Hot Corner

When he charges onto the infield grass, makes that barehanded pickup and throws a rocket to first, Manny Machado reminds Orioles fans of a superstar third baseman of yesteryear. When he breaks out of the batter's box on a liner into the gap and hits first base in full stride on his way to another double, Machado shows old-school hustle. And when he quietly strolls through clubhouse, proudly wearing his "Hakuna Machado" T-shirt while nodding to teammates, and, occasionally, breaking out an infectious smile, he flashes a necessary balance of confidence and respect.

When he charges onto the infield grass, makes that barehanded pickup and throws a rocket to first, Manny Machado reminds Orioles fans of a superstar third baseman of yesteryear. When he breaks out of the batter's box on a liner into the gap and hits first base in full stride on his way to another double, Machado shows old-school hustle. And when he quietly strolls through clubhouse, proudly wearing his "Hakuna Machado" T-shirt while nodding to teammates, and, occasionally, breaking out an infectious smile, he flashes a necessary balance of confidence and respect.

Mark Reynolds made 26 errors in 114 games at third base last year and played impressively after moving to first, but manager Buck Showalter said Saturday that Reynolds -- who has slimmed down over this offseason -- will be back at the hot corner this spring. “Yeah, Buck called me in the offseason and talked about it a little bit to kind of see where I was at," Reynolds said. “I wanted to see where he was at with it. I told him I preferred third, and he was cool with it. And I've really been working my butt off to come in in good shape and be a better defender than I was last year.” Though he made just five errors the rest of the way at first base and the team played very well during the final two months of the season, Reynolds said he was not tempted to make the permanent switch to first.

Left-hander Tsuyoshi Wada, a former Japanese All Star who signed a two-year deal with the Orioles last offseason but didn't pitch because of an elbow injury, threw off a full mound again Saturday. And manager Buck Showalter was there to watch the side session. “Pretty impressive. He's throwing the ball, fastball and changeup, and that's pretty fun to watch him throw because it just reminds me of what he can be for us,” Showalter said of Wada, who had Tommy John surgery in May. “He's got a chance to be pretty good.

Hot corner Quote: "You can make as big a deal out of run support as you want, but you've got to pitch and win close games." -- Curt Schilling of the Phillies after losing, 6-3, to the Reds.It's a fact: All three Pirates batters in the fifth were retired on foul popups to Giants first baseman J.T. Snow.Who's hot: Jeff Shaw has retired the last 15 batters he's faced and has saves in six of the Reds' nine victories.Who's not: Pirates pitcher Jon Lieber has permitted at least one homer in every start.

The Orioles play their second straight day of split-squad games today, with the Birds going on the road to play the Braves at Champion Stadium at the ESPN Wide World of Sports in the afternoon before a nightcap tonight at home against the Yankees. I'm here at the Braves game, where Orioles LHP Tsuyoshi Wada will make his Grapefruit League debut today. Orioles manager Buck Showalter said Wada will be limited to “30ish” pitches today. Some other items of note: - Orioles LF Nolan Reimold was scheduled to play in this afternoon's game because his wife was scheduled to deliver their baby in Jacksonville, which is closer than Sarasota.

Mark Reynolds made 26 errors in 114 games at third base last year and played impressively after moving to first, but manager Buck Showalter said Saturday that Reynolds -- who has slimmed down over this offseason -- will be back at the hot corner this spring. “Yeah, Buck called me in the offseason and talked about it a little bit to kind of see where I was at," Reynolds said. “I wanted to see where he was at with it. I told him I preferred third, and he was cool with it. And I've really been working my butt off to come in in good shape and be a better defender than I was last year.” Though he made just five errors the rest of the way at first base and the team played very well during the final two months of the season, Reynolds said he was not tempted to make the permanent switch to first.

On Saturday, the Dorothy L. and Henry A. Rosenberg Jr. Foundation and the Babe Ruth Birthplace Foundation will donate a nine-foot bronze statue of Hall-of-Fame third baseman Brooks Robinson to the city. The statue, which depicts Robinson throwing to first base, will defend the hot corner across the street from Camden Yards. Robinson, who played 23 seasons for the O's , will join Colts legend Johnny Unitas and baseball demigod Babe Ruth as the only athletes to be immortalized via statue outside of Camden Yards and M&T Bank Stadium.

Baltimore should name its most graceful and durable road for Brooks Robinson . It should be a road that starts out of town but ends up here to stay. It should be a road that inspires those who drive it to be the best they can be, as part of a team, and it should bring people together. It could have a little rock, and a hot corner, and lots of line drives, but be virtually free from error. It should be numbered Maryland Route 5. Ed Goldberg, Reisterstown

Here's the assignment: Construct the perfect ballplayer for the city of Baltimore. Start with attitude. He's got to be a hustling dirt dog willing to play banged up for this blue-collar town. That's a given. Now, put a chip on his broad shoulders. Let him think the power brokers afford him little respect — like Baltimore in Washington's shadow — so he'll work harder. He must be community-minded and courteous to the fans, and have a goofy side, too. Make him good-looking enough for the teenage girls to swoon, but not a pretty boy. How about occasionally shaggy hair and an easy smile connected to a fullback's body?

For 13 big league seasons, Miguel Tejada held steadfast to the belief that he was a shortstop. He shrugged off criticism about his diminishing range and faulty footwork, and ignored the suggestions that a move to third base was long overdue. In agreeing to terms on a one-year, $6 million deal Saturday to return to Baltimore, the immensely proud Tejada finally gave in to the idea Orioles president of baseball operations Andy MacPhail presented him with more than two years earlier.

For 13 big league seasons, Miguel Tejada held steadfast to the belief that he was a shortstop. He shrugged off criticism about his diminishing range and faulty footwork, and ignored the suggestions that a move to third base was long overdue. In agreeing to terms on a one-year, $6 million deal Saturday to return to Baltimore, the immensely proud Tejada finally gave in to the idea Orioles president of baseball operations Andy MacPhail presented him with more than two years earlier.

For 13 big league seasons, Miguel Tejada held steadfast to the belief that he was a shortstop. He shrugged off criticism about his diminishing range and faulty footwork, and ignored the suggestions that a move to third base was long overdue. In agreeing to terms on a one-year, $6 million deal Saturday to return to Baltimore, the immensely proud Tejada finally gave in to the idea Orioles president of baseball operations Andy MacPhail presented him with more than two years earlier.