Orioles

The Orioles announced that they will wear green-and-black caps during their split-squad games Sunday as part of their "Go Green" Day at Ed Smith Stadium and St. Patrick's Day. The Orioles host the Minnesota Twins and also play against the Philadelphia Phillies in Clearwater. Afterward, the caps will be autographed and auctioned online at www.orioles.com/spring , with proceeds to benefit the Mote Marine Laboratory Animal Hospitals. The Sarasota-based hospitals treat animals that have been harmed due to damage to the environment.

SARASOTA, Fla. - Orioles manager Buck Showalter spent much of Friday afternoon telling players who will and won't be making the club's 25-man roster - leaving him with only one decision remaining. Steve Pearce and Conor Jackson are still battling to be the final first base-outfield reserve on the club's 2013 roster. Otherwise, things are set for Tuesday's season opener, with right-hander Jake Arrieta winning the final rotation spot, lefties Brian Matusz and T.J. McFarland added to an eight-man bullpen and infielder-outfielder Ryan Flaherty capturing a utility role.

Orioles right-hander Freddy Garcia's formula for success lies in staying ahead of hitters and keeping them off balance by mixing speeds while locating his pitches. Without the blazing fastball that has faded by way of wear, the 14-year veteran must now pitch with finesse instead of flash. And when the 36-year-old Garcia's pitches start to gravitate up and toward the middle of the plate, it can lead to a short day. That was the case Wednesday afternoon, when Garcia failed to get out of the fourth inning against the San Diego Padres - the team that cut him late in spring training - sending the Orioles on the path to an 8-4 interleague loss in front of an announced of 32,418 at Camden Yards.

DUNEDIN, Fla. -- In the Orioles' attempt to remold right-hander Jair Jurrjens into his past All-Star form, progress comes in small phases. The Orioles have some time - and they're proving to have patience - especially considering spring training is longer this season. And while Jurrjens' final line in Tuesday afternoon's 6-6 tie with the Toronto Blue Jays wasn't pretty - he allowed three runs on five hits and two walks with two strikeouts in 2 2/3 innings - it was another step forward as he tries to build strength in his surgically repaired right knee.

CHICAGO -- She sat in Suite No. 450 at Comiskey Park, her 2-year-old son munching a hot dog, her 2-month-old daughter letting out an occasional cry.Now came the true test for Frank Thomas' wife.All right, Elise, White Sox or Orioles?The question might seem ridiculous, considering that her husband is one of the biggest sports heroes in Chicago, with a contract that could keep him in a White Sox uniform through the year 2000.But let's talk roots.Elise Thomas is formerly a Silver, a Rochester Silver, a Rochester Red Wings Silver.

The Baltimore Orioles' final season in Memorial Stadium presents many opportunities for baseball memorabilia collectors.Some collectibles are Orioles promotions. Others are souvenirs that can be purchased at the stadium.From Aase to Zuverink, the Orioles are putting all their players on cards. The cards will be in four sets, with the first three given to fans of all ages on May 17, June 28 and Aug. 11. The fourth set will be available only at Crown gas stations. Each of the other sets also will be available at Crown, but only after it is given away at the stadium.

Orioles right-hander Chris Tillman had a rough go of it at Camden Yards on Saturday night, not making it out of the fourth inning. But down on the farm, the Orioles got mixed results from a pair of noteworthy starters. Kevin Gausman, the team's first-round pick in 2012, allowed eight hits and six runs, four of them earned, in his first start of the season for Double-A Bowie. He struck out eight batters and walked none in four innings. He allowed two runs in each of the second, third and fourth innings.

Professional golfer Lee Janzen has been an Orioles fan ever since he lived in Westminster from 1970 through 1976. Though he moved to Florida at the age of 12, Janzen has stayed in touch with his beloved Birds. His attachment has even grown stronger the past couple of years through friendships with pitcher Mark Williamson and former Orioles reliever Gregg Olson. Janzen will be defending his U.S. Open title beginning today at Oakmont Country Club outside Pittsburgh. He spoke recently with The Sun's Don Markus.

May 23, 1991: Mired in last place, the Orioles fire manager Frank Robinson and promote Johnny Oates, 45, the team's first base coach and a former Baltimore player. Oates will manage nearly four years here (291 wins and 270 losses) before going to Texas, where he is named 1996 American League Manager of the Year. May 25, 1985: Del Dressel's three goals lead Johns Hopkins past Syracuse, 11-4, for the NCAA lacrosse championship. The four goals by the Orangemen are the fewest allowed in a title game, a mark that will stand until 2012.

Cal Ripken Jr.announced today that he'll be auctioning off the 1994 Chevy Suburban that he drove for several years during his Hall of Fame career with the Orioles.  Ripken drove the truck to Camden Yards the nights he tied and broke Lou Gehrig's consecutive games played record, Sept. 5 and 6, 1995. Ripken also drove the Suburban to Orioles postseason games in 1996 and 1997, according to a news release put out by his public relations firm. The winning bidder will receive first-class airfare and lodging for two in Baltimore, and he or she will be invited to attend the Sports Legends Museum Gala honoring Ripken and fellow Hall of Famer Eddie Murray on Sept.