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Tejada’s return highlights trade
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Miguel Tejada was greeted with a mostly positive reaction by the O’s fans. — AP
BALTIMORE (Map, News) - Miguel Tejada has many good memories of being an Oriole.
His 102 home runs and 429 runs batted in during four seasons with the team are proof of that.
And the all-star shortstop says that’s why you can’t blame him for the team’s .449 winning percentage and zero playoff appearance in those seasons.
“You see what I do every day. I come to the ballpark and play like a champion,” Tejada said. “This game is all about pitching, and you can see how our pitching did last year. That’s why we weren’t winning.”
Tejada returned to Camden Yards on Tuesday as a member of the Houston Astros, the team that traded five players for the now-known-to-be 34-year old in December.
He was greeted in his first plate appearance in the top of the first inning with a mostly positive reaction by the Orioles faithful that had so much hope for him as the savior of their team when he signed a six-year, $72 million contract before the 2004 season.
“When I left they loved me, and I don’t know how they’re going to treat me now,” Tejada said surrounded by a throng of media in the visitor’s clubhouse hours before the game. “No matter what their reaction is, I really have a lot of great memories and I’ll remember all the times the fans were behind me and supported me.”
Orioles fans have had a lot to cheer about this season, thanks in part to the five players they received in return for Tejada.
Three players, outfielder Luke Scott and relief pitchers Matt Albers and Dennis Sarfate, have contributed right away to help the Orioles hang around .500 through the first two and a half months of the season. The Orioles also got minor leaguers Troy Patton and Michael Costanzo in the deal.
For them, this series is bigger than Tejada’s return.
“Every organization has the right to run the team the way they feel,” said Scott, who is tied for the team lead with 11 home runs. “I can handle if someone doesn’t believe in me. That’s fine, but if I have a choice, I’d rather be somewhere I know I’ve got people in the front office that are really pulling for me.”
Manager Dave Trembley said the trade has benefitted both parties and Tejada deserves the respect of Orioles fans, calling him one of the game’s great players for a long time.
But he couldn’t lead the Orioles to the playoffs, in part because of the team’s pitching woes, something the team obtained when they traded him.
And that trade has set up a series where players have a chance to prove a lot of things to their former teams.
“I thought I was going to be a mainstay there, and then I get traded here, and it’s been a blessing,” said Sarfate, who is 4-1 with a 3.38 ERA in 28 games this season. “I hope we just pound them to tell you the truth.”
eric.detweiler@baltimoreexaminer.com
Comments from Examiner Readers
6:43 AM MST on Tue., Feb. 19, 2008 re: "Orioles ready for competition to begin"
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12:09 PM MST on Thu., Dec. 20, 2007
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5:06 AM MST on Tue., Dec. 18, 2007
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6:23 PM MST on Sat., Dec. 15, 2007
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12:28 PM MST on Wed., Dec. 12, 2007
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1:53 PM MST on Fri., Oct. 5, 2007
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1:21 PM MST on Fri., Oct. 5, 2007
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6:49 AM MST on Tue., Oct. 2, 2007
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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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