Bale

Kansas City Royals left-hander John Bale, already on the disabled list because of a tight shoulder, broke his pitching hand punching a door at the team's hotel in Cleveland. A club spokesman said Bale, a former Oriole, informed team officials he had pain in his hand after striking the door Friday. X-rays were taken during Saturday night's 4-2 win over the Indians, revealing the fracture on the side of his hand. Bale returned to Kansas City, Mo., yesterday morning. He will be examined by team doctors, possibly today.

The Moxleys at McCoy Farms put up this snowman, made from wrapped bales of hay, in the 2800 block of Forge Hill Road in Bel Air. It is about 17 feet tall.

Christian Bale's rant against the cinematographer who stepped into his sight lines during the filming of Terminator Salvation might have been unforgivable, but it is understandable, especially after you see the pounding and lugubrious finished film. Some actors gas on about dates and sports or crack abysmal jokes but click into character as soon as the director calls "Action!" Others live their characters even during lunch. Early on, Bale received tons of admiring press for being one of the latter.

I find it very hard to believe the hatred of Sgt. Robert Bales in William Smith's recent letter ("Don't pity Sgt. Bales," March 29). Yes, the killing of innocent men, women and children was wrong, and my prayers go out to them. But what about the thousands of innocents who were killed on9/11? What about the thousands of our military service members who have been killed or injured fighting those who would kill us without thinking twice? It takes great strength and conviction to don a uniform in order to protect this country.

A forklift operator at the Random House book distribution warehouse in Westminster was killed when a 1,700-pound bale of compressed paper fell on her about 3 p.m. yesterday.Mary Francis Baker, 37, of the 1900 block of Old New Windsor Road was pronounced dead at the site of the accident by Dr. Richard Jones, associate medical examiner for Carroll County.State police said they were told it was the first fatal accident at the four-building complex at Route 97 and Bennett Cerf Drive since the first section was built in 1965.

The dominance that Calvin Maduro exhibited this spring earned him a place on the Orioles' Opening Day pitching staff. It didn't, however, assure him of a job beyond the first two weeks of the season. He vanished as suddenly as he arrived. The Orioles outrighted Maduro to Triple-A Rochester before last night's game against the Tampa Bay Devil Rays, with John Bale being called up to take his place. The move gives manager Mike Hargrove three left-handers in the bullpen. It also continues what has been a strange and frustrating segment of Maduro's career.

The Orioles didn't make it through two games without pulling off their first trade, sending pitcher John Bale to the New York Mets last night for outfielder Gary Matthews Jr. Bale had cleared waivers and was outrighted to Triple-A Rochester yesterday. He was designated for assignment following Saturday's exhibition game in Louisville, Ky. To make room for Matthews, the Orioles optioned outfielder Larry Bigbie to Rochester after last night's 1-0 loss to the New York Yankees. They cleared space for him on the 40-man roster by transferring Chris Richard, who's recovering from off-season shoulder surgery, to the 60-day disabled list.

FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla. - For someone whose immediate future in baseball is so unsettled, John Bale couldn't be more relaxed. Maybe it's the surgery that relieved the pain and stiffness in his left arm, or the daughter who recently turned 1. Perhaps it's the distance of last winter's horror in Venezuela, or knowing that his father is in good health. It isn't until all the possibilities are examined that it becomes so clear just how full Bale's plate was last spring as he tried locating one during games.

If John Bale doesn't sweat the details, like whether he'll move into the Orioles' rotation this weekend or if he'll impress the club enough to stay out of the minors, it's because of a perspective obtained in the past few months. He's feared for his life, celebrated the birth of a child, reveled in the glory of his first big-league win and prayed for a father near death. All of it since a few minutes before midnight on New Year's Eve. All of it putting baseball in its proper place. Bale continues to receive consideration for Saturday's start in Minnesota, with Chuck McElroy expected to stay in the bullpen after three appearances in the fifth slot.

Orioles utility man Melvin Mora met with manager Mike Hargrove in recent days and came away feeling more content with his role. Mora had said he wouldn't be satisfied coming off the bench and starting three to five times a week, as Hargrove had specified. But Hargrove explained to Mora that he will get plenty of at-bats this season, especially considering he was the first option off the bench if another player got injured. Mora didn't have to wait until the season for it to happen. The Orioles placed Marty Cordova on the disabled list with a strained right quadriceps muscle, and Mora became the club's Opening Day starter in left field.

Susan Reimer seems extremely misguided; her sympathy for Sgt. Robert Bales, who massacred men, women and children, is an enigma to me ("War makes you crazy, both there and here," March 26). But since these are her feelings, why is she ashamed to admit them? Geraldine Segal, Randallstown

Susan Reimer 's column on the U.S. soldier accused of murdering 17 Afghan civilians was the most outrageous and offensive nonsense I have ever read ("War makes you crazy, both there and here," March 26). She feels nothing for the innocent, murdered children of Afghanistan but feels "sympathy" for Sgt. Robert Bales. Is this supposed to be a joke? Because it sure isn't funny. Like all decent Americans, I think Robert Bales is a subhuman worm. He should not only be executed for his crimes, he should be turned over to the Afghans for whatever cruel method of execution they can think up. Nothing the Afghans could do to him could possibly be too horrible.

T o get beyond all the spin from both sides about the state budget, take a quick look at Appendix F in the back of the budget highlights book Gov. Martin O'Malley released Tuesday. That's where you find the state's general fund summary and a forecast of what is likely to happen to Maryland's finances over the next five years. It is the Rosetta Stone of state budgets. Here's what it says this year: Governor O'Malley's spending plan would, if all goes according to plan, leave $274 million in the state's bank account at the end of fiscal 2011.

Christian Bale's rant against the cinematographer who stepped into his sight lines during the filming of Terminator Salvation might have been unforgivable, but it is understandable, especially after you see the pounding and lugubrious finished film. Some actors gas on about dates and sports or crack abysmal jokes but click into character as soon as the director calls "Action!" Others live their characters even during lunch. Early on, Bale received tons of admiring press for being one of the latter.

Carrie and company returning for 'Sex' sequel There's still sex to be had in the city, even though Carrie Bradshaw has settled down with one man. New Line Cinema spokeswoman Candice McDonough confirms that Sex and the City star Sarah Jessica Parker, her three co-stars and writer-director Michael Patrick King are signed for a sequel to last year's hit movie. The film will reunite Parker and gal pals Kim Cattrall, Kristin Davis and Cynthia Nixon. In a statement, King says: "I'm very excited to work with these amazing actresses again and would love to give everyone more information about the sequel ... but I'm busy with my Sex life."

Getting his health back was the first step for pitcher John Bale. He couldn't go anywhere without it, especially to Camden Yards, the place he never wanted to leave. Recovered from elbow tendinitis and a strained oblique muscle, Bale joined the Orioles' bullpen yesterday while Ryan Kohlmeier returned to Triple-A Rochester. Bale appeared in two games during the season's first month, earning his first major-league victory against Tampa Bay before being optioned to Rochester on April 24. The demotion was the least of his problems.

SEATTLE - Jose Mercedes has made his last start as an Oriole. Manager Mike Hargrove confirmed before last night's game that last season's 14-game winner and second-half marvel will work out of the bullpen for the remainder of the season and rookie left-hander John Bale will be assigned his spot in the rotation. The move comes one day after Mercedes surrendered six runs in a three-inning start in Friday's 10-1 loss to the Seattle Mariners. The adjustment leaves the Orioles with three rookies - Bale, Josh Towers and Rick Bauer - in their rotation.