+ Reply to Thread
Page 7 of 117 FirstFirst ... 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 17 57 107 ... LastLast
Results 301 to 350 of 5819

Thread: The Baltimore Orioles Thread (merged)

  1. #301

    Re: Angelos: Orioles Tough Times Over

    Quote Originally Posted by YankyDave
    The B-W Parkway ain't exactly a speedway....



    It actually takes about 43 minutes to make that trip during rush hour, not over an hour. How would driving to Baltiimore be just as easy if you claim it takes 2 hours to make in to D.C.? You are hurting your own argument by mentioning the boom in Louden and Fairfax counties. Obviously those are folks who would go to a Nats game and therefore make putting the team in Washington a no-brainer.
    We live in Loudoun - Cascades/Countryside area. We went to a couple Sunday afternoon games at RFK last year. Drive time from the house to the parking lot was 35-45 minutes max. Getting home after the games took a bit longer. All in all a very easy trip.

  2. #302
    Released Outright
    Join Date
    Mar 2002
    Location
    Arlington, Va
    Posts
    1,768

    Re: Angelos: Orioles Tough Times Over

    Quote Originally Posted by LongtimeNYYFan
    We live in Loudoun - Cascades/Countryside area. We went to a couple Sunday afternoon games at RFK last year. Drive time from the house to the parking lot was 35-45 minutes max. Getting home after the games took a bit longer. All in all a very easy trip.
    Thank You. Whynot is trying to paint a doomsday scenario so his Orioles can again reap from someone else's soil. It's funny though because Nats fans have little fear they will succeed with a real owner and a new stadium and O's fans are not so sure. You'd think a 50 year old team would be a bit more secure about their future.

  3. #303
    Suffering Orioles fan
    Join Date
    Jan 2006
    Location
    Charles Town, W.Va.
    Posts
    889

    Re: Angelos: Orioles Tough Times Over

    Quote Originally Posted by YankyDave
    Thank You. Whynot is trying to paint a doomsday scenario so his Orioles can again reap from someone else's soil. It's funny though because Nats fans have little fear they will succeed with a real owner and a new stadium and O's fans are not so sure. You'd think a 50 year old team would be a bit more secure about their future.
    Lopping 25% from any team's potential fan base and half of their TV/media market probably SHOULD cause some insecurity, shouldn't it? The Orioles go from having one of the larger markets in all of baseball to splitting that area with another team, with the larger portion of the population of that area living closer to the other team's ballpark. Should Orioles fans be happy about that?

    I think the answer to my question is obvious, especially considering the attitudes fans here show about the possibility of putting a team in New Jersey, an area that doesn't have two failed teams on its resume. Any fan base would be concerned with an almost assured drop in ticket sales and therefore payroll. Alas, no other team has been asked to bite that bullet while the Orioles have.

    For 30 years, DC was in no way "someone else's soil." Whose soil did DC belong to? There was no baseball team there because two teams had failed in the DC market. Nobody wanted that soil so the Orioles took it. Why wouldn't they?

    So while Nats fans might think the team will thrive and last season's ho-hum attendance can be explained away, it seems MLB knew better all along. Baseball didn't even want DC's soil until contraction failed. They put four expansion teams in smaller markets and tried to shut down two franchises rather than put baseball back in DC. Only when Montreal became a disaster and an embarrasment did MLB finally decide to put there.

  4. #304
    Released Outright
    Join Date
    Mar 2002
    Location
    Arlington, Va
    Posts
    1,768

    Re: Angelos: Orioles Tough Times Over

    25% my ass. That number has not been supported by anyone not directly linked to Peter Ruinateamgelos.

    Again, do your homework. Two teams did not fail in D.C. One left for racist reasons and the other for a sweetheart deal in Texas.

    D.C. belongs to D.C. If you really think baseball did not come to Washington because it felt those other areas were better suited then you know nothing about the morons who run baseball and how the good ole boy network works.

    What would have been nice would have been for EB Williams to move the team to D.C. like he planned. That way the team would be in the larger metropolis and Baltimore would still be fully served according to your logic. Your logic about taking soil no one wanted could be used to support not putting another NFL team in Balmer too and making those fans take up the Skins or have nothing.

  5. #305
    Suffering Orioles fan
    Join Date
    Jan 2006
    Location
    Charles Town, W.Va.
    Posts
    889

    Re: Angelos: Orioles Tough Times Over

    Quote Originally Posted by YankyDave
    Your logic about taking soil no one wanted could be used to support not putting another NFL team in Balmer too and making those fans take up the Skins or have nothing.
    The difference being that Baltimore sufficiently supported its football team whereas Washington never supported its baseball team(s). DC didn't even support its third team to expected levels. Of course, you'll point to the ownership/marketing excuse while ignoring the fact that the team was in first place for months and finished .500 while outdrawing the 99-loss inaugural Devil Rays (playing in a smaller market) by about 1,000 per game.

    We'll just have to disagree on how important the attendance figures are. A revamped team might cure the attendance ills, but I think it's a sign of things to come.

    Baltimore jumped through the necessary hoops to get NFL expansion and was denied. Baltimore also did what it took to make sure EBW didn't move the Orioles south, whereas Washington did not do what it took to keep its baseball teams and never put together a good enough package to draw an expansion team despite being the largest market available. D.C. still hasn't closed the deal that would allow it to keep THIS team.

  6. #306
    NYYF Legend

    NelsonMuntz's Avatar
    Join Date
    Dec 2003
    Location
    Alexandria, VA
    Posts
    15,375

    Re: Angelos: Orioles Tough Times Over

    Quote Originally Posted by YankyDave
    25% my ass. That number has not been supported by anyone not directly linked to Peter Ruinateamgelos.

    Again, do your homework. Two teams did not fail in D.C. One left for racist reasons and the other for a sweetheart deal in Texas.

    D.C. belongs to D.C. If you really think baseball did not come to Washington because it felt those other areas were better suited then you know nothing about the morons who run baseball and how the good ole boy network works.

    What would have been nice would have been for EB Williams to move the team to D.C. like he planned. That way the team would be in the larger metropolis and Baltimore would still be fully served according to your logic. Your logic about taking soil no one wanted could be used to support not putting another NFL team in Balmer too and making those fans take up the Skins or have nothing.
    Forget it YankyDave. All of these arguments have been made ad nauseum yet Why Not is choosing not to listen. It's like talking to a brick wall.
    Never left the Betances bandwagon.

