Let the practice begin, and then, let the games begin, and then, let the winning begin.

Hey a guy can hope, can't he?

It feels like a good thing. There are a lot of things that must come together for the Os to play 10 games above .500, but if the best young outfield in bseball comes through, Roberts hits 50 doubles, Wieters hits .285 with more power, and Tejada hits .300 with 80 rbis and 25 HRs, and then the young arms make the type of strides Wieters did from the start to the end of his first year, and Guthrie and Millwood are true leaders in the club house and on the field, and if half the Yankees get swine flu, the Red Sox drop 5 to 10 games off last year's pace, then . . . .

Happy New Year, Andrew!

I'd be happy to see the young guys progress and the older ones fail to Eaton-ize their time with us. I'm interested in Uehara's potential in the bullpen. He could save a number of leads and make the starters look better than in the past.

I like the way the bullpen is expected to shape up. Probably looking at Uehara, Ohman, Meredith, Hendrickson, Albers, Johnson, and Gonzalez.

The rotation has all the questions you'd expect out of an unproven bunch, but the front with Millwood and Guthrie looks better than it has in a long time to me.

Obviously, the lineup will improve only as much as Wieters, Reimold, Pie, Markakis, and Jones continue to improve. Tejada couldn't possibly do worse than Mora at the plate. It's probably realistic to expect .280/20/80 from him. Atkins is an unknown, but I don't expect much and I'm anticipating an eventual platoon at 1B/DH. They really need to figure out a way to get Pie more ABs.

The most interesting thing to keep an eye on will be how Bell and Snyder do from April through June. Arrieta might be the next arm to arrive, but I heard he's having control issues. From what I've read, I think that Zach Britton may be a little bit ahead of him and is probably the next call-up.

I would proably bet money that the O's look to add a power hitter who they have some contractual control over by mid-season. Won't help them contend this season, but they would be looking to add a piece that would really solidify that lineup going forward.

Jones is our best hitter/player. He will make this team better than a lot of folks understand yet.

Jones is the best player on the team. He really has it all.

His defense and arm are phenomenal. You have to watch him live to really get a feel for his skill.

At the first Os game in Oakland last year, he left me friend, a hardcore baseball fan nearly speechless with his range, how he cut off hits into the gap, and his arm.

The hitting will get plenty of attention, but there is no aspect of his game/skill that can be belittled.

Getting back to the team as a whole, There is another aspect we can't forget. This year's team has more depth than any in the last decade. It is not division champ deep, but when you have to wonder what to do with Pie, or Reimold, or Luke, and then you look at the seven competent infielders, it is a good thing. Well, it is an unusual thing for an Os team in the 21st century.

I'm Jonesing a winning season.

Any catchy slogans for the season?

Any fearless predictions?

Maybe a song which epitomizes our prospects.

Here's a video from the Sun: http://www.baltimoresun.com/videobeta/?wat...f8-7d5b93f97ff7

It starts with an unenlightening Millwood interview then there are good shots of warm-ups, PFPs, etc. It would be better to be there, but this is close.

Couldn't agree more. Adam Jones is the best ballplayer on the club, no question. He should improve on last year.

If we project a reasonable improvement from both Jones and Wieters, and Markakis and Roberts basically maintain their play from last year, and Tejada hits better than Mora (almost certain to happen), and Reimold does a little better, Pie starts faster and then maintains from there, we will have a better offensive club. Throw in the intangible of Luke Scott and the two new guys contributing, that would also be an improvement.

So figure Guthrie will not do as poorly as last year, Millwood eats innings and is decent, and the three young arms will all be better.

OK, prognostication: 8 to 12 game improvement? If I am not optimistic?

We are also deeper, with better starters and better back up guys, so when the inevitable injuries come, we should see less of a fall off in the second half.

Absolutely, that's the idea of having a young club and rebuilding. I think even Markakis can continue to improve at the plate so that he avoids those long slumps.

I think everyone knows more or less what to expect out of the lineup. You know Jones is good, Markakis is good, Wieters is good, and Pie and Reimold are at least solid. Roberts will be a good leadoff man again and hit his doubles.

But no one knows that they have in the pitching. If Matusz, Tillman, and Bergesen get better, there is no reason this club couldn't win 75 games.

