Game At Camden

Adam Jones had a simple request for the South team of the Brooks Robinson All-Star Game at Camden Yards on Sunday. A day after his walk-off home run in extra innings against the Philadelphia Phillies, and minutes after he scored the winning run in extra innings Sunday, another walk-off win, Jones had some more walking on his mind. This time, it concerned his dog. And there came the request. "He just wanted us to score and get ahead so he had a reason to leave and go home to walk his dog," said Cody Acker (Blake)

Orioles right-hander Miguel Gonzalez, who has not pitched since developing a deep blister on his right thumb May 3 in Anaheim, is getting closer to appearing in a big league game. Gonzalez threw 35 pitches in a bullpen session Wednesday, the last few without a bandage covering the thumb (he won't be able to use a covering in a game). He said he came out feeling “really good.” “The ball was coming out good,” Gonzalez said. “The breaking pitches were fine. I was pretty happy about my performance.” Gonzalez is next scheduled to pitch in a simulated game Friday afternoon at Camden Yards so that the team can best control the environment.

It could have been one of the coolest scenes in Baltimore baseball history. Players and fans cheering together at Camden Yards as the Los Angeles Angels lost to the Texas Rangers and gave the Orioles their first playoff berth since 1997. It was still pretty cool, but it didn't work out as neatly as hoped. The Angels came back on the Rangers and closer Joe Nathan, scoring two runs in the ninth on a Torii Hunter double to give the Angels the lead. They won it in the ninth, to keep the Orioles' postseason clinching celebration at bay at least until later Sunday night when the Angels and Rangers face off again.

FIFTY-SIX young Ellicott City and Elkridge cheerleaders made their Camden Yards debut last week, when they participated in Opening Day festivities.The girls stood beside the long, red carpet and cheered each Baltimore Oriole as he was introduced."

Visitors to Camden Yards will be treated to plenty that is new and different at Tuesday's All-Star Game. And not all of it will be in the batter's box.Anticipating the big game, the Orioles and the Maryland Stadium Authority are working busily on a package of ballpark refinements. They are installing new audio speakers that will bring the sounds of the game to Eutaw Street. They are adding benches and improving landscaping beside the B&O warehouse ticket office.And in a change that figures to startle motorists passing the stadium on Russell Street, the team and the stadium authority are overseeing major changes in the large "Oriole Park at Camden Yards" sign that hangs above the ballpark's home-plate entrance.

Using his All-Star manager's prerogative, Cito Gaston loaded the American League roster with Toronto Blue Jays yesterday. Then he braced for the backlash that is almost certain to come."

Jason Hammel, who had surgery on his right knee in July, threw 41 pitches in a mound session Tuesday and also went through pitcher's fielding practice for the first time since loose bodies were removed from the knee. He felt good afterward, and if no pain lingers this week, he will throw a two- or three-inning simulated game Friday at Camden Yards, Orioles manager Buck Showalter said. Hitters will stand in while Hammel throws from a mound.     “That's what our hope is, Friday.

If you would like to step up to the plate and face a fastball from Roger Clemens or put your own pitch to the speed test, you are not alone.Of the more than 300,000-square feet of FanFest attractions throughout Baltimore Convention Center and Festival Hall, the clear-cut favorites among many of yesterday's 15,000-plus visitors were the video batting cages and the bullpen area of the three-level theme park.The video batting screens, which give visitors a chance to go up against the top pitchers in baseball, were the biggest draw.

Laurence J. Adams, a McDaniel College honorary trustee and a retired engineer who once helped run one of the nation's largest aerospace corporations, died Wednesday at Johns Hopkins Hospital. The 86-year-old Potomac resident died of complications of pneumonia. The son of a farmer, Mr. Adams was born and raised in Madelia, Minn., and graduated from the University of Minnesota in 1948 with a bachelor's degree in aerospace engineering. It was during college that Mr. Adams met Marguerite "Peggy" Gaetz, who would become his wife.

Players for both Gilman and Mount St. Joseph will be trying to control their emotions Saturday when they meet in a rematch of the inaugural President's Cup final Saturday at Camden Yards. The two long-time Maryland Interscholastic Athletic Association A Conference rivals will be trying to take in the scene and dwell on the moment at the second-annual event. But the teams will be approaching the game differently. A year ago, Gilman won the President's Cup title but turned around a week later and lost to the Gaels in an MIAA A Conference game.