The Birds should have hired Showalter back in April

The Orioles were supposed to be that welcoming sight on the schedule. Camden Yards was a spa where all woes of a losing streak could go away.

In other words, the Orioles have sucked for so long that beating them in a series was always a foregone conclusion and down right awful when they would sneak a game or two.

Or at least that is what the Desperate to get their act together Angels and trying to put distance between them and their closest team White Sox are probably thinking.

But the O's swept the Angels, ending any realistic playoff hopes and now the White Sox lost in extra innings.

Is this REALLY what Buck Showalter can do for a team?

They can go from joke to unbeatable after one week?

Back in June when Dave Trembley was fired and replaced by Juan Samuel on an interim basis, I said they could bring back John McGraw and this team would still lose 100 games.

Maybe that is the goal. Have this team avoid 100 losses.

After tonight, they will have to go 27-26 over their last 53 games in order to stay at 99 losses.

Granted, that's not exactly the most inspirational goal for a team, but this team needs to take baby steps.

And so far so good in the Showalter era.

The Birds should have hired Showalter back in April

The Orioles were supposed to be that welcoming sight on the schedule. Camden Yards was a spa where all woes of a losing streak could go away.

In other words, the Orioles have sucked for so long that beating them in a series was always a foregone conclusion and down right awful when they would sneak a game or two.

Or at least that is what the Desperate to get their act together Angels and trying to put distance between them and their closest team White Sox are probably thinking.

But the O's swept the Angels, ending any realistic playoff hopes and now the White Sox lost in extra innings.

Is this REALLY what Buck Showalter can do for a team?

They can go from joke to unbeatable after one week?

Back in June when Dave Trembley was fired and replaced by Juan Samuel on an interim basis, I said they could bring back John McGraw and this team would still lose 100 games.

Maybe that is the goal. Have this team avoid 100 losses.

After tonight, they will have to go 27-26 over their last 53 games in order to stay at 99 losses.

Granted, that's not exactly the most inspirational goal for a team, but this team needs to take baby steps.

And so far so good in the Showalter era.

Good Luck, Juan Samuel

Well Dave Trembley didn't make it through the week after I wondered why he was smiling.

Going on an 8 game losing streak will always hurt your chances of staying employed. Going 3-15 since May 14th doesn't help either. May 25th was his last win as an Orioles manager,

He's out and Juan Samuel is in. If the Orioles finish with a record better than 45-117 (the pace the Birds were on under Trembley) then the move worked.

All he needs to do is go 31-78 the rest of the way and mission will be accomplished.

I know Samuel has the "interim" label on him... but let him at least finish the season. You could bring John McGraw back from the dead and this team will still lose 100 games.

Good Luck, Juan Samuel

Well Dave Trembley didn't make it through the week after I wondered why he was smiling.

Going on an 8 game losing streak will always hurt your chances of staying employed. Going 3-15 since May 14th doesn't help either. May 25th was his last win as an Orioles manager,

He's out and Juan Samuel is in. If the Orioles finish with a record better than 45-117 (the pace the Birds were on under Trembley) then the move worked.

All he needs to do is go 31-78 the rest of the way and mission will be accomplished.

I know Samuel has the "interim" label on him... but let him at least finish the season. You could bring John McGraw back from the dead and this team will still lose 100 games.

Hey Orioles. Keep stinking for a few more days

I am starting to feel bad for the Orioles and Dave Trembley.

I mean I poked fun at Trembley earlier this week, but I have nothing against the guy.

And NOBODY, not even Don Zimmer, deserves a stretch like this. The Orioles lost as Mariano Rivera picked up a save. Even though Rivera walked the lead off hitter and hit the next batter, there was ZERO suspense in that inning.

So it is 8 in a row and if it is possible they are playing worse than they were at the beginning of the week.

They are now on pace to go 45-117... and they don't even look like they give a damn.

Each veteran looks like they are heading to the park expected to be traded. Every young player is just happy to not be riding a bus from game to game.

They are playing worse than the Bulls when the manager, Joe Riggins, gave them the "Lollygaggers" speech.

All I ask is this... keep playing this braindead brand of baseball for 3 more games. Wait until the Red Sox leave town after Sunday.

Just have the losing streak go to 11 and THEN get your act together.

Besides, you already swept the Sox ONCE this year. That should be enough.

Thanks.

Your pal, Sully

Hey Orioles. Keep stinking for a few more days

I am starting to feel bad for the Orioles and Dave Trembley.

I mean I poked fun at Trembley earlier this week, but I have nothing against the guy.

And NOBODY, not even Don Zimmer, deserves a stretch like this. The Orioles lost as Mariano Rivera picked up a save. Even though Rivera walked the lead off hitter and hit the next batter, there was ZERO suspense in that inning.

So it is 8 in a row and if it is possible they are playing worse than they were at the beginning of the week.

