NumerOlogy

This is the way things usually go with the upkeep of this site. I get busy and the team makes a minor roster move, like sending one guy to the disabled list and bringing another player off of it. So maybe I let it slide, and before I know it, I go out of town for a couple of days and all hell breaks loose. Of course, I was bright enough to book a vacation right in the middle of the MLB trade deadline, so that’s on me. Here’s a month’s worth of Orioles transactions for you, with all of the corresponding uni number news.

7/10: #3 Cesar Izturis was activated from the DL, and #63 David Hernandez was sent to AA Bowie to get some work during the All-Star Break.

7/19: #26 Oscar Salazar was traded to San Diego for reliever Cla (pronounced “clay”) Meredith. Meredith had worn #43 with the Padres, which belongs to Jim Johnson in Birdland. So Cla became the 19th Oriole to wear #26, making this trade a uni swap as well. It’s been duly noted on the Odds and Ends page.

7/20: #63 David Hernandez actually took Salazar’s roster spot, since Meredith didn’t arrive right away.

7/21: Meredith joined the team, and #31 Kam Mickolio was sent back to AAA Norfolk. This will become a theme.

7/29: The steadily worsening #51 Rich Hill finally took a trip to the DL with a shoulder injury. In a move that had been rumored for some time, prized pitching prospect Chris Tillman made his major league debut in his stead. He became just the third player in team history to wear #54, following pitchers John Habyan and Lance Cormier.

7/30: No sooner had I boarded my flight to Atlanta (the first leg of a trip to San Diego) than the Orioles announced that they were selling high, trading flat-billed closer #52 George Sherrill to the Dodgers for AA pitcher Steven Johnson (son of former #27 Dave Johnson) and AA slugger Josh Bell. The rebuilding isn’t complete just yet, after all.

7/31: After deflecting a line drive off of his shin the previous day, #35 Brad Bergesen was placed on the DL. Coupled with the Sherrill trade, the Birds had two spots to fill. They recalled #31 Kam Mickolio and reinstated #37 Chris Ray from the DL.

8/4: Say it with me: #31 Kam Mickolio sent back to Norfolk to make room for debuting starter (and 2008 first-round draft pick)  Brian Matusz. Brian helped the O’s set a modern major league record, as he was the fifth starter to win his major league debut this season. He did it in #52, which probably still has the outline of the “SHERRILL” lettering on the back. Matusz is the sweet sixteenth Baltimore player in this number. If you’re keeping track, he’s also the 41st different player to suit up in orange and black in ‘09.

Boy, the future arrived in a hurry, didn’t it?

Now that I have some time off for the holidays, I’ve got a lot of catching up to do here. This Hot Stove season hasn’t been an exciting one for the Orioles, but there has still been plenty of movement. Let’s review:

Going

#2 Luis Hernandez (Royals), #3 Freddie Bynum (Nationals), #13 Alex Cintron (free agent), #14 Eider Torres (White Sox), #15 Kevin Millar (free agent), #16 Jay Payton (free agent), #29 Adam Loewen (Blue Jays), #35 Greg Aquino (Indians), #40 Daniel Cabrera (Nationals), #54 Lance Cormier (free agent), #55 Ramon Hernandez (Reds), #57 Rocky Cherry (Mets), #63 Omir Santos (free agent)

Coming

Utility player/reckless nut Ryan Freel is the major league return from Cincinnati in the Ramon Hernandez salary dump. He wore #6 with the Reds, but Melvin Mora has occupied that number since 2000 and isn’t likely to budge. Freel wore #11 in Toronto, but would have to pry it from third base coach Juan Samuel. We’ll wait and see.

Defensively-gifted shortstop Cesar Izturis should be an upgrade from the five-headed monster that the O’s tried at the position in 2008. The free agent acquisition has worn #3 for most of his career; he’ll probably keep it in Baltimore, since Lou Montanez doesn’t exactly have seniority and isn’t a lock to make the team in the Spring.

Yesterday, the Birds reached an agreement with tall, mediocre-at-best lefthanded pitcher Mark Hendrickson, most recently of the Marlins. I understand that we’re desperate for veteran arms, but he seems likely to be the second coming of Steve Trachsel (the 2008 vintage). I’ll reserve total judgment until the rest of Andy MacPhail’s offseason moves shake out, I suppose. Anyway, Mark has worn #30 since 2004 and was in #43 prior to that. Those numbers are currently the property of Luke Scott and Jim Johnson, respectively. It sounds like Hendrickson will also be in the market for a new number.

I’ve updated the site to close the book on all of the outgoing players listed above, and made one correction to a past Oriole. I recently came across a 1996 Upper Deck card of Rick Krivda, which has a photo of him pitching in Camden Yards while wearing #62. Based on my other sources and photographic evidence, it seems that he debuted in #62 before switching to #37 for the remainder of the season.

I’ll be back soon (honestly!) to talk about the other Oriole-centric news items this offseason: the new uniforms and Mike Mussina’s retirement. Happy New Year!

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.

The other roster move occurred today, as the Birds turned to a familiar face in the ongoing search for a decent shortstop. #3 Freddie Bynum (left) returned from a season-opening injury and collected hits in his first two at-bats. He replaced #14 Eider Torres, who returns to the AAA Tides. I have a soft spot for Freddie, but Harold Baines is still my favorite number three.

As for tonight’s game, they’re looking strong! Hopefully this is a turning point in the middle of a rough road trip.