely when Joe Smith, Johnny Rhodes, and the Terps knocked off Massachusetts in 1994, putting Maryland basketball back on the map after years in the doldrums following the tragic death of Len Bias.

Oh yeah, Maryland just happened to also be a No. 10 seed that year, and John Calipari was the coach of the Minutemen, the same Calipari coaching the Memphis Tigers in a potential second-round matchup.

It would be hyperbole to compare the magnitude of a potential run in this year’s tournament to those past heroics. The recent struggles do not compare to the state of the program when Williams arrived in College Park in 1989.

However, it might just launch the Terrapins back into elite status in the near future if they can capitalize on the recruiting side.

Crazy? Perhaps.

But, as we’ve learned throughout his brilliant career and again this season, never doubt the heart of Gary Williams and his basketball team.

How Syracuse and Connecticut Could Have Avoided 6 OTs

Watching Thursday night's epic six-overtime battle between Syracuse and Connecticut was an astonishing experience for those who persevered well into Friday morning to watch its conclusion.

The gutsy performances displayed by both teams in Syracuse’s 127-117 victory were mind-boggling, as it seemed the clash would never end.

This was never more apparent than when my mother turned to my brother and me at the end of the second overtime and asked, “So, will they play a third overtime?”

Obviously, taken aback by her question (Mom loves sports but admits to occasionally opening her mouth before she thinks), I began thinking about the possibility of the game continuing forever.

Perhaps it was the madness of March seeping into my psyche, or just the exhaustion of being awake past midnight on a work night, but the ideas of how to properly finish this classic encounter began rolling into my mind.

So, if a sleepy Syracuse team fails to advance over West Virginia in the semifinal, perhaps the Big East could have avoided the six-overtime marathon by simply thinking outside of the box:

1. Despite Paul Harris’ 29-point performance, the forward’s numerous misses from point-blank range were tough on the eyes. Perhaps a simple layup contest could have determined the winner? First team to miss loses.

2. The referees lead a ferocious game of Simon Says at center court. Last man standing wins it for his school.

3. Jim Boeheim and Jim Calhoun look at each other and simply nod, knowing how to settle this. A duel? No, this isn’t the 1700s. The rival coaches play a game of one-on-one to determine who advances. Suit jackets must stay on, no matter what.

4. After four overtimes, dribbling becomes optional. What an interesting dynamic to consider as fatigue continues to grind down both teams. Rugby, anyone?

5. When the third overtime fails to produce a winner, the referees decide to go back and take one more look at Eric Devendorf’s shot at the end of regulation. “On second thought, now that we look at it again, it was good. Let’s go home.”

6. In a fine display of college spirit, the teams agree to a game of beer pong. Only upperclassmen of legal-age are eligible, of course. But alas, the game of 10-cup goes into, you guessed it, overtime.

7. After failing to best one another, the rivals agree to join forces and play the semifinal as the Syrnecticuse Orskies. West Virginia and the rest of the Big East will not stand a chance!

8. When both coaches are informed of the Big East’s 1:00 AM curfew, the players disperse to their respective hotel rooms. The last player on the bench from each school finishes the game: playing Xbox Live.

9. The public address announcer calls for any former players in attendance to proceed to the court for one last moment in the spotlight. In street clothes, Gerry McNamara drains six 3-pointers to seal it for the Orange.

10. And finally, in a moment that will define the history of Big East basketball, the Madison Square Garden crew sets up the arm wrestling table for the final battle to decide who advances and who goes home.

Syracuse and UConn.

A trip to the semifinal on the line.

The two combatants cautiously walk to center court.

Otto the Orange versus Jonathan the Husky.

Best out of three.

March Madness personified.

Justin Jones contributed to this article, and in his mind, actually wrote it.

Terps Hoping to Recapture Georgia Dome Magic

It’s a position Gary Williams has found himself in too many times in recent history despite an astonishing coaching career that includes over 600 victories and a national championship in 2002.

The seventh-seeded Terrapins find themselves needing an impressive run in the Atlantic Coast Conference tournament, beginning with Thursday night’s matchup against North Carolina State, to gain a realistic chance to be invited to the NCAA tournament on Sunday evening.

Last Sunday’s ill-timed loss to Virginia planted the Terps (18-12, 7-9) on the wrong side of the bubble after an earlier win over North Carolina thrust them back into consideration down the stretch. Consecutive losses to Wake Forest and the Cavaliers prevented Maryland from reaching the .500 mark in conference play, a record that would have likely secured an at-large bid.

With the regular season concluded, Williams and the Terps can only hope to capture the magic from past successes to find their way into the Dance.

