Bird's Eye View

By Bird's Eye ViewSports Baseball

Bird's Eye View episodes

November 24, 2015 Episode 145: It’s Getting Chile
Leading Off
This week’s news and rumors focus on the reunification (and rumored reunification) of the likes of Steve Tollison and L.J. Hoes. Also, that Darren O’Day may sign in Washington. And… that’s about it. Matt Wieters accepted his qualifying offer. Now we wait for the Orioles to do something – anything. Welcome to the offseason.
The only thing that can make the wait easier is diving into the Drink of the Week. Let us know what you’re drinking on untapped – we can be found at jakee4025 and magn8606.

This Week on the Twitters

Recently, I heard that industry perspective is that Orioles will let the scene shake out and look for undervalued leftovers.
— Camden Depot (@CamdenDepot) November 16, 2015

Braves Chairman/CEO: "Baseball is not a widely profitable business." https://t.co/kh5ll9XkMO
— Craig Calcaterra (@craigcalcaterra) November 16, 2015

I feel like this would be a very appropriate time for the Orioles to fire Rick Peterson.
— Nick Schaefer (@Nick_TCS) November 18, 2015

The Braves are shopping Freddie Freeman https://t.co/WYpzvdFXSw
— HardballTalk (@HardballTalk) November 15, 2015

Nestor: So #Orioles are going to chase #Astros Chris Carter who hit .199? Guess ghosts of Mark Reynolds & Dave Kingman aren't free agents?
— WNST (@WNST) November 11, 2015

ICYMI – Joseph on Wieters: "I'd love to be Matt Wieters' backup for the next 10 years." https://t.co/E1UmDvpmNA pic.twitter.com/u71EkQSRSR
— Orioles on MASN (@masnOrioles) November 16, 2015

Around the Bases

In this Around the Bases, we address the following:
First Base – Matt Wieters/Qualifying Offer
Second Base – The J.J. Hardy Conundrum
Third Base – Hoes in different area codes? (sorry)
Home Plate – The wisdom/folly of having Peter Angelos directly involved in the Chris Davis negotiations

Mocking Otherwise Decent Nationals Fans

View image | gettyimages.com

Look, this offseason is no fun. If we’re going to talk about the Nationals maybe sorta kinda being linked to Darren O’Day, we’re going to do it by beating up on an otherwise pretty decent dude: friend of the program and Nationals fan, Josh Finver.
Josh explains why neither fan base can have nice things, politely declines an invitation to “go back to Canada,” and disparages southwestern eggrolls.

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,
50 min
November 10, 2015 Episode 144: Reginald the Cactus
The Orioles are off to a quiet start to the offseason. In Episode 144, we go Around the Bases, and consider some Choose Your Own Adventure options.
The post Episode 144: Reginald the Cactus appeared first on Bird's Eye View.
48 min
November 10, 2015 Episode 144: Reginald the Cactus
Leading Off
Welcome to the Offseason! The Orioles have gotten off to a roaring start, by offering Qualifying Offers to Wei-Yin Chen, Matt Wieters, and Chris Davis. Those players now have a draft pick hanging around their head, leading to the most obvious question: how will the Orioles botch those three draft picks?
The GM Meetings have started, and rumors will swirl. This is the silly season of baseball. Enjoy!
We start out, as always, with the Drink of the Week.

Also, we’d like to ask that you vote for us in this year’s Mobbies. Be sure to check out the other phenomenal Maryland content contributors!

This Week on the Twitters

Dylan Bundy was slated to make his third fall league appearance today, but he isn't expected to pitch because of elbow stiffness. #Orioles
— Eduardo A. Encina (@EddieInTheYard) November 9, 2015

Source: Orioles made play for Korean 1B Byung-Ho Park but were outbid. Hasn't been announced yet which team won rights to negotiate w Park
— Dan Connolly (@danconnolly2016) November 7, 2015

The Orioles have made Qualifying Offers to LHP Wei-Yin Chen, INF Chris Davis, and C Matt Wieters.
— Baltimore Orioles (@Orioles) November 6, 2015

