In part eight of my (hopefully) 52 part series, Better Know a 2012 Oriole, I take a look at Tommy Hunter... the fightin' sudden power reliever!
"'Quick; who was second on the Orioles in innings pitched this year (pretend you haven't seen the title)?
Right, Tommy Hunter with 133.2 IP. Sometimes you just need a guy to take the ball, I guess.."
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In part seven of my (hopefully) 52 part series, Better Know a 2012 Oriole, I take a look at Lew Ford... the fightin' forgotten man!
"'Before the 2012 season, the last time Lew Ford played in the Major Leagues was in 2007. The last time Lew Ford had even 300 plate appearances in the Major Leagues was in 2005. So when the Orioles signed him to add some outfield depth to the team, it was largely viewed as a joke by many."
no commentsIn part six of my (hopefully) 52 part series, Better Know a 2012 Oriole, I take a look at Robert Andino... the fightin' smile timeline*!
* Happy to OK to sad to happy again, in photo form.
"'Robert Andino was pressed into duty last year with the loss of Brian Roberts, and acquitted himself relatively well. A solid walk rate and an OK strike-out rate can play at second-base when they come with some defense. Brian Roberts wasn't expected to play much (if at all) this year, leaving Andino as the starter at second again. Things went... less well."
no commentsIn part five of my (hopefully) 52 part series, Better Know a 2012 Oriole, I take a look at Stu Pomeranz... the other Pomeranz*!
* Younger brother and former top prospect Drew Pomeranz is the more well-known name.
"'I had never heard of Stu Pomeranz before I saw him pitch for the Orioles in Spring Training this year. I came away relatively impressed, thinking Pomeranz would be able to contribute to the O's bullpen at some point during the season. "
no commentsIn part four of my (hopefully) 52 part series, Better Know a 2012 Oriole, I take a look at Nate McLouth... the fightin' incredible dasher*!
* Nate, and Dash, from The Incredibles.
"'I've seen Pirates fans complain about Nate McLouth, and I've seen Braves fans complain about Nate McLouth, and I've seen some Orioles fans be confused when the team signed Nate McLouth this year. Many a joke was made by people (including me) about the O's - the contending O's, fighting for a playoff spot - counting on a guy who hadn't done anything in the Majors since 2009."
no commentsIn part three of my (hopefully) 52 part series, Better Know a 2012 Oriole, I take a look at Jim Johnson... the fightin' unusual closer*!
* JJ had the lowest strike-out rate in the Majors for any pitcher with more than even one save.
"I've spent years arguing that Jim Johnson could be an effective closer. Years. It used to be taken as an article of faith amongst fans (as well as some people with the team), that JJ just didn't have the "stuff" to close. Not his stuff - the hard sinker, curve, and change-up - but his "stuff". He just didn't have that "closer's mentality". Seriously."
no commentsIn part two of my (hopefully) 52 part series, Better Know a 2012 Oriole, I take a look at Mark Reynolds... the fightin' judge dread*!
* Reynolds' is often referred to as the Sheriff (of Swatingham) and, in Scotland, sheriffs are actually judges. Dread is also what many feel when they see Reynolds out in the field, or at the plate in a situation where you just need a ball put in play. I spent longer on this part than on the post itself.
"Mark Reynolds did not have a particularly good 2011. Though he hit pretty well, his atrocious defense at third-base ate into his value enough that he ended up being only barely above replacement level. With a dearth of good options coming into this season though, Reynolds was sent right back out to the hot corner. 6 errors in 15 games quickly put that effort to an end; especially since he wasn't making up for his lead glove with his bat (just .143/.260/.206 in April, as he K'ed a ton and hit for no power)."
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