How ironic it is that Williams brings his team to the Georgia Dome in Atlanta for the conference tournament, the very edifice where Maryland basketball came full circle and reached its pinnacle only seven years ago. Seven long years in the eyes of many of the program’s followers.

The image of Juan Dixon launching the ball toward the Georgia Dome roof in the final second of Maryland’s 64-52 victory over Indiana to win the title continues to grow fainter as the program encounters the likelihood of missing the NCAA tournament for the fourth time in five years.

The criticism for Williams has gained momentum for several years but never as strongly as it has this season. From his rocky relationship with the athletic department to the perceived failure in recruiting high-profile athletes, Williams has been placed under intense pressure to return the program to national prominence.

If he needs to look for inspiration beyond the school’s history at the Georgia Dome, he should look no further than the 2004 ACC tournament. The sixth-seeded Terps entered the Greensboro Coliseum with a 7-9 conference record and work to do in order to earn an NCAA invitation.

The underdog Terps, led by a sizzling John Gilchrist, proceeded to shock Wake Forest, N.C. State, and Duke to win the tournament and earn an automatic bid.

While this year’s team may be hard-pressed to repeat such an improbable feat, especially having to win four games in the since-expanded tournament, two victories would garner strong consideration from the selection committee. Three victories would almost assure an invitation.

What are this team’s chances of putting together a strong run in Atlanta? It starts with Greivis Vasquez.

Though frustratingly inconsistent, Vasquez is more than capable of providing a Gilchrist-like performance to lead the Terps to a few victories over the weekend.

Vasquez’s triple-double in the North Carolina win as well as his 33-point performance in a road win over N.C. State showed how capable the junior guard is of taking over a game. If Vasquez can find a similar rhythm to the one he had in those contests, he can lead the Terps to victory against anyone in the ACC.

When looking back upon the Terps’ 2004 conference tournament championship, Gilchrist was the overwhelming hero, but others such as forwards Jamar Smith and Travis Garrison as well as little-used Mike Grinnon, and his key free throws, provided strong support to upset top-seeded Duke.

The Terps cannot solely rely on Vasquez to carry them to victory. Williams must find another player to step up in the conference tournament, a tall order facing a team that lacks any strong inside presence. Senior Dave Neal has played well recently, but the forward lacks the athleticism to compete against the tougher big men of the conference.

Landon Milbourne has been the most improved player on the team, averaging 12.2 points per game, but has seemingly disappeared down the stretch, bottoming out with two points against Wake Forest in the next-to-last regular season game.

Whether it’s a reemerging Milbourne or another candidate such as Cliff Tucker, who had 22 points in the North Carolina win, the Terps need a supporting cast for Vasquez if they have any visions of playing beyond Thursday or Friday.

Williams must instruct his team to treat the conference tournament opener against N.C. State as though it were the first round of the NCAA tournament. The stakes are just as high, and as an added bonus, Maryland faces a team they beat less than two weeks ago, not a mystery tournament team that you often face in the first round.

If Maryland is able to get by the Wolfpack, they meet Wake Forest on Friday night, a team that bested them by only two points last week. While it would be no easy task, Maryland certainly proved they can compete with the Demon Deacons.

An opportunity is there for Maryland to recapture the NCAA invitation that slipped through its grasp in the disappointing loss to Virginia. Williams thrives in the underdog role, so you can never count his team out, even with the underwhelming talent on the roster.

If the Terps are unable to make any noise, the reality of another disappointing season will face Williams as he begins the offseason and the daunting challenge of boosting recruiting for a program that has seen the shine vanish from its vast success earlier in the decade.

The image of Dixon will only continue to fade, replaced by the blinking question marks facing the coach and his struggling program if they’re unable to recapture some of that magic left behind on the Georgia Dome floor only seven years ago.

Seven long years.

Ray Lewis Experiences Cruel World of Free Agency

The feeling of being unwanted is a sobering, bitter pill to swallow regardless of how successful one has been in his profession.

For Ray Lewis, the silence of his phone has been deafening, reflecting how his actual value contrasts the Pro Bowl linebacker’s lofty goal of scoring one more big payday in a certain Hall of Fame career.

Despite all the talk of playing in Dallas or New York and even the rumor that he would rather retire than return to the Baltimore Ravens, Lewis sits at his Florida home with only one standing offer, the rumored three-year, $24 million offer from the Ravens.

Perhaps he did not realize how good he had it in Baltimore until he saw how cruel the reality of free agency could be for an aging veteran with unrealistic demands.

