Strike or ball?

This is a terrible call! Comment me and tell me what you think. Is it a ball or a strike.

Chasing history

Yesterday, Chris Davis became the 4th player in Major League history to hit four home runs in the first 4 games of the season. Today, Davis has a chance to make history: Be the first player ever to hit 1 home run in the first 5 games of the season. Chris went 2-4. Jones was 3-5 with a double, and single, and 2 RBIs.

#1. Jones, Davis deliver hits in Orioles' big win.
#2. Orioles fans list their favorite Earl Weaver moments.
#3. Orioles honor Earl Weaver during home opener.
#4. Jones' RBI double scores Markakis.
#5. Jones' single ties the game.
#6. MUST C CLASSIC: DAVIS STAYS RED-HOT WITH GRAND SLAM!!!

he scene was picturesque, a threatening forecast that morphed into a sunny 60-degree afternoon allowing the sellout crowd of 46,653 at Camden Yards a perfect backdrop Friday to welcome the Orioles home to start the 2013 season against the Twins.
Following a touching tribute to late manager Earl Weaver and thunderous applause as the team's three American League Gold Glove Award winners were honored in a pregame ceremony, red-hot first baseman Chris Davis went out and made history.
With the score tied in the eighth, Davis blasted Tyler Robertson's first-pitch 86-mph fastball for a grand slam that marked his fourth homer in as many games.
"You put him in the Grand Canyon, he'll hit it out," cleanup hitter Adam Jones said of Davis, whose blast paved the way for the Orioles' 9-5 victory.
Davis joins Willie Mays, Mark McGwire and Nelson Cruz as the only big leaguers to homer in the first four games of a season. With five RBIs on Friday, Davis now has 16 this season, the most through a team's first four games since RBIs became an official stat in 1920.
"I'm more excited about the three wins," Davis said of an Orioles club that is 3-1 in its first four games. "There's a lot of good things going on in here. We started that in Spring Training. It was relaxed, we are having fun, but taking care of our business. A lot of guys stepped up and showed what they are capable of doing, and we carried that into the season so far."
No one has carried over that success at the same rate as Davis. He is also the first Oriole to hit a home run in each the team's first four games and is now two games shy of the club record for consecutive games with an RBI.
"It's extremely impressive to watch how he handles balls, especially breaking balls on the outside part of the plate," starter Jake Arrieta said of Davis, who drove the ball to the opposite field for his second career grand slam.
"I watched the replay a few times of that home run he hit. If you watch his head and his eyes, it's like his eyes light up on a ball that's a pitchers' pitch. It's not easy, [a] lefty-lefty slider like that to hit the ball the other way."
"You all know I'm usually one of those guys who can probably think back and take it [into context]," said manager Buck Showalter, who admitted Davis' hot streak is probably not comparable to anything he's seen. "I'm glad he's on our side." "That's our style, late innings," Jones said with a grin. "That's the way we play. We keep it close and somebody at the end is going to have to get a big hit. And today, it was CD."
Brittany Ghiroli, MLB.com

Some news on Brian Roberts: Brian will not be playing for 3-4 weeks with a ruptured tendon behind his right knee.
Let's go CD! Let's go O's!

Bounce back!

After losing to the Rays Wednesday, the O's beat the Rays Thursday. Chris Davis was 2-3 with a bomb, a double and 4 RBIs. Hardy had a homer and 2 RBIs.

#1. Davis adds third homer of the year in O's victory
#2. Roberts appears to injure leg while sliding
#3. Machado starts nice double play to end inning.
#4. Davis gives Orioles lead with double.
#5. Hardy extends lead with two-run-homer
#6. Davis open scoring with two run shot.

Know what one of the most impossible things on the Orioles is? Replace Brian Roberts. The only man who can do that is Robert Andino, and the O's traded him to the Seattle Mariners in the offseason! Can either Alexi Casilla or Ryan Flaherty take over the spot? The Orioles kickoff a home opener today against the Minnesota Twins! GO ORIOLES!

BUCKle up!

It's time to BUCKle up! What a game. A.J 10 (Adam Jones) went 3-5 with 2 doubles, Wieters went 2-3 with a homer and two doubles, and Chris Davis went 1-4 with a homer.

#1. A trio of O's provide win over Rays.
#2. Riemold makes a nice catch in the first.
#3. Jones' two run double pulls the O's ahead.
#4. Davis blows it open with three-run hoer.
#5. Wieters clubs a two-run shot in the first.

