While waiting for first workout ...
Orioles pitchers and catchers are taking their physicals as we speak and are set to take the field in about 15 minutes for the first spring workout of the Buck Showalter regime. There was no player access this morning, but we'll get some after the workout, including an interview with Showalter.
As he has said several times, this is Showalter's favorite time of the year. He loves having the opportunity to teach and work with both the major and minor leaguers. He also views spring training as an important time for team building.
My colleague, Dan Connolly, spoke to Texas Rangers infielder Michael Young last year, and Young raved about how Showalter rallies the troops and makes everyone feel like they're a part of something special during spring training. Young spoke of a highlight video that Showalter made that got everybody fired up. One year, Showalter also took the Rangers to a nearby Air Force base to talk to fighter pilots, and watch different military exercises.
Showalter has something special planned before the first full-team workout next Monday, but he declined to reveal his plans because he wants it to be a surprise. "I have one chance on this and I'm not going to mess it up," Showalter said.
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A Baltimore native, 
Comments
Jeff regardless of how many games this team wins this year, with buck in charge the orioles finally have somebody in place that the players will have to respect. The worse thing that has happened to this team in the last couple of yeras was bringing back dave t last year who was just a lame duck. players will finally be held accountable and regardless of how many wins that equates to i feel buck gives us our best chance of success.
Posted by: blancione | February 14, 2011 12:34 PM
I don't care how many games the O's win this year, even if they go 1-161...as long as they win the LAST game of the year so the box score that shows on the Sun's web page ALL next winter will be a victory (unlike the Detroit loss that ended this past season that's been taunting me for over 4 months now).
Posted by: Dave | February 14, 2011 1:32 PM
Dave....thank you for that comment. I divert my eyes every time I look at the site. I don't want to look at that lost for 4 months either.
Posted by: jnick | February 14, 2011 1:50 PM
Dave --- I agree. Now, if the Birds make the playoffs and win their last game of the year, you know what that means! "You can say that I'm a dreamer ...."
Posted by: Colorado Oriole | February 14, 2011 3:20 PM
Many years ago I flew in to the Miami airport and walked to the Miami stadium where the team played in those days. A few dollars got me a front row seat but it was a split squad day (and very early in the season) and most of the team had gone somewhere else!
However, the starting opposing pitcher that day was Nolan Ryan and he proceeded to pitch like it was the seventh game of the World Series! What a treat - almost as good as watching Jim Palmer throw!
Thanks to all of you for the great reports - is the next best thing to being there!
Posted by: jr | February 14, 2011 3:53 PM