Lewis is a very proud man, so it is no surprise the rejection from the league’s other 31 teams stings deeply. Still a very productive linebacker at 33, Lewis will unquestionably use the perceived snubbing as motivation in preparing for his 14th season.

But how long will it take Lewis to lick his wounds before calling general manager Ozzie Newsome to accept the Ravens’ contract offer?

From a financial standpoint, the Ravens could easily lower their offer to Lewis after seeing how emaciated the market is for the two-time Defensive Player of the Year.

However, Newsome and the Ravens will not do this, showing more respect for the face of their franchise than he has shown for the organization that drafted him and has treated him well throughout his career.

Since the Ravens lost linebacker Bart Scott and center Jason Brown to lucrative contract offers from the New York Jets and St. Louis Rams respectively, the organization has no choice but to keep its aging leader and prevent an even bigger hole at inside linebacker from opening.

Reducing the offer would not only further sour an already stewing Lewis but would also increase the likelihood of another team jumping into the market for his services.

Owner Steve Bisciotti and coach John Harbaugh insisted the Ravens would value Lewis higher than any other team in the NFL, but Lewis refused to believe he could not earn any more than what Baltimore was offering.

No one can blame the Ravens’ leader for seeking more money, as he has every right to cash in with his final contract, but if Lewis has anyone to blame for his current predicament, it is his representation and, ultimately, himself.

Whoever was advising Lewis about his earning potential in free agency either severely misread the market or was not assertive enough in convincing their client about his actual value.

Or, perhaps that intense pride that has pushed Lewis to be one of the greatest defensive players in the history of the game led to his downfall in this free agent experience.

Regardless of the cause, the situation was handled miserably by Lewis and his people, who portrayed the inside linebacker as a mercenary with no loyalty to the organization that clearly wanted to maintain his services with a generous contract offer.

For the teams rumored to be interested in Lewis for his unquestioned leadership ability, this behavior had to be a red flag when also considering his age. Teams may have viewed his disloyalty to the Ravens as a warning sign that Lewis may not be the easiest to appease if a situation is not to his liking.

This is something the Ravens have known about Lewis for years. His leadership can be outstanding but only when things are going his way.

The inside linebacker has been known to mope and even lash out, as he did following the 2005 season, wanting to be traded if the Ravens failed to acquire a big defensive tackle to keep blockers away from him. When the Ravens drafted Haloti Ngata in 2006, Lewis was suddenly happy again.

It is also common to see Lewis duck out of the locker room without talking to the media following a tough loss.

The Ravens have put up with these behaviors for so long, because Lewis is their guy, and they know what he brings to the football field when he is content.

It may take a few more days to swallow his pride, but Lewis will eventually concede and accept the Ravens’ contract offer. He’ll then probably begin to mend some fences and attempt to save face by claiming his heart was truly with the Ravens, and that Baltimore is “his” city.

And though the Ravens’ front office will privately roll their eyes, they will accept it as the proud Lewis simply being himself. After all, they realize how much Lewis has done for the organization, even if he does not want to acknowledge how much they have done for him.

While hurt feelings are apparent with Lewis, the Ravens, and even their fan base, all will be forgiven when Lewis comes dancing out of the tunnel and creates an absolute frenzy at M&T Bank Stadium in September.

Ultimately, Lewis returning to the Ravens was the way it was supposed to be, but it took a humbling rejection from 31 other teams for him to finally see where he rightfully belongs.

Monday Musings in the World of Baltimore Sports

The latest chapter in the Ray Lewis saga has the 10-time Pro Bowl linebacker envisioning suiting up for the Cowboys next season.

Cowboys linebacker DeMarcus Ware told DallasCowboys.com that Lewis' "dream" was to play for Dallas, and he has been discussing it with Ware for months.

This story screams negotiating ploy as Lewis continues to try to generate a bigger market for himself. What better way is there to drive up the market than to drop hints to opposing players that he would be interested in signing there?

While it's likely that Lewis has voiced an interest in the Cowboys to Ware, there's no telling how serious he really is about playing in Dallas. Also, consider how much the All-Pro Ware would like to play with another star like Lewis. It would be easy to take a few comments and turn them into it being Lewis' "dream."

Lewis has sounded off to several media sources this offseason, but this is nothing new. He has never been afraid to speak his mind, even if it means ruffling some feathers in Baltimore.

Following an injury-plagued 2005 season, Lewis campaigned for a new defensive tackle to protect him and even went as far as requesting a trade if general manager Ozzie Newsome failed to do so. The Ravens drafted Haloti Ngata in the first round of the 2006 draft, appeasing Lewis in the process.

