In a little more than five weeks, baseball officially starts it’s season and Buster Olney in his blog pondered about the early schedule of teams in the American League.
As for Orioles — according to Olney — things are tough from the onset. Again.
Here’s what he had to say briefly:
“The Orioles’ first 12 games of the season are against contenders — the Rays, the Tigers, the Rangers and the Yankees. Then, after a series against the Indians, Baltimore has a 10-game homestand against the Twins, Yankees and Red Sox. We’ll know a lot about the Orioles early.”
Last year, the Orioles got roughed up early thanks to bullpen implosions, a lack of offense and pitching that sputtered. The result: a 2-16 record that the team could not dig themselves and nearly led to a death march until Buck Showalter came aboard.
How do the Orioles avoid another herrendous start?
Simple. Do what they did from August on.
The starting pitching must keep the Orioles in the game and the young arms need to step up. Furthermore, with a retooled bullpen, hopefully they can keep leads; plus, a rebuilt offense has to deliver and the gaffes that killed the Orioles at the plate and on the field need to be curtailed.
If that is possible, then the first month for the Orioles will be interesting to watch.
Also, Frank Robinson spoke to the team yesterday in camp. I’m sure he spoke about the good old days and what it meant to be a player, plus probably spoke about how talented the Orioles are and how they can compete, etc.
Boy, I would have loved to have been a fly on the wall when Robinson spoke yesterday. Then again, I would have probably been swatted away as well.
***
I’d wanted to touch on a topic that has a little to do with the Orioles at all, but seems to hit home for families every once it seems almost daily.
It’s the issue of drinking; more specifically, alcoholism.
As you know, Tigers’ slugger Miguel Cabrera got arrested for driving under the influence of alcohol. He apologized and said all the right things yesterday and he’ll get to play baseball while seeking treatment; however, I do wonder if he were the 25th man on the roster instead a superstar who has a multi-million dollar contract, would the Tigers have his back?
I would think the answer would be no, but I’ll say this.
We really don’t know what is going on in Miguel’s life — a bad marriage, family issues, money, etc. — or he simply can’t help himself — but if he does have a problem (which is clearly evident), he needs to get his life in order.
As someone who has seen the ravages of drug use ravage a family, if Cabrera has a problem — he needs to step away from his job and get the help he needs. I really don’t care what some in the media think, we should not judge him and he may truly need help away from the prying eyes of the public.
The man has a truly athletic gift and to squander it, plus his relatively short life so far over alcohol is just plain sad.
It was better that his problems were found out in this fashion than killing someone, being charged with vehicular homicide and/or even have his own life taken.
No matter what happens, it will be up to Miguel to look in the mirror and solve his problems.
Not the Tigers, some adult chaperone, the fans, media or otherwise.
