Irsay and Angelos: Making Blood Boil

A recent post on Birds Watcher about the retirement of radio broadcaster Joe Angel drew an immediate response that made me wonder: who is hated more among Baltimore sport fans, Robert Irsay or Peter G. Angelos?

The post essentially blamed the move on “the Angelos boys”, Louis and John Angelos, who were accused by the writer of forcing Angel out.  I just didn’t understand the visceral reaction to the sons.  The history of sports in Baltimore therefore led to my question.

Robert Irsay (1923-1997) was the owner of the Baltimore Colts from 1972 to 1984.  He came to own the Colts when he swapped ownership of the Los Angeles Rams with Carroll Rosenbloom (owner of the Colts at the time) in 1972.

Irsay’s ownership was tumultuous, at best.  He fought with the city of Baltimore over improvements to Memorial Stadium.  The fans, many of whom had grown up with the Colts, perceived that Irsay was doing nothing to improve the team and showed their displeasure by not attending the team’s games.

Tensions were high in Baltimore and rumors began the circulate that the team was moving.  There was the infamous confrontation with Irsay at Baltimore-Washington International Airport over a rumored move to Phoenix, Arizona.

The City of Baltimore threatened to seize the team via eminent domain which led to Irsay moving the team to Indianapolis, Indiana in the middle of the night on March 28, 1984.

I am old enough to remember the events and recall the shock I felt when I woke up that morning to news of the “move”.  The action broke many hearts in Baltimore and fueled a hatred towards Irsay that I had never seen before.  The mere mention of his name sparked arguments on par with ones today when current political opinions are mentioned.

Peter G. Angelos led a group of investors who purchased the Baltimore Orioles in 1993.  Angelos, the principal owner, kept a promise to keep the Orioles in Baltimore.  His ownership was tumultuous at best as well.  The team suffered on the field and fans endured some of the worst seasons ever.

Angelos was perceived as an extremely “hands-on”owner who made numerous bad decisions which solidified the team’s poor on-field performance.  Everything bad that has happened is attributed to Angelos.  Local self-promoter “Nasty” Nestor Aparicio, who led a symbolic mid-game exodus of fans out of Oriole Park at Camden Yards, has made a cottage industry out of his hatred of Angelos and never avoids a chance to throw barbs Angelos’ way.  He seems to involve Angelos’ ownership in every discussion he has about the Orioles.  He has helped spawn a segment of the fan base that will not rest until Angelos no longer owns the team.

Credit must be given to Angelos, however, for keeping the team in Baltimore.  Previous owner, Edward Bennett Williams (1920-1988) had threatened to move the team to Washington, DC if attendance did not improve and the man who Angelos bought the team from, financier Eli Jacobs, was thought would sell the team to an outside owner.

Angelos , who is rumored to be in failing health, has transferred control of the team in some way to his two sons, Louis and John.  The fan base was pleased when this occurred but somehow when something happens that it does not approve of it is Angelos’ fault.  Hence, Joe Angel’s retirement was the fault of the “Angelos boys”.  I am sorry, but all the boys are guilty of at this point in time is being the sons of Peter G. Angelos.

Some fans do not hesitate to bring up the Angelos name whenever something goes the wrong way with the Orioles.

Louis and John are their own men and they have delivered on all that they said they would concerning the team.  They have begun the promised rebuild and have orchestrated moves to that end.  Time and patience are required to see how their control of the team plays out.

I am sure that in the future, when the Baltimore Orioles once again hoist the Commissioner’s Trophy as World Champions, the fans that project their hatred for the senior Angelos on the sons will surely say “I knew the boys weren’t like their father and that things would change once they took over”.  Fans are fickle like that.

Let me hear from you fans, who makes your blood boil, Robert Irsay or Peter Angelos?

 

 

 

 

It’s Time To Invest In The Minor Leagues Orioles Fans

The Baltimore Orioles are coming off of a season of failure, one in which they lost a total of 115 games.  The ownership, under the control of brothers John and Louis Angelos, and the organization has begun a rebuild.

General Manager Mike Elias, Assistant General Manager for Analytics Sig Mejdal, and Manager Brandon Hyde will lead the rebuild.  Optimism is high that this trio will move the Orioles into a successful future.

A familiar comment that I have heard, especially during the Holidays, from family and friends is that “the team is going to be bad” and that “it will be like watching a Minor League team”.  I counter with the fact that if they’re the Orioles they are a Major League team.

