Terp Talk - Maryland Sports » Dave Trembley

Maybe The Team Has The Skip’s Back–O’s 5 Senators 3—Wow Simon Gets His 6th Save

Bruce — Sat, 22 May 2010 03:49:12 +0000

It always bugs me when a team deserts its Coach. Kyle Boller never said one word of support for Brian Billick even though Coachspeak probably lost his job over the Boller decision. Trembley–love him or hate him—refuses to toss his non-performing players under the bus. MacPhail has been hesitant to dump the Skip probably because then the focus would be on him. Corey Patterson please don’t get picked off third–it’s embarrassing. It was good to see Trembley smile.

Cakes Calls Out Lugo For Total Lack of Hustle–O’s Waste Another Strong Pitching Performance–Go Down to M’s 3-1

Bruce — Wed, 21 Apr 2010 03:36:19 +0000

Jim Palmer said it –not me. The outspoken Hall of Famer criticized Julio Lugo for not running out a broken bat grounder to short. He continued to insinuate that Manager Trembley should have been waiting in the dugout to blast Lugo. But this never happened. Not a word was uttered to Lugo. The O’s lost again tonight, wasting a top effort by David Hernandez–going 6 1/3 innings allowing 3 runs on 7 hits. One run on 4 hits, failure to advance lead runners, and generally a lack of timely hitting have to the demise of the O’s lately.

Oakland 6 Birds 2—What Next?

Bruce — Fri, 16 Apr 2010 05:33:59 +0000

I only post this because I doubt if many of you stayed up to watch this. No one knows what to say anymore. The absence of Brian Roberts is killing the offense. Gonzo is out for at least 3 weeks, so there is no closer and let’s face it when he returns there probably still is no closer. Markakis got his 1st RBI last night, Adam Jones his 2nd. Fear not, it must and will get better–I just don’t know when and I doubt if Trembley knows either.

Final Tribute To Melvin Mora—By Dave Vatz

Bruce — Mon, 05 Oct 2009 04:19:39 +0000

At the Orioles final game on Sunday, the final game of the 4-game winning streak, something interesting happened with Melvin Mora. During the fifth inning with the bases loaded and 2 out and the Orioles down 3-2, Dave Trembley pinch hit for Melvin Mora, putting in Justin Turner. Turner would get a two-run single, but the move was about Mora.

Trembley had said before the game that he would remove Mora during the game to give him a chance for an ovation. It was a strange time to pull him, especially replacing Mora with a batter hitting below the Mendoza line. It worked out, but it was still a strange time to pull the move.

But, before the next half-inning, the camera focused on Melvin Mora and the whole crowd, gave him a standing ovation. He waved to the crowd and said after the game that he teared up during the clapping. It is a nice tribute to someone who has given so much to the Orioles.

Obviously there has been some turmoil with Mora this season, highlighted by his public comments about being “disrespected” by Dave Trembley in early August. But it is important to remember how much Melvin Mora has brought to the club. He has spent ten years here, mostly as the fixture as third base, getting to two All-Star Games. At times he was one of the best third basemen in the American League. He has a place in a number of Orioles hitting records. He is also a good guy who is loyal to the team, wanting a no-trade clause so that he could care for his family. He was not the greatest hitter or greatest fielder, but he had 10 solid years of service. We should not let the actions of one season make us forget all that he did for the Orioles.

Mora’s option is not going to be picked up, and likely his career with the Baltimore Orioles is over. Good luck to you Melvin, and thank you for 10 great years in Baltimore.

Blog from Dave Vatz—Terrapin 09 Graduate

I BELIEVE IN DAVE TREMBLEY!!!!!!!!!!!!

Bruce — Sat, 03 Oct 2009 05:17:47 +0000

Andy MacPhail made the right move. I am never in favor of managerial moves just for the sake of a move. Look how disastrous it has been for the O’s. The demise of the Birds this year was based on the dismissing of George Sherrill and Aubrey Huff. Joe Torre could not have won with this team. Dave Trembley has been given a 24th hour pardon. He knows what needs to be done. With the exception of Markakis and Wieters, any of the non pitchers are expendable. WE NEED A #1 starter and now a closer. We proved this year you must have a #1. Trembley knows he must deal with the baserunning blunders, the overall lack of fundamentals, but he must have more pitching . Its wins and losses now , in effect it’s Judgement Year for Dave and the GM. Say the Orioles finish at 61-99 –were there 20 more wins available this year. the answer is a resounding yes. 81-81 must be the goal next year. Then 2011 will be our year. I believe Trembley is the guy who will take us home.

O’s Bullpen Blows Another game–Why is Anyone Surprised?

Bruce — Sun, 27 Sep 2009 06:16:26 +0000

60-93 or 20-45 post All Star Game—I neber thought these would be the numbers this year. Perhaps replacing George Sherrill waon’t be as east as many have mentioned.