  7. #307
    NYYF Legend

    NelsonMuntz's Avatar
    Join Date
    Dec 2003
    Location
    Alexandria, VA
    Posts
    15,375

    Re: Angelos: Orioles Tough Times Over

    Quote Originally Posted by Why Not?
    Of course, you'll point to the ownership/marketing excuse while ignoring the fact that the team was in first place for months and finished .500 while outdrawing the 99-loss inaugural Devil Rays (playing in a smaller market) by about 1,000 per game.
    The Nationals averaged 33,651 fans per game last year which was 11th best in MLB. They did this with virtually no marketing, no marquee players, no TV deal (for the majority of the region) a horrible stadium, and a fanbase that is understandably skeptical of MLB's permanent plans for the team. When I purchased my partial season ticket plan last year I had to initiate the effort on my own and found most of the information on unofficial fan sites. There were no mailings, no special offers, no coupons, no advertising, no flyers -- NOTHING to help me through the purchasing process. Do you know anything about marketing? This is the absolute worst way to sell a product.

    You can put a negative spin on it if that helps you feel better about the Nationals outdrawing the Orioles, but most people feel that the Nationals did quite well last year and I have no doubts that they will draw even better once the team is sold and marketed properly.
    Never left the Betances bandwagon.

  8. #308
    Released Outright
    Join Date
    Mar 2002
    Location
    Arlington, Va
    Posts
    1,768

    Re: Angelos: Orioles Tough Times Over

    Quote Originally Posted by Why Not?
    The difference being that Baltimore sufficiently supported its football team whereas Washington never supported its baseball team(s). DC didn't even support its third team to expected levels. Of course, you'll point to the ownership/marketing excuse while ignoring the fact that the team was in first place for months and finished .500 while outdrawing the 99-loss inaugural Devil Rays (playing in a smaller market) by about 1,000 per game.

    We'll just have to disagree on how important the attendance figures are. A revamped team might cure the attendance ills, but I think it's a sign of things to come.

    Baltimore jumped through the necessary hoops to get NFL expansion and was denied. Baltimore also did what it took to make sure EBW didn't move the Orioles south, whereas Washington did not do what it took to keep its baseball teams and never put together a good enough package to draw an expansion team despite being the largest market available. D.C. still hasn't closed the deal that would allow it to keep THIS team.
    Yeah those Colts fans showed up in droves. I am sure you will blame a crappy team though since you won't accept that argument regarding the Senators.

  9. #309
    Suffering Orioles fan
    Join Date
    Jan 2006
    Location
    Charles Town, W.Va.
    Posts
    889

    Re: Angelos: Orioles Tough Times Over

    Quote Originally Posted by NelsonMuntz
    The Nationals averaged 33,651 fans per game last year which was 11th best in MLB. They did this with virtually no marketing, no marquee players, no TV deal (for the majority of the region) a horrible stadium, and a fanbase that is understandably skeptical of MLB's permanent plans for the team. When I purchased my partial season ticket plan last year I had to initiate the effort on my own and found most of the information on unofficial fan sites. There were no mailings, no special offers, no coupons, no advertising, no flyers -- NOTHING to help me through the purchasing process. Do you know anything about marketing? This is the absolute worst way to sell a product.

    You can put a negative spin on it if that helps you feel better about the Nationals outdrawing the Orioles, but most people feel that the Nationals did quite well last year and I have no doubts that they will draw even better once the team is sold and marketed properly.
    In each and every case, recent expansion teams have reached their high-water attendance mark in their first season and none of those teams played in as large a market nor had the on-field success of the Nationals. As the the Rays, D'backs, Rockies, Marlins acquired marquee players and won more games, their attendance still went down. All the factors you mention are valid, but I don't think those factors will overcome a pretty solid historical tendancy. Maybe DC will be the exception to the rule, but I don't think it will.

    I don't feel bad about the Orioles attendance and I won't make excuses for it. It sucked and it would have been even worse if Yankee and Red Sox fans didn't sell the place out several times. Orioles fans are pretty sick of losing and pretty angry at the owner. Eight years of losing in often surreal ways has had its effect.

    So if it helps you feel better about the Nationals attendance and higher-than-usual level of no-shows at RFK by comparing their numbers to a team on an eight-year losing streak, go for it.

  10. #310
    Suffering Orioles fan
    Join Date
    Jan 2006
    Location
    Charles Town, W.Va.
    Posts
    889

    Re: Angelos: Orioles Tough Times Over

    Quote Originally Posted by YankyDave
    Yeah those Colts fans showed up in droves. I am sure you will blame a crappy team though since you won't accept that argument regarding the Senators.
    Colts attendance was fine. It's tough to find NFL attendance numbers, but I do know there was a lengthy sell-out streak at Memorial Stadium. Nothing like the Skins streak, but it's still noteworthy. Obviously crowds went down right before the Colts moved when the team set the all-time record for points allowed. The strike didn't help either.

    FWIW, Baltimore drew 30K+ for two seasons of Canadian Football at crumbling Memorial Stadium in the 1990s. I distinctly remember going to a game one week when a bathroom had to be closed because crap had backed up onto the floor. At the game the following week, it hadn't been cleaned up.

    But over time, Baltimore proved it would support football. Even when the Senators were competitive, they didn't draw very well.

  11. #311
    NYYF Legend

    NelsonMuntz's Avatar
    Join Date
    Dec 2003
    Location
    Alexandria, VA
    Posts
    15,375

    Re: Angelos: Orioles Tough Times Over

    Quote Originally Posted by Why Not?
    But over time, Baltimore proved it would support football. Even when the Senators were competitive, they didn't draw very well.
    Using a fans-per-wins formula, the Senators were one of the best supported teams of their era.
    Never left the Betances bandwagon.

