Letters

Orioles stuck between rock and hard place

While reading about the Orioles' debacle with the Jeromy Burnitz deal, it struck me how ironic Miguel Tejada's recent tantrums and demands have become.

Tejada is upset because the Orioles' front office hasn't strengthened the team. And yet one of Burnitz's issues relates to "uncertainties" about possible trades involving Manny Ramirez or other unknown stars.

What a colossal mess.

While I've been frustrated at the Orioles' seeming lack of aggressiveness in making deals, it's apparent the team has to choose between two mutually exclusive options in the American League East: (1) exhibit common sense or (2) be competitive.

As a lifelong baseball fan and longtime Orioles season-ticket holder, perhaps I need to reconsider my options.

Chuck Piel

Ellicott City

Send O's a message: Boycott Opening Day

I was disgusted to read that Melvin Mora was the only current Orioles player who chose to take time away from his busy offseason schedule to attend Elrod Hendricks' memorial service.

It's time for all true Orioles fans to send the selfish, self-centered millionaires masquerading as Baltimore Orioles a message. I ask everyone to join me and boycott Opening Day on April 3.

Let row upon row of empty seats on Opening Day be the fans' tribute to a real Baltimore Oriole, Elrod Hendricks.

Leon Reinstein

Baltimore

Hendricks turnout by O's was shameful

If the turnout at the funeral of Elrod Hendricks is any indication, Melvin Mora is the only current Oriole who understands the meaning of the word "team."

It's shameful that the rest of the players -- especially the pitchers and catchers -- didn't hustle back to town to pay their respects.

It's no surprise that the Orioles can't win when nine individuals take the field.

Mary Zukas

Baltimore

Ravens' final effort an embarrassment

What a New Year's gift -- Brian Billick keeps his job and the Ravens again embarrass the city with their effort against Cleveland on Sunday.

What a stupid and atrocious offensive game plan. Where was the run -- where was balance? What a lazy and ineffective defensive scheme. Missed tackles and lack of hustle shows the total lack of pride this team has.

Billick showed he has no control over the team and the team has no respect for him.

Ravens owner Steve Bisciotti has become another Peter Angelos -- ruining another Baltimore sports franchise.

Alan McAllister

Severna Park

Ravens and Orioles big disappointments

I have become very disappointed with the Ravens and Orioles.

I am happy that Brian Billick will return next year and hope he finally realizes that on Sunday we witnessed the real Kyle Boller rather than what he appeared to be in the previous two games.

Without a good quarterback, the Ravens cannot return to their previous winning ways, as the defense cannot continue solely carrying the team.

The Orioles have gone from a winning team with a great farm system to perennial losers. They don't appear to have acquired the pitchers and other players needed to improve, so we can expect another dismal baseball year in 2006.

It is time for the fans to display our displeasure by not attending games until the owner is willing to spend the money required to create a winning team.

Robert Bewick

Dover, Del.