They are now on pace to go 45-117... and they don't even look like they give a damn.

Each veteran looks like they are heading to the park expected to be traded. Every young player is just happy to not be riding a bus from game to game.

They are playing worse than the Bulls when the manager, Joe Riggins, gave them the "Lollygaggers" speech.

All I ask is this... keep playing this braindead brand of baseball for 3 more games. Wait until the Red Sox leave town after Sunday.

Just have the losing streak go to 11 and THEN get your act together.

Besides, you already swept the Sox ONCE this year. That should be enough.

Thanks.

Your pal, Sully

Why is this man smiling?

It's been almost exactly 3 years since Dave Trembley took over the Orioles in June of 2007.

Then the common thought process was "Hey, there's no way anyone's going to beat the Red Sox nor Yankees... so just keep the seat warm."

Well since then the Rays have shown that a team not in the Northeast can win the division and at this point, even the Blue Jays are contending.

Meanwhile the Orioles are 187-280 under Trembley... almost 100 games UNDER .500 in not quite 3 seasons!

That's an even .400 winning percentage that is falling like a rock with the Orioles in a 5 game tailspin.

Look, nobody was expecting the Orioles to remind anyone of the great Earl Weaver teams this year... but there ARE some talented players on this squad. Adam Jones, Nick Markakis and Matt Wieters were supposed to be the nucleus for an exciting team. And veterans like Ty Wigginton, Cesar Izturis and Kevin Millwood were supposed to help the young kids mature.

Instead the Orioles are on pace to go 47-115... which would not only be the worst record in baseball since the 2003 Tigers... but be the worst team in Baltimore Oriole history (yes, worse than the 1988 team that started 0-21 and finished 54-107.)

That would be the most losses in the HISTORY of the franchise dating back to the days of the inept St. Louis Browns.

Dave Trembley could lead the Orioles into its absolute darkest hour.
The franchise that was once the model of consistency and winning ways could hit its low point in 2010 under Trembley's watch.

Why is this man smiling?
Because with the team having an off day, it seemed 60/40 he was going to get fired... and so far he hasn't.

Maybe he'll turn it around.
Maybe they will avoid the worst record in team history.

Keep smiling.

Congrats on the job, Dave. I think you need some pitching

Dave Trembley was signed on to be the Orioles manager through 2008 today... and his team rewarded him by taking the biggest ass whuppin' since the 19th century.

30 to 3 was the final.

And get your arms loose, boys! It's only game one of a double header.

The game has only been over for about 20 minutes, but I have some initial thoughts:

1. It's the biggest ass whuppin since Chicago beat Louisville... in 1897
The American League didn't exist yet.
Amelia Earhart and George Gershwin weren't born yet.
Brahams was still alive.
That's a HISTORICAL asswhuppin'

2. It was the first game of a double header which means several starters, including Sammy Sosa, Gerald Laird and Brad Wilkerson were resting for game 2. I wonder if there was any pressure on them to top the game 1 score.

3. The Orioles were up 3-0, so technically this was a "Come from behind" win. A genuine nailbiter.

4. It was quite a day for players picked up at trade deadline deals for the Rangers. Jarrod Saltalamacchia (and yes, I looked up how to spell that name) who was picked up in the Teixeria trade, went 4-6 with 2 homers, 5 runs scored and 7 runs batted in. Former Red Sox David Murphy went 5 for 7 and raised his average to .550. (I am predicting it will go down.) Kason Gabbard, also picked from the Red Sox for Gagne, got the win. Safe to say, he enjoyed his run support.

5. If you can believe it, someone got a save for this game! Wes Littleton pitched the last 3 innings, which does indeed qualify as a save. Not exactly a pressure packed save you'd have to admit. I'm sure he wasn't quaking on the mound in the 9th thinking "I got to hold these guys to 26 runs!"

6. Two guys hit grand slams... two guys drove in 7 runs each... two more drove in 4... two guys hit 2 homers... and every run was earned.

7. The Good teammate award goes to Paul Shuey. The one time second overall draft pick who never became the star the Indians were expecting, pitched the last two innings, saving the bullpen for the nightcap. His ERA wasn't exactly sparkling going into yesterday's game (6.75). That was before he let up 9 runs in two innings pitched. Now it is at 9.49. When your ERA in August jumps by nearly 3 runs in one night, you had better demand a round of drinks from your teammates.

8. What could Ranger manager Ron Washington POSSIBLY say to his team to keep them pumped up? "Come on guys! It's only a 27 run lead! Don't let them back into this?"

9. What could Trembley say to the Orioles between games? "Alright guys, it's just a loss. Brush it off, and try not to beat in a manner that hasn't been seen since before the Spanish American War!"

10. There is no pressure AT ALL on Garrett Olson, the Orioles pitcher in the nightcap. Just hold the Rangers to under 30 and he'll have the best pitch game of the night!