Introducing Shortstop Number Five
Monday, May 12th, 2008
A quick update to start the week, as the O’s celebrated Mother’s Day by bolstering their paltry three-man bench. Middle infielder Alex Cintron got the call-up, and was given #19. He’s the thirty-second player to suit up for the Birds so far in 2008, and the fifteenth to wear the nineteen jersey in team history. Cintron had previously worn #10 and #12 in Arizona, and #8 with the White Sox. The only one of those numbers that was open in Baltimore was #12, but I assume it’s still being held for Brandon Fahey, should he return from Norfolk later this year.
To make room for Alex, #31 Bob McCrory was sent back to Norfolk. After a rocky debut and another tough outing the next night, he hadn’t pitched in a week and a half. Well, you gotta start somewhere, anyway.
I’ve updated the usual suspects: the 10-19 bio page, the Odds and Ends page (the Least Issued Numbers), and of course the All-Time Roster. Believe it or not, I’d somehow overlooked #52 George Sherrill on the roster page, so I’ve set that right as well. Nobody’s perfect, I guess!
I’ve gotten away from a hectic couple of weeks at work long enough to update the latest transactions in Birdland. Last Friday, #51 Randor Bierd had to be placed on the disabled list with a sore shoulder, and up from Norfolk to replace him is reliever Lance Cormier. Lance was given #54. He’s just the second Oriole player to ever wear the number, following in the footsteps of righthander John Habyan. Of course, former bullpen catcher Sam Snider practically owned five-four for the better part of two decades before pitching coach Leo Mazzone claimed it in 2006. I miss Sammy…I understand he’s coaching for Von Hayes‘ independent-league Lancaster Barnstormers now.