Center Field

For the first time in 2012, someone not named Adam Jones is starting in center field for the Orioles. Jones is still in the lineup at designated hitter, but Nate McLouth will be in center for the first time this year. The last time Jones hasn't started a game in center field was September 19, 2011, a span of 122 straight games, and this is his first career start at DH. McLouth has started the past two games in left field, batting in the third spot in the lineup for the third straight game after getting called up to Baltimore on Friday.

Chris Dickerson received the start in center field Tuesday night against the Yankees, and through his first two at-bats, he's making the most out of the opportunity. Dickerson has hit two solo homers off Yankees starter Phil Hughes for his first multi-homer game of his major league career. Dickerson spent the past two seasons with the Yankees, hitting just three homers in a 64 at-bats. Now he has three homers -- all in his past three starts -- in 33 at bats with the Orioles this season In the third inning, Dickerson took a 3-2 fastball over the outer half of the plate into the center field bleachers.

BOSTON - Mike Hargrove can still remember the night his manager with the Texas Rangers, Billy Martin, became so frustrated with his team's pitiful offense that he crafted a batting order by placing names on slips of paper that were drawn from a hat. "Most people today would think that's terrible. He doesn't expect to win. But we did win, and we started swinging the bats from that spot," Hargrove said. Hargrove stopped shy of such creativity last night, but he did construct his most unique configuration of an 8-game-old season.

There's really only one subject that is necessary to discuss after the Orioles' 8-3 loss to the Seattle Mariners on Wednesday. Yes, Wei-Yin Chen had his worst start of the season. And UMBC product Zach Clark made his big league debut. There's also a legitimate chance that the Orioles will add another arm for the Los Angeles Angels series. It's possible Clark could get sent back to Triple-A Norfolk since it is likely he is out as Saturday's spot starter after throwing 36 pitches on Wednesday.

CLEVELAND -- In a game where every play, and most certainly every mistake, was magnified to the size of Lake Erie, Brady Anderson had to wade through hot water Saturday.With one out in the seventh inning and a runner on first base, Cleveland's David Justice lofted a shallow fly ball to center field. Anderson stood motionless, appeared to take a small step back, then charged in much too late to make the catch. Matt Williams followed with a ground single up the middle, and the Indians had a 1-0 lead.

Chris Dickerson received the start in center field Tuesday night against the Yankees, and through his first two at-bats, he's making the most out of the opportunity. Dickerson has hit two solo homers off Yankees starter Phil Hughes for his first multi-homer game of his major league career. Dickerson spent the past two seasons with the Yankees, hitting just three homers in a 64 at-bats. Now he has three homers -- all in his past three starts -- in 33 at bats with the Orioles this season In the third inning, Dickerson took a 3-2 fastball over the outer half of the plate into the center field bleachers.

NEW YORK - Unable to resolve their crowded second base situation with a deal before yesterday's non-waiver trade deadline, the Orioles came up with another solution: putting Jerry Hairston in center field. Manager Lee Mazzilli kept Brian Roberts at second base yesterday and moved Hairston to center field, saying the move could last at least until injured center fielder Luis Matos returns from the disabled list. "It's just hard to believe I'm not going to be playing second base the rest of the year," Hairston said after his team's 6-4 loss to the New York Yankees.

Artifacts from a cafe owned by Babe Ruth's father were found in what is now center field.

It's not the bubble-gum chewing - let's get that out of the way first. He's been chewing gum and blowing bubbles during games since he was a little kid. And it's not his hot-dogging style. Adam Jones has always played center field with a certain flair and showmanship, and that was good enough to win two Gold Gloves. But he's definitely struggling in the outfield. And at times, such as last night's 8-3 Orioles loss to the Mariners, it can be painful to watch - especially when you think about all the great plays he's made for this team over the past five years.

Paul Molitor has played five different positions in All-Star play -- designated hitter, first base, second base, third base and center field -- tying Pete Rose's record.

It's not the bubble-gum chewing - let's get that out of the way first. He's been chewing gum and blowing bubbles during games since he was a little kid. And it's not his hot-dogging style. Adam Jones has always played center field with a certain flair and showmanship, and that was good enough to win two Gold Gloves. But he's definitely struggling in the outfield. And at times, such as last night's 8-3 Orioles loss to the Mariners, it can be painful to watch - especially when you think about all the great plays he's made for this team over the past five years.

