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05-29-2003, 04:37 PM
Okay, if this kid's gonna be pitching for Cal's team, I gotta see one of these games. :cooldude: Maybe if the Iron Birds come up to Brooklyn and play the Cyclones. :idea: HEY! Good idea I just had! :D
And Grover's playing Mr. Smart Manager, keeping BJ on the bench for awhile to let Mighty Mel do his thang. :D
05/28/2003 7:34 PM ET
Notes: Ripken eyes Loewen
By Gary Washburn / MLB.com
BALTIMORE -- Cal Ripken has been following Orioles' developments and is anxious to see their first-round pick in an Aberdeen uniform.
The Orioles signed Adam Loewen on Monday and the Canadian left-hander could be headed for Single-A Aberdeen, the club owned by Ripken.
Ripken, the all-time consecutive games played leader and Orioles' legend, was at Camden Yards on Wednesday to announce a partnership between the Cal Ripken Sr. foundation and softball star Jennie Finch.
Ripken's IronBirds club features some of the Orioles' top young prospects and begins play in June. Loewen will be in Baltimore on Thursday for a physical before heading to the team's minor-league complex in Sarasota, Fla. The organization then will decide whether to send Loewen to Aberdeen, Single-A Delmarva or Single-A Frederick.
"I'm curious to see him pitch," Ripken said. "I want to see him develop. I think that's what it's all about. In the end, it's a young kid trying to make it to the big leagues."
The Orioles signed Loewen to a Major League contract, meaning he will be placed on the 40-man roster after passing a physical. The club will use his four options to send Loewen to the minor leagues and would have to expose him to waivers if he does not make the club by spring 2007.
Major League contracts for a 19-year-old are a far cry from Ripken's playing days, when young players had to earn the big payday with on-field performance. Loewen is guaranteed $4 million regardless of his production.
Ripken aspires to be a Major League general manager and said he would not have trouble signing prospects to such contracts.
"I think you have to treat every case individually," he said. "And if this kid is exceptional, then you have to do what it takes to make it happen. Times have changed and you have to realize that's the way things are now."
Ripken is not expected to attend the reunion of the 1983 World Championship team next month because of a vacation in Europe.
Surhoff back: The Orioles officially activated B.J. Surhoff after a three weeks on the disabled list with a strained right hamstring. Surhoff appeared ready last week but tweaked his left knee in workouts. Orioles manager Mike Hargrove said Surhoff likely will sit for a few days because the offense has been churning out hits in bunches.
Melvin Mora has been the team's hottest hitter and reigning co-American League Player of the Week, so he will remain in left field.
"Anytime you can get a veteran back with the track record that B.J. has, it only strengthens what you're trying to do," Hargrove said. "As long as we're doing what we're doing, I'm not going to mess with that. I think B.J. understands that. We'll try to ease him back in, but right now we're not going to monkey with what we're doing."
Texas series: The pitching matchups have been announced for the four-game series with the Rangers beginning Thursday night at Camden Yards. Right-hander Pat Hentgen (1-1, 4.10 ERA) takes on right-hander Ismael Valdes (4-2, 5.26) on Thursday; left-hander Omar Daal (3-5, 4.98) opposes right-hander John Thomson (3-5, 4.85) on Friday; right-hander Rick Helling faces right-hander Joaquin Benoit (2-1, 6.08) on Saturday and right-hander Sidney Ponson (6-3, 4.09) opposes right-hander Colby Lewis (4-3, 7.74) in Sunday's finale.
Farm report: Triple-A Ottawa beat Toledo 8-2 on Tuesday, but the game was marred by a bench-clearing brawl caused by John Stephens' plucking of Toledo's Cody Ross. Ross charged the mound and the fight was on. Ottawa third baseman Jose Leon got into a shoving match with Toledo manager Larry Parrish.
Stephens, Leon and reliever Darwin Cubillan were ejected for Ottawa. Stephens had allowed one run in 4 2/3 innings. Mike Mohler pitched 1 2/3 innings for the win. Eddy Garabito knocked in two runs.
Orioles' buy books: The Orioles will provide two books for each of the 16,500 first graders in the Baltimore City and Prince George's County public school system as part of their "First Graders -- Let's G'O' Read" program.
