Bird's Eye View

Leading Off

What is this garbage? Episode ninety-nine-and-a-half? C’mon guys, don’t Bird’s Eye View this up.

Sorry to disappoint, but with the Orioles’ season ending, it didn’t seem right to celebrate 100 episodes of Scott and Jake wasting an hour of your life gabbing about Orioles baseball. Instead, we’re going to spend this half episode recovering from the Orioles getting bounced from the ALCS.

With apologies to long time listeners (both of you), we’re going to skip over the TWotT, and go directly to the therapy.

 

The Hurt

The Orioles were thoroughly thrashed in the ALCS. No sour grapes. No ifs, ands, or buts. They got beat in four straight games, and the Royals looked better in each one of them. The guys discuss the ALCS, and the aftermath.

 

How do you like me now?

Going into the League Championship series, many Orioles were prepared to root for the Royals if they advanced to the World Series. The story was there – a team wandering in the wilderness for 29 years. A plucky team on its way to the games greatest heights from the Wild Card game. A team built on speed, and defense, and productive outs.

How’s that working for you now?

 

Story: Jake is a Bad Fan

Jake admits to Scott, the Orioles, and the internet at large that he made some choices for Game 4 of which he is not proud. His payment came in the form of the Universe poking him in the eye, for maximum sadness.

 

Recovery

This season ended in excruciating fashion. Though nobody likes to lose, being so close made it somehow even worse. The only thing fans can do at this point is try to move forward. The BEV guys talk about their efforts to get over it, and look forward to the offseason, and the Orioles baseball to follow.

 

Leading Off

Nothing to see here. No baseball related news this week.

OK, so there may be a bit of denial associated with the ALCS. Games 1 and 2 were not fun for Orioles fans. Sure, maybe there were some good moments, but the end left much to be desired. Unless, of course  you are a 4th outfielder for the Royals…

As the guys put on their big boy pants and wipe their tears, they start with the Drink of the Week, and This Week on the Twitters (TWotT):

* @CaseyStern personifies the media’s backhanded compliments prior to the ALCS.

* @JeremyConn1057 breaks some important news, regarding a #RE-2IGNING.

* @rwags614 calls out Scott for getting uppity.

* @DSymborski proposes a new system for deciding extra-innings playoff games.

* @robneyer shines a little light on the fact that Joe West is bad at his job.

* @jeffwsullivan accurately predicts the narrative.

 

Orioles in ALCS: Not Quite a Masterpiece

With the Orioles’ rather “unfortunate” start to the American League Championship Series, fans are left to figure out how to respond. There are many distinct types of fan reactions. In Episode 99, we bring you several of them in this installment of Masterpiece Theatre. 

Many thanks to our Baltimore Sports Report Network sisterwife, Zach Wilt for his help in this endeavor.

 

 Cry, Baby, Cry

Alright, enough pussyfooting around. The Orioles got beat in the first two games of the ALCS. At home. This was not a good start. This was not the championship series that Baltimore fans deserved after 17 years in the desert. But alas, this is the reality. We might as well deal with it.

The O’s starting pitching has been beaten up. Both Chris Tillman and Bud Norris lasted just 4.1 innings.

The vaunted bullpen gave up deciding runs in late innings. Ours, not theirs.

The Royals have beaten the Orioles at their own game, clubbing X home runs.

BABIP Luck Dragons?

 

Whatever the case, this terrible start leaves all Orioles fans to work out their own feelings – the BEV guys are no different. Except that theirs is fueled by alcohol. And recorded on the internet.

 

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.

 

Notes and Nags

Are you listening to the show on iTunes Stitcher? Are you subscribed? You totally should be! And while you’re there, be sure to leave a review of the program. Love it? Hate it? Confused? Let us and other listeners know! As always, we appreciate the support.

 

 

 

Leading Off

IT’S A SWEEP! The Orioles beat the Detroit Tigers in the ALDS, and have advanced to face the Kansas City Royals in the ALCS. If that sounds like a wonderful alternate reality to you, you’re not alone. But we here at Bird’s Eye View can confirm that it is, in fact, the truth. The guys work hard to figure out exactly what happened this week, fueled, as always, by the Drink of the Week. Then it’s time for teh TWotT:

* @RoyalsReview would like to know if Birdland is as limited as ESPN makes it out.

* @AStetka was impressed with the end of the Nationals’ season.

* @rwags614 steps in to write you a note.

* @CespedesBBQ puts Delmontello’s Game 2 exploits in full perspective.

* @WayneTwentyOcho likes your chant, Birdland.

* @NatDiscourse begrudgingly congratulates some Orioles fans.

