Curtis Goodwin

CHICAGO -- A handful of Orioles have the green light from manager Phil Regan to run just about any time they want. If they see an opportunity to steal a base, they can go ahead and try.White Sox pitcher Jason Bere and his slow delivery to the plate, that's opportunity. A rookie catcher, Chris Tremie, that's opportunity. Green lights all over the place, and the Orioles were always on the go, stealing six bases, one short of the team record, in a 5-1 victory over Chicago.Mike Mussina threw 7 2/3 innings to pick up his ninth win of the year.

UPS AND DOWNSMike Mussina -- WHO KNOWS --When he questioned the team's lack of emotion, he spoke the truth; nice to see a player step forward. But he's giving up too many homers.Ben McDonald -- UP -- His victory over the Angels Wednesday was huge. They need him to step up.Andy Van Slyke -- DOWN -- Comes off the disabled list, gets one hit, gets hurt and goes back on the disabled list.Curtis Goodwin -- UP -- He's raw, but he has started fast and added some badly needed speed to the lineup.

Ups and downsFundamentals -- DOWN -- If you want to learn how to correctly play a bunt, burn your tape of the Orioles' loss Thursday.Doug Jones and Phil Regan -- DOWN -- Overall, the closer has done a good job. Just so happens that every time he stinks, he stinks at home and he and the manager hear about it. They're on probation with Camden crowd.Bobby Bonilla -- EVEN -- For the first few days, he swung at any HTC pitch within a time zone of home plate. But he's getting better.Mike Mussina -- UP -- Human life support system for O's pennant hopes this week.

The Orioles are now in full audition mode, looking ahead to 1996, with less than three weeks remaining in the season, and this is who's on display:* Bobby Bonilla, at third base. "I'd like to see him for a stretch of time, and see if he can play third base," said Orioles manager Phil Regan. "Personally, I think he can, if we just leave him there, instead of switching him around."The Orioles' desire to get a long look at Bonilla at third probably is affected by the scarcity of third basemen in the open market.

Ups and downsChris Hoiles--DOWN -- Struggling so badly that he's being pulled for oinch hittersMike Mussina -- DOWN -- Home runs allowed have become a regular part of his pitching line.Brady Anderson -- DOWN -- Orioles manager Phil Regan wouldn't say it, but part of the reason for Anderson being dropped to No. 2 had to be his prolonged slump.Curtis Goodwin -- WHO KNOW'S -- Keeps on hitting. But he's having trouble defensively on any ball directly behind or in front of him.Trade talks -- DOWN -- Hard to really get into some serious discussion when you can't offer much besides cash.

Ticket prices a turnoffMiddle-ice seats at Baltimore Arena 200 level are priced at $10 for the Bandits hockey team. The Skipjacks sold them for $7. For a new franchise, seeking to re-establish a fan base, they have succeeded in alienating this fan almost as much as Peter Angelos.Jim FieldhouseTowsonLowenstein sets bad exampleI take strong exception to John Lowenstein's remarks on June 28 during an Orioles-Brewers game on HTS.Commenting on Ricky Bones' brushback of Manny Alexander, Lowenstein said that you do what you have to do, and then, rambling on, he remarked that if it means breaking the rules, it's OK if you get away with it.TC In this day of violence in our society, it is definitely the wrong message to send, particularly to impressionable kids.

UPS AND DOWNSRafael Palmeiro -- UP -- In one of those streaks when, with each at-bat, you wonder if he'll hit a homer.Bobby Bonilla -- UP -- Give the Mets anything but Alex Ochoa and Rocky Coppinger, the plums of a generally fruitless farm system.Jeffrey Hammonds -- EVEN -- Hurt again. Maybe its a good time for him to sit down and get his head clear for the stretch drive, because he was really struggling.Chris Hoiles -- UP -- Funny how this game goes: A month ago, the Orioles were looking for alternatives.

A major minor-league success story enters its fifth season tonight when the Frederick Keys begin their 1993 Carolina League schedule at Grove Stadium.The past two summers, the Single-A affiliate of the Orioles has drawn nearly 750,000 fans to its 5,000-seat park, ranking in the top 20 among all minor-league teams both years.More of the same can be expected from the Keys this season, starting with the opener against the Prince William Cannons."It [high attendance] figures to continue," said new general manager Larry Martin.

Brady Anderson drops to the No. 2 spot, Damon Buford goes to Rochester, the entire team shifts direction. The Orioles didn't appear to require a shake-up after winning two straight in California, but they got one yesterday.Boy, did they get one.Curtis Goodwin played only 35 games at Triple-A Rochester. He had a lower on-base percentage than Anderson does with the Orioles. But last night, he was manager Phil Regan's new leadoff man and center fielder.Did the sun get to Regan in winter ball?

SARASOTA, Fla. -- At first glance, the idea of making Curtis Goodwin the Orioles' leadoff hitter and regular center fielder appears risky, perhaps even dangerous. But at least Phil Regan thinks it's a plan worth exploring.Regan's excitement over Goodwin reflects the sea change in philosophy that takes place under any new manager. Johnny Oates' favorites were overachieving veterans. Regan fell in love with a prospect in winter ball.The contrast is nothing short of stunning. Oates would have viewed Goodwin as just another young player who might get him fired, and banished him to Triple-A.