I will admit that this rebuild will require great patience from the fan base.  It may not be pretty as players are developed and the team is improved.

The players in the Minor Leagues are and will be the future of the Orioles.  New names and faces need to be known.  In that respect, I challenge Orioles fans to get to a Minor League venue and take in at least one game.  Learn and watch our minor leaguers before they arrive at Oriole Park at Camden Yards; get to know them now.  Don’t simply rely on someone to tell you who to watch; see the players first-hand and invest in the future.

Take in at least one Minor League fans, I guarantee you will enjoy the experience and you will go back for more.

There are three minor league teams within close proximity to the Baltimore area: Aberdeen (A-Short), Bowie (AA) and Frederick (A-High).  One, Delmarva (A-Low), is on the Eastern Shore and one, Norfolk (AAA) is a few hours away.

Prices are relatively inexpensive, the food is good, there are no obstructed views and there is plenty of fun for everyone.  I encourage all to take in a game.

Here are links to the tickets and ticket packages:

Aberdeen IRONBIRDS

Delmarva SHOREBIRDS

Frederick KEYS

Bowie BAYSOX

Norfolk TIDES

As an added bonus, the Frederick Keys will be hosting the Carolina League All-Star Game on June 18th.

O’s fans, take in the Minor League experience, you will not regret it and you will be investing in the future of the Baltimore Orioles.

LHP Tyler Erwin Having Breakout Year for High-A Frederick Keys (from @BabyBirdland)

Merriam-Webster defines dominant as “commanding, controlling, or prevailing over all others”. It is an adjective that describes Frederick Keys (A-High) LHP Tyler Erwin’s 2018 performance so far.

Erwin, the Baltimore Orioles’ 23^rd round draft pick (691 overall) in 2016 out of New Mexico State University, has been the pitcher manager Ryan Minor has relied on all year to get the job done.

Appearing in 47 of the Keys’ 128 games (37%), Erwin is the team’s closer and has produced a 4-3 record with 6 holds (entering the game with a lead and maintaining it) while converting 17 of 20 save opportunities. He owns a 1.40 ERA and a 0.96 WHIP and has struck out 79 batters while walking just 20 in 64.1 innings pitched.

Erwin has limited Carolina League hitters to a slash line of .182/ .261/ .255 this season. When those hitters have been able to put balls in play off of Erwin their average is .270 (BaBIP).

Pitching to a strike out per 9-inning rate of 11.1, Erwin has struck out 30.5% of the batters he has faced. He also is generating ground balls 49.3% of the time, a good characteristic for pitchers hoping to call Oriole Park at Camden Yards home.

Erwin currently leads both the Keys and the Carolina League in appearances and his 17 saves are good for second in the League. His save conversion rate of 85% is keeping pace with that of League save leader, Luke Barker of the Carolina Mudcats (Brewers), who has converted 18 of 21 (85.7%) opportunities.

All of this has been accomplished with a pitching repertoire that includes a 2-seam fastball, a slider and a wicked curveball. Erwin utilizes both good movement and command of his pitches to be effective and successful. He has an across the body pitching motion that makes it difficult for batters to pick up his pitches. His curveball is so good that it simply makes batters uncomfortable in the box.

Erwin has surrendered 10 earned runs so far this season and has given up just 2 earned runs since July 1^st, a span of 27.0 innings over 21 appearances in which he struck out 37 and walked 6 of 106 batters faced. His ERA over that time was 0.67 and batters were hitting .156 off of him.

Having pitched in middle relief as well as showing an ability to pitch multiple innings, Erwin may be developing into the current prototypical MLB relief pitcher. Regardless of the role, Erwin’s dominance plays well in any situation.

Entering the 2018 season, Erwin had appeared in 39 games over two seasons in the organization and earned a 4-3 record with 1 save in 2 opportunities over 69.1 innings pitched. He has pretty much equaled that workload this season and has performed very well in doing so.

The 2018 season can be classified as a break-out season for Erwin and one that I would anticipate will lead to a spot in the Bowie Baysox (AA) bullpen in 2019; he has nothing left to prove in the Carolina League.

Keep this southpaw on your radar, Orioles fans, as he is pitching his way into the reliever mix in the not too distant future.

** To read more from Josh Michael (founder/editor Baby Birdland), Nick Stevens and myself about all levels of the Baltimore Orioles minor leagues please visit Baby Birdland **