* @masnSteve reminds us where to meet the team after the ALDS.

* masnRoch thanks the Orioles’ real post season hero.

 

ALDS in Review

Going into this series, the Tigers had almost every advantage, on paper. Then the Orioles took that paper and wiped with it. Sweeping the Tigers in pretty convincing fashion, the Birds made a statement, and provided Orioles fans with a surprisingly stress-free ALDS. Well… sort of “stress-free.”

Assuming that you watched the games and don’t need a recap (how very BEV Season 1…) the guys recall their experiences from attending ALDS Game 1 and 2, putting those games in perspective. Where do these wins stand in your favorite games?

 

Looking Ahead to the ALCS

The playoffs are getting really interesting, with the prospect of a Royals – Orioles ALCS. The series will prove to be an entertaining series between two franchises who have waited a long time to compete for a World Series. The two teams are also strikingly similar. But what do we know about the Royals? Shockingly, even less than we know about the Orioles. To help bridge that gap, the guys turn to Clint Scoles of Pine Tar Press and the Pine Tar Press podcast. It’s a conversation about baseball feels, sabermetrics, and whether BBQ or seafood ships better.

If you’re curious about the Kansas City take on things, make sure you check out Clint’s work, and follow him on Twitter @ClintScoles.

 

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.

Leading Off

We have never been more glad for baseball season to end, and we lived through the Trembley era. The Orioles clinched the AL East on September 16, and have been limping along since then waiting for the season to end, and the postseason to begin. With a 1-0 win over the Toronto Blue Jays, the season came to a merciful end.

The O’s will play host to the Detroit Tigers on Thursday for the start of the American League ALDS… no, the Orioles ALDS. Hopefully, they won’t stop.

After the usual installment of the Drink of the Week, it’s time for the TWotT:

* @ BmoreDaveS realizes why you should be listening to the Baltimore Sports Report Network.

* @Yankees gives us a 740,000 references.

* @asianmegan hates it when our players get catcalls.

* @ItsAboutDanTime reminds you: Never Forget.

* @OsSunglassGuy is expecting all the feels.

* @Buster_ESPN reports on a pace of play change that might actually work.

 

The Cat Game

When the Tigers officially clinched the AL  Central, they set themselves up for an ALDS matchup with the Baltimore Orioles. To preview that series, the guys from Bird’s Eye View are joined by Al Beaton of the Bless You Boys podcast. Al helps us understand how big a threat the Tigers really pose, and excuses Jake’s overuse of the words “pubic symphysis.” Warning, things may get a little nimbly pimbly.

For a good look behind enemy lines, check out Bless You Boys, listen the the Bless You Boys podcast, and follow Al and “the boys” on Twitter @blessyouboys.

 

Predictions, Part III

You don’t have to bother watching the playoffs. The guys break out their third set of predictions, which will likely be as baseless as those which came before. Spoiler Alert: Scott brings numbers into the proceedings, and Jake draws from his heart. It’s a match made on the internet.

Trust us, we’re French models.

 

TLDR: nobody knows anything, and if they tell you otherwise, they’re selling you something.

 

The Good, the Bad, and the Ugly

Who had a great week? Who had a tough week? Who made us ashamed to be Orioles fans? Find out in this week’s GB&U. The guys run through their Good, Bad, and Ugly for the week. Be sure to drop us a line and send us yours.

 

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.

 

Notes and Nags

Are you listening to this show on iTunes Stitcher? Are you subscribed?

Leading Off

Did something important happen this week? Oh yeah, the Baltimore Orioles won their first AL East championship in seventeen years. You know… seventeen, like the age she was (you know what I mean). The number that Stevie Nicks was on the edge of. The number of the magazine that teaches young girls how to dress like… nevermind. Seventeen is a lot.

While the guys try to recover from their excitement, they make their way through the Drink of the Week, Medical Wing, and the TWotT:

* @OriolesMemes lays out the playoff scenarios for us.

* @SimplyAJ10 congratulates this year’s MVO (Most Valuable OneYearOriole)

* @roarfrom34 tells us where this year’s squad stacks up historically.

* @Britt_Ghiroli taunts Jake with 2014 attendance figures.

 

Happy Days Are Here Again

 

There is nothing better than talking about the AL East Champion Baltimore Orioles. Do yourself a favor: go back and read that sentence again. The Orioles are going to the playoffs, and there’s no saying they didn’t earn it. The guys talk through their favorite moments of that evening, and recount Jake’s particularly good vantage point on that evening. If you saw the BEV Twitter account, you know what we’re talking about. If not, why aren’t you following @birdseyeviewbal? Hopefully watching the Orioles clinch will be something we can watch and re-watch on Orioles Classics on MASN for a long, long time.