The Orioles said throughout Spring Training they weren't concerned with outside expectations, projections or what national pundits thought of their incredible 2012 season. There was no need for manager Buck Showalter's crew to come out and make public statements or quote those who chalked up last year as a fluke for motivational fodder. In fact, there was no need for talking at all.
Instead, the Orioles -- proudly wearing T-shirts reading "To be continued" all Spring Training -- went out and proved it on Tuesday, rallying for a five-run seventh inning and using some solid pitching to make a strong season-opening statement with a 7-4 win over the Tampa Bay Rays. The Opening Day victory, in front of an announced sellout crowd of 34,078 at Tropicana Field, gave the Orioles their 10th win in the last 13 season openers.
"We know what's going on in the clubhouse," said Orioles starter Jason Hammel, who fired six strong innings to pick up the win. "For all the things that happened outside the clubhouse, we come out; we barely changed the team this year. Same lineup, except for a couple of guys.
"It's something we're proud of. We're going to continue to play hard. It was [No.] 1 of 162. We'll come back tomorrow and continue to do it. We're just having fun, and really, we have our own expectations."
While much was made this winter about the Orioles' decision not to acquire a true middle-of-the-order bat, the trio of Matt Wieters, Adam Jones and Chris Davis -- a group the organization hoped would continue to get better -- looked plenty potent, combining to go 6-for-12 with three doubles, two homers and all seven RBIs.
"We feel that in-house, we have the same ability to do what we did last year," said Davis, whose three-run homer capped a barrage of two-out runs off Rays reliever Jake McGee. "We have the same group of guys. We have the experience that we didn't have last year. We're very confident with the group that we have, not to mention the fact that we have good chemistry here. That goes a long way in this game."
Using the pass-the-baton approach that Showalter endorses, Davis watched from the on-deck circle as Rays manager Joe Maddon issued an intentional walk to Wieters, who had already doubled and hit a two-run homer off Tampa Bay ace David Price.
"You never want to be the guy [behind] the guy getting walks," said Jones, who got the seventh-inning scoring started by sending an 0-2 pitch into left-center-field field for a go-ahead two-run double. "It's like saying, 'All right; we think you're an easier out than this guy.' So you take it upon yourself to go out and get a big knock. And [Davis] went out there, first pitch, and tomahawked a 98-mph fastball at his neck. That's C.D."
Brittany Ghiroli, MLB.com news.

Now, let's take number two away from the Rays! Let's go Chen! Let's go O's!

2013 Baseball season Opening Day

Today the Orioles face off against the Tampa Bay Rays for the season opener.
Gonna  be a good season! GO ORIOLES!

"Get back to the diamond. Get back to the diamond.
Everything I do bores me, from November to February. The only way my soul gets healed is on the Diamond on the field. Try to throw strikes 1,2,3, you can't get the ball past me! It's a wooden sword I wield on the diamond on the field. All winter long I am only sad a gray, till opening day. Root for the Mets, love the Tigers cheer for the Rays, and think of how amazing you'll feel!

So get set, a baguette's my pre-game meal. It's beautiful, the diamond on the field! My home runs won't be appealed. It's beautiful, the diamond on the field. Get back to the diamond. Get back to the diamond. It's beautiful the diamond on the field!"
It's time to go to work.
Adam  Jones and Miguel Cabrera. A remix of Rhianna's "Diamonds".

http://mlbfancave.mlb.com/fancave/video.jsp?content_id=25618491&topic_id=19224580&fbid=7FXhDzJu0bV#fbid=UYhWzQi8STM

SUPER BOWL CHAMPS!!!

THE BALTIMORE RAVENS ARE NATIONAL FOOTBALL LEAGUE CHAMPIONS! JOE FLACCO IS MVP (Though I think he should have given it to Ray Lewis)!!!

#1. Ravens vs. 49ers highlights
#2. Harbaugh brothers meet after the game
#3. Ravens playing smart with safety.
#4. Super Bowl XLVII power outage.
#5. John Harbaguh frustrated with power outage
#6. Flacco hits Jones for amazing TD
#7. Ravens receive Lombardi Trophy.
#8. Ray Lewis ends career as a champion.

Call it The Countdown.

The Ravens’ backs were against the wall. First-and-goal from the 7-yard line. This was the game.

As Baltimore’s defense made each tackle, the players shouted to each other, counting down the number of stops they needed.

Two-yard run – three more to go. Incomplete pass – two more. Incomplete pass – one more. Fourth down incompletion – Super Bowl champions.

After seeing a 22-point, third-quarter lead disappear in the blink of an eye. After enduring a power outage and delay that axed the Ravens’ momentum. After a season full of trials.

