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Related Topics: BALTIMORE
The Arizona Giants, the Salem Volcanoes, the Atlantic City Surf, the Newark Bears, the Delmarva Shorebirds, the Burlington (Iowa) Bees, the High Desert (Adelanto, Calif.) Mavericks and the Frederick Keys take up a lot of space on the back of Maestrales’ baseball card.
Since leaving the University of Delaware in 2001, Maestrales has not spent more than two seasons with any one team, and his shortest stint was five days in Arizona.
“As far as I’m concerned I’ve caught on with the Orioles,” he said. “I have this opportunity to do something I love every day.”
Usually a leadoff hitter, Maestrales can play many positions but has found a home at third base this season with the Keys.
“The only thing I haven’t seen him do is catch,” designated hitter Jason Fransz said.
Maestrales, a native of Delray Beach, Fla., said that baseball has always been in his blood and that he even played semipro ball with his father for the Ft. Lauderdale Mudcats.
A 5-foot-11 switch-hitter, Maestrales used to be the one asking former teammates Rickey Henderson, Jose Lima and Jamie Navarro for advice. Now he finds himself answering questions from his younger Keys teammates.
“He’s a seasoned vet.” Fransz said. “He helps us, especially when we’re struggling.”
After five years of floating around the minors, Maestrales said he still has the dedication to run out on the field every day in Frederick.
“I’ve been playing baseball since I could walk,” he said. “I don’t think I’ll ever have enough. It’s only over if you want it to be over.”
THE MAESTRALES FILE
Age: 27
Throws: Right
Bats: Switch-hitter
Did you know? Maestrales has spent time in the minors with three different major-league organizations — the Royals, Giants and Orioles. He’s also played in the independent Atlantic League … He has played in 411 minor-league games since leaving the University of Delaware and has a career batting average of .276.
Comments from Examiner Readers
2:08 PM MST on Thu., Oct. 9, 2008 re: "Keeping up with Jones"
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6:43 AM MST on Tue., Feb. 19, 2008
re: "Orioles ready for competition to begin"
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olga rafelina fermin valete said:
robbed a bank
3 agree | 1 disagree
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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!"
76 agree | 73 disagree
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Examiner Reader said:
TRADE !!!!!.....Who would want an Oriole player ?????
178 agree | 179 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.
179 agree | 168 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."
166 agree | 180 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.....
186 agree | 189 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?
190 agree | 191 disagree
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Don said:
Wonder how these O's druggies would have played without the drugs ????????
192 agree | 157 disagree
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Don said:
Probably should have listed who hasn't
189 agree | 183 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.
233 agree | 213 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!
242 agree | 227 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.
272 agree | 266 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?
220 agree | 245 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!
282 agree | 274 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.
246 agree | 265 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
280 agree | 265 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.
255 agree | 266 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.
249 agree | 266 disagree
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A memorable season said:
That's one way to make this season memorable!
304 agree | 258 disagree
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Examiner Reader said:
Ouch. That's no spanking, that's a slaughter.
281 agree | 249 disagree
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Examiner Reader said:
Uncle Pete, please open up that checkbook this winter!!!
328 agree | 281 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.
321 agree | 328 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.
350 agree | 315 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.
751 agree | 328 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!
337 agree | 324 disagree
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Scott S. said:
The self proclaimed king won't allow it
396 agree | 397 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.
418 agree | 370 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.
409 agree | 378 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.
394 agree | 379 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.
399 agree | 404 disagree
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