 

Royals and Tigers and A’s, O My!

We assume it’s going to be the Tigers who the Orioles face in the ALDS. Sure, it technically could be the Royals, but our money is on the Tigers. That being the case, how do the Orioles stack up against them? You’ll get all the optimism and pessimism you could hope for, as the guys argue about whether O’s fans should be worried or confident.

 

The Good, the Bad, and the Ugly

Who had a great week? Who had a tough week? Who made us ashamed to be Orioles fans? Find out in this week’s GB&U. The guys run through their Good, Bad, and Ugly for the week. Be sure to drop us a line and send us yours.

 

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.

 

Notes and Nags

Are you listening to this show on iTunes Stitcher? Are you subscribed? You totally should be! And while you’re there, be sure to leave a review of the program. Love it? Hate it? Confused? Let us and other listeners know. As always, we appreciate the support.

 

Leading Off

Another great week is in the books for the Orioles, and from here, the team will play exclusively AL East opponents… until October. The Birds have the opportunity to clinch the division at Camden Yards. Yeah, I can’t believe I just wrote that, ether. The guys try to keep their composure while running through the usual pleasantries, including the Drink of the Week and the TWotT:

* Not really Twitter, but Kevin Gausman comments on commemorative unis.

* @MaurerFTW wonders about gift baskets.

* @CespedesBBQ celebrates the fall of a great phone operator.

* @BmoreDaveS puts his money where his mouth is.

* @OriolesSpastics validate the invention of Twitter.

* @Buster_ESPN provides a spot-on reaction to the Chris Davis suspension.

* @BoGentile shares his own thoughts, regarding Orioles records and his dad.

 

Reactions: Chris Davis

What can be said about the Chris Davis situation that hasn’t already been said? Davis’ 25-game amphetamine suspension is bad for the Orioles 2014 playoff run, it’s bad for Davis’ career, and it’s bad for Orioles fans who want to believe that their guys are clean – especially when they vehemently deny PED allegations.

What hasn’t been discussed in as much length is the real possibility that athletes like Chris Davis may be in danger. As much as these substances may contribute to on-field success, they run the risk of causing real off-field problems.

 

Reactions: Sunday Night Baseball

Sunday’s game was a great experience – both in the stands, and watching the ESPN broadcast. Jake and Scott share their observations of the game from their different vantage points, and review the Orioles Magic on display.

Jeter, Yankees fans, doubt, confidence, celebration, and above all… Kelly Johnson? Looking back, it was a heck of a game.

 

The Good, the Bad, and the Ugly

Who had a great week? Who had a tough week? Who made us ashamed to be Orioles fans? Find out in this week’s GB&U. The guys run through their Good, Bad, and Ugly for the week. Be sure to drop us a line and send us yours.

 

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.

 

Notes and Nags

Are you listening to this show on iTunes Stitcher? Are you subscribed? You totally should be! And while you’re there, be sure to leave a review of the program. Love it? Hate it? Confused? Let us and other listeners know. As always, we appreciate the support.

Leading Off

Hey, remember when the Orioles got swept in Chicago? The Orioles don’t They went 9-2 in their following home stand. The O’s are cruising into the playoffs, and making September games far less meaningful than they’ve been in the past – in a good way. Here at Bird’s Eye View, we try to bring even less meaning to the end of the season. It’s our gift: we bring the lack of insight and baseless opinion. After running through the usual pleasantries, it’s time for the very serious business of the Medical Wing, Drink of the Week, and This Week on the Twitters (TWotT):

* @Gwodzilla and @Buster_ESPN note that the AL isn’t even close.

* @rwags614 wonders when it’s time to drape the G.O.A.T. in orange.

* @craigcalcatera admits to the thing we’ve always suspected.

* @danconnollysun should just enjoy the ride.

* @Ello_Chop shows that we really suck at self-promotion.

Great Debates, Better Season

You may have seen our “difference of opinion” with Andrew Stetka (@AStetka) on Twitter this week over the issue of Orioles attendance. Jake thinks that the attendance in the most recent home stand was embarrassing. Scott and Andrew think he’s full of it. The guys discuss the finer points of what constitutes “support,” and why Orioles’ fans have or have not been an embarrassment in the last month or so. Andrew also shares his thoughts on the end of the season, and shares an excellent drink of the week.

Be sure to check out Andrew Stetka’s work on Eutaw Street Report, and read his guest blogs on masnsports.com. For a read through one of Scott’s favorite Orioles related blogs, read here.

