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BALTIMORE (Map, News) - Kurt Birkins thought, perhaps, it was time for a change.
“Maybe go back to college, and get a real job,” said Birkins, standing in the Oriole clubhouse after Wednesday’s game.
While pitching for Single-A Frederick a few years back, lefty Birkins had a shoulder injury that required sixs week of rehab work in Florida.
During that time Birkins, 25, talked about his future with Jim McDowell, his California-based agent. McDowell is the brother of Jack McDowell, a former Major League pitcher.
While Birkins had doubts on his future, Jim McDowell made it clear that Birkins had the ability to make the big leagues. And McDowell was right: Birkins made it to Double-A Bowie in 2005, started this season at Triple-A Ottawa and made his Major League debut with the Orioles May 4.
“It is getting a little better. It has been a little nerve-wracking. I am getting a little more comfortable,” said Birkins, a 33rd-round draft pick in 2000 by the Orioles out of UCLA.
The California native allowed no runs and no hits in 1.2 innings out of the bullpen Wednesday against Detroit. His two brothers and other family members were among the sparse crowd of 15,548 to see the Orioles fall, 6-3, to the Tigers.
In his first three outings with the Orioles, the lefty did not allow an earned run (and just two hits) in 5.2 innings.
“Off the field, everything is what I expected” in the majors, Birkins said. He is friends with Chris Ray, Nick Markakis and Brandon Fahey, other products of the farm system who have made it to The Show.
Birkins grew up in California as a fan of the Atlanta Braves, thanks to the wonders of cable television. “Kind of weird in L.A.,” he said of his choice of a favorite club.
Now Birkins gets to work with first-year Oriole pitching coach Leo Mazzone, who guided the Atlanta Braves’ staff to years of success.
“I have seen him rocking for years,” Birkins said of Mazzone’s habit on the bench.
THE BIRKINS FILE
Position: Pitcher
Height/weight: 6-2/188
Hometown: Canoga Park, CA
Did you know? Birkins made a switch from a starter to a reliever while with Single-A Frederick of the Carolina League in 2004. “I think just going to the field every day, not knowing you are going to pitch or not” is the biggest change, Birkins said ... He was 7-11 with an ERA of 3.91 in 26 games (24 starts) while with Double-A Bowie last season in the Eastern League ... Birkins’ first pitch in the top of the ninth Wednesday was a fastball clocked at 92 miles per hour.
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6:43 AM MST on Tue., Feb. 19, 2008 re: "Orioles ready for competition to begin"
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City Resident said:
its good to see some people still support the Orioles. as a Baltimore resident who grew up in Boston, i know what its like to root for a crappy team for a LONG time (Bruins, Celtics especially). and those complainers? they'll be the first ones back when things are going well again. sad! keep it up true O's fans and i'll "see you at the Yard!"
71 agree | 68 disagree
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Examiner Reader said:
TRADE !!!!!.....Who would want an Oriole player ?????
172 agree | 174 disagree
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avid reader said:
I csn't believe that baseball paid this guy all of that money to write a report that could take baseball down. There was no news in the report because so many players grow too fast in size and as a fan I say to myself this guy could not be spending this much time in the gym. This is a sad scenario for the game.
174 agree | 163 disagree
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Karl said:
many baseball players want to play, win, and continue their careers at whatever cost; even to taking illegal substances. And the fans feel the same way. Let them continue their careers. And if taking illegal substances helps to win games, that is okay with the majority of fans. As Vince Lombardi is credited with saying, "winning is everything; it is the only thing."
160 agree | 174 disagree
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O's season ticket holder said: said:
What i find amazing is this. Two years ago all of the congressmen wanted to hold hearings on this same matter, now i see why. Just like this retired senator they are all looking for lucrative jobs once they leave office.....
179 agree | 183 disagree
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Examiner Reader said:
How convenient that not a single current Red Sox player is mentioned, despite the glaringly obvious Ortiz. How can someone his age have a heart condition known to be linked to steroid use and not have showed up in the report? Perhaps because it was controlled by someone who has a financial stake in the Red Sox?
184 agree | 186 disagree
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Don said:
Wonder how these O's druggies would have played without the drugs ????????
187 agree | 152 disagree
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Don said:
Probably should have listed who hasn't
183 agree | 178 disagree
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Don said:
Maybe they can get a package deal for the O's and Rav's with Mayflower van lines. It's got to be terrible being a local sportcaster here in Baltimore.
228 agree | 206 disagree
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Caroline- A.K.A orioles fan said:
i love the orioles, but after 10 losing seasons i've just about had it with them. its not that hard to just win a game! they spent a lot of money, last year trying to rebuild the bullpen and what did it do nothing! Keep markakis,bedard,roberts,guthrie,walker,bradford and some other people and cut burres, baez, bell, and some of the whole freakin bullpen! miguel tejada, good lord, we can get someone very good for him! Angleos, QUIT! YOUR DOING NOTHING ANYWAY!
