Cold Weather

The intermittent showers that fell on Fenway Park were just half of the climate-related concerns facing manager Buck Showalter and the Orioles on Monday. While the rain threatened to wreak minor havoc on the pitching schedule, the mid-40s temperature was also an issue. Shortstop J.J. Hardy has been back in the lineup for a week after missing a month with a strained oblique, but he was scheduled to take the field for the first time in truly chilly conditions, and Showalter was crossing his fingers.

Cold weather was most likely the cause of December's massive fish kill in the Chesapeake Bay, the Maryland Department of the Environment reported. About two million fish — mostly juvenile spot 3 to 6 inches long — washed ashore in Calvert County, near the Calvert Cliffs nuclear power plant, Annapolis, Sandy Point State Park, Poplar Island south of Kent Island, the Honga River in Dorchester County and Tangier Sound. No other fish kills were reported after that single incident.

There were more cold days in this winter than last, so Central Maryland residents should expect to receive higher energy bills, Baltimore Gas and Electric Co. said Friday. "Although BGE's commodity prices have remained stable … extreme weather generally triggers significant increases in energy usage, which in turn can lead to higher-than-expected bills," said Jeannette M. Mills, vice president and chief customer officer for BGE. "Even when the thermostat is kept at the same temperature, heating units must work harder to maintain the set temperature," Mills said.

The weekend cold snap, with temperatures dropping to near freezing in some areas, has ended Maryland's mosquito season - and with it any concerns about outbreaks of West Nile virus until next summer, state health officials said yesterday. Cy Lesser, chief of mosquito control with the Maryland Department of Agriculture, said the cold weather - the "first freeze" - killed most mosquitoes or forced them into hibernation. West Nile is a mosquito-borne disease that produces flu-like symptoms in humans, and can be deadly to the elderly or those with weak immune systems.

Mike Royko is on vacation. In his absence, we are reprinting some of his favorite columns. This column was originally published on Jan. 9, 1976.Before I left for work this morning, I read the paper and there was a story with tips on surviving the cold spell.It said dress warmly. So I put on long underwear, boots and earmuffs. Actually, I already had them on when I got up. It said to avoid frostbite, wiggle toes and fingers. All the way to work, I wiggled my toes and fingers, even on a crowded bus. A young lady standing next to me on the bus was offended.

Is your pet ready for winter? The change of seasons should mean a change of your habits, as far as your pets are concerned.In cold weather, your dog is probably safe hanging out in the car while you run errands, since an overcast day won't turn the car into an oven. But cold weather also means you should thump the hood of that car before you start the engine, in case your cat is snuggled against the engine, looking for warmth. Some other seasonal reminders:* If you're into do-it-yourself car care, use caution when changing the antifreeze.

BRADENTON, Fla. -- Centerfielder Mike Devereaux beat out a bunt for a hit in the Orioles' 13-inning, 3-2 exhibition loss to the Pittsburgh Pirates yesterday, but it probably wasn't worth his trouble.Devereaux suffered a slight groin strain sprinting down the line and had to be removed from the game. His status is day-to-day, but it seems likely the club will treat the injury conservatively at this point in the exhibition season."It's not too bad," Devereaux said, "but it was just so cold out there.

An elderly man in Frederick County died of hypothermia recently, the first cold weather-related death of the winter season, state health officials said Thursday. The man was aged 65 or older. Maryland medical examiners confirmed hypothermia as his cause of death some time between Dec. 18 and Dec. 24. The state Department of Health and Mental Hygiene did not release additional details on the death, citing privacy concerns. State residents – the elderly, children, and anyone who remains outside for prolonged periods in particular – are encouraged to prepare for the cold.

The temperature for Sunday's game against the Chicago Bears is expected to be 38 degrees. That's perfect for the Ravens. In this decade, the Ravens are 8-0 at home when the game-time temperature dips below 40 degrees. Under coach John Harbaugh, the Ravens have dominated all three of these cold-weather games in Baltimore, outscoring their opponents 108-20 (that's an average score of 36-7). Their success in chilly conditions isn't happenstance. Harbaugh stresses beating the weather to his players.

As the temperature plummets during the late innings tonight, at least one Oriole will be feeling right at home. A native of Hobart, Ind., left fielder Larry Bigbie is no stranger to playing in cold weather. Bigbie played his college ball at Ball State, where the first two months of the season were generally marked by temperatures more suited for ice skating than baseball. "I had to play in these elements all through college," Bigbie said. "Our first month and a half or so was just freezing."