Bird's Eye View

By Bird's Eye ViewSports Baseball

Bird's Eye View episodes

May 02, 2017 Episode 199: Do You Even Baseball?
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Leading Off
April is gone, and Justin Timberlake has made his annual appearance on our social media feeds. This is the time when we try to convince ourselves there has been enough baseball to draw reasonable conclusions. But, Birdland, it is not. And if there were reasonable conclusions to be reached, we certainly wouldn’t get there.

The Medical Wing

* Zach Britton – left forearm strain
* Chris Tillman – shoulder
* Welington Castillo – neck spasms
* Anthony Santander – uh… stuff?

This Week on the Twitters

@BirdsEyeViewBal @mattkremnitzer Palmer moaning in amazement of homeruns is my favorite sound on the planet
— This is Birdland (@Os_Birdland) April 25, 2017

@BirdsEyeViewBal pic.twitter.com/jaxhIpSVqa
— Andrew Stetka (@AStetka) April 26, 2017

Seth Smith Little League Home Run! According to @sabr Database, 1st LLHR for Orioles since Boog Powell on 8/11/1966 https://t.co/zA7Wl2AT1l
— James Smyth (@JamesSmyth621) April 27, 2017

Shrimp!! @BirdsEyeViewBal https://t.co/AXpsRCT4DD
— Tom Jones (@steelbaru) April 27, 2017

Let's be honest, the Orioles have been on the right end of a lot of bullshit wins so far this year, so they were overdue for… this.
— Camden Chat (@CamdenChat) April 29, 2017

The Angriest Balls

This week, we’re visited by Ryan Blake (@ryguyblake) to discuss the start of the Orioles season – hot starts, slow starts. Fun games, sad games. Things we love, and things that make us throw things at the television.
Ryan tells us why we shouldn’t worry about Manny Machado, and why you should worry about these new-look Yankees.
Check out Ryan’s podcast over at baseballfam.com and keep up with his OriolesFansProbz on Twitter.

Do You Even Baseball?

Embed from Getty Images

April has come and gone, and its ending was certainly… intense. What do you make of it? Are you an optimist who says that the Orioles’ winning record means that good things are in store for this team in 2017? Or are you a pessimist who says that the wins are all smoke an mirrors, and that this team is in trouble?
Can we *clutches pearls* admit it’s probably somewhere in the middle?
The Orioles played as bad a series as you’re going to see a team play, this past weekend in New York. When we asked Orioles Twitter which regular season losses were worse than Friday’s “one that got away,” the response was limited to:

57 min
April 25, 2017 Episode 198: O’s Before Prose
We review the media's role in the kerfuffle surrounding Manny Machado with Eroc RDT. We also dust off the bongos and enter the Orioles Poetry Corner.
The post Episode 198: O’s Before Prose appeared first on Bird's Eye View.
54 min
April 25, 2017 Episode 198: O’s Before Prose
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Leading Off
So… did anything interesting happen this week? Despite what has been presented to us, there was some baseball between the lines this week, and it was good – for the Orioles, that is. The O’s came back from an opening loss in Cincinnati to win the series, then took the first two from Boston, before letting the third get away. We have been beating the ‘small sample size’ drum all season, but it sure is nice to see the O’s get hot with smoke and mirrors. It’s much better than the alternative.

The Medical Wing

* Chris Tillman – shoulder
* Joey Rickard – middle finger strain
* Zach Britton – left forearm strain

This Week on the Twitters

All parks went to the statcast measurements, but the pitch types were way off. Going to make it hard for writers who don't watch (and fans)
— Jon Meoli (@JonMeoli) April 21, 2017

@BirdsEyeViewBal @JMcGuireMLB @BaseballBookPod no more Beatles v Stones question?
— Kevin Owens (@kevinowens72_g) April 19, 2017

@BirdsEyeViewBal Nice chablis tonight to go with my Chicken Pesto.
— Jim Palmer (@Jim22Palmer) April 18, 2017

If you're looking to focus on something that doesn't matter, then sure, harp on Gausman chewing gum.
— Matt Kremnitzer (@mattkremnitzer) April 19, 2017

*player gets spiked*
player: nbd
*camera pans to out of shape white middle-aged sportswriter putting on army fatigues and eye black*
— Bill Baer (@Baer_Bill) April 23, 2017

Stoolies Sample

We visit with Eric Arditti from Barstool Sports to discuss the elephant in the podcast studio. We all know what happened this week. Plenty of others will talk about what happened, and why it happened, and which part was or was not intentional. We’re more interested in the way it was covered, and the role the media – new and traditional – played in the kerfuffle that followed.
Did Manny mean to hurt Dustin Pedrioa? No.
Even if he did, is that a reason to throw a baseball at his head? No.
Baseball’s unwritten rules are absurd, but that which was written makes little more sense.

