After three bad seasons, something had to be done All...

After three bad seasons, something had to be done

All the O's fans who think the trading of the veterans was wrong do not know anything about sports: The Orioles have been a very bad team for three years, and something had to be done.

Stop thinking with your heart.

Jeff Williams

Baltimore

Orioles aren't champions, so purge isn't like Marlins'

I'm really dismayed to see the recent purge of the Orioles being compared to what the Florida Marlins did to their team a few years ago. The comparison is totally apples and oranges.

The Marlins had just won a World Series, then systematically went about dismantling a championship team for the sole purpose of cutting salary costs.

The Orioles aren't winning anything; they are shedding salaries and older players for the primary purpose of starting over.

This fan, for one, will not stop following the O's just because the "stars" aren't around anymore and because we're probably going to lose lots of games over the next few years. Heck, we've lost lots of games with the "stars" over the past few years.

Joe Talerico

Alexandria, Va.

Orioles' Angelos era brings more darkness than light

As much as my friends and I would like to remember the Angelos years as the time of Cal's bright twilight, or of Davey Johnson's teams racing for the pennant, I feel that the most lasting memories are going to be much darker: the loss of Jon Miller, the blundering loss of Rafael Palmeiro and now the heartbreaking discarding of our newest hero.

The Sun's picture of B. J. Surhoff hangs on my wall. It is a cruel reminder that the Orioles under ego man Angelos not only can't keep good players, but also can't recognize what almost every fan can. We see ourselves as a working-class town that needs and loves our heroes. B. J. Surhoff was our new hero alongside Cal and Mike Mussina (probably the next to go). He continued the heritage from the old days - hard-working, committed to the city, giving the team his all. ...

Charlie Doble

Baltimore

We wanted improvement, not just a bunch of changes

What a disgrace we've become. I am disgusted by the front office's complete lack of baseball knowledge and total incompetence.

Sure, we (Orioles fans) had been screaming for a change during the past four months, but, come on. We wanted a speedier team, improved pitching and a revamped farm system, but look what we got. We basically traded six veteran stars and got an injured relief pitcher.

Angelos and Thrift remind me of fantasy baseball managers. In the real world, owners and GMs (oops, VPs of baseball operations) know how to create and execute trades that actually bring back quality players in return. The most ironic thing about this past weekend is that, so far, we've been winning. That makes Tweedledee and Tweedledum look like they actually have a clue. ...

Pete, you listened to us for the first time this season. Now listen again: Get a real GM, fire your kids and get out of the business of ruining baseball in Baltimore.

Ron Beck

Crofton

All-Stars for weak prospects is not the deal for O's fans

I almost got sick the other night when I heard the Orioles broadcast team of Michael Reghi and Mike Flanagan defending the team's fire sale.

Reghi said, "Peter Angelos and the Orioles' front office listen to what the Orioles fans are telling them."

I think I speak for everyone in Baltimore when I say that getting rid of Mike Bordick and B. J. Surhoff was the last thing that Orioles fans wanted. ...

Did we shore up the bullpen or pick up a legitimate starter? No. And if you're looking to unload a lot of salary or someone who doesn't bleed black and orange, how about the man in right field? While Surhoff and Bordick left it all on the field during every game, Belle is, well, out in left field, if you know what I mean.

Way to go, Mr. Angelos. You've made us the laughingstock of the league. I'm now hoping D.C. gets a team so I have someone worthwhile to root for. (It kills me to say that.) But there is one trade that would bring me back to the Yard again: How about two Angeloses and a Thrift for a Steinbrenner? At least he's learned how to put together and keep a good team.

Martin Carr

Arlington, Va.

Moves may be justified, but Surhoff will be missed... Although it seems the Orioles need to make these kinds of moves, B. J. Surhoff has been and will continue to be a fun player to root for, and I am sad to see him go.

Quentin L. Joyner

Abingdon

Too bad the good guys went and the selfish ones stayed... Too bad selfish players like Albert Belle, Brady Anderson and Mike Mussina wouldn't waive their no-trade clauses so they could have been sent packing instead. Players like these are poor examples to young players.

Back when the Orioles were great, the veterans showed youngsters the right way to do things. Lee May showed Eddie. Eddie showed Cal, etc.