One thing is certain: if Lewis departs for greener (no pun intended) pastures, he will definitely leave a few burnt bridges that could potentially hurt him in the future if he plans to start any business ventures in the Charm City.

Stay tuned for the next edition of 'Ray's of Our Lives.

***

The agent of center Jason Brown and linebacker Bart Scott said Monday that he expects one of his two clients to re-sign with the Ravens before hitting the free agent market on Friday.

It's hard to believe that Brown or Scott would sign only days away from being able to field offers from other teams.

Brown is believed to be seeking guard compensation similar to what Jets guard Alan Faneca received in free agency last season. This would put the Ravens center in the $8 million per year range, likely to be more than the Ravens are willing to go.

While Brown has provided strong leadership for a young offensive line, the 2005 fourth-round pick has never been selected to the Pro Bowl.

The Ravens would like to keep Brown but are prepared to move guard Chris Chester to center, especially with the expected return of right guard Marshal Yanda.

If not for Chester's play in place of Yanda last season, the Ravens would be panicking over the potential loss of Brown, but the team seems willing to let him go if the price climbs as high as it's rumored to go.

The more intriguing possibility would be the Ravens signing Scott to a contract before Friday, leaving fellow linebacker Lewis in a precarious position.

While the team has spoken publicly about maintaining both linebackers in addition to the franchise-tagged Terrell Suggs, it is considered a long shot given the team's other free agents and salary cap situation.

Signing Scott would send a message to Lewis that the Ravens are prepared to move on without him, putting more pressure on Lewis to find a suitor that will meet his high financial demands.

My guess is that neither Scott nor Brown is inked to a contract before free agency begins.

***

Free agent safety Jim Leonhard was one of the surprises of the 2008 season, filling in for Dawan Landry after the starter suffered a season-ending neck injury.

In addition to providing solid play in the secondary, the savvy Leonhard provided a spark in the team's punt return game, replacing the oft-injured and ineffective Yamon Figurs.

Though Leonhard would be nice to retain, I have a difficult time understanding the strong infatuation with the undersized safety, especially when he's expected to be in high demand in free agency.

Leonhard is a poor tackler, an area the Ravens need to improve in the secondary as cornerback Fabian Washington is a liability in run support and safety Ed Reed's tackling has declined due to lingering neck and shoulder issues.

The Ravens need a strong tackler to complement Reed in the backfield, the type of player Leonhard is not.

With the drafting of safeties Haruki Nakamura and Tom Zbikowski in 2008 and the expected return of Landry, the Ravens should not view maintaining Leonhard as a high priority.

***

Though position players reported to Spring Training five days ago, Orioles left fielder Felix Pie is still absent due to visa issues in the Dominican Republic.

Having been acquired in a trade with the Chicago Cubs, Pie is expected to be the starting left fielder, but general manager Andy MacPhail and manager Dave Trembley need time to evaluate the young outfielder.

While visa issues are common in the early days of Spring Training, Pie needs as much time as he can to acclimate himself to new teammates and a new coaching staff.

Pie's absence figures to benefit outfielder Lou Montanez and prospect Nolan Reimold, two players that have seemingly been surpassed by the former Cub in the organization's plans for the future.

A strong spring by either could put more pressure on the club to find a spot for them on the 25-man roster, but with Pie being out of options; it would probably take an injury of some kind to open a spot for Montanez or Reimold.

Update: The Baltimore Sun is reporting Pie's visa issues have been resolved, and the young outfielder will report to Spring Training as early as Tuesday morning.

***

I hope 2006 first-round selection Billy Rowell is paying attention to what's happening in Fort Lauderdale. The third baseman had a disappointing season at Single-A Frederick in 2008, hitting only .248 and slugging only .368.

While the 20-year-old prospect is still in the organization's long-term plans, Trembley was complimentary of first baseman and 2005 first-round pick Brandon Snyder this week at Spring Training, citing his strong power to the opposite field.

The former catcher temporarily fell off the radar after suffering a shoulder injury in 2006, but the first baseman put up impressive numbers at Frederick last season, hitting .315 with 80 RBI.

Snyder has seen limited time at third base, and there has been discussion of giving the 22-year old more opportunities to develop at the hot corner.

The talk of Snyder potentially becoming an option at third base sends a message to Rowell that the organization will not wait forever for his development.

Critics have questioned Rowell's work ethic and openness to coaching, and Trembley's strong praise of Snyder hopefully provides a push for Rowell to step up his play in 2009.

It's too early to give up on Rowell when you consider he was drafted at the age of 17, but this figures to be a pivotal year in determining whether he will be a legitimate prospect moving forward.

