Jay Gibbons

Jay Gibbons, Orioles outfielder What was the most memorable hit of your career and why? The one that sticks out to me is my rookie year, I hit a pinch-hit three-run home run against Greg Maddux to tie the game. ... I think it was two pitches and then - boom - tie game. Just ... knowing that I got [Maddux] that one time was a good feeling.

After being selected from the Toronto Blue Jays organization in the 2000 Rule 5 draft, designated hitter-outfielder Jay Gibbons has become the Orioles' second-longest tenured field player behind Melvin Mora. Gibbons hit .277 last season with 13 home runs and 46 RBIs, and played only 90 games because of a knee injury. Does it bother you when people call you injury-prone? -- It doesn't tick me off. People have to understand that I play hard on the field and it's hard to control sometimes, when you go into the wall or something like that, not getting banged up. I've had a couple of injuries the last few years, but hopefully it's past me. What are your best and worst memories during your career in Baltimore?

FORT LAUDERDALE, FLA. -- Two weeks from the start of the season, the Orioles had an open date yesterday. Without a game to play, the club and its observers could analyze the Orioles' performance at spring training, something not measured by the team's 9-8-2 record. If signs of progress aren't readily apparent in a balky offense, the starting rotation and bullpen clearly are improved, and the only remaining questions about the roster involve the last spots on the bench and in the bullpen.

The 1999 draft mostly will be remembered for the Orioles' failures, but they did snag Brian Roberts with a supplemental pick. He broke into the majors in 2001, getting his first hit off current teammate Steve Trachsel, and was named Most Valuable Oriole four years later. Roberts spent his final college season at South Carolina after transferring from North Carolina, where his father was head coach. He signed a two-year extension last week. Which pitcher served up your first major league hit, and what do you remember about it?

Wild times Daniel Cabrera held the Boston Red Sox hitless through four innings yesterday, but he wasn't in total control. He allowed a run on back-to-back doubles in the fifth, and his five walks on the day were two more than he had allowed the entire spring. "He was a little erratic with his command," manager Sam Perlozzo said after a 2-1 loss in Fort Lauderdale, Fla. "What we want Daniel to do is continue to use the same effort when he's pitching, even if he's struggling a little bit, and not to sacrifice his stuff or just try to get the ball over the plate."

Good morning -- Jay Gibbons -- Did we see your first baseman's mitt on eBay?

It's optional whether a pitcher uses a protective screen when throwing batting practice. Jamie Walker might want to reconsider his choice. Walker apparently will be OK after taking a liner from Nick Markakis off the back of his head Friday. He was taken to Holy Cross Hospital for further evaluation, but a club spokesman said the left-hander was alert and fine. Markakis went into the clubhouse looking for Walker, but the reliever already had left the complex. "It definitely made my heart skip a little bit," Markakis said.

HAVE THE ORIOLES IMPROVED ENOUGH TO MAKE WAVES IN THE AMERICAN LEAGUE EAST? The consensus answer now is "no." Sure, the bullpen is drastically better and the offense also looks more dangerous with the addition of Jay Payton and Aubrey Huff. Before the news of Kris Benson's injury, the rotation also seemed stronger, if for no other reason than Erik Bedard, Daniel Cabrera and Adam Loewen are a year older and Jaret Wright likely will be an upgrade over Bruce Chen. The problem is the New York Yankees and Boston Red Sox also figure to have improved since last season, and while the Toronto Blue Jays lost some pitching, they gained slugger Frank Thomas.