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Orioles closer Chris Ray leads an impressive group of young bullpen arms with 23 saves thus far this season.
BALTIMORE (Map, News) - Veteran leadership. Two words that describe an ideal bullpen and most managers’ dream situation.
Unfortunately for Orioles manager Sam Perlozzo, the veteran pitchers on his staff have yet to hold their weight against the youth movement taking ground behind the left-center field wall of Oriole Park at Camden Yards.
The ERAs, through Tuesday, speak for themselves. Young guns like Kurt Birkins (25 years old), Chris Britton (23) and Chris Ray (24) have ERAs of 3.07, 2.97 and 2.95, respectively. By comparison, veterans like Bruce Chen (29), LaTroy Hawkins (33) and Todd Williams (35) have ERAs of 7.38, 4.05 and 4.17, respectively.
“We have our good days and our bad days like everybody else,” Britton said. “We just need to have more good days.”
The young relief squad is anchored by second-year closer Ray, who converted 23 of 24 save opportunities and had 38 strikeouts through Tuesday in his first year taking over for free agent B.J. Ryan.
“Chris Ray is doing an outstanding job as a closer, I mean outstanding,” pitching coach Leo Mazzone said. “Great mound presence, besides good stuff.”
Rookie left-hander Birkins has allowed 10 runs in his 31 appearances since his debut May 5.
“Birkins has been a nice find,” Mazzone said. “He has been solid against lefties and righties and has adapted to his environment and has become very effective.”
In comparison, veteran set-up man Hawkins has allowed 18 runs in 38 innings this season. Bruce Chen, who was moved from the starting rotation in the first half of the season, allowed six runs in the two innings Thursday before pitching three shutout innings Wednesday against Oakland.
“It can be one pitcher one year and another the next,” catcher Ramon Hernandez said. “When you go through the bad times, you can show people you are strong enough to be (playing) this game.”
Even with the young boost from the bullpen the O’s still rank 11th in the American League with a 4.81 ERA, tied with the Indians and leading only the D-Rays and Royals through Tuesday.
“It all depends on how big of a deal you’re going to make out of it because everybody around you is,” Mazzone said. “You, yourself have to have the mind-set that three outs isn’t that big a deal.”
The Relief Report
» The active bullpen roster: Chris Ray, Todd Williams, LaTroy Hawkins, Kurt Birkins, Chris Britton, Bruce Chen and Eddy Rodriguez
» The disabled bullpen roster: Tim Byrdak, 60-day DL
»Did you know? Eddy Rodriguez has the highest ERA (4.00) among relief pitchers under 26 years old, still a lower number than any of those over 26 in the bullpen ... Ray has 23 saves, just one behind Toronto’s B.J. Ryan and five back of league leader Jonathan Papelbon of Boston.
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
re: "O's say no deals today"
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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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9:26 PM MST on Fri., Dec. 14, 2007
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6:32 AM MST on Fri., Dec. 14, 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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5:55 PM MST on Thu., Oct. 4, 2007
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6:49 AM MST on Tue., Oct. 2, 2007
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9:35 AM MST on Fri., May. 18, 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!"
72 agree | 69 disagree
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Examiner Reader said:
TRADE !!!!!.....Who would want an Oriole player ?????
173 agree | 175 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.
175 agree | 164 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."
161 agree | 176 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.....
181 agree | 184 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?
185 agree | 187 disagree
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Don said:
Wonder how these O's druggies would have played without the drugs ????????
189 agree | 154 disagree
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Don said:
Probably should have listed who hasn't
184 agree | 179 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.
229 agree | 207 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!
238 agree | 223 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.
268 agree | 262 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?
216 agree | 240 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!
278 agree | 269 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.
243 agree | 261 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
275 agree | 262 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.
252 agree | 262 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.
245 agree | 263 disagree
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A memorable season said:
That's one way to make this season memorable!
300 agree | 254 disagree
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Examiner Reader said:
Ouch. That's no spanking, that's a slaughter.
277 agree | 245 disagree
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Examiner Reader said:
Uncle Pete, please open up that checkbook this winter!!!
324 agree | 277 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.
317 agree | 324 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.
346 agree | 311 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.
746 agree | 323 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!
333 agree | 320 disagree
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Scott S. said:
The self proclaimed king won't allow it
393 agree | 394 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.
414 agree | 366 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.
404 agree | 374 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.
390 agree | 375 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.
394 agree | 400 disagree
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