237 agree | 222 disagree
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Lauren said:
i hope the orioles make some changes in the offseason because i've just about had it them. we have some great guys on our team. But, the pitching, most of all the pitchers have been injured this year, loewen,benson,wright,bedard,guthrie, and some other guys, if we can get them healthy and ready to go for 2008 i think we will play better. to be a playoff team you need everything, solid pitching, good defense and good offense and the orioles will have eveything if they just keep their players healthly.
267 agree | 261 disagree
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oriole fan said:
all i want is for the orioles to at least get to the playoffs, thats all i'm asking from them. or maybe even finish above .500 because after 10 losing seasons baltimore deserves a winning team! but i had to say that orioles have not given up. they play better against the yankees then they do agaisnt the devil rays. i mean c'mon! whats up with that?
214 agree | 239 disagree
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oriole fan said:
i love the orioles, but after 10 losing seasons i've just about had it with them. its not that hard to just win a game! they spent a lot of money, last year trying to rebuild the bullpen and want did it do nothing! Keep markakis,bedard,roberts,guthrie,walker,bradford and some other people and cut burres, baez, bell, and some of the whole freakin bullpen! miguel tejada, good lord, we can get someone very good for him! Angleos, QUIT! YOUR DOING NOTHING ANYWAY!
277 agree | 268 disagree
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Examiner Reader said:
It is ASTONISHING that these comments get well over 50 users rating their statements. The real issues get 1, 2, maybe 3. Maybe this is why Baltimore has such problems- no one cares enough to speak up, or take the time to do something! When it starts to leak into your neighborhood, I bet then we'll hear your mouth.
241 agree | 260 disagree
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Baseball Fan said:
HI, I think it is about time that the Baltimore Orioles wear your cities name on their away uniforms. They have the weak excuse that they serve other areas that would not relate to Baltimore. I live in New Hampshire and I have no problem with the Boston Red Sox identifying with Boston on their away uniforms. If the Red Sox didn't recognize Boston on their away uniforms I would take it as an insult to Boston and the home town fans. I have been to your city many times and have taken in Orioles, Red Sox games. I can't understand how Orioles fans and the city of Baltimore don't insist on the Orioles identifying with Baltimore on their away uniforms. After all, they are the Baltimore Orioles. They wouldn't have such a great ball park if it wasn't for the support of the tax payers of Baltimore. Thanks
274 agree | 260 disagree
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Don said:
Send the O's packing it's over. Root for the new kids on the block the Washington Nationals. They are welcome to use our stadium Hon.
250 agree | 261 disagree
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Examiner Reader said:
I thought Palmer put Markakis on the rising stars list because he was under 25 which the list asked for. Bedard is, what, 29? C'mon Welsh. Do your homework and stop twisting facts. Palmer wins in a landslide.
244 agree | 261 disagree
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A memorable season said:
That's one way to make this season memorable!
299 agree | 253 disagree
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Examiner Reader said:
Ouch. That's no spanking, that's a slaughter.
276 agree | 244 disagree
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Examiner Reader said:
Uncle Pete, please open up that checkbook this winter!!!
323 agree | 276 disagree
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Examiner Reader said:
Trade Mora, Millar, Trachsel. Trade for Arod pay him and let him continue to be the best power hitter in baseball. Get the first baseman from Texas as soon as possible. One more starter and one relief pitcher. = winning season and some Oct. playing time.
316 agree | 323 disagree
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Examiner Reader said:
The first thing they should do is decide what kind of team they're going to be (which is what MacPhail presumably is doing now). Then they can trade Daniel Cabrera and Steve Trachsel. Next get rid of Miggy and Mora in the off-season. And then they can ship out a few of the other role players listed. I actually would keep Jay Payton for veteran leadership. They need to be smart.
345 agree | 310 disagree
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Mr. Mirth Alert said:
Pfooey! The Orioles can win without Guerrero, A-Rod. or even Curt Schilling. Just start finding reasons to win, not excuses for losing. That's the mgr.'s job: to convince the team they're better than they are. But the crusty owner interprets that to mean they're better than he—& they are.
745 agree | 322 disagree
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Examiner Reader said:
The four noisy people with HD? I guess i'll continue to watch a WINNING team in it's HD bliss!
332 agree | 319 disagree
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Scott S. said:
The self proclaimed king won't allow it
391 agree | 392 disagree
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Examiner Reader said:
The Orioles is no longer a region team since the Nationals have come to Washington, DC, so what is the problem with Baltimore being on the road jersey. If it is a marketing issue the Orioles would profit from it and the fans would appreciate the recognition of the city and the team while on the road.
413 agree | 365 disagree
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Examiner Reader said:
Bring back the Baltimore road jersey!!! It would be a small concession to the fans that would go a long way to improving team relations under a dismal team win record. As for the "O's" caps; it is appropriate for a team that has been a bunch of zeros the past few years. Zero championships too.
403 agree | 373 disagree
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Examiner Reader said:
How is this even an issue? Everyone knows that the Orioles are from Baltimore. I hate baseball and i know where every team is from without seeing the city name before the team name. Save your energy for the topics that matter.
389 agree | 374 disagree
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Examiner Reader said:
Shouldn't the Orioles ownership be proud of the fact that they're from Baltimore? Put it back.
393 agree | 399 disagree
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