SPORTS
By Joe Strauss and Joe Strauss,SUN STAFF | August 29, 1999
DETROIT-- His team playing short, playing fatigued and playing badly, Orioles manager Ray Miller followed yesterday's 4-3 loss to the woebegone Detroit Tigers by criticizing his clubhouse's "dysfunctional" makeup and suggested the same shortages that trashed the team's 1998 season torment it to this day.The 57-72 and free-falling Orioles suffered their fourth consecutive loss on what is now assured to be a losing road trip against the league's two worst...
SPORTS
By Joe Strauss and Joe Strauss,SUN STAFF | August 8, 1999
Frank Wren has instituted an uncommon rule for his minor-league staff in Sarasota, Bluefield, Delmarva and Frederick: regarding the Orioles' top prospects, the less said the better."
SPORTS
By Roch Kubatko and Roch Kubatko,SUN STAFF | April 12, 1999
Needing to make room on the 25-man roster before yesterday's game against Toronto, the Orioles optioned rookie infielder Jesse Garcia and left-hander Doug Johns to Triple-A Rochester. In corresponding moves, second baseman Delino DeShields came off the disabled list, and pitcher Doug Linton was activated and given his first major-league start since 1996.DeShields didn't have much to say about his return. "I'm just ready to play ball. That's it," he said before going 0-for-3 with a walk in the Orioles' 9-5 loss.
SPORTS
By JOE STRAUSS | April 5, 1999
PitchersRicky Bones: Once projected as a spot starter, will remain in middle/long relief.Scott Erickson: Winless with an 8.38 ERA in five spring starts, could his preferred pairing with Lenny Webster return?Mike Fetters: Managed to dispel health concerns. Saved Cuba exhibition.Juan Guzman: Second in AL in exhibition ERA. Best pitcher in camp.Doug Johns: Third left-handed reliever barely hung on to 11th spot.*Scott Kamieniecki: "Strained" hamstring continues to resist treatment. Will likely miss April.
SPORTS
By KEN ROSENTHAL | April 4, 1999
Five years ago, a group of wide-eyed minor-leaguers stood near the door of the Orioles' spring-training clubhouse in Sarasota, Fla., waiting to catch a glimpse of Cal Ripken.Jesse Garcia was 20 then, starting his second professional season. Summoning all his courage, he asked Ripken to sign two baseballs that day, one for himself, one for his father."I was so nervous, I dropped one of the balls right in front of him," Garcia said.For all anyone knew at the time, meeting Ripken might have turned out to be the highlight of a career that looked less than promising.
SPORTS
By Roch Kubatko and Roch Kubatko,SUN STAFF | March 31, 1999
FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla. -- With Jesse Garcia, it's the little things that seem to get him noticed.Like the time he began shouting commands at the other infielders just as Orioles coach Sam Perlozzo was about to apprise Garcia of the given situation. Or during the 11th inning of Sunday's exhibition in Havana, when Garcia made a diving stop at second base with two outs and had the presence of mind to wipe his hand on his pants leg as he spun to throw."His knowledge of the game and his calm under pressure are what impresses me every bit as much as his physical skills," Perlozzo said.