  12. #312
    Suffering Orioles fan
    Join Date
    Jan 2006
    Location
    Charles Town, W.Va.
    Posts
    889

    Re: Angelos: Orioles Tough Times Over

    Quote Originally Posted by NelsonMuntz
    Using a fans-per-wins formula, the Senators were one of the best supported teams of their era.
    I've seen that formula used before. I think Phil Wood brings it up as often as he can though he never presents the actual numbers. It seems to me a team is going to draw a certain number of fans no matter how hopelessly bad the team is if only because baseball at its worst level is still pretty good entertainment.....plus they sell beer. So putting up a terrible W-L mark over time just inflates that ratio.

    I'm not going to go to these lengths to prove my theory, but I would bet that many of the teams high up on the fans-per-win list were bad teams with low attendance.

  13. #313

    Re: Angelos: Orioles Tough Times Over

    Quote Originally Posted by Why Not?
    It seems to me a team is going to draw a certain number of fans no matter how hopelessly bad the team is if only because baseball at its worst level is still pretty good entertainment.....plus they sell beer. So putting up a terrible W-L mark over time just inflates that ratio.

    I'm not going to go to these lengths to prove my theory, but I would bet that many of the teams high up on the fans-per-win list were bad teams with low attendance.
    That is completely contradicted by the facts. Baseball is, by far, the sport with the most success-dependent attendance.

  14. #314
    NYYF Legend

    Saxmania's Avatar
    Join Date
    Sep 2001
    Location
    Canals and smog - killer combination
    Posts
    4,997

    Re: Angelos: Orioles Tough Times Over

    Quote Originally Posted by Mr. Mxylsplk
    That is completely contradicted by the facts. Baseball is, by far, the sport with the most success-dependent attendance.
    As 'Why Not' himself admitted when we talked about the Orioles' and the Mariners' success in keeping their fan explosion after a new park debuted. The Cubs and the Red Sox are the only exceptions I can think of, and even they see success-based peaks.

    I don't buy this '25% cut in fanbase' thing, either. Why did the Orioles' attendance only drop by 100k if their fanbase was cut to 3/4s of its previous size? Given that Baltimore fans are 'sick of losing and angry at their owner', why are some on this board regurgitating their owner's lies about their new neighbor?

    Angelos is a man who managed to get his team's games shown in DC far more easily than Washington games! Please don't buy his lies about the Nationals 'infringing' on Baltimore's turf. He's completely incapable of fair business practise where the Nationals are concerned, and therefore cannot be trusted.

    Be seeing you,

    Saxmania
    Mayonnaise is a demanding master.

  15. #315
    Suffering Orioles fan
    Join Date
    Jan 2006
    Location
    Charles Town, W.Va.
    Posts
    889

    Re: Angelos: Orioles Tough Times Over

    Quote Originally Posted by Saxmania

    I don't buy this '25% cut in fanbase' thing, either. Why did the Orioles' attendance only drop by 100k if their fanbase was cut to 3/4s of its previous size? Given that Baltimore fans are 'sick of losing and angry at their owner', why are some on this board regurgitating their owner's lies about their new neighbor?
    Orioles-backed studies say 25% of their fans came from D.C. I think that number's exaggerated, but I don't have a better number, so that's what I've used rather than making a random guess. I don't think PGA ever claimed that attendance would go down 25%.

    I think the Orioles' attendance only dropped a small amount was due to 1) being in first place for a couple of months and 2) more and more Yanks and Red Sox fans making the trip to OPCY. Some of that 25% of fans from the DC are likely still attended games in Baltimore. I wouldn't expect the Orioles number to drop below 25,000 regardless of how bad they are, if only because OPCY is still THE thing to do if you're vacationing in Baltimore. It also helps that visiting fans from NY, Boston and Philly have made it a home-away-from home.

  16. #316
    Released Outright
    Join Date
    Mar 2002
    Location
    Arlington, Va
    Posts
    1,768

    Re: Angelos: Orioles Tough Times Over

    Quote Originally Posted by Why Not?
    Orioles-backed studies say 25% of their fans came from D.C. I think that number's exaggerated, but I don't have a better number, so that's what I've used rather than making a random guess. I don't think PGA ever claimed that attendance would go down 25%.
    "But Angelos has estimated that 25 percent of the Orioles' attendance comes from the D.C. area"

    http://espn.go.com/page2/wash/s/2002/0311/1349316.html


    I think the Orioles' attendance only dropped a small amount was due to 1) being in first place for a couple of months and 2) more and more Yanks and Red Sox fans making the trip to OPCY. Some of that 25% of fans from the DC are likely still attended games in Baltimore. I wouldn't expect the Orioles number to drop below 25,000 regardless of how bad they are, if only because OPCY is still THE thing to do if you're vacationing in Baltimore. It also helps that visiting fans from NY, Boston and Philly have made it a home-away-from home.
    Well unless the Red Sox and Yanks fans all die off I'd say the O's should be just fine selling tickets. If their attendance stays where it is and since Angelos owns not only his team's TV rights but another team's TV rights, they should be well off.

  17. #317
    Suffering Orioles fan
    Join Date
    Jan 2006
    Location
    Charles Town, W.Va.
    Posts
    889

    Re: Angelos: Orioles Tough Times Over

    Quote Originally Posted by YankyDave
    Well unless the Red Sox and Yanks fans all die off I'd say the O's should be just fine selling tickets. If their attendance stays where it is and since Angelos owns not only his team's TV rights but another team's TV rights, they should be well off.
    As much as I dislike Yanks and Sox fans at Camden Yards, I don't necessarily want them to DIE!

    Believe me, I hope it's fine. I hope I'm wrong about the Nats' effect on the O's payroll. But I maintain that fans of any other team would feel the same way Orioles fans do about a team coming into direct competition with theirs.

  18. #318
    Released Outright
    Join Date
    Mar 2002
    Location
    Arlington, Va
    Posts
    1,768

    Re: Angelos: Orioles Tough Times Over

    Quote Originally Posted by Why Not?
    As much as I dislike Yanks and Sox fans at Camden Yards, I don't necessarily want them to DIE!

    Believe me, I hope it's fine. I hope I'm wrong about the Nats' effect on the O's payroll. But I maintain that fans of any other team would feel the same way Orioles fans do about a team coming into direct competition with theirs.
    The only thing affecting the O's payroll is a diminutive greek lawyer with the face that only an orangutan mother could love.