Hardy is a big asset to the Orioles just like my old TV sitting in the garage with perfect sound and a busted screen.
— Camden Depot (@CamdenDepot) November 9, 2015

twitter has changed their game from favoriting a tweet to liking a tweet. i dont like that.
— Jon Heyman (@JonHeyman) November 3, 2015

Andrew Miller obviously wouldn't come cheap. Yanks would seek ace type or haul in return, someone like Stephen strasburg.
— Jon Heyman (@JonHeyman) November 9, 2015

Dylan Bundy looks… not so impressive. Everything’s soft. Some command of secondaries. Sad, but outside chance of reinventing w/less power.
— Eno Sarris (@enosarris) November 6, 2015

Around the Bases

It’s time for another trip Around the Bases – our way of hitting four items from Orioles baseball.
First Base – Dylan Bundy
Second Base – Closers
Third Base – Weed in Baseball
Home Plate – “The One”

Choose Your Own Adventure

Remember the old Choose Your Own Adventure series? These books were the first video games. They were interactive, and you found ways to cheat to get to the desired ending. We have been wondering what a Choose Your Own Adventure might look like in the podcasting format, and so the Bird’s Eye View Players strike again, with a look at the the newest COYA title:
Choose Your Own Adventure: You Are Dan Duquette

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?
48 min
October 27, 2015 Episode 143: Freudian Slip
It's the playoffs for some, but the offseason for most. Here in Baltimore, we're in Playoffs Purgatory. Settle in for Deep Questions and O's Therapy Corner.
The post Episode 143: Freudian Slip appeared first on Bird's Eye View.
41 min
October 27, 2015 Episode 143: Freudian Slip
Leading Off
It’s the offseason. Well, not exactly… baseball is still being played. It’s the playoffs still for two teams, and the offseason for everyone else. It’s Playoffs Purgatory. Here in Baltimore, the Worley Birds get the worm.
Oh dear, we need something to happen.
With puns like that, we’re going to need to check in with the Drink of the Week. Make sure to tell us what you’re having on untappd, where you can find us at jakee4025 and magn8606. Just don’t judge our choices. Well… just judge Jake’s choices.,

This Week on the Twitters

Thanks @dpshow @DanPatrick for hosting me! I had a great time!Let's get rid of the @Orioles hat in the back please… pic.twitter.com/ghMe3h5fWM
— Jose Bautista (@JoeyBats19) June 16, 2015

The @deadspin account has been suspended because of MLBAM's archaic gif policy. Didn't see that coming.
— Andrew Joseph (@AndyJ0seph) October 12, 2015

Over on ESPN, I write about the O's at the crossroads. There are Machado projections! http://t.co/Unrb9HoNQM #Orioles #Machado
— Dan Szymborski (@DSzymborski) October 14, 2015

Drinking game: Drink every time the word "batflip" is said or the clip of the Bautista..too late, you're drunk.
— OBP Apparel (@OBPApparel) October 17, 2015

So if you reply to an Orioles tweet about LUNGevity with a Pay Chris Davis tweet. You are a horrible person.
— Camden Depot (@CamdenDepot) October 18, 2015

First offseason edition: "10 Questions for O's Fans": First "10 Questions" of offseason focuses on Bundy, Davi… https://t.co/w8jJiRJPFl
— Steve Melewski (@masnSteve) October 25, 2015

ICYMI: Baseball’s hiring practices closing door on too many. https://t.co/goBnZPaLeZ
— Ken Rosenthal (@Ken_Rosenthal) October 26, 2015

Deep Questions

What happens now? We ask the deep questions. From starting pitching to alcohol tabs, we want to know!

Orioles Therapy Corner

Being an Orioles fan can be hard. But here in the offseason before 2016, we take some time to tend to our emotional well-being. Scott does his best to pull Jake off the ledge, by getting him on the couch.