After a season full of trials, the Ravens overcome once again to beat the San Francisco 49ers, 34-31, in Super Bowl XLVII and claim the franchise’s second Lombardi Trophy.

The Ravens made a goal-line stand. And that made them World Champions.

“Backs against the wall,” linebacker Ray Lewis said after sitting down at his post-game locker one last time. “Backs against the wall.”

The Ravens’ season was defined by adversity. So how could the Super Bowl be any different?

“It’s never pretty. It’s never perfect. But that’s us,” Head Coach John Harbaugh said to the Superdome crowd from the winner’s podium.

The Ravens stormed out to a 15-point lead at halftime. Then they seemed to break the game open when Jacoby Jones returned the second half’s opening kickoff 109 yards for a touchdown. Baltimore had San Francisco right where it wanted it.

And with that, the lights went out – literally and figuratively.

Power was lost and Superdome lights went out, suspending play for 35 minutes. When play resumed, it was almost instantly a different game.

All of the Ravens’ momentum was gone. Their boisterous crowd was quieted. The momentum shifted.

The 49ers scored 17 points within a span of just four minutes, 14 seconds. In hardly any time at all, Baltimore’s lead was cut to just five points. A Colin Kaepernick touchdown with 9:57 remaining left Baltimore ahead by just two.

“It was nothing new for us,” outside linebacker Terrell Suggs said. “We’ve [been] in those types of battles. We just stayed together. We had to win four plays.”

Linebacker Dannell Ellerbe stuffed running back LaMichael James for just 2 yards on first down. Then a pass intended for wide receiver Michael Crabtree was thrown out of reach. Crabtree caught the next pass, but had the ball busted out of his hands by cornerback Jimmy Smith.

On fourth down, Smith knew they were going to come at him again.

“I figured it would either be a slant or a fade. I saw Kaepernick tap the back of his head so I figured it would be a back-shoulder fade.”

Smith muscled up against Crabtree and the pass was too far out of reach. There was still 1:46 left to burn, but after some runs and a smart purposeful safety, the Ravens left the 49ers only one final free punt to return with four seconds.

And once Baltimore secured the tackle, they all experienced the confetti Lewis had long talked about. They danced around the field and made snow angels lying on the field.

“For us to stand up like that, it is just a testament of what we’ve been through and how much trust we had all year in each other,” Lewis said.

The 17-year linebacker sat with his children surrounding him at his locker afterwards. He had just played his final game and done something few athletes can ever claim. He went out on top.

“We get to ride off into the sunset, babies,” Lewis said.

While Baltimore’s defense made the final game-winning stop, the Ravens put up 34 points against one of the league’s best defenses.

Quarterback Joe Flacco, long questioned as to whether he belongs among the NFL “elite,” hoisted the Lombardi Trophy as Super Bowl MVP.

Flacco was on fire throughout the night and finished completing 22-of-33 passes for 287 yards and three touchdowns, good for a 124.2 quarterback rating.

“He’s got guts of a burglar,” Harbaugh said.

“People should shut up about Joe,” said wide receiver Anquan Boldin, who logged six receptions for 104 yards and a touchdown. “I’m so sick of people saying Joe’s not an elite quarterback. For all the critics who say he’s not, ask them how many rings they have.”

As the Ravens walked into locker room following their post-game celebration, they party was somewhat more muted than one might expect.

They savored it. They laughed with each other. They finally exhaled.

The Ravens, one time losers of four of their last five games, went on a crazy postseason run. They took out Andrew Luck and the Indianapolis Colts. They slayed Peyton Manning and the Denver Broncos. They toppled Tom Brady and the Patriots.

In Super Bowl XLVII, they overcame the other brother, Jim Harbaugh, and his talented, resilient team.

Safety Ed Reed was the final player out of the Ravens locker room. And the veteran could only take it in with a cigar hanging out of his mouth.

“Mission complete,” he said.
Baltimore Ravens.com news, by Ryan Mink

When the lights went out, my dad thought that Beyonce (who did the halftime show) used up so much electricity with the lights that they went out. Man, that was annoying. Never play the 49ers when they are the home team. Because, last year, it was Monday night, the 9ers are playing the Steelers, and moments before kickoff, there's a flash of blue light from outside the stadium, and boom! Lights go out. Lets get another championship next year! GOOO RAVENS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Prank call

John Harbaugh prank calls his parents

http://www.nfl.com/videos/nfl-network-total-access/0ap2000000130535/John-Harbaugh-prank-calls-his-family.