  19. #319
    NYYF Legend

    NelsonMuntz's Avatar
    Join Date
    Dec 2003
    Location
    Alexandria, VA
    Posts
    15,375

    Re: Angelos: Orioles Tough Times Over

    Quote Originally Posted by Why Not?
    Orioles-backed studies say 25% of their fans came from D.C. I think that number's exaggerated, but I don't have a better number, so that's what I've used rather than making a random guess. I don't think PGA ever claimed that attendance would go down 25%.
    A professional study produced by firms which Major League Baseball has used in the past indicates that just 13% of O's fans are from the DC Metro area, and of that 13% only 4% are from Northern VA. I have a copy of the full study in PDF format. If anyone wants to read it, you can download it here:

    http://rapidshare.de/files/13980074/...dy_1_.pdf.html
    Never left the Betances bandwagon.

  20. #320
    Ace yanksphan's Avatar
    Join Date
    Dec 2003
    Location
    nühamshä
    Posts
    16,730

    Re: Angelos: Orioles Tough Times Over

    Good thing the O's got that fancy new pitching coach...

    http://cbs.sportsline.com/mlb/story/9262021/rss

    Mazzone on scene for Orioles pitchers -- but they won't be

    FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla. -- Don't repeat this too loudly, because we wouldn't want to do anything to chip away at legendary Leo Mazzone's reputation as a pitching guru, but ...

    Despite Mazzone's high-octane presence and dazzling new three-year, $1.5 million contract, beginning next week, Bugs Bunny or Yosemite Sam could do the same job with the Orioles rotation here in camp as the former Atlanta pitching coach.

    That's because four-fifths of that rotation likely no longer will be here.

    They'll be on their way to pitch for Mexico ... and the Dominican Republic ... and Canada ... and ...

    No team will be hit as hard by the World Baseball Classic as the Orioles, whose camp will be blown apart when they supply 12 different players from their 40-man roster to seven different countries
    Auction League: Bitches Brew - 2006, 2007, 2008 Champs
    NYYFans.com League: Bad Apples
    2008 Champs

  21. #321
    God Bless America!!! :) Jersey Yankee's Avatar
    Join Date
    Jul 2001
    Location
    Formerly Brooklyn & Joisey; now just right behind you ... BOO!!!
    Posts
    46,019

    Re: Angelos: Orioles Tough Times Over

    Quote Originally Posted by yanksphan
    Good thing the O's got that fancy new pitching coach...

    http://cbs.sportsline.com/mlb/story/9262021/rss

    [/size][/font]
    One more reason to think that the whole WBC should exclude MLB players.

    Why can't all these teams just use their own players who actually play there, rather than MLB players? This whole March thing is crazy.
    Dr King (1929-68) A dream is forgotten unless others carry on.

    Get up ... get up ...; Black Moses (he ain't no chef); Isn't she Lovely? (Aisha); Fear the 'Fro; A slow roller to 1st ...

  22. #322
    NYYF Legend

    NelsonMuntz's Avatar
    Join Date
    Dec 2003
    Location
    Alexandria, VA
    Posts
    15,375

    Re: Angelos: Orioles Tough Times Over

    Quote Originally Posted by Why Not?
    I just don't think DC fans are going to stick with the Nats long-term. Once the novelty wears off (and I think it already has) attendance is going to drop.
    Yep, looks like the novelty has worn off:

    http://www.washingtontimes.com/metro...3418-4177r.htm
    Chartese Burnett, the team's vice president of communications, said more than 37,000 single-game tickets were sold in the first hour at the box office, online and by telephone.

    "The turnout was more than expected, and it rivals last year, when we sold 50,000 [single-game] tickets in six hours," Miss Burnett said.

    By late afternoon, she said, the team had sold more than 50,000 tickets and was well ahead of last year's pace.
    Could I interest you in some tasty crow, Why Not?
    Never left the Betances bandwagon.

  23. #323
    Suffering Orioles fan
    Join Date
    Jan 2006
    Location
    Charles Town, W.Va.
    Posts
    889

    Re: Angelos: Orioles Tough Times Over

    Quote Originally Posted by NelsonMuntz
    Yep, looks like the novelty has worn off:

    http://www.washingtontimes.com/metro...3418-4177r.htm

    Could I interest you in some tasty crow, Why Not?
    Not yet. Long-term means long-term, not the first day of single-game ticket sales for the second season.

  24. #324
    Released Outright
    Join Date
    Mar 2002
    Location
    Arlington, Va
    Posts
    1,768

    Re: Angelos: Orioles Tough Times Over

    Quote Originally Posted by Why Not?
    Not yet. Long-term means long-term, not the first day of single-game ticket sales for the second season.
    Ten years from now when the Nats are leading the NL in attendance, Why Not? will come on here and tell us it's only a matter of time before there's a drop off and the fans lost interest.

  25. #325
    NYYF Legend

    NelsonMuntz's Avatar
    Join Date
    Dec 2003
    Location
    Alexandria, VA
    Posts
    15,375

    Re: Angelos: Orioles Tough Times Over

    Quote Originally Posted by Why Not?
    Not yet. Long-term means long-term, not the first day of single-game ticket sales for the second season.
    Agreed, but you also said that you think the novelty has already worn off. As evidenced by the amount of tickets sold yesterday, I don't think that is the case (and keep in mind they sold this many tickets with very little marketing and still no owner or stadium agreement in place). There is still a lot of interest and excitement around the team, for now. Now if MLB rejects the city council's lease agreement this Tuesday and the sale of the team is delayed even further, I will start to get concerned about how much longer fans in this area will hold their interest with the future of the team in doubt.

    EDIT: MLB just approved the lease. I'll post a link to the article in the Nationals Thread.
    Last edited by NelsonMuntz; 03-05-06 at 06:31 PM.
    Never left the Betances bandwagon.

  26. #326
    Ace yanksphan's Avatar
    Join Date
    Dec 2003
    Location
    nühamshä
    Posts
    16,730

    Re: Angelos: Orioles Tough Times Over

    Come on Angelos...this should be a no-brainer. Give the guy the money...

    http://www.baltimoresun.com/sports/b...ports-baseball

    Port St. Lucie, Fla. // It could happen any minute now. The Melvin Mora contract situation could escalate into the kind of test of wills that almost always ends with the player moving on and the team spending several years trying to find an adequate replacement.