Check out Eric’s work at Barstool Sports, and follow him on twitter @BarstoolRDT.

O’s Poetry Corner

This was a very emotional week in Orioles baseball. There was a lot to love. There was a lot to be upset about. When that happens, we turn to art and literature to help us express all that which resides in our orange-tinted soul. If you tuned into the podcast thinking “you know, I don’t hear enough Orioles-themed sonnets,” then this is the episode for you. If not, then stick around for the slam poetry.
Honestly, we’re not even sure what can be said about this segment. Uh… at least it’s not singing?

Deep Cuts
54 min
April 18, 2017 Episode 197: The Natural
We talk with Justin McGuire of the Baseball by the Book podcast, to put the Orioles first 11 games in context. We also discuss 'The Natural,' Trey Mancini.
The post Episode 197: The Natural appeared first on Bird's Eye View.
1 hr 7 min
April 18, 2017 Episode 197: The Natural
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Leading Off

The Orioles have played strictly AL East opponents in this, early portion of the season. Next, the team will leave the Eastern Time Zone and the American League to play the surprising Cincinnati Reds. Look forward to pitchers hitting, double switches, and a rare look at Great American Ballpark in the Queen City.
The Medical Wing

* Chris Tillman – shoulder
* Joey Rickard – middle finger strain
* Zach Britton – left forearm strain

This Week on the Twitters

Erik Bedard went 15-14 in parts of 3 seasons w/Seattle. Adam Jones is now 5th all time in the 64 year history of the #Orioles in home runs.
— Brett Hollander (@BrettHollander) April 12, 2017

Tonight is a reminder for people to stop acting idiotic over a loss. There's always going to be tomorrow.
— Joe Papparotto (@JoePappa) April 13, 2017

@BirdsEyeViewBal can Jake English tell me the hr/k ratio for the past 3 yrs for the O's as a team. any relevance to it
1 hr 7 min
April 11, 2017 Episode 196: Tell Me What You See
With five games in the books, we have all we need to make bold pronouncements on the 2017 season. We go Around the Bases and issue Orioles Superlatives.
The post Episode 196: Tell Me What You See appeared first on Bird's Eye View.
49 min
April 11, 2017 Episode 196: Tell Me What You See
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Leading Off
IT’S HERE!!! The 2017 season has arrived, and well… it’s not half bad. As of today, your Baltimore Orioles have a 4-1 record, and if for no other reason than their alphabetic advantage, they find themselves in the AL East…

The Medical Wing

* Chris Tillman – still has that shoulder attached to his body
* Joey Rickard – stuck in traffic injury (middle finger strain)

This Week on the Twitters

@RStickel24 But CAP10 still sounds like Captain. RE2PECT sounds like retwopect.
— Sean Corcoran (@DK745) April 6, 2017

Love @masnOrioles booth citing @baseballpro during the broadcast. Progress!
— Sarah Cumbie (@sarahcumbie) April 6, 2017

It's comforting to know, in an uncertain universe, that we can still count on the O's being unable to retire #9 hitters in clutch situations
— Camden Chat (@CamdenChat) April 9, 2017

Both possible to realize O's bullpen was not good today while noting that it's going to happen if 4-5 relief innings are routinely needed.
— Matt Kremnitzer (@mattkremnitzer) April 9, 2017

After one week of play almost in the books, the biggest surprise has been what? #LetsTalkBaseball
— Baseball Essential (@BB_Essential) April 10, 2017

Around the Bases: What We’ve Seen So Far

Look, with just one week (5 games!) in the books, we want to channel Dave Cameron’s comments in a recent FanGraphs post:
Writing about baseball in April can be difficult. Things are happening, and the natural inclination is to want to talk about those things, but for most players, we’re talking about 20 or 30 plate appearances. A bunch of starters have pitched one game. Besides changes in velocity, there’s not much we can say about what has happened so far. The Diamondbacks and Twins are the best two teams in baseball right now, so yeah, it’s early.
With that, let’s go Around the Bases for what we’ve seen thus far:
First Base: The bullpen is going to be good, again.
Second Base: The outfield is a work in progress.
Third Base: Yankees fans are still no fun to be around.
Home Plate: Orioles appear in ESPN’s power rankings at #4.