Good morning from Sarasota; apparently, I escaped the Mid-Atlantic just in time. Although, in case you were wondering, it is only 60 degrees here this morning. I guess that doesn't make things better when you have a snow shovel in your hand. I'm sorry. So, while getting my feet wet in the clubhouse -- not literally, this isn't the Fort Lauderdale clubhouse -- here's what I have for you: Nick Markakis (neck spasms) said he likely will not play tomorrow; if he does anything, it will be just light work.

SARASOTA, Fla. -- Nobody gets too excited about spring training batting practice - especially when the wind is blowing straight out from home to center field - but it was hard not to be impressed with the way Nolan Reimold was driving the ball before Wednesday night's game. Reimold hit one over the 30-foot batters eye in center field (400 feet away) and hit a number of others balls well out of the ballpark. This would not be unusual if Reimold weren't still rehabbing from neck surgery and still trying to regain full strength in his left shoulder and forearm.

For the second consecutive year, the Orioles have three players that are finalists for the annual Rawlings Gold Glove Awards, which are given to the best defensive players at each position in each league. This year, catcher Matt Wieters is up for his second consecutive American League Gold Glove Award, center fielder Adam Jones will be going for the second (2009) of his career and shortstop J.J. Hardy is seeking his first. The awards will be announced on ESPN2 starting at 9:30 p.m. Tuesday.

Typical Brooks. Everybody who was anybody in Orioles history showed up to honor him when the Orioles unveiled his statue on the center field plaza Saturday at Camden Yards, and all he wanted to do was thank everybody else and turn his ceremony into a celebration of this year's amazing, surprising, contending team. “How 'bout them O's?" he said, to a huge ovation from the thousands of fans who crowded around the plaza and lined every terrace and exposed walkway with a view of the last bronze in the Legends Celebration Series.

On a day honoring arguably the greatest third baseman of all time -- legendary Orioles Hall of Famer Brooks Robinson -- the rookie phenom now patrolling the hot corner for Baltimore showed a little of what he can do. Twenty-year-old third baseman Manny Machado stood attentively in the Orioles dugout as Robinson -- a sculpture of him just unveiled in the plaza behind center field at Camden Yards -- stood on the field and stirred up an announced sellout...

When fans stream into Oriole Park at Camden Yards for Opening Day, they'll notice a handful of changes, big and small. There's new food and drinks, public spaces and a more viewer-friendly right field wall, to name a few. O's great Rick Dempsey is helping open a new restaurant and brew-pub, and homegrown fast food chain Gino's is also setting up shop. "It's all in the name of bringing the local flavor and the local feel to the ballpark," said Orioles spokesman Greg Bader.

Typical Brooks. Everybody who was anybody in Orioles history showed up to honor him when the Orioles unveiled his statue on the center field plaza Saturday at Camden Yards, and all he wanted to do was thank everybody else and turn his ceremony into a celebration of this year's amazing, surprising, contending team. “How 'bout them O's?" he said, to a huge ovation from the thousands of fans who crowded around the plaza and lined every terrace and exposed walkway with a view of the last bronze in the Legends Celebration Series.

It all seemed so right. The Orioles long ago chose Thursday night to unveil Cal Ripken's statue at Oriole Park because of the obvious connection to what happened here on the same date 17 years ago, but they could not have known it would be so perfectly timed to coincide with the re-emergence of the team as a late-season contender and the start of a huge four-game series against the Yankees. The significance certainly wasn't lost on Ripken, who used his edition of the Legends Celebration Series to forge a link between the Hall of Famers who will forever populate the plaza behind center field and the new generation of Orioles players who have responded so well to the leadership of Buck Showalter.

Kevin Gausman, the Orioles' first-round pick in this June's draft, allowed four runs -- including a pair of home runs -- in his debut for High-A Frederick on Saturday night against the Winston-Salem Dash at Harry Grove Stadium. Gausman, the draft's fourth overall pick, yielded both homers to Keenyn Walker, a solo shot to left to lead off the first inning and a three-run inside-the-park homer in the second inning on a ball to center field. After Gausman allowed the second homer to Walker, he retired the final four batters he faced.