    Mora is frustrated and disappointed ... and apparently near the end of his patience.

    The Orioles are flabbergasted at his asking price - reportedly about $10 million per year for at least three years - and seem unwilling to pay him at the level of baseball's other premier third basemen.
    "I'm not greedy," he said. "I didn't ask for $60 million. This is about what I've done the last three or four years. You can see the stats for yourself. That's not something I'm making up."

    Since becoming the everyday third baseman at the start of the 2004 season, Mora has hit .311 and averaged 27 home runs and 96 RBIs. Those numbers are comparable to Eric Chavez ($11 million per year), Scott Rolen ($11.2 million) and several other highly paid third baseman over the same period. Adrian Beltre, one of the top-paid players at the position who averaged 34 homers and 104 RBIs over the past two seasons is in the second year of a five-year deal with the Seattle Mariners that pays him nearly $13 million.
    Auction League: Bitches Brew - 2006, 2007, 2008 Champs
    NYYFans.com League: Bad Apples
    2008 Champs

  27. #327

    Re: Angelos: Orioles Tough Times Over

    Quote Originally Posted by yanksphan
    Come on Angelos...this should be a no-brainer. Give the guy the money...

    http://www.baltimoresun.com/sports/b...ports-baseball
    "I'm not greedy," he said. "I didn't ask for $60 million. This is about what I've done the last three or four years. You can see the stats for yourself. That's not something I'm making up."
    Ah, but Mora doesn't seem to understand that his next contract isn't based on what he has done the last three or four years, it's about what he'll do in the next three. He's also 34.
    Last edited by jonnyc39; 03-15-06 at 12:40 PM.

  28. #328
    Damn it folks -- Not a Fag!
    Join Date
    Jul 2001
    Location
    San Diego, CA
    Posts
    10,429

    Re: Angelos: Orioles Tough Times Over

    To be fair, I wouldn't pay it either. What guarentees that they are going to get 2003-2005 Mora or pre-2003 Mora. He's 34, when most players begin their declines, and they can score another third baseman who could put up similar numbers for cheaper. No deal.
    NEW DOMAIN ADDRESS: http://www.editorialme.com. All Viewpoints, All Topics, No Boundaries -- The Political Soapbox


  29. #329
    Ace yanksphan's Avatar
    Join Date
    Dec 2003
    Location
    nühamshä
    Posts
    16,730

    Re: Angelos: Orioles Tough Times Over

    There are no guarantees with ANY player - from A-Rod to Womack...but based on his past couple seasons, he's been very consistent. THAT's what you base it on. Rolen certainly was a risk as well, and StL took that risk. Didn't pan out so great....

    Players like Chavez and Beltre are putting up similar numbers for MORE money - what makes you think they can get someone for less? That makes absolutely zero sense.
    Auction League: Bitches Brew - 2006, 2007, 2008 Champs
    NYYFans.com League: Bad Apples
    2008 Champs

  30. #330

    Re: Angelos: Orioles Tough Times Over

    Quote Originally Posted by Why Not?
    Not yet. Long-term means long-term, not the first day of single-game ticket sales for the second season.
    I was assigned to Bolling Air Force Base in DC for about 3 years from 1990 - 1993. Bringing baseball back to DC was a hot topic of conversation even way back then. People were HUNGRY for a team. They have waited a very long time to get baseball back there.

    In other words, I don't think the interest in the Nationals is a novelty, by any stretch.

    Of course, this is based purely on my perception of the market from when I lived there 13 years ago -- nothing scientific at all...

  31. #331
    Senior Member

    Join Date
    Jun 2005
    Location
    Baltimore, MD
    Posts
    232

    Re: Angelos: Orioles Tough Times Over

    An Orioles fan, with help from various segments of the community (definitely not *all* of the community) has gotten the money together for a roaming billboard.

    I'll let him speak for himself:

    Billboard is official!
    I sent the signed contract in the mail today. Barring some sort of catastrophe, it will run.

    It will be running on Saturday, April 1st during the O's-Nats exhibition game, on Monday, April 3rd (opening day) and Wednesday, April 5th.

    Here's the final copy of the billboard. The only change to the actual version that will run is the website, which has been changed to "www.savebaltimorebaseball.com."

    Orioles fandom is mixed about this. Everyone at the Sun forums seem to love it. The Hangout is significantly more divided.

    http://www.orioleshangout.com/forums...ad.php?t=31178

    http://www.baltimoresun2.com/talk/sh...ad.php?t=55273

    We know writers for the Baltimore Sun surf the Hangout, therefore I wouldn't be too surprised if this billboard got coverage in the local paper and even grew legs on its own.

    My take on this:

    "This whole situation is a bit awkward. For the first time in a while the O's have a good shot at reaching .500 (though still not contention in the AL East, mind you), but it's hard to ignore 8 straight losing seasons, no matter how bright things might *seem*.

    All (or the vast, vast majority anyway) of us love the team (the jersey, not the players/coaches/staff) and want to support them and see them prosper. But then again, a good portion of us *don't* like the owner of the team and his various policies of running the O's. That makes it hard to buy tickets for a game to root for the team and feel good, as that money just goes into the pocket of Angelos. [Edit: very much so. http://www.forbes.com/lists/results....y&passKeyword= ]

    I personally won't criticize either side, as there are good arguments to be made for both ends. Though I do wish it were a tad more toned down and tactful, I reluctantly stand in support of this billboard. Perhaps at this point in time Angelos *should* be on the hot seat and embarassed in the media and around town: hell, could you imagine 8 losing seasons in Boston or New York, the owners would have been tarred and feathered a long time ago. Obviously we aren't those places, but I do think that we, like them, should demand excellence, expect nothing less, and punish large scale failure. Angelos has had a free pass for too long."

    Later,
    Alexander

  32. #332
    Suffering Orioles fan
    Join Date
    Jan 2006
    Location
    Charles Town, W.Va.
    Posts
    889

    Re: Angelos: Orioles Tough Times Over

    Quote Originally Posted by BronxBaumer
    To be fair, I wouldn't pay it either. What guarentees that they are going to get 2003-2005 Mora or pre-2003 Mora. He's 34, when most players begin their declines, and they can score another third baseman who could put up similar numbers for cheaper. No deal.
    I agree. Mora's a pretty classy guy who's made Baltimore his home and has become a fan-favorite. Oh yeah, he's put up some real nice numbers too. But by the end of this new deal, his contract would be an albatross.