The farm system's infield talent is minimal and with the impending free agency of Melvin Mora and Aubrey Huff following the season, the organization needs Snyder and Rowell to continue to develop.

***

Following Maryland's shocking 88-85 overtime upset over North Carolina, the students rushed the floor of the Comcast Center, mobbing Greivis Vasquez and the victorious Terrapins.

This predictably sparked the tired debate of when it's acceptable to rush the court after a big win in college basketball.

While the celebration may be a reflection of how far Maryland has fallen over the past five seasons, critics should consider the fact that most students currently enrolled at Maryland have only witnessed one NCAA tournament appearance in their college careers.

Let them celebrate, as you never know when another win as improbable as Saturday's will take place again. As long as the rioting is kept to a minimum, the students are entitled to enjoy the win.

Now, the debate on the safety issues involved in students rushing the floor is another story entirely.

Maryland Gives Glimpse into Past in Upset Win

The dark cloud suddenly lifted as an ocean of red poured onto the floor of the Comcast Center, and Maryland was king of the college basketball world again, if only for one afternoon.

While much work remains in regards to their NCAA tournament hopes, the Terrapins enjoyed a return to their glory days as unranked Maryland shocked No. 3 North Carolina 88-85 in overtime on Saturday.

If you squinted hard enough at Greivis Vasquez, on his way to a triple-double, you could almost see Juan Dixon, or Steve Blake, or even John Gilchrist, as he carved up the Tar Heels’ defense all afternoon. In fact, Vasquez’s epic performance may have topped them all, as he led the team in points (35), assists (10), rebounds (11), blocks (3), and steals (2).

There was Cliff Tucker, draining five three-pointers in the contest, just as Dixon or Drew Nicholas used to do.

The questions about their lack of size will remain -- nobody on the court resembled Lonny Baxter or Chris Wilcox no matter how hard you looked -- as the Terrapins surrendered 22 offensive rebounds, but they still found a way.

And finally, there was coach Gary Williams, pumping his fists and storming the sidelines as he has for the past 20 years, coaching up a less-talented team on their way to victory.

Williams once again reminded us how great a coach he really is and how effective his teams can be, even against the toughest of opponents.

For one afternoon, the doubts disappeared, and everything suddenly felt right again in College Park.

The next few weeks will tell us just how much this win means to Maryland’s postseason hopes, but for Williams, the exposure of a nationally-televised upset may help to jumpstart his maligned recruiting efforts.

Yes, it was only a season ago that Maryland upset then-top-ranked North Carolina on the road. And true, the Terrapins have managed to score a major upset nearly every season in their recent dry spell of missing three out of four NCAA tournaments, but the criticism surrounding Williams and the program this season is unlike the school has faced since receiving NCAA sanctions in the early 1990s.

The image of Juan Dixon cutting down the nets in the Georgia Dome continues to grow fainter while the sting of embarrassing losses such as American last season and Morgan State this year has soiled Williams’ once-untouchable status.

Williams has defended his performance, citing just how far he has taken the program since he rescued it from the ashes of the Len Bias tragedy and the Bob Wade era, but it is difficult to overlook the lack of talent currently enrolled.

Shortly after he arrived, Williams was able to recruit a little-known forward named Joe Smith and Baltimore native Keith Booth to return the program to prominence, so he has to hope Saturday’s upset can help to spark another recruiting blitz.

While critics will continue to point to the players Williams fails to recruit, perhaps it is the talented, yet inconsistent, Vasquez who can help to right the direction of the program. The Venezuela native has continued to support his coach publicly despite rumblings about Williams’ dealings with recruits and other players.

“Every Maryland fan should be grateful because that man right there can coach,” Vasquez said to reporters following the game.

Perhaps Vasquez’s words are based purely on the emotion of an improbable win, but Maryland supporters should remember that the familiar joy experienced on Saturday is only familiar because of the man who continues to storm the Terrapins’ sideline, 20 years after raising the program from its lowest point.

Williams deserves an opportunity to do what he does best: rebuild.

As bleak as it has been at Maryland for much of the season, Williams is still coaching with that fiery persona and chip on his shoulder. If he can bring that same passion to his recruiting efforts, Maryland may regain its place in ACC and national prominence.

Whether Williams can reinvent himself as a recruiter remains to be seen, but for one afternoon at least, it felt like Maryland was again one of the elite programs in the country. You could almost see Dixon hitting the baseline jumper or Smith delivering the thunderous dunk, as the memories of past success came flooding back. And now, Vasquez can add his thrilling performance to those special images of past Terrapins.

