The Orioles Win, and I Repent

It was a good night for the Orioles – a close game in Toronto, which is a place that has been exceedingly difficult to gain wins. The Birds took the series opener 7-5.

I have a few issues of repentance about which to confess:

I have been unimpressed with Wilson Betemit and actually cringe when I see him batting 6^th in the lineup. I admit that I’ve not really seen him play that much, but from what I had seen, he appeared rather ordinary at best. But the guy got the key hit tonight in the clutch – a two-out bases loaded single to drive in two runs and give the team the lead. Clutch hits have lately been as difficult to find as wins over the Jays.

I have been too much of a skeptic about Robert Andino. He is playing well and has been consistent throughout the pre-season and in these early games. He appears to be a guy who has gained enough experience now on a regular basis to seriously put it all together. He is an athlete. Jim Palmer was this evening talking about another guy who wore #11 for the Orioles – Luis Aparicio. He was the shortstop for the Orioles in the mid 60s and is in the Hall of Fame (though he played more seasons for the White Sox). I am old enough to remember Aparicio playing, and though I don’t think there are no similarities or that Palmer is whacked for saying this, I do not think Luis could hit a ball 420’ like Andino did tonight. But Aparicio could really run, and in fact stole 57 bases one year for the Birds!

I was too skeptical and somewhat mocked the Orioles for employing a sports psychologist this year. Though I still believe that skills and hard work are the best basis for success, there really is something to say about the mental aspects of the game. Reimold is a guy who clearly has mental highs and lows that affect his play. His recent successes over the past several days could be HUGE for the team this season. His 9^th inning homer (just plain crushed) was huge tonight. But on the other hand, Reynolds appears to be in a mental and performance funk – the stereotypical “deer in the headlights / what hit me?” sort of look. I wonder what Buck thinks about “the look in his eyes” (since Buck uses that phrase to describe people positively).

This was a good game – the guys kept battling and adding runs, and the bullpen got r’ done! So let’s do it again, and again, and again!