    A two-year extension would be ideal. There is no immediate help on the farm, though last year's top draft pick, Brandon Snyder, might move from catcher to 3B.

  33. #333
    Everybody Lies Yankees Empire's Avatar
    Join Date
    Mar 2001
    Location
    Spokane Valley, WA
    Posts
    3,096

    Re: Angelos: Orioles Tough Times Over

    ...all the while, the Orioles are staring down the barrel or a last-place season in 2006, looking up at even the pathetic Devil Rays.

    Who's to blame for such a state of affairs? Is it the evil Yankees and Red Sox, both of whom have pursued victory through the route of loose purse strings?

    Right! Never mind that teams with relatively modest payrolls such as the 2002 Angels, 2003 Marlins, and 2005 White Sox have tasted the fruits of baseball's ultimate prize, thanks to wise spending, holding to an organizational plan, believing in their minor league systems, and some imagination.

    The Orioles suck for many reasons but, chief among those reasons is a thoughtless organization which tosses its money around with more callous disregard than the "Big Money" teams which are so quickly criticized.

    The Yankees and Red Sox put a gun to Peter Angelos' head and said "Sign Sidney Ponson, Sammy Sosa, and Rafael Palmiero or I'll blow your brains out!"

    In a word: BULL................!!

    The Orioles suck and are facing a last-place 2006 becasue their ownership is unimaginative and stupid. No amount of money can solve that.
    NYYFans.com Fantasy Baseball:
    Rodents Of Unusual Size
    "Pride. Power. Rat Poop."

  34. #334

    Re: Angelos: Orioles Tough Times Over

    Quote Originally Posted by Yankees Empire
    ...all the while, the Orioles are staring down the barrel or a last-place season in 2006, looking up at even the pathetic Devil Rays.

    Who's to blame for such a state of affairs? Is it the evil Yankees and Red Sox, both of whom have pursued victory through the route of loose purse strings?

    Right! Never mind that teams with relatively modest payrolls such as the 2002 Angels, 2003 Marlins, and 2004 White Sox have tasted the fruits of baseball's ultimate prize, thanks to wise spending, holding to an organizational plan, believing in their minor league systems, and some imagination.

    The Orioles suck for many reasons but, chief among those reasons is a thoughtless organization which tosses its money around with more callous disregard than the "Big Money" teams which are so quickly criticized.

    The Yankees and Red Sox put a gun to Peter Angelos' head and said "Sign Sidney Ponson, Sammy Sosa, and Sidney Ponson or I'll blow your brains out!"

    In a word: BULL................!!

    The Orioles suck and are facing a last-place 2006 becasue their ownership is unimaginative and stupid. No amount of money can solve that.
    Agreed. ANY person that owns a MLB team can afford to put a good team on the field (even in the AL East) - and with a little luck and a WS victory - or even a playoff appearance - the success will spark a lot of success for that team. But the sad thing is that even running a losing team is still profitable for owners of sports franchises. You have to truly understand what it takes to win, and have the DESIRE to win, to be able to compete. The O's don't have that right now.

  35. #335
    Released Outright
    Join Date
    Mar 2002
    Location
    Arlington, Va
    Posts
    1,768

    Re: Angelos: Orioles Tough Times Over

    FYI NewOrioleWork, Slidemaster is a poster here too. Kudos to him for a job well done!

  36. #336
    Moderator SoCal Pinstriper's Avatar
    Join Date
    Apr 2004
    Location
    Los Angeles
    Posts
    11,405

    Re: Angelos: Orioles Tough Times Over

    Her late husband's team began another season yesterday at Camden Yards. Her youngest son threw out the ceremonial first pitch.

    Merle Hendricks wanted no part of it.

    "They asked me to take part in the pre-game ceremony, but I couldn't in good conscience be down there on that field giving the impression that I'm OK with everything, because I'm not," said the widow of the Orioles' longtime bullpen coach, who died suddenly in December.
    She then reeled off what she believed were missteps committed by the club before, during and after the decision to make Rick Dempsey the bullpen coach under new manager Sam Perlozzo.

    She said a member of the organization told Hendricks that the decision to replace him had been made before the end of the 2005 season but wasn't announced until later, denying Hendricks a proper ballpark farewell.

    She said Hendricks was told in a 10 p.m. phone call from executive vice president Mike Flanagan that he was being reassigned - "hardly a dignified thing after all these years," Merle Hendricks said.

    And, most devastatingly to Hendricks, she said, the club reassigned him without knowing what his new role would be, leaving him dangling and feeling he had been put out to pasture.
    http://www.baltimoresun.com/sports/b...orts-headlines
    Like NYYFans.com??? Take the time to click an ad, remember to make Amazon purchases through the link that appears here, or better yet, just hit the paypal button. - Hans


  37. #337
    Suffering Orioles fan
    Join Date
    Jan 2006
    Location
    Charles Town, W.Va.
    Posts
    889

    Re: Angelos: Orioles Tough Times Over

    Quote Originally Posted by NelsonMuntz
    Agreed, but you also said that you think the novelty has already worn off. As evidenced by the amount of tickets sold yesterday, I don't think that is the case (and keep in mind they sold this many tickets with very little marketing and still no owner or stadium agreement in place). There is still a lot of interest and excitement around the team, for now. Now if MLB rejects the city council's lease agreement this Tuesday and the sale of the team is delayed even further, I will start to get concerned about how much longer fans in this area will hold their interest with the future of the team in doubt.
    Interest? Excitement?

    Opening Day afternoon at RFK draws 40K, 90% of capacity.
    http://sports.espn.go.com/mlb/boxscore?gameId=260411120

    ---400 more people than Tampa Bay drew for their home opener Monday night.
    ---Only Oakland (73%) has drawn less than 90% of capacity among all openers so far this year. Nearly all games drew 95% or more.
    ---72 degrees and sunny in Washington on Tuesday, most area school systems are on spring/Easter break.
    ---Game vs. division rival with recent history of bean-balls and bad blood.