Freddy Expresses Optimism About The O’s

Bruce — Thu, 24 Sep 2009 01:08:30 +0000

Losing Sherrill would not have changed anything significantly for the Orioles. Last place with him or without him. However MacPhail is doing a great job despite the w-l record. The foundation is being set for a much better season next year and a contending team in probably 2 to 2 1/2 years from now. Outstanding young outfield, good double play combo, terrific young catcher, several quality young arms in the rotation. promising prospect at 3rd base, Josh Bell, picked up in the Sherrill trade. Need to trade for power hitting first baseman, need a dh, could use a proven starter, bullpen still needs work and they need a manager who knows how to win and gets the most out of his players. But look at the present team and compare it to the team of 2-3 years ago. Big Big difference.

Blog from Freddy from Boca

“In MacPhail We Trust”—O’s Give Away Huff –Forfeit Remainder of the Season

Bruce — Tue, 18 Aug 2009 05:09:46 +0000

I am to assume that a Single A closer is worth forfeiting the remainder of the season because by jettisoning Aubrey Huff the chances of the O’s winning 22 of their remaing games and winding up with 70 wins is very remote. Why does this matter you might ask? Season ticket holders pay the same price for games in August and September that they pay in May and June. The only difference the message the Oriole brass is sending out is who cares about the folks who attend games. I for one am sick of hopeless games in September played before empty houses. It sickens me that this is the path again. Do you think I care about Detroit winning a pennant with our talent. When does this end?

Believe in MacPhail. I will go with it but my patience is wearing thin. I am beginning to think it is unfair to dump Trembley. He keeps taking bullets for MacPhail and never publicly complains. Another sad day in Oriole history.

Pie Hits For Cycle as O’s Win 16-6—Scioscia Acts Like An Idiot!!!!!

Bruce — Sat, 15 Aug 2009 05:29:14 +0000

Tonight’s game was quite the feat for the Orioles. Baltimore, facing an Angels lineup with eight batters hitting around .300 and going against Jared Weaver, who had a 12-3 record going into the game. The Orioles crushed the Angels 16-6, capped by Felix Pie getting the 4^th cycle in Orioles history. After hitting his triple, Pie flashed some fist pumps to the crowd, which drew a stare from Angels manager Mike Scioscia as he was replacing his pitcher. Pie later apologized, which he should have done to save face.

But come on, why do we have this double standard? Baseball is the only major sport we have where the winning team is strongly encouraged to not celebrate. Celebrations happen all the time with other sports, including basketball, football, and hockey, but baseball is very different. Now Mike Scioscia is a terrific manager that will likely have has team competing in the playoffs this season. I understand it was a frustrating game, but really, can you lay off Pie? Don’t you have better things to do, like not leaving a reliever out when he’s allowed four runs in an inning?

It has been a rough year for Felix Pie, having to play a permanent role behind Nolan Reimold after struggling early in the year. But he is slowly coming into his own, raising his average to above .250 and becoming a very useful bench player on the basepaths and on defense. Plus, the cycle puts him into the Oriole history books. And to Mike Scioscia, leave Felix Pie alone. It was not so bad that you had to make it an issue.

Blog from ’09 Terrapin Graduate Dave Vatz

Comments from Bruce—Scioscia’s eyeballing of Pie was a disgrace. Mike look at where the O’s are–trapped in last place. You acted like a jerk last night. If you think about retaliating against BRob or Jones, I only hope Trembley attacks Vladimir!!!

All is Not Lost for the Birds of Baltimore–Optimism from Boca

Bruce — Mon, 03 Aug 2009 05:01:43 +0000

Yes, the Orioles lost today (Sunday 8-2-09) 18-10. Just couldn’t get that last touchdown and the “A.F.L.” 2 pt. conversion to put the game in o.t. Sad isn’t it? And the O’s are 4-12 since the All Star break. And even those who agreed or disagreed with the Sherrill trade can’t even say if the former O’s closer was here he would have saved the game because since the “Brim Reaper” has been traded there has not been a chance for a save by an Orioles pitcher. First of all, anyone who expected the Orioles to be competitive this year doesn’t know a thing about baseball. The Orioles hierarchy would even tell you, under truth sermon, that unless a miracle would happen for Charm City’s baseball team, this year was all about setting the table for the future. I personally don’t think you should expect the Orioles to be a competitive team until mid-2010. However, look what has happened since Peter Angelos hired Andy MacPhail and has given MacPhail free reign to do his job. The O’s have put together one of baseball’s best outfield’s, a solid double play combo, baseball’s number 1 prospect at catcher, and a young starting pitching staff, some still in the minors,, who, if they are successful, will put the Orioles in the pennant race. Maybe not next year, but certainly in 2011. The Orioles have been one of the worst run organizations in the sports world since the mid-80′s. You can’t expect miracles in 2 years after 25 years of terrible management. Trust me, the future does look bright for the Orioles and their long-suffering fans.,,and I have been a fan since Arnie Portocarro was the Orioles first 15 game winner. With just a little bit of luck the O’s will be contending in 2011 and playing good baseball by the middle of next year.

From chilly Boca Raton, where the heat index is about 135, this is Terp Talk Southern United States reporter Freddy from Boca signing off.

P.S, if the young starters fail to do the job all is lost. Abandon ship.and start a whiffle ball league.
Frederick C. Kallens, President
K.O. Productions On-Hold Services, Inc.