The Orioles have won a game against the Angels. The streak is over, The Streak IS Over, for now. They beat the Angels 4-1 today. Of course I didn't watch it because I couldn't find anywhere on tv.
In Sam Perlozzo's first game as the manager of the Orioles, they finally get some key hits and good pitching on the same day. Rod Lopez allowed one run on 2 hits, while Eric Byrnes and Sammy Sosa were the offense the O's needed. Eric did it with a triple and Slammin Sammy did it the long ball way. Maybe this could be a start to a beautiful relationship with players and manager. Of course, it could be like the Royals. 4 games of winning, then they suck again. Cross your fingers everyone.
After a year and a half of coaching for the Baltimore Orioles, Lee Mazzilli gets fired. Mazz was 78-84 with the O's and riding a 8 game losing streak. The Orioles are 10 1/2 out first place and 5 games under .500 (51-56). A common thought around sports is that the O's were winning the first half in spite of Mazz, not because of him.
I think this true about the Orioles. I think the problem with the Orioles right now is that they need a stern coach and not a players coach. The Orioles are a very young team with a few veterans. Mazz is definitely a players coach. He nice, laid back type of coach, and they need a coach with the enthusiasm like Tejada. Sam Perlozzo, Orioles bench coach, is going to be the interim Manager for the rest of the season. He might not be able to stop the bleeding, but he really can't do any worse.
I want to know what you think. Should the Orioles kept Lee Mazzilli or not?
According to the Major League Baseball steriod testing, Raffy Palmeiro has failed his last urine test. He has officially been suspended for 10 games. If all of you remember correctly ( or read it 20 times today), Raffy totally denied taking steriod in front of congress and now it looks like he has lied. To us as fans and Congress. What do all of you think about this? I am still undecided. Here is his official statement to reporters today:
Thank you very much for joining me on this call today. I am saddened that we are here to address this issue, but because of the importance of it, I feel the need to make a brief statement and address your questions. At the outset, let me say that under the rules of the basic agreement and the order of the independent arbitrator, there is an order of confidentiality governing the specifics of this case. I will attempt to state as much as I can and be as forthright as possible, but there will be issues I can't address based on orders imposed on me by the basic agreement and the arbitration process.I am here to make it very clear that I have never intentionally used steroids. Never. Ever. Period.
When I found out that I failed a test under the new drug policy, I filed a grievance and challenged the suspension on the basis that I have never intentionally taken a banned substance. Ultimately, although I never intentionally put a banned substance into my body -- the independent arbitrator ruled that I had to be suspended under the terms of the program.
I am sure you will ask how I tested positive for a banned substance. As I look back, I don't have a specific answer to give. Unfortunately, I wasn't able to explain to the arbitrator how the banned substance entered my body. The arbitrator did not find that I used a banned substance intentionally - in fact, he said he found my testimony to be compelling -- but he ruled that I could not meet the heavy burden imposed on players who test positive under the new drug policy.
I accept this punishment and want to address it publicly. I want to apologize to MLB, the Baltimore Orioles organization, my teammates, and most of all, my fans. Given my role with the No Tolerance Committee and my relationships with Congress, I feel the need to communicate a serious message to my fellow players and to kids everywhere. All of us have to be responsible and exercise extreme care in what we put in our body. I hope that all MLB players and kids will learn from what has happened to me. I have never intentionally used a banned substance, but I unfortunately wasn't careful enough.
I take my role as a professional athlete seriously. I love baseball and have great respect for all of the players who played before me. I have always done my best to live each day in ways that would make my family proud. Everything I have accomplished is the result of hard work and dedication to being the best possible player I can be.
I feel terrible that this has happened, but I think there is something to be gained from it. If my situation results in the education of current and future players about the dangers of taking anything without a prescription from a licensed physician -- that is a positive. At the end of the day, it is important for all players to understand the risk of contamination and to be very careful about what they put in their body.
This suspension is going to be incredibly difficult for me, my wife and my 2 boys. Over the next week and a half, I am going to spend time with my family. I am going to come back and will be as determined as ever to help the Orioles win this pennant race that we are in. We have worked very hard to be in a position to bring our fans a title, and I will not let this be a distraction.
Finally, I would like to thank Commissioner Selig and Mr. Angelos for their strong words of encouragement. I had the opportunity to speak with both of them and I am extremely appreciative of their support and friendship.