 

Around the Diamond

The guys do a rundown of Orioles-related news items from the last week. Here is how they break it down:

First Base

Matt Wieters’ recovery is  the focus of an article at orioles.com. On one hand, Wieters feels like he’s seeing progress every day. On the other, he admits he’s not sure whether or not he’ll be ready to go for Spring Training. Is this a concern, or much ado about nothing?

Second Base

Mel Antonen wrote a great recap of Steve Pearce’s season, including his feelings on being DFA’d and resigned by the Orioles. There is no better story in the 2014 season that Steve Pearce, who was quoted in the piece as saying “all I wanted to do is play for the Orioles… I love it here.”

Not only are they winning, but they’re lovable. It’s a dangerous 1-2 punch. This team is fun.

Third Base

The pitching staff has revealed their favorite expletive. Has someone taken them aside and told them to knock it off? Also, Jake made Scott work overtime of bleeping out the S-bomb in this segment. Mostly because he’s a jerk.

Home Plate

September 6 has become a truly special date for the Orioles. Significant events include:

Leading Off

Remember that rough stretch in Chicago? Yeah, neither do the Orioles. The Birds returned to the Even-Friendlier-Confines of Camden Yards, and played like a playoff team, taking three of four from both the Tampa Bay Rays and Minnesota Twins. With their lead in the AL East widening, the Orioles are in the driver’s seat, as the final stretch of the 2014 season approaches.  After a (somewhat depressing) look at the Medical Wing, it’s time for This Week on the Twitters (TWotT):

* Shame on Twitter, as a whole. You know what we’re talking about.

* @OsFBCommenter – best thing or worst thing to happen to O’s Twitter?

* @DODay56 exponentially increases  the number of searches on “vestigial.”

* @CharlieHoppes11 has entertaining facial hair.

* @LuchadOrioles reminds us to read up on the Orioles Super Fans.

* @masnRoch notes that the Orioles are about to hit the 2 million mark at the gates.

* @Orioles prepare to celebrate 5,000 wins.

* @Matthewwalker47 takes umbrage with our disdain for the Delmon Young Left Field Experience.  No worries, fans are allowed to disagree.

 

 

A Walk to Remember

Remember when we were excited about the Ubaldo Jimenez signing? Yeah, it’s getting harder and harder for us, as well. Jimenez has been just short of a disaster, and since being pushed to the bullpen, hasn’t been much better. To convince us that there is hope  for the Jimenez experiment, the guys welcome Dan Weigel, who wrote an excellent piece on Beyond the Box Score on the effectiveness of Ubaldo’s stuff over the course of his career.

Spoiler Alert: it’s not happy-fun-time.

 

Dashing (Playoff Ticket) Hopes

The Orioles are very likely to make the playoffs. As such, what will actually be available for Orioles fans? The best way to get access to playoff tickets is to be a season ticket holder. With that population increasing by the minute (the Orioles are allowing fans to place deposits for 2015, and get access to this year’s playoffs), what will be left over for the general public? The guys argue about the wisdom of the Orioles’ approach to playoff ticketing, and give the organization props for handling at least one issue.

 

Fantasy Boss

Something must be wrong with our accounting software, because it looks like Jake may have won. Sure, his pick Steve Pearce got a boost from an injury-induced smaller sample size, but Scott’s pick, Nick Markakis, was terrible this week, from an OBP standpoint. The score, therefore, comes to 11-7-2. There is hope Jake could make this not-embarrassing if he wins out.

The category this week is innings pitched per start for Orioles starters. Scott selected Miguel Gonzalez, and Jake went with Wei-Yin Chen.

Who will own it?

 

The Good, the Bad, and the Ugly

Who had a great week? Who had a tough week? Who made us ashamed to be Orioles fans? Find out in this week’s GB&U. The guys run through their Good, Bad, and Ugly for the week. Be sure to drop us a line and send us yours.

Leading Off

The Orioles had a bit of an “off week.” News of Manny Machado’s season-ending surgery was paired with a 4-5 road trip (complete with a three game sweep at the hands of the Cubs and their cadre of former Orioles). It was a bad week for local sports fans. It was a great week for local liquor stores.

Episode 92 winds its way through the usual pleasantries, such as the Drink of the Week, the Medical Wing , and the TWotT:

* @SimplyAJ10 uses the most dreadful terms of endearment.

* @BMoreAroundTown captures a nice gesture by the Cubs.

* @TIMinBALTIMORE identifies much ado about nothing.

* @MLB throws us a Breaking (Bad) ball.

* @jpfask reviews a little first-place history.

