As the rest of Baltimore is preparing for a possible snow event this weekend, the Orioles are reporting beginning today to Ed Smith Stadium in Sarasota, FL for their 2012 spring training. Pitchers and catchers are arriving today (Sat., Feb. 18) with their first workout scheduled for tomorrow morning. The first full-squad workout will take place on Feb. 24. This year marks the third consecutive spring training for the Orioles in Sarasota, and the second in the renovated Ed Smith Stadium.
If you’re anywhere near “Birdland South,” you can purchase tickets for any of the upcoming single games now. Tickets may be purchased online, or at the Box Office or by calling (800) 745-3000. Season, group tickets, suites and other specialty areas are also available by calling (941) 893-6300.
The player news for this season according orioles.mlb.com?
Gone is innings-eater Jeremy Guthrie, who was dealt to Colorado in return for Hammel and reliever Matt Lindstrom, leaving a hole in Baltimore's rotation.
Gone, too, is always-quotable designated hitter Luke Scott -- a non-tender who signed with the Rays -- whose vacancy was filled with the offseason signing of Wilson Betemit.
The Orioles have added roughly a dozen players under new executive vice president of baseball operations Dan Duquette ….
And the big question mark for the O’s is whether 2nd baseman Brian Roberts will be healthy enough to play this season. Spring training should determine Brian’s ability to play or not during the regular season.
The first pre-season games for the O’s in Florida’s Grapefruit League begin on March 5th with split-squad games at 1:05 p.m. against the Rays, and again on March 5th at 7:05 p.m. at Ed Smith Stadium against the Pirates.
The Oriole’s home opener is scheduled for Friday, April 6 at 3:05 p.m. against the Twins.
Go O’s!
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And in a major aside, super-star Whitney Houston’s funeral is taking place today in her hometown of Newark, NJ. You can catch Whitney’s version of the Nation Anthem as performed at Super Bowl XXV here – considered by many to be the best rendition ever.
You can also view a live stream of Whitney’s funeral online here, beginning at 11:00 a.m. today.
The Associated Press is providing live coverage of the funeral from New Hope Baptist Church in Newark.
Rest in Peace Whitney.
Also see:
- Step into the way back machine as Orioles unveil 2012 uniforms (pictures)
- Baltimore Orioles release LGBT anti-bullying video PSA
- Celebrity reactions and quotes on the passing of Whitney Houston
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