Turning the corner …
So football season in Baltimore is over. It wasn’t that hard for me to get over … sorry fans, I have always been a baseball guy! Orioles FanFest this past weekend was what really got my engine going and my excitement for baseball season is revving up! As well, the Birds signed Miguel Tejada back to a one-year deal and Andy McPhail continues to assert his genius over Major League Baseball.
Pitchers and catchers report on February 17th and I couldn’t be more excited. I am so ready for fastballs, double-plays, seeing-eye-base-hits, and going yard! And going TO the Yard!!! And just like football, there’s always optimism at the outset of the season. The Orioles moves may not have been high-profile, but they have been calculated and efficient. Put me in coach … I’m ready to play!
A bit of news: the Orioles designated Dennis Sarfate for assignment today as the corresponding move for the Tejada signing.
On a personal note, Dennis is a native New Yorker like me, and during his time here in Baltimore, he and I have become personal friends. That being said, I will preface this by saying that my opinion is obviously biased. But I want to wish him well and good luck. After many conversations both professional and personal, I know he has what it takes to be a solid pitcher at the major league level. He is a dedicated and passionate ballplayer who loves the game and respects what he has. The business of the game seems to have gotten the better of him here, but I know it’s not the last time we will hear his name. I wish Dennis nothing but the best things that baseball has to offer to him professionally, and that life has to offer to him and his family, personally. And being his friend I can say that, he is one of a kind and a great teammate and better man.
I know I won’t see him as much, but will miss chatting it up with him at the Yard and in the clubhouse. All the best D!
Zinno
Posted on Wednesday, January 27th, 2010 at 2:29 pm.Categories: Orioles.
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Mark,
Sorry to hear about D. Sarfate as I like and have liked him alot. I suppose the Orioles have to do this though as the team really needs a solid veteran to offer advice/support on the field to all the newcomers. Do you think that Miggy will assume a leadership role at this juncture because although I really like A. Jones I simply don’t feel like he has the years of experience required to make him the leader in the clubhouse the O’s seem to need.
February 25th, 2010 at 9:26 am