That is a most reasonable prediction. I just hope one of their wins happens when I take my son to his first game. Maybe I should take him when they play the Blue Jays or maybe the Seattle or KC games in May.

I was wondering which board members contributed to the 4% in this ESPN poll.

http://www.fark.com/cgi/go.pl?i=5041113&l=...6pollId%3D86469

To increase the chances of your son getting to see the O's notch a W, Bark, choose the game you attend based on the pitching match-up, not necessarily by the team they are playing.

My wife spent the weekend in Boston with her folks. Her uncle, a diehard Red Sox fan but still a knowledgeable baseball fan nonetheless, was remarking that the O's were poised to be very good within the next year or so. For what it's worth, it looks like people are starting to notice the O's again, and that feels good.

A friend around here, an NY native and total baseball nut says the Os have the best outfield in baseball. I said best young outfield, but he likes them however you characterize them. He would have been glad to pick several Os, and was happy to get Roberts and Tejada. He predicts Miggy will have a big year. He really wanted Jones.

The Os need to deliver (duh!) but they are definitely getting attention, of the favorable kind. . . .

I agree to an extent, but with a baby you really have to plan ahead. With injuries and a rotation that could change frequently early in the year, I think it is safer to go with the opponent. It would be nice to avoid a Zack Greinke game if possible.

Yea, damn nice.

Baseball starts Tuesday. Os on Wednesday. Sweet.

Yes, can not wait! Finally baseball is back!

Can't wait to see you Christian! For anyone who still wants to make last-minute plans, we're meeting up for a couple of games in 2 weeks - March 8-14 - let us know if you'll be down there, so we can all get together.

Play ball.

The Pirates are beating up on a bunch of sea mammals.

Slow day at the office, zeke, that you have to follow the Saratoga Manatees?

Yes, how did you guess?

I think your posts are part of your conspiracy to have the thread that has the most responses!

I like Coke Zero.

And Sam Adams.

But not in the same glass.

I prefer 7-Up.

I like Sam Adams winter ale.

I could drink them from the same glass. But I would never drink them together or combined. I'd wash the glass between uses.

How come I can't find Pete's Wicked Ale anywhere anymore?

How come these threads always devolve into a discussion of *hic* alcohol? Or paella?

Mmmmmmm.......beer and paella.

Hey Jack, what was that recipe again?

Suddenly I miss Scuffball........

I think this is the one Sluggo, I'm never sure, paella is always a work in progress with me and I change ingredients frequently. In any event it is hard to screw it up…though I have managed:

You can add chicken, thighs are especially good, you can add Spanish chorizo sausage diced, it is firmer and than Mexican chorizo but I think any hard Italian salumi would do. If you use any salumi add it along with the red onion, or after the onion has cooked a bit.

I think of the rice as a "canvas" and the ingredients are my "colors" if that doesn't sound too artsy-fartsy.

Pete's Wicked Ale is a a product of a San Francisco bay area brewery that was high on the list of one noted left coast Os loving beer snob, but about 5-10 years ago, it seemed to be slipping in taste. Rumor was it got bought by one of the big yellow fizzy beer companies that began to toy around (read: cheapen ingredients) with it.

It lost its favor among others around here, but has been sighted again. Will try and give it another chance. No news on its availability on the right coast.

My guess: If you could get it for $7 a six pack or Natty Boh for $5 a six pack, get Pete's.

Pete's Wicked Ale is a a product of a San Francisco bay area brewery that was high on the list of one noted left coast Os loving beer snob, but about 5-10 years ago, it seemed to be slipping in taste. Rumor was it got bought by one of the big yellow fizzy beer companies that began to toy around (read: cheapen ingredients) with it.

It lost its favor among others around here, but has been sighted again. Will try and give it another chance. No news on its availability on the right coast.

My guess: If you could get it for $7 a six pack or Natty Boh for $5 a six pack, get Pete's.

That bears repeating because?

Sorry all--technical glitch.

That's also about the time frame when people being referring to it as "the Baskin Robbins of beer", a title which Sam Adams seems to be working hard to take over.

Although I have to say, Pete's "Rally Cap Ale" was pretty good.