Fantasy Boss

We’ve retired Fantasy Boss until next season. However, on the occasion of Jake facing the indecency of losing to his wife in fantasy football this week, we wondered: do you have side bets with your partner/spouse when you go head-to-head in fantasy?
Let’s be more specific. Do you have any PG-13 side bets when you play your signifi...
41 min
October 06, 2015 Episode 142: Peas and Carrots
The BEV guys close out the season with a look back (dishing out a few superlatives) and a look ahead. Thanks to followers, listeners, and readers! Go O's!
The post Episode 142: Peas and Carrots appeared first on Bird's Eye View.
1 hr 1 min
October 06, 2015 Episode 142: Peas and Carrots
Leading Off
“Over? Did he say over?” OK… I suppose the fat lady has sung. 2015 has come to a close, and the Orioles stand at .500. This may be a complete failure, based on the standard set by the 2014 AL East Champion team that won 96 games, but you know what? This team finished strong, and for better or worse, they’re our hot mess.
This week’s Drink of the Week was a little different. Scott took the helm, and provided a few doozies – one for each segment. In this episode, we “sample” the following:

* Balvenie whiskey
* The Cream
* The Clear
* Orange Kool Aid

Note: no livers were harmed in the making of this podcast.
This Week on the Twitters

#BlueJays & #Rangers were both under .500 on July 28 http://t.co/Gt1rawUYNY
— Ben Nicholson-Smith (@bnicholsonsmith) October 5, 2015

Ichiro pitching. This is real life. ⚾
1 hr 1 min
September 29, 2015 Episode 141: Front Office Thunderdome
We talk Dan Duquette, the end of the season, and falling into Stockholm Syndrome. Alex Conway of Camden Chat drops by to discuss Brady Anderson.
The post Episode 141: Front Office Thunderdome appeared first on Bird's Eye View.
42 min
September 22, 2015 Episode 140: Express Written Consent
As the Orioles play out their schedule, be sure to get a good last look at Chris Davis. Also, MLBAM is at it again. Why won't they let us love baseball?!
The post Episode 140: Express Written Consent appeared first on Bird's Eye View.
54 min
September 22, 2015 Episode 140: Express Written Consent
Leading Off
It doesn’t suck to be an Orioles fan this week! Well, Sunday didn’t help. The Orioles gave the game away, and then the other team in town followed suit. So… go teams?
After a week in which the Orioles showed surprising signs of life, Jake is forced to defend some of his “interesting” choices in The Drink of the Week,

This Week on the Twitters

The good news is that everyone will be too busy complaining about the Ravens that they will forget about complaining about the Os.
— The Sunglass Guy (@OsSunglassGuy) September 20, 2015

In honor of Ruben Amaro's exit, @baseballpro reprinted my account of his talk with rabbis before signing Delmon Young http://t.co/CIClK32HK3
— Zachary Levine (@zacharylevine) September 15, 2015

Awesome to hear that we will be getting baseball equipment donated by the Bmore Chapter of @sabr!
— Leon Day Foundation (@LeonDayPark) September 19, 2015

Chris Davis homer. Way back to left center. That's No. 43. Leading the majors in homers again
— Dan Connolly (@danconnolly2016) September 20, 2015

The Baysox have won their first Eastern League Championship! #BringHometheBAYcon pic.twitter.com/Db59yd5ip1
— Bowie Baysox (@BowieBaysox) September 20, 2015

Too Little, Too Late

View image | gettyimages.com

The Orioles have gone 9-12 in their most recent stretch. Wouldn’t it have been nice to see this kind of baseball in August, when they were busy throwing the season away? The guys avoid talking through what might have been, and instead focus on what can be gleaned from a “lost season.”

Express Written Consent

View image | gettyimages.com

MLB’s Advanced Media arm is at it again. You may remember (and only because we keep bringing it up) that MLBAM has been busy stamping out free promotion of its product for quite some time. For instance, MLBAM removed this podcast (and others like it) from iTunes because it was afraid that you, the listener, would confuse this:

for this:

Now they’re telling you that you can’t use animated GIFs of MLB footage. At some level, we understand this issue: MLBAM cannot control the message or the context in which their properties and players are used by the masses. On the other hand, this is a situation in which baseball fans – particularly those elusive young,
54 min