Regardless of what Saturday’s win means for the immediate future of Maryland basketball, whether it’s the catalyst for a late tournament run or only an aberration in a disappointing season, Williams hopes it’s not only a flashback to past glory but also the beginning of a turnaround for the program he hopes to rebuild again.

Suggested Reading to Survive the Ravens' Offseason

With the 2008 season in the books and the NFL Draft two months away, Ravens fans will now look for any possible outlet to get their football fix in the long days of winter and early spring.

I suggest cracking open a Natty Boh, kicking back, and reading a good book.

Here's a list of Ravens books that didn't quite make it to the publisher for whatever reason. A few titles date back to the early years of the Ted Marchibroda-led Ravens while others will be fresh in the memories of countless fans.

Feel free to add to the list as the writer who compiled it failed miserably in writing his own book How to Keep Them Laughing.

1. Making Good Decisions by Kyle Boller with an introduction by Vinny Testaverde
2. Know the Snap Count by Ethan Brooks
3. Long Snapping for Dummies by Harper LeBel
4. How to Capitalize on Your Career Day by Jay Graham
5. Keeping Your Cool in the Heat of Battle by Orlando Brown
6. God, It's Great to be a Raven! by Terrell Owens
7. Johnny Who? Baltimore's Real #19 by Scott Mitchell
8. Catching It All by Travis Taylor with special forewords by Ron Johnson and Clarence Moore
9. Shutdown Corner by Isaac Booth with a special introduction by Alvin Porter
10. Modest Man by Ray Lewis
11. Installing a Screen Door by Kipp Vickers
12. Who Needs Ray? by Edgerton Hartwell
13. Courage by Elvis Grbac
14. Silent Man by Bart Scott
15. Me Talk Pretty by Brian Billick

This list is a work of fiction. Do not attempt to contact your local Borders to see if they have these titles in print. You will be received with awkward silence.

Monday Musings in the World of Sports

Watching Kobe Bryant and Shaquille O’Neal share the All-Star Game MVP award reminded us how dominant the duo really was despite their dysfunctional relationship in Los Angeles.

Who knows how many championships they could have won had egos not ruined their run?

Even after receiving the award, Bryant had to remind everyone that he and O’Neal are far from being best friends.

“We are not going to go back to the room and watch 'Steel Magnolias' or something like that, you know what I'm saying, crying, all that stuff,” he said. “We had a good time. That's all.”

Yes, we get it, Kobe. You’re still insecure about being in O’Neal’s big shadow.

***
The All-Star Game is often a punch line used to point out the absence of defense in the professional game, but it’s difficult to overlook how special it is to see so many stars playing on the same court.

From LeBron James and Chris Paul to Yao Ming and Amare Stoudemire, the talent on the floor is unbelievable.

Now, if only these stars treated the contest as more than a relaxed pickup game, we could truly get excited about watching.

To create more intensity in the game, should the NBA take a page from Major League Baseball and award home-court advantage in the NBA Finals to the winning conference? Yeah, I didn’t think so either.

***
General manager Andy MacPhail and manager Dave Trembley can continue to explain how Orioles catching prospect Matt Wieters is not ready for the big leagues and needs more seasoning in Triple-A Norfolk, but no one is buying it.
Wieters’ staggering minor league numbers in 2008 proved to everyone that he’s ready to take the next step.

This move is all about the money, and it’s difficult to fault the Orioles for doing it. No matter how well Wieters performs in 2009, it will not turn the Orioles into a serious contender. However, having Wieters in 2015 would be extremely beneficial if the Orioles are seriously contending, something they plan to be doing long before then.

Wieters is represented by Scott Boras, so he will clearly be looking for the biggest contract he can get when he hits free agency. By sacrificing Wieters’ production for a few weeks in 2009, they could be saving an inordinate amount of money by keeping Wieters in 2015 when he figures to be in the prime of his career.

Could Wieters benefit from working with some of the organization’s young pitchers at Norfolk? Sure, but the young pitchers will be getting way more out of it than Wieters will. This one’s all about the money, and it’s the right move.

***
Matt Kenseth won his first Daytona 500 in a rain-shortened 152 laps. Taking nothing away from his special moment, I cannot help but shrug my shoulders.

While the weather is out of anyone’s control, it seems anticlimactic to award your sport’s equivalent of the Super Bowl or World Series to the winner after completing only three quarters of the race.

Can you imagine the Pittsburgh Steelers being awarded the title at the end of the third quarter? Can you envision the Philadelphia Phillies winning the World Series after the sixth inning of Game 5? Oh wait, it almost happened, but baseball made sure the Fall Classic had its proper ending.

