Today is the home debut for the O’s 2020 Spring season and this morning walking my dog we heard them testing out the PA and the singer was practicing the anthem-she’s pretty good. EDIT-I know now that it was a male singer (actually a friend from previous years at the stadium, Jason Ferrante) but this morning the voice they were practicing with was a woman’s . I live within 9 blocks so she can bring the volume too. Good morning to me.
I’ll be at the game and no practice environment so less for me to watch. However I’ll pay attention and try to share anything that stands out. I’m expecting an upbeat mood around the stadium.
Also I’m pretty pumped after watching Cody Carroll’s IP on video. 21 pitches and 2 spots missed by 8-10 inches including one wild pitch-less than good…
2:15 Update-LeBlanc just talked to the media after his 2 inning, 2 k performance. ‘It’s always good to get the first one out of the way, there’s always some nerves’. LeBlanc’s best pitch today was probably his off speed and he had it around 80 with a bit of depth. He also threw a curve, the gun said 73.
‘You’re not really looking to impress anyone at this stage anymore…just trying to get my work in’. That was Wade still juiced up a bit after coming out, reminding us that he’s not putting on a show. ‘I’m 35’ if they don’t know who I am as a pitcher, then we got problems. Pumped up! He talked about the value of him hitting his spots, acknowledging he isn’t a fire baller and he seemed content that 16 of his 23 offerings were in the zone. ‘Other guys can afford to spray it a little around the strike zone, but for me I’ve got to be where I want to be’.
LeBlanc was replaced by Brandon Bailey.
Today is the home debut for the O’s 2020 Spring season and this morning walking my dog we heard them testing out the PA and the singer was practicing the anthem-she’s pretty good. EDIT-I know now that it was a male singer (actually a friend from previous years at the stadium, Jason Ferrante) but this morning the voice they were practicing with was a woman’s . I live within 9 blocks so she can bring the volume too. Good morning to me.
I’ll be at the game and no practice environment so less for me to watch. However I’ll pay attention and try to share anything that stands out. I’m expecting an upbeat mood around the stadium.
Also I’m pretty pumped after watching Cody Carroll’s IP on video. 21 pitches and 2 spots missed by 8-10 inches including one wild pitch-less than good…
2 k’s including Yangervis, not dipping into his nice stuff and handling the frame healthy-very good!
For all who are planning on watching or listening, enjoy the game.
12:00 pm Update-I’m here in the stadium getting the rundown for gameday. Hyde talked an hour ago at the adjacent clubhouse I was parking my car so far away I might as well have walked! The fans are coming in filling seats, the Bird is meeting kids and the smells of Boog’s are rising into the air. The Sox are in the field for BP and the sun is getting warmer by the minute. This is baseball weather.
The O’s got some minor leaguers in the game as Nichting, Bannon, McCoy and McKenna all did some baseball things against another team today. McCoy had a nice diving stop to his right as I was making a note to look at his quickness overall. He also hit into a perfectly made 2B hole to execute a hit and run. He shows some decent, some need for more quickness but lots of effort. First step towards the hole wasn’t turbo but he made it the dive and finished off the play. Nichting had a decent AB and fought off some foul balls. He was offered only one good pitch and missed it swinging before walking.
In my notes I have LeBlanc throwing a 73mph curve, 80 on the change and 86 on fastball. Rucker was the speed champ and he hit 94 twice. Bleier right at 88.
In the battle for 4th/5th outfield spot I’m noticing that Dwight Smith cost the team a shutout by coming in for the first step and a half when a fly ball was hit off Bailey feet over his head and he needed to go back while Mullins is 2-2 in SBs.
Best Jersey Award-I saw a Lenn Sakata White
Worst Jersey Award-Papelbon
Congrats to the O’s for their first victory against an opponent.