 

Skyfall

It’s weekends like this that make tools like social media, which enable instant reaction… dangerous. The Orioles dropped three straight, after after going 4-2 on the front end of the road trip. After literally printing playoff tickets, Orioles fans have started crying that the sky is falling. From the losses, to news about Manny Machado’s season-ending surgery, there was little joy in Mudville.

The BEV guys are here to tell you not to freak out. Instead, the Orioles need only to learn how to train their luck dragons. Scott quotes the numbers on why the O’s were jobbed by BABIP (!), and Jake, strangely, agrees.

 

Setting Playoff Rosters

Did you know that there are rules to setting your playoff rosters? Who knew? The guys walk through who might (and might not) be included on the playoff roster. Spoiler Alert: you can’t drop the guy you’re hoping will be left off.

Who do YOU think makes/fails to make the cut?

 

Fantasy Boss

Scott wins again. Whatever BS category he picked last week, he won. But he shows that he’s a decent guy, and decides to give Jake a mulligan. Either that, or he’s really rubbing Jake’s nose in it. Yeah, it’s probably the latter. In any event, Scott’s pick (Nick Markakis) had a higher contact percentage than Jake’s pick (Adam Jones), but had a terrible week in comparison.

The score sits at 10-6-2.

This week, the category is OBP. Jake takes Steve Pearce, and Scott goes with Nick Markakis.

Who will own it?

 

The Good, the Bad, and the Ugly

Who had a great week? Who had a tough week? Who made us ashamed to be Orioles fans? Find out in this week’s GB&U. The guys run through their Good, Bad, and Ugly for the week. Be sure to drop us a line and send us yours.

 

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.

 

Notes and Nags

Are you listening to this show on iTunes Stitcher? Are you subscribed? You totally should be! And while you’re there, be sure to leave a review of the program. Love it? Hate it? Confused? Let us and other listeners know. As always, we appreciate the support.

Leading Off

This episode is a throwback to the early 1900s: Teddy Roosevelt and Wrigley Field are featured. Another week is in the books, and though the Orioles saw their first back-to-back losses since June, the Orioles still find themselves in first place by a comfortable margins in the AL East. After stumbling in Cleveland, the O’s head to face Chicago and Chicago. The guys review the Drink of the Week, before taking a walk down the Medical Wing, followed by the TWotT:

* @SteveLevy17 walks into one of Jake’s pet peeves.

* @OriolesMemes shows a shocking amount of reason, or a parody account.

* @KevinGausman makes us ashamed that we didn’t think of this nickname first.

* @SimplyAJ10 has a sense of humor about some heckling.

* @SeductiveTommyH asks a horrible question to which there are only terrible answers.

* @JoePappa compares 2014 to 2012 – favorably.

 

The Man in the Arena

The Orioles lost two consecutive games for the first time in over a month. In that time, Orioles fans have been spoiled to the point where they’ve forgotten how to react. Social media has gone nuts, and Adam Jones has noticed. Jones tweeted out a reference to Teddy Roosevelt’s “man in the arena,” and we could not agree more. Hold your team accountable, but don’t freak out.

Why are we as Orioles fans so quick to press the panic button?  Why do we think the magic will vanish and disaster is right around the corner?  The answer is that they remember the Dark Period, and just like they did in 2012, quickly assume that the other foot is going to drop. Fear not, Birdland, this is a playoff team, leading the pennant race. Enjoy the ride. And go easy on the man in the arena.

 

My Kind of Town

The Orioles escape Cleveland, for a six-game series against Chicago. Sort of. The O’s play three on the South Side against the White Sox, then head to Wrigley Field to take on the Cubs. Many Orioles fans are making the pilgrimage to Wrigley Park, both to cheer on the Birds, and to take in a little history. Scott is one of them. To get a feel for the task at hand, and to preview the O’s/Cubs series, the guys talk to Corey Fineran of the Ivy Envy podcast.

Corey walks Orioles fans through a trip to Wrigley, and helps explain the dark magic that has made Jake Arrieta a useful major league starter.

Be sure to check out Ivy Envy (one of the many great shows at BaseballTalkRadio), and follow the show on Twitter @IvyEnvy.

 

Fantasy Boss

Scott wins again. Nelson Cruz had exactly one sacrifice fly, which outstripped Nick Markakis. The score now sits at 11-6-2. Time is running out if Jake is going to make a game of this.

Who will own it?

 

The Good, the Bad, and the Ugly

Who had a great week? Who had a tough week? Who made us ashamed to be Orioles fans? Find out in this week’s GB&U. The guys run through their Good, Bad, and Ugly for the week. Be sure to drop us a line and send us yours.