To avoid this problem in the future, NASCAR should consider finishing the race the next day or schedule the race a week earlier, leaving an open weekend in the schedule to account for inclement weather. It may not be ideal, but it is better than having a race end when no one is even aware of it.

***
Bills running back Marshawn Lynch is just the latest example of a professional athlete completely out of touch with reality after being arrested and charged for possession of a concealed firearm over the weekend.

Where was Lynch when Giants wide receiver Plaxico Burress was shooting himself in the leg at a Manhattan nightclub last November? How many of their colleagues have to get busted to understand they are not immune to the laws we, as a society, must all obey?

Again, any athlete needing to carry a loaded firearm should hire security, or better yet, reevaluate the decision to go to these places where they feel the need to have such protection. Just using some common sense would keep more of these players out of trouble.

NFL commissioner Roger Goodell has received occasional criticism for the severe discipline levied on troubled players, but the message needs to be sent, especially if the legal system is unwilling to crack down on these millionaires.

***
The debate will continue on Maryland basketball coach Gary Williams’ recruiting efforts and practices, but there’s no questioning his coaching ability.

In Maryland’s impressive 83-73 home victory over Virginia Tech on Saturday, Williams pushed all the right buttons and managed a rotation that had four Terps scoring in double figures.

Williams is a victim of his own success, losing several assistant coaches over the years and being unable to replace their recruiting ties. Having always relied on his assistants to sign recruits, Williams simply lacks the troops to help him.

While the landscape of recruiting has changed with the emergence of AAU teams as an overwhelming factor, Williams has been unable, and possibly unwilling, to adapt.

Until this issue is addressed, Williams will continue to get everything he can out of his players on the court, but Maryland will continue to struggle in the talent-heavy ACC.

Five Stories Headlining Spring Training

Pitchers and catchers report on Saturday.

Six words that mean so much to a baseball fan.

A signal that spring is on the way after the harshness of winter. The hope that comes with a new baseball season. Regardless of what happened last year, there is always that chance, how slim it might be, that this year could be different; could be special.

For Baltimore fans, this annual spring hope has brought little in return in the past 11 losing seasons, but this spring almost comes as a relief.

The past week’s baseball news has been disheartening to say the least, both on the national stage with the fall of Alex Rodriguez and locally with the sagas of Miguel Tejada and Roberto Alomar.

For Orioles fans, expectations are again tempered playing in the difficult American League East, but for the first time in years, there is light at the end of the tunnel. An affluent crop of pitching in the farm system may finally put the Orioles in a position to compete with the Yankees, Red Sox, and Rays in the near future.

The Orioles may be another year or two away from taking the next step, but there are five stories worth watching in Fort Lauderdale this spring.

1. Quantity, but Quality Too?

The Orioles will bring 37 pitchers to the major league camp in hopes of finding the names to fill a wide-open starting rotation and a promising bullpen.

Although ace Jeremy Guthrie and Japanese newcomer Koji Uehara are seemingly entrenched at the top of the rotation, the names that will fill the last three spots are anybody’s guess.

“The Big Three,” pitching prospects Chris Tillman, Jake Arrieta, and Brian Matusz may not arrive until later this season or next, but several other young arms will be vying for manager Dave Trembley’s attention.

Former top prospect Hayden Penn will finally try to prove he belongs in the Orioles’ rotation. Penn has battled injuries and some freakish bad luck but will battle for a spot in the rotation or long relief.

Many are quick to write him off as a viable option, but at 24, Penn is still young enough to reinsert himself in the club’s future plans. He is out of options, so barring a disastrous spring, it would seem Penn breaks north with the club.

Newcomer David Pauley will also be a contender for the rotation. After finding success in the Red Sox system but receiving few opportunities in the majors, the 25-year old was acquired for reliever Randor Bierd. Pauley possesses a good sinker and a solid curveball. A change of scenery could be ideal for the right-hander.

Sticking with the theme of needing a fresh start, former Cubs pitcher Rich Hill was sent to the Orioles for a player to be named later. After posting a 3.92 ERA and winning 11 games in 2007, the southpaw fell apart last season, losing his command and eventually his spot in the Cubs’ rotation. The Orioles hope a reunion with pitching coach Rick Kranitz can reverse Hill’s control problems.

Other names to watch in the battle for the rotation include right-handers Matt Albers (returning from a shoulder injury), Brian Bass, Radhames Liz and lefties Chris Waters, and the reacquired John Parrish.

2. The Face of the Franchise

Severna Park native Mark Teixeira may have spurned the Orioles’ attempts to bring him home, but general manager Andy MacPhail showed the organization is willing to pay its own homegrown talent.

