Orioles Spring Training Report #2

March 9, 2006

I found the park easily, though traffic in Fort Lauderdale is a BUMMER! Parking was $5 just like yesterday, and I was able to buy a ticket from an older gent for $9. He and I sat together right behind home plate about 10-12 rows up. We were under the overhang, so we were in the shade all day. A welcome relief from the rays that are nearly inescapable at Vero Beach.

Before the game, Rick Dempsey spent a good 15 minutes working on catching technique with a 10-12 year old kid dressed in full catching gear. I don't know who the kid was, but Dempsey was quite patient with him.

The O's had a nice verbal tribute to Kirby Puckett and a time of silence to honor him before the game. For those who have been living under a rock, Puckett died Monday at the age of 45 after suffering a massive stroke. He died at the youngest age of anyone who was already enshrined in Baseball's Hall of Fame -- except for Lou Gehrig.

A better game today, but still another loss. The sticks are quiet as a church mouse.

I thought everyone pitched well today except Salas. I was quite impressed with Rleal, even though he gave up a run. Rleal threw hard down and in to lefties and hard down and away to righties. He was around the plate, and had a good off=speed pitch, but didn't mix it in quite enough IMO. And Morris pitched well too. He threw only 5 pitches in the first inning, but struggled a bit in the second and gave up a run. Abreu was also impressive, he threw very hard, but missed high when he missed, so there were some loud outs. Scott Rice quietly got 1-2-3 on 10 pitches. Rice has a very quick windup -- a bit odd. But not nearly as odd as the motion of Twins pitcher Neshek -- his delivery starts like a submariner, ends up side arm and he finishes on one leg in the upright position.

The loudest cheers all day were for Conine, Millar and Patterson. I really have no idea why. Millar rewarded the cheers with a homer. Tagged it to near straight away center! Conine looks heavier than I remember him -- looks like he's got a bit of excess "table muscle."

Patterson is enigmatic. He made a pathetic bunt attempt in the first again today -- then struck out. He got hit by a pitch in the 4th and then promptly stole second with great ease, then scored the first run from second on a hit by Mora. Later that inning, Mora got thrown out at third after making a head first belly-flop slide that came up short of the bag. Really UGLY! He laid there for several seconds before getting up. I thought he might be hurt -- but I think it was just his pride that got bruised. :-)

Tatis pinch hit for Tracy in the 7th and looked completely pathetic. That was his only appearance of the day. I know its only one AB, but I doubt we'll see him going North.

Fahey came on for Gomez at short defensively in the 6th. I really liked what I saw. He stung the ball, had good range, going behind second to make one play, and hussled every where he went. Very nice.

One funny moment in the game today. Going out to play firstbase in the top of the 6th, Kevin Millar tossed a ball out to Garabito at 2nd while simultaneously dropping his ballglove and then tripped over it. Too funny.

No sign of Flanny and Duq today. I think they were up in the press area which is not accessible to fans.