    I'd say the novelty has worn off.

  38. #338
    NYYF Legend

    NelsonMuntz's Avatar
    Join Date
    Dec 2003
    Location
    Alexandria, VA
    Posts
    15,375

    Re: Angelos: Orioles Tough Times Over

    Quote Originally Posted by Why Not?
    Interest? Excitement?

    Opening Day afternoon at RFK draws 40K, 90% of capacity.
    http://sports.espn.go.com/mlb/boxscore?gameId=260411120

    ---400 more people than Tampa Bay drew for their home opener Monday night.
    ---Only Oakland (73%) has drawn less than 90% of capacity among all openers so far this year. Nearly all games drew 95% or more.
    ---72 degrees and sunny in Washington on Tuesday, most area school systems are on spring/Easter break.
    ---Game vs. division rival with recent history of bean-balls and bad blood.

    I'd say the novelty has worn off.
    Lol, you are absolutely obsessed with the Nationals. Are you actually Peter Angelos by any chance? Good luck with that, and you might want to check out how well your Orioles drew before you go trolling:

    Orioles home opener attendence: 40,199 (83% of capacity)
    Nationals home opener attendence: 40,530 (90% of capacity)
    Never left the Betances bandwagon.

  39. #339
    Suffering Orioles fan
    Join Date
    Jan 2006
    Location
    Charles Town, W.Va.
    Posts
    889

    Re: Angelos: Orioles Tough Times Over

    Quote Originally Posted by NelsonMuntz
    Lol, you are absolutely obsessed with the Nationals. Are you actually Peter Angelos by any chance? Good luck with that, and you might want to check out how well your Orioles drew before you go trolling:

    Orioles home opener attendence: 40,199 (83% of capacity)
    Nationals home opener attendence: 40,530 (90% of capacity)
    You might want to get your facts right.

    The number you have is Tampa Bay's home opener, not Baltimore's.
    http://sports.espn.go.com/mlb/boxscore?gameId=260410130

    And the Rays drew 91.8% of capacity, not 83%.

    The Orioles home opener, on April 3, drew 46,986 (97.5% of capacity).
    http://sports.espn.go.com/mlb/boxscore?gameId=260403101

    Correcting my earlier post, Oakland actually sold out its opener.

    Only Florida, which is about to lose its team, drew a lower percentage of capacity than the Nationals.

  40. #340
    NYYF Legend

    NelsonMuntz's Avatar
    Join Date
    Dec 2003
    Location
    Alexandria, VA
    Posts
    15,375

    Re: Angelos: Orioles Tough Times Over

    Quote Originally Posted by Why Not?
    You might want to get your facts right.

    The number you have is Tampa Bay's home opener, not Baltimore's.
    http://sports.espn.go.com/mlb/boxscore?gameId=260410130

    And the Rays drew 91.8% of capacity, not 83%.

    The Orioles home opener, on April 3, drew 46,986 (97.5% of capacity).
    http://sports.espn.go.com/mlb/boxscore?gameId=260403101

    Correcting my earlier post, Oakland actually sold out its opener.

    Only Florida, which is about to lose its team, drew a lower percentage of capacity than the Nationals.
    You are correct. I was accidentally looking at the D-Rays home opener and comparing the attendance to Camden Yard's capacity. Still, I'm not sure what you are trying to prove and I don't know why I'm even wasting my time arguing with you since you have no appreciation for or understanding of how marketing and payroll impacts attendance. As you exhibited in an earlier post, your entire concept of marketing is "bobblehead night".

    It would have been nice if they would have sold out the home opener but as long as attendance remains relatively steady until the team is sold its much ado about nothing. If I were you I would be more concerned about the fact that the Orioles, with a much better lineup, a bigger payroll, a marketing budget and a TV deal did not sellout their home opener. But in your defense, I suppose if I were an Orioles fan I would want to focus on anything but the Orioles these days.

    The Nationals will be in DC for years to come. Just deal with it.
    Last edited by NelsonMuntz; 04-12-06 at 09:10 AM.
    Never left the Betances bandwagon.

  41. #341
    Suffering Orioles fan
    Join Date
    Jan 2006
    Location
    Charles Town, W.Va.
    Posts
    889

    Re: Angelos: Orioles Tough Times Over

    Quote Originally Posted by NelsonMuntz
    You are correct. I was accidentally looking at the D-Rays home opener and comparing the attendance to Camden Yard's capacity. Still, I'm not sure what you are trying to prove and I don't know why I'm even wasting my time arguing with you since you have no appreciation for or understanding of how marketing and payroll impacts attendance. As you exhibited in an earlier post, your entire concept of marketing is "bobblehead night".

    It would have been nice if they would have sold out the home opener but as long as attendance remains relatively steady until the team is sold its much ado about nothing. If I were you I would be more concerned about the fact that the Orioles, with a much better lineup, a bigger payroll, a marketing budget and a TV deal did not sellout their home opener. But in your defense, I suppose if I were an Orioles fan I would want to focus on anything but the Orioles these days.

    The Nationals will be in DC for years to come. Just deal with it Angelos fanboy.
    I have no love for Peter Angelos, he's run my team into the ground. The Orioles have sucked wind for 8 years and it's largely his fault. I've hated most of the things Angelos has done during his tenure, but I really can't fault the guy for protecting his investment.

    I understand marketing, but I'm not ready to latch onto the pipe dream that marketing is going to turn DC into a baseball town (or even a decent sports town) because it isn't. There just isn't that much interest in the Nationals and it's nothing that advertising and marketing will change anytime soon. If the Nats win, they'll be OK. If they stink, they will draw like the Royals or Pirates do and folks around D.C. will think of more excuses as to why the city hasn't supported baseball now and in the past.

    Baltimore's opener was considered a sellout. The only unsold tickets were obstructed view, which accounts for the difference in attendance and capacity. I'd imagine it's the same scenario as Tuesday's Yankee opener, which was at around 95% of capacity.

    I guess you feel the need to belittle me however you can. I'll stick to arguing the point at hand and leave the personal attacks to you.

