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07-11-2002, 11:33 AM
Well, Jacqui did this over on the Sox Forum, and I thought it was a good idea. :biggrin: But I'm cheating. :uhoh: This guy from the Baltimore Sun nailed it. I can't think of anything I disagree with here, so I'll defer to Joe!!! :biggrin:
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Grading the Orioles
Midseason report
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By Joe Christensen
Sun Staff
Originally published July 11, 2002
Offense - C
After scoring 10 runs on Opening Day, the Orioles scored six in the next six games, leaving them at 1-6. In mid-May, No. 3 hitter David Segui went on the disabled list with a wrist injury, and a hamstring injury sent No. 4 hitter Jeff Conine to the DL in mid-June. But with those two out of the lineup, the Orioles are 11-8.
Defense - A
The Orioles committed just 49 errors in the first 85 games, ranking among the top teams defensively in the American League. Injured much of last season, shortstop Mike Bordick has a 68-game errorless streak. Geronimo Gil has helped the Orioles shut down the running game, throwing out 32.7 percent (17 of 52) of base stealers. :biggrin: :lust:
Starting pitching - B
The original starting five - Scott Erickson, Jason Johnson, Sidney Ponson, Josh Towers and Calvin Maduro - are a combined 11-25. But two rookies have come from nowhere to make this a formidable bunch. Rodrigo Lopez and Travis Driskill are a combined 14-4.
Bullpen - B
With 36-year-old Buddy Groom being a stable force - 1.89 ERA in 39 appearances - this group has been strong all season. Closer Jorge Julio, 23, had a rough May, but he has been solid otherwise, converting 17 of 22 save opportunities. And Willis Roberts has emerged as another dependable set-up man, with a 1.99 ERA to complement Groom.
Bench - C
Injuries to Segui and Conine forced the Orioles to dig into their reserves, and they quickly learned that Gary Matthews can be a player. A career .217 hitter coming into the season, he finished the first half batting .281 and has hit No. 3 in the lineup 20 times. But this team is nowhere as deep as the Yankees or Red Sox and has just five hits in 35 pinch-hit at-bats.
Manager - A
Mike Hargrove was patient with his club after a 4-11 start, allowing the players to find themselves. And when they looked lackadaisical on May 19 in a 4-0 loss to Tampa Bay, he closed the doors and chewed their tails. Even if a move here or there has lent itself to second guessing, Hargrove has melded a group of young and old players into winners.
Copyright © 2002, The Baltimore Sun
---------------------------------------------------
Grading the Orioles
Midseason report
----------------------------------------------------
By Joe Christensen
Sun Staff
Originally published July 11, 2002
Offense - C
After scoring 10 runs on Opening Day, the Orioles scored six in the next six games, leaving them at 1-6. In mid-May, No. 3 hitter David Segui went on the disabled list with a wrist injury, and a hamstring injury sent No. 4 hitter Jeff Conine to the DL in mid-June. But with those two out of the lineup, the Orioles are 11-8.
Defense - A
The Orioles committed just 49 errors in the first 85 games, ranking among the top teams defensively in the American League. Injured much of last season, shortstop Mike Bordick has a 68-game errorless streak. Geronimo Gil has helped the Orioles shut down the running game, throwing out 32.7 percent (17 of 52) of base stealers. :biggrin: :lust:
Starting pitching - B
The original starting five - Scott Erickson, Jason Johnson, Sidney Ponson, Josh Towers and Calvin Maduro - are a combined 11-25. But two rookies have come from nowhere to make this a formidable bunch. Rodrigo Lopez and Travis Driskill are a combined 14-4.
Bullpen - B
With 36-year-old Buddy Groom being a stable force - 1.89 ERA in 39 appearances - this group has been strong all season. Closer Jorge Julio, 23, had a rough May, but he has been solid otherwise, converting 17 of 22 save opportunities. And Willis Roberts has emerged as another dependable set-up man, with a 1.99 ERA to complement Groom.
Bench - C
Injuries to Segui and Conine forced the Orioles to dig into their reserves, and they quickly learned that Gary Matthews can be a player. A career .217 hitter coming into the season, he finished the first half batting .281 and has hit No. 3 in the lineup 20 times. But this team is nowhere as deep as the Yankees or Red Sox and has just five hits in 35 pinch-hit at-bats.
Manager - A
Mike Hargrove was patient with his club after a 4-11 start, allowing the players to find themselves. And when they looked lackadaisical on May 19 in a 4-0 loss to Tampa Bay, he closed the doors and chewed their tails. Even if a move here or there has lent itself to second guessing, Hargrove has melded a group of young and old players into winners.
Copyright © 2002, The Baltimore Sun