Gary Washburn is a reporter for MLB.com. This story was not subject to the approval of Major League Baseball or its clubs.
And Grover's playing Mr. Smart Manager, keeping BJ on the bench for awhile to let Mighty Mel do his thang. :D
05/28/2003 7:34 PM ET
Notes: Ripken eyes Loewen
By Gary Washburn / MLB.com
BALTIMORE -- Cal Ripken has been following Orioles' developments and is anxious to see their first-round pick in an Aberdeen uniform.
The Orioles signed Adam Loewen on Monday and the Canadian left-hander could be headed for Single-A Aberdeen, the club owned by Ripken.
Ripken, the all-time consecutive games played leader and Orioles' legend, was at Camden Yards on Wednesday to announce a partnership between the Cal Ripken Sr. foundation and softball star Jennie Finch.
Ripken's IronBirds club features some of the Orioles' top young prospects and begins play in June. Loewen will be in Baltimore on Thursday for a physical before heading to the team's minor-league complex in Sarasota, Fla. The organization then will decide whether to send Loewen to Aberdeen, Single-A Delmarva or Single-A Frederick.
"I'm curious to see him pitch," Ripken said. "I want to see him develop. I think that's what it's all about. In the end, it's a young kid trying to make it to the big leagues."
The Orioles signed Loewen to a Major League contract, meaning he will be placed on the 40-man roster after passing a physical. The club will use his four options to send Loewen to the minor leagues and would have to expose him to waivers if he does not make the club by spring 2007.
Major League contracts for a 19-year-old are a far cry from Ripken's playing days, when young players had to earn the big payday with on-field performance. Loewen is guaranteed $4 million regardless of his production.
Ripken aspires to be a Major League general manager and said he would not have trouble signing prospects to such contracts.
"I think you have to treat every case individually," he said. "And if this kid is exceptional, then you have to do what it takes to make it happen. Times have changed and you have to realize that's the way things are now."
Ripken is not expected to attend the reunion of the 1983 World Championship team next month because of a vacation in Europe.
Surhoff back: The Orioles officially activated B.J. Surhoff after a three weeks on the disabled list with a strained right hamstring. Surhoff appeared ready last week but tweaked his left knee in workouts. Orioles manager Mike Hargrove said Surhoff likely will sit for a few days because the offense has been churning out hits in bunches.
Melvin Mora has been the team's hottest hitter and reigning co-American League Player of the Week, so he will remain in left field.
"Anytime you can get a veteran back with the track record that B.J. has, it only strengthens what you're trying to do," Hargrove said. "As long as we're doing what we're doing, I'm not going to mess with that. I think B.J. understands that. We'll try to ease him back in, but right now we're not going to monkey with what we're doing."
Texas series: The pitching matchups have been announced for the four-game series with the Rangers beginning Thursday night at Camden Yards. Right-hander Pat Hentgen (1-1, 4.10 ERA) takes on right-hander Ismael Valdes (4-2, 5.26) on Thursday; left-hander Omar Daal (3-5, 4.98) opposes right-hander John Thomson (3-5, 4.85) on Friday; right-hander Rick Helling faces right-hander Joaquin Benoit (2-1, 6.08) on Saturday and right-hander Sidney Ponson (6-3, 4.09) opposes right-hander Colby Lewis (4-3, 7.74) in Sunday's finale.
Farm report: Triple-A Ottawa beat Toledo 8-2 on Tuesday, but the game was marred by a bench-clearing brawl caused by John Stephens' plucking of Toledo's Cody Ross. Ross charged the mound and the fight was on. Ottawa third baseman Jose Leon got into a shoving match with Toledo manager Larry Parrish.
Stephens, Leon and reliever Darwin Cubillan were ejected for Ottawa. Stephens had allowed one run in 4 2/3 innings. Mike Mohler pitched 1 2/3 innings for the win. Eddy Garabito knocked in two runs.
Orioles' buy books: The Orioles will provide two books for each of the 16,500 first graders in the Baltimore City and Prince George's County public school system as part of their "First Graders -- Let's G'O' Read" program.
Gary Washburn is a reporter for MLB.com. This story was not subject to the approval of Major League Baseball or its clubs.