  42. #342
    NYYF Legend

    NelsonMuntz's Avatar
    Join Date
    Dec 2003
    Location
    Alexandria, VA
    Posts
    15,375

    Re: Angelos: Orioles Tough Times Over

    Quote Originally Posted by Why Not?
    I have no love for Peter Angelos, he's run my team into the ground. The Orioles have sucked wind for 8 years and it's largely his fault. I've hated most of the things Angelos has done during his tenure, but I really can't fault the guy for protecting his investment.

    I understand marketing, but I'm not ready to latch onto the pipe dream that marketing is going to turn DC into a baseball town (or even a decent sports town) because it isn't. There just isn't that much interest in the Nationals and it's nothing that advertising and marketing will change anytime soon. If the Nats win, they'll be OK. If they stink, they will draw like the Royals or Pirates do and folks around D.C. will think of more excuses as to why the city hasn't supported baseball now and in the past.

    Baltimore's opener was considered a sellout. The only unsold tickets were obstructed view, which accounts for the difference in attendance and capacity. I'd imagine it's the same scenario as Tuesday's Yankee opener, which was at around 95% of capacity.

    I guess you feel the need to belittle me however you can. I'll stick to arguing the point at hand and leave the personal attacks to you.
    I don't agree with your opinion of the DC market but you have convinced me to stop referring to you as an Angelos fanboy.
    Never left the Betances bandwagon.

  43. #343
    NYYF Legend

    NelsonMuntz's Avatar
    Join Date
    Dec 2003
    Location
    Alexandria, VA
    Posts
    15,375

    Re: Angelos: Orioles Tough Times Over

    Orioles 2nd home game attendance: 16,083
    Nationals 2nd home game attendance: 29,985

    Guess the novelty has worn off for Baltimore fans already this season.
    Never left the Betances bandwagon.

  44. #344
    Suffering Orioles fan
    Join Date
    Jan 2006
    Location
    Charles Town, W.Va.
    Posts
    889

    Re: Angelos: Orioles Tough Times Over

    Quote Originally Posted by NelsonMuntz
    Orioles 2nd home game attendance: 16,083
    Nationals 2nd home game attendance: 29,985

    Guess the novelty has worn off for Baltimore fans already this season.
    Touche.

    Game 2 in Baltimore was played vs. the worst franchise in baseball on a chilly, windy night (52 degrees, 17 mph winds).

    Game 2 in D.C. was played vs. the Mets (probably the closest thing the Nats have to a rival, not to mention a very popular franchise from the largest city in the country). Weather was gorgeous. Pedro was on mound, one start after hitting a bunch of Nats players and almost starting a brawl in his last start.

    The novelty of watching a crappy team has indeed worn off in Baltimrore. But I'd be shocked if the Nats draw more than the Orioles this year.

  45. #345
    NYYF Legend

    NelsonMuntz's Avatar
    Join Date
    Dec 2003
    Location
    Alexandria, VA
    Posts
    15,375

    Re: Angelos: Orioles Tough Times Over

    Quote Originally Posted by Why Not?
    But I'd be shocked if the Nats draw more than the Orioles this year.
    I won't be.
    Never left the Betances bandwagon.

  46. #346

    Re: Angelos: Orioles Tough Times Over

    Quote Originally Posted by NelsonMuntz
    Yep, looks like the novelty has worn off:

    http://www.washingtontimes.com/metro...3418-4177r.htm

    Could I interest you in some tasty crow, Why Not?

    Its not exactly like DC has a history of supporting their baseball team.

  47. #347
    NYYF Legend

    NelsonMuntz's Avatar
    Join Date
    Dec 2003
    Location
    Alexandria, VA
    Posts
    15,375

    Re: Angelos: Orioles Tough Times Over

    Quote Originally Posted by Brent
    Its not exactly like DC has a history of supporting their baseball team.
    A common misconception and this has been discussed ad nauseum in this thread. Baseball did not fail in D.C. One team left for racist reasons and the other for a sweetheart deal in Texas. Using a fans-per-wins formula, the Senators were one of the best supported teams of their era. And the DC market has grown dramatically since the last time the region had a team.
    Never left the Betances bandwagon.

  48. #348
    Suffering Orioles fan
    Join Date
    Jan 2006
    Location
    Charles Town, W.Va.
    Posts
    889

    Re: Angelos: Orioles Tough Times Over

    Quote Originally Posted by NelsonMuntz
    A common misconception and this has been discussed ad nauseum in this thread. Baseball did not fail in D.C. One team left for racist reasons and the other for a sweetheart deal in Texas. Using a fans-per-wins formula, the Senators were one of the best supported teams of their era. And the DC market has grown dramatically since the last time the region had a team.
    There is no possible way that you can -- with a straight face -- claim that baseball in D.C. was a success. Baseball moved to greener pastures because the pastures in Washington sucked.

    The teams left when it became clear to the owners, who were using the actual fan support formula, that they could not thrive in D.C. and that they would be more successful elsewhere. As it turns out, those teams became stronger despite moving to smaller markets.

  49. #349
    Senior Member

    Join Date
    Jun 2005
    Location
    Baltimore, MD
    Posts
    232

    Re: Angelos: Orioles Tough Times Over

    An Angelos interview for the Washington Post radio station.

    Naturally, it focuses on the Nats.

    http://www.wtopnews.com/index.php?nid=165&sid=596592

    We've been talking about it here:

    http://www.orioleshangout.com/forums...ad.php?t=32456

    http://www.orioleshangout.com/forums...5&page=1&pp=15

    Later,
    Alexander
    "Chicks dig the well executed hit and run play?"

  50. #350
    NYYF Legend

    NelsonMuntz's Avatar
    Join Date
    Dec 2003
    Location
    Alexandria, VA
    Posts
    15,375

    Re: Angelos: Orioles Tough Times Over

    I love how Angelos accuses Comcast of wanting to operate a monopoly, not wanting any competition in the area and refusing to negotiate nicely.

    Meanwhile this is EXACTLY what he was doing when MLB was trying to relocate the Nats from Montreal to DC.
    Never left the Betances bandwagon.

+ Reply to Thread

Thread Information

Users Browsing this Thread

There are currently 1 users browsing this thread. (0 members and 1 guests)

     

Posting Permissions

  • You may not post new threads
  • You may not post replies
  • You may not post attachments
  • You may not edit your posts