Jamie Mottram's Sports Blog - www.misterirrelevant.com

Since 1,000 O's fans protested Peter Angelos' ownership yesterday, I figured I'd share five reasons for optimism for a disgruntled bunch that's had to endure nine straight losing seasons. Keep in mind that I'm among the disgruntled and have bled black & orange since the days of Larry Sheets and Joe Orsulak...

1. Erik Bedard. The 27-year old has finally put it together with 15 wins, nearly a strikeout per inning and a sub-4.00 ERA. He's the top-of-the-rotation starter the O's have lacked since Mike Mussina inked his deal with the Devil in 2001. Traitor.

2. Chris Ray. His 1.13 WHIP and 33 saves make BJ Ryan's departure easier to swallow. Although I do wish he'd grow a Gregg Olson-esque fu manchu.

3. Miguel Tejada. Stars don't fall from the sky. Yeah, I just quoted Lou Diamond Phillips playing Richie Valens in 'La Bamba.' Love that movie.

4. Nick Markakis. It's been a long time since an O's rookie actually produced at the plate. How long? I don't know, but I'm thinking it's been Craig Worthington long.

5. Boog's BBQ. It's delicious.

So, yeah, the Angelos era continues to go swimmingly. And by "swimmingly" I mean an 80-win season remains a pipe dream. By the way, the FreeBirds name comes from the intrepid Dan Steinberg at DC Sports Bog, who was at Camden yesterday. Here are his first-hand observations parts I, II, III and IV. Apparently people were wearing Hitler-Angelos t-shirts. Nothing extreme about that. No, nothing at all.

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• #2 Comment from cmottram04 
  9/22/06 2:50 PM | Permalink

  Let us not forget about Adam Lowen and Daniel Cabrera... although Cabrera is starting to look more and more like Ponson: Amazing stuff, but never able to put it together.  Although at least he isn't a fat POS... yet.
  
  ~Chris, www.savedbytheblog.com
• #1 Comment from monponsett 
  9/22/06 1:38 PM | Permalink

  Get back to me in 86 years, and maybe I'll feel some sympathy.