Orioles Superlatives

Do you ever wonder how you will be remembered? In high school, we all worked toward that small notation in the yearbook – a surefire sign that our impact would be made upon bookshelves and boxes in classmates’ basements. With that, we take a look at who in Birdland has earned a spot in the upcoming 2017 Oriole Yearbook.
Consider this to be the Orioles school-related blog where we do give detention.

Deep Cuts

Scott has replaced our old Fantasy Boss segment with something he can hope to win. After having had his doors blown off in successive seasons, he unveiled Deep Cuts, a segment that pits Jake’s love of old, obscure music against Scott’s desire to talk stats.
The concept is simple. Scott presents a deep cut each week (usually something f...
49 min
April 05, 2017 Episode 195: Get Back
We relive our Opening Day experience, and rehash the only game we've seen in the 2017 season. We also make Bold Predictions, and use some Gory Math.
The post Episode 195: Get Back appeared first on Bird's Eye View.
59 min
April 05, 2017 Episode 195: Get Back
– – –
Leading Off
We promised that last week’s show would be the final episode for 2017 without real baseball to talk about. Ladies and gentlemen, the first game is in the books, and Orioles Baseball is back! One game does not a season make. It is impossible to draw too many conclusions from a single game. But hey…

The Medical Wing

* Darren O’Day (flu)
* Manny Machado (wrist raspberry)

This Week on the Twitters

Last night, Manny Machado recorded hit #700, becoming the 34th Oriole to do so.
— O's Stats & Facts (@BirdlandStats) April 4, 2017

Sometime this year, Mike Trout will likely collect his 1,000th career hit and 200th career homer. https://t.co/onW9CtFHWq He's 25.
— Buster Olney (@Buster_ESPN) April 4, 2017

Key for Blue Jays this season: their fans not throwing bottles at opposing players
— Matt Kremnitzer (@mattkremnitzer) April 3, 2017

The Trop is playing "Money For Nothing.." by Dire Staits while intro'ing the Yankees. Excellent. #microwaveovens
— Mike Petriello (@mike_petriello) April 2, 2017

Opening Day Recap

Embed from Getty Images

Opening Day 2017 has come and gone. The weather held out, the beer was cold, and the Orioles avenged themselves on the Blue Jays, flipping the script from the 11-inning game that ended their 2016 season. Put simply, all was right with the world.
We talk about our day, and the game itself.

Predictions

If there’s one thing we, here at Bird’s Eye View are good at, it’s not predictions. Seriously, this is the podcast that told you in April 2012 that the team was going to lose 100 games that season. But as bad as we are at predictions, we’re worse at quitting. We give our predictions on the Orioles’ win/loss record, and provide a few bold predictions.

Deep Cuts

Scott has replaced our old Fantasy Boss segment with something he can hope to win. After having had his doors blown off in successive seasons, he unveiled Deep Cuts, a segment that pits Jake’s love of old, obscure music against Scott’s desire to talk stats.
The concept is simple. Scott presents a deep cut each week (usually something from the 60s to the 80s), and if Jake can’t name the artist and song, then Scott’s stat talk goes on as planned.
It’s a brutal game. C# Major vs. Barrels.
Who will own it?

Blowing the Save

Most podcasts try to end on a high note – the perfect coda to a quality program. That’s just not our style. Each week, we’ll end on a weak note, blowing the save with an item that didn’t quite fit into the episode, or something they simply need to get off their chests. It’s our version of taking the ball and pulling a Kevin Gregg.
Your Turn
Love it? Hate it? Confused? Let us and other listeners know! As always, we appreciate the support.
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59 min
March 28, 2017 Episode 194: Baby’s in (Orange and) Black
It's almost here! To round out Spring Training, we visit with Jeff Long from Baseball Prospectus and Matt Taylor of The Roar From 34.
The post Episode 194: Baby’s in (Orange and) Black appeared first on Bird's Eye View.
1 hr 13 min