Incaviglia

Eric Davis and Kelly Gruber were out of baseball two years ago, their careers seemingly over. Today, they are the newest members of the Orioles.Davis, who came back to hit 26 homers and steal 23 bases for the Cincinnati Reds last season, signed a one-year contract for $2.2 million to play left or right field for the Orioles.Gruber, who last played for the California Angels in 1993, will try to come back and win a job as an extra infielder and outfielder. He signed a minor-league contract that will pay him a base salary of $300,000 should he win a job with the Orioles.

Bill Ripken's second tenure with the Orioles likely came to an end last night when the club declined to offer the utility man salary arbitration.By not offering arbitration to Ripken and three other free agents, the Orioles all but ensured they will be elsewhere next season.The Orioles had until midnight last night to offer arbitration to Ripken, Todd Zeile, Mike Devereaux and Roger McDowell or lose the right to negotiate with the players until May 1.The Orioles did offer arbitration to outfielder Pete Incaviglia last night and could agree on a contract soon.

Mike Devereaux's trip to the bulletin board outside manager Davey Johnson's office often ends in disappointment.Devereaux checks the lineup card posted there before every game, hoping to find his name next to "lf" -- left field. Devereaux found his name there Aug. 27, but not again until the last day of the season in a meaningless game.Last night, his routine was interrupted. Johnson told Devereaux he would be in left field for Game 4 of the American League Championship Series, enabling B. J. Surhoff to rest his sore right knee and left hamstring.

Mike Devereaux's trip to the bulletin board outside manager Davey Johnson's office often ends in disappointment.Devereaux checks the lineup card posted there before every game, hoping to find his name next to "lf" -- left field. Devereaux found his name there Aug. 27, but not again until the last day of the season in a meaningless game.Last night, his routine was interrupted. Johnson told Devereaux he would be in left field for Game 4 of the American League Championship Series, enabling B. J. Surhoff to rest his sore right knee and left hamstring.

TORONTO -- SkyDome has not been kind to the Orioles.It was where the 1989 Orioles' miracle season came to an abrupt end.Cal Ripken, Bill Ripken, Brady Anderson, Chris Hoiles and Mike Devereaux suffered through that season-ending series defeat to the heavily favored Toronto Blue Jays, and now they're looking to make amends in this week's season finale.This late September series could elicit similar feelings of loss for the Orioles, should they fail to secure a playoff berth in the next three days.

NEW YORK -- So what shall we call the classic, outhouse-to-penthouse saga of Todd Zeile and Pete Incaviglia?"Escape from Philadelphia?""Rescue -- I-95?""Really, Really, Really Happy Days?"Whatever. All these two men know is this: They could have been in Philadelphia Wednesday night, playing a baseball game that meant absolutely zilcho, in front of several dozen rabid spectators who apparently weren't aware that Wednesday night was the season premiere of "The Nanny."Instead, thanks to the Aug. 29 trade that sent them from the Phillies to the surging Orioles, Zeile and Incaviglia found themselves in the packed Yankee Stadium looney bin, playing a huge September baseball game in front of 40,000 crazed people to whom baseball still matters.

On the field: Pete Incaviglia went back to the wall in the first inning in pursuit of Curtis Pride's homer, and as Incaviglia crashed into the fence, his glove fell over the wall. Incaviglia stood and faced the fans plaintively and asked for his glove, before someone handed it back to him.In the dugout: Orioles manager Davey Johnson demonstrated great confidence in his offense in the second inning. With Detroit leading 1-0, one out and runners at second and third, Johnson played the infield back.

Every win is a big win now, every loss is devastating, Orioles first baseman Rafael Palmeiro says. It's that time of the season, when nobody pretends he isn't watching the scoreboard to see how the Yankees and White Sox and Red Sox are faring.The Orioles were six outs away from a devastating loss yesterday. Tigers left-hander Trever Miller, making his first major-league start, gave up one run in six innings, the Orioles botched a rundown play and they trailed by a run. A loss to a last-place team, in September, at home?

ANAHEIM, Calif. -- When Orioles manager Davey Johnson said in spring training it would take him a few months to learn about the American League, it sounded like a gesture of common courtesy, a show of respect for a new league.But he has learned a lot about the AL, and is adjusting accordingly, placing a greater premium on offense, sluggers, and less importance on defense.For the past month, Johnson encouraged general manager Pat Gillick to get a couple of strong right-handed hitters, and was thrilled when the Orioles traded for Todd Zeile and Pete Incaviglia.

SEATTLE -- About a month ago, Philadelphia Phillies manager Jim Fregosi told Pete Incaviglia he probably wouldn't play much the rest of the year. The Phillies were going with a youth movement, and Incaviglia, 32, isn't young anymore.Figuring he had nothing better to do with his time, Incaviglia began his usual off-season regimen at the end of July. Lots and lots of weightlifting, the kind that builds muscle in his upper body, and some running.And now Incaviglia is huge, as large as he would be at the start of spring training.