The Score So Far
If you're counting at home:The number of Democrats who were/are in the Executive Branch and Nobel Prize winners: 2
For Republicans: ZERO
64-98 2009 Finished
With the sweep of the Toronto Blue Jays the Orioles end the 2009 season on a high note. We can forget the 13 losses before then, because all is forgiven when you win. So, so long to the Birds of Baltimore. It was a fun season, frustrating at times, but fun none the less. We’ll see you in 2010.
Penultimate Game of the Season
Just got back from the Orioles game. It’s a WIN! They won’t lose 100 games this season. Close, but no cigar.
We went to the game early. Ate at Faidley’s again. Oysters, fried clams, and crab cakes. Plus a beer. Then we stroll down Howard to Camden Yards and get our tickets. I love that we suck, because you can get any seat in the house. I choose center left against the fence.
We get a beer at Pickles Pub waiting for the gates to open. When they do we collect our Orioles tankard, and wish we could’ve joined the Octoberfest festivities in the picnic area in center field. We go shag some fly balls in the bleachers during the Blue Jays batting practice. I get a ball!! It ricocheted off the back wall and into my glove. Sweet! We then switch up and shag balls near our seat. Nothing comes close as they tail off towards the foul poll.
The O’s win! Can’t wait for the last game of the season. See you there!
"Maestro, if you please. Rumpshaker, or some reasonable facsimile."
Rays @ Orioles, Sept 16, 2009
Originally uploaded by browsermetrics.
Sometimes it’s hard to be a Baltimore Orioles fan. The decade of losing. The old worn out pro free agents. The not ready for prime time rookies. The dead arms and dead bats. Jobu does not smile on this franchise.
Yet. You go the Yard. Drink beer. Sweet talk the ball girl. And watch the game and it becomes fun.
Nothing like a night at the Yard.
Mount Ventoux
So far, Le Tour has been slightly disappointing. It hasn’t been as exciting, because Astana has been making mince meat of the GC category. They’ve locked it down. No one else has come close, except for the Schleck brothers. They threw a wrench into the Astana train’s gears by climbing onto the podium on Wednesday, the last day in the Alps. It took the long individual time trial to dislodge the oldest, Frank, and Lance Armstrong, the old man, to show them how it’s done.
Today was the Mount Ventoux stage which would sort out the contenders from the pretenders. Usually, a mountain top finish would not be anywhere near the penultimate day of Le Tour. Usually. The GC contenders threw themselves up the slopes of the Giant of Provence. Andy Schleck showed that he was a young rider to contend with. He attacked, and attacked hoping to drag his brother back onto the podium. It did nothing. Lance Armstrong sat on their wheel all ride up not allowing them to breach the strangle lock that Astana has. The other top ten sorted themselves out keeping their places. Contador wins. Tomorrow will just be for the sprinters and the victory laps around the Champs Elysée.
And that’s why it was boring. The same things have happened as when Armstrong won his seven. The strong team goes out and locks down the GC, and the other contenders can only watch. More fireworks.
Afterwards, I went for a quick ride in the heat of the late morning. I should’ve ate breakfast, because their was not gas in my tank. Today was my own suffering on my Mount Ventoux.
B’more! Represent.
AJ with the game winning sac-fly. Another one for the AL.
The Legend of Tommy Voeckler
The most lucky of French cyclists (or unlucky if you see him go on a breakaway), Thomas Voeckler wins his first stage of Le Tour. Not of this years version, but of the several he’s participated in. Of course, he’s a former yellow jersey winner holding off Lance Armstrong for 10 days in 2004.
Way to go Tommy! Chapeau!
As you can see, he won the heart of all of France in 2004 in fighting to keep the yellow on the climb up the Plat de baile. He’s also one of my favorites, because of this charge and you can always count on him to go out a try and win a stage. Finally, he’s won one.
Still in last place
Watching and listening to the Orioles play the Nationals. Going into this series, I was incredulous that we were as bad as that team. I mean, they’re the worst in the majors we’re better, right? Not so fast. Our hitters at the end of the order are just as bad. Just as bad is our pitching.
But we’ve done well so far these last two games.
We’ve won 4-2 in extra innings last night and 2-1 with only three hits tonight. Amazing. Both teams are evenly matched.
We are just as bad but just a little bit better than them.
BrowserMetrics: 2, Losers: 0
Was at the game for BrowserMetrics’ nephew little league day. Hooray. We come back to win in. I’m the Orioles’ good luck charm as the two games I’ve been to were wins.
Go O’s!
Baltimore – Camden Yards: Home of the Baltimore Orioles
Baltimore – Camden Yards: Home of the Baltimore Orioles
Originally uploaded by wallyg.
I have the same picture from my iPhone, but it is too blurry to post.
Yeah, Orioles! The worst is that the last championship pennant is 1983. We may be headed for Cubs territory the way things are going on with the team, the division and the leagues.