After failing to reach a long-term deal last offseason, the Orioles signed right fielder Nick Markakis to a six-year, $66M deal, officially branding the 25-year old as the face of the franchise.

Markakis is the type of player to build your team around, having all the tools needed to become a star. The super-reserved Markakis seemed more relaxed and comfortable at the press conference announcing the deal, possibly foreshadowing a willingness to take on a more vocal role with the club.

It will be interesting to see how Markakis performs after signing the second-richest contract in club history.

3. “Wieting” in the Wings

Catching prospect Matt Wieters will continue to be the talk of the Charm City until he arrives at Orioles Park at Camden Yards.

The organization figures to start the Baseball America Minor League Player of the Year at Triple-A Norfolk. MacPhail and Trembley will speak of Wieters needing more experience calling pitches before joining the big leagues, but it’s only window-dressing.

The Orioles will pull an “Evan Longoria” by starting Wieters in the minor leagues for the first weeks of the season. This would delay the start of his service time, impeding his eligibility for free agency until after the 2015 season. With the shrewd Scott Boras serving as his agent, the Orioles would be making a wise decision to hold onto Wieters as long as they can.

Of course, all bets might be off if Wieters hits .450 in spring training and forces the team’s hand. Sound unlikely? Maybe not.

Baseball Prospectus’ Kevin Goldstein wrote in January that Wieters is already the best player on the club and is “quite possibly the best catcher in the game.” Keep in mind, Wieters has never played above Double-A. Can you say hype?

4. Athletes in the Outfield

While Markakis has become the mainstay in right field, the Orioles have secured promising pieces in center and right.

Adam Jones had a solid debut in Baltimore despite missing time with a broken foot last season. The gifted centerfielder needs to improve his plate discipline with only 28 walks and 108 strikeouts in 477 at bats, but his hitting improved prior to the trip to the disabled list in early August.

Reports indicate the 23-year old added some muscle in the offseason, so his power numbers should improve in 2009.

Roaming left field will be newcomer Felix Pie, a former top prospect for the Cubs whom the Orioles attempted to acquire in the Brian Roberts’ trade talks a year ago. After struggling in 2008 in limited opportunities with Chicago, the Orioles were able to grab the 23-year old in a trade for pitcher Garrett Olson.

Pie received only 260 at bats with the Cubs in two seasons despite being ranked the top prospect in the organization at one time. He possesses four of the five tools, though some believe he can still develop more power, and is an intriguing low-risk, high-reward acquisition.

Could the addition of Pie give the Orioles the best young outfield in baseball? All three outfielders play great defense, and if Pie’s 2009 production can approach what Jones did last season, the Orioles could be looking at a dynamic trio in the outfield for many years to come.

5. A Closer Encounter

The return of hard-throwing Chris Ray from Tommy John surgery crowds the backend of the bullpen, always a good problem to have.

Ray was the team’s closer in 2006 and 2007 but will have to unseat All-Star stopper George Sherrill to regain his job.

Sherrill had a dominating first half in 2008 before struggling down the stretch with a sore shoulder, finishing with a 4.73 earned run average and 31 saves. He could be more valuable to the bullpen as a left-handed specialist, especially if veteran lefty Jamie Walker is unable to rebound from a rough 2008.

Look for Trembley to give Sherrill every opportunity to win the job, considering Trembley was not present during most of Ray’s tenure as closer.

Regardless of how the closer situation is resolved, the back of the bullpen looks to be a strength. Setting up Ray and Sherrill will be right-hander Jim Johnson who enjoyed much success in his first full season with the Orioles.

If the Orioles can somehow bridge the gap from the starting pitching to the seventh inning, these three have the ability to shorten games and give the club more opportunities to win.


Here’s an early shot in the dark of how the roster could look when the Orioles break camp and head north to Baltimore.

Lineup
2B Brian Roberts S
CF Adam Jones R
RF Nick Markakis L
1B Aubrey Huff L
3B Melvin Mora R
DH Luke Scott L
C Gregg Zaun S
LF Felix Pie L
SS Cesar Izturis S

Bench
IF/OF Ryan Freel R
IF/OF Ty Wigginton R
IF Chris Gomez R
C Guillermo Quiroz R

Rotation
Jeremy Guthrie R
Koji Uehara R
Rich Hill L
David Pauley R
Hayden Penn R

Bullpen
Matt Albers R
Mark Hendrickson L
Dennis Sarfate R
Jamie Walker L
Jim Johnson R
Chris Ray R
George Sherrill (closer) L


What will you be following as the Orioles prepare for the 2009 season in Ft. Lauderdale? Who will win a spot in the starting rotation? Leave your thoughts below.