NumerOlogy

A brief update in the aftermath of the Birds’ first Sunday win in nearly four months…yes, four.

Lefty specialist and good ol’ boy #32 Jamie Walker was recalled from a minor league rehab assignment; he had spent a month on the disabled list with elbow soreness. He took the place of #62 Radhames Liz, whose next start was to be skipped anyhow. “Rad” had a strong first month in Baltimore, but he’s been putrid in July. He’ll get to spend the dog days of August in Norfolk trying to remember how to throw strikes. Now I’m off to catch the end of the Orioles’ Monday night pasting of those filthy Yanks. How sweet it is…

(If the title of this post begs an explanation, watch this.)

Two more roster moves yesterday, as the O’s continue shuffling parts in the bullpen and at shortstop. Rookie pitcher #51 Randor Bierd finally returned from a shoulder injury, taking the place of much lousier pitcher #35 Greg Aquino, who was placed on the DL with a bad hamstring.

36-year-old shortstop Juan Castro, who played seven whole games with the Reds in April, was acquired from the Rockies and immediately placed on the major league roster in the team’s latest desperate attempt to get #3 Freddie Bynum out of the clubhouse. It doesn’t say much for your talents when a career .230 hitter who has already been ditched by two other organizations in half a season is considered an upgrade. Castro is wearing #2, making him the second of the six Baltimore shortstops this season to wear the number (the other being Luis Hernandez). Castro is the 23rd player in O’s history to wear the deuce, and the 38th different player to join the active roster in 2008. I can’t believe I’m saying this, but get well soon, Alex Cintron.

In cheerier news, a huge thank-you to reader Ryan Salsman, who was generous enough to send me his extra #34 Wild Bill Hagy t-shirt last week. It’s already one of the favorites in my wardrobe! Now I’m off to petition commissioner Bud Selig to switch the Orioles’ travel day from Monday to Sunday in 2009. This losing streak isn’t even funny.

The All-Star break just can’t come fast enough for the Orioles, can it?

As I alluded to in my last update, #29 Adam Loewen has become reacquainted with his old friend the disabled list. In his stead, the O’s have summoned lefthander Alberto Castillo from Norfolk. Castillo is not to be confused with the 38-year-old reserve catcher who wore #18 in a few stints with the team last year. This one is a 33-year-old rookie with a remarkable story. A third round draft pick of the Giants in 1994, the former Cuban refugee hadn’t even played in the minors since 2001, when he was still a position player (and still in A-ball). But his 2.05 ERA and 0.84 WHIP at AAA earned him a trip to Charm City.

He becomes the 37th different Oriole of 2008 and the 29th player to wear #23. His number is now tied with #21, #37, and #39 as the most-issued in O’s history. It’s also the first number to be recycled this year, having just been vacated by Ryan Bukvich on July 5. This is the fourth straight season that #23 has changed hands in-season:

2005 James Baldwin, Alejandro Freire

2006 LaTroy Hawkins, Fernando Tatis

2007 Paul Shuey, Fernando Cabrera

2008 Bukvich, Castillo

If I joined the Orioles and they gave me #23, I sure wouldn’t feel too secure in my place on the team.

One other small update, courtesy of reader Alan Diddle. When I was creating this website, I learned that former longtime bullpen catcher Sam Snider had joined the Atlantic League’s Lancaster Barnstormers as a coach. Alan pointed out that he’d since jumped to the York Revolution to join Chris Hoiles‘ staff. I’ve updated Snider’s blurb on the #60-#99 bio page to reflect this new information. Thanks, Alan!

Geez, I go to the Ocean for a week and things go topsy-turvy in Camden Yards! Since my last site update, there have been eight changes to the Baltimore roster, with #29 Adam Loewen’s shoulder injury signaling more turnover on the horizon. To sum up:

June 26: #34 Matt Albers placed on DL; #26 Fernando Cabrera recalled from rehab assignment at AAA Norfolk. The righthanded pitcher wore #23 in 2007; that number was occupied until recently by Ryan Bukvich (more on him later). Cabrera is the 36th different player to suit up in orange and black this season and the 17th to wear #26 in team history.

June 27: #19 Oscar Salazar optioned to AAA Norfolk; #12 Brandon Fahey recalled from AAA Norfolk. Why have pop on the bench when you can give Brandon another chance to prove that he’s not a major league shortstop?

June 30: #32 Jamie Walker placed on DL; #29 Adam Loewen activated from DL.Well, that was fun while it lasted.

July 1: #13 Alex Cintron placed on DL; #3 Freddie Bynum recalled from AAA Norfolk. I like Freddie as a person, but I’m really not crazy about him as a baseball player. The four-run error he committed yesterday afternoon sure isn’t helping matters.

July 5: #23 Ryan Bukvich designated for assignment; #35 Greg Aquino recalled from AAA Norfolk. Eesh. Bukvich was pretty terrible, but it’s not like Aquino was any better in his first stint in the O’s bullpen. My only question is: why not Rocky Cherry?

While I was away, I did some eBay shopping and picked up an Orioles team set of 1975 SSPC cards. Included in the set was a player I didn’t recognize, Mike Willis (pictured at left). According to the card back, he was a September callup from AAA Rochester who did not pitch in a single game during his time with the team. He’s listed as wearing #53, so I’ve added him to the roster. You never know what you’ll find when you pick up a stack of baseball cards!