Velocity

ANAHEIM , CALIF. // The change has been obvious. It is Daniel Cabrera's results that have been inconclusive. In Cabrera's first three seasons with the Orioles, he was known for being more of a thrower than a pitcher. When he got into trouble -- and he often did -- he responded by rearing back and throwing harder. He dominated hitters at times with a fastball that he threw in the high 90s, but confounded the organization with his lapses of command and composure. Just last season, Cabrera led the American League with 104 walks despite spending 6?

It might not be surprising to learn that Ravens linebacker Bart Scott was on a football field this week working on 40-yard dashes, shuttle drills, strength training and acceleration techniques. What is surprising is who was working out with him. The five-year veteran held a football camp this week for kids that featured more than just tossing around the pigskin. Teaming with Velocity Sports Performance, which specializes in advanced training for athletes of all ages, Scott set out to give local youths an experience that went beyond the football field.

ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. -- Toss another question atop the Orioles' season of riddles: Whatever happened to Scott Erickson?Erickson's frustrating spring continued last night in another numbing 5-3 loss, this one to the Tampa Bay Devil Rays before 17,660 at Tropicana Field. Before his 1 2/3 innings were done, Erickson had tried everything in his power to defuse a lineup that refused him a breath. But the damage occurred too quickly for the Orioles to avoid tumbling to 3-10.Two games remain on this road trip's forced march.

This was not a draft pick for numbers fanatics.On the surface, the Orioles appear to have committed an error by taking right-handed pitcher Alvie Shepherd as their first-round choice in baseball's summer draft yesterday.After all, Shepherd's numbers for Nebraska this spring were horrendous. A 2-5 record, 6.57 ERA and 47 hits allowed in 38 innings don't usually excite scouts. But there is a deeper aspect to the story.Shepherd stands 6 feet 7 and weighs 230 pounds. Baseball America ranked his velocity -- his fastball reaches the high 90s -- No. 1 among available college pitchers.

SARASOTA, Fla. -- After one look, a few rave reviews and highly favorable first impressions, there is one question that begs to be asked about Alan Mills.What is he doing in the Orioles' camp?A 25-year old pitcher who throws 90 mph and is projected as a quality major-league performer isn't supposed to be traded just to make room on the roster. Not for two minor-league players who supposedly haven't even been determined yet.Mills himself doesn't ask why, he's just happy to be anywhere he has a chance to win a big-league job. "I thought I should have been up [with the Yankees]

FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla. -- Mike Mussina became the first Orioles pitcher to go five innings in yesterday's 3-3 tie with the St. Louis Cardinals, the only run against him coming on a third-inning, opposite-field home run by Mark McGwire. He allowed four hits, walked two and struck out five.Mussina's only serious trouble came in the first inning, when the Cardinals loaded the bases with no outs. But Mussina, whose error started the inning, struck out Brian Jordan and Willie McGee and retired Brian Hunter on a liner to left.

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.

Jair Jurrjens, who will make his Orioles debut Saturday , spoke with the local media after arriving in the clubhouse Friday. Here's the Q&A: What are your thoughts being back in the big leagues? This is everyone wants to be. When you are playing professional ball everybody wants to play in the big leagues. I just happen to be back and am ready to help the team out. What have last 6 weeks been like? I've been just trying to get my stuff back together and just keep working and trying to have fun again playing baseball.

It would have been nice. It would have taken some of the sting out of a season turned sour.The Orioles were in a position to take a broom to the runaway New York Yankees last night and sweep them right out of Camden Yards. Instead, Orioles public enemy No. 1 Darryl Strawberry lowered the boom in a 5-3 Yankees victory that prevented the Orioles from taking sole possession of third place in the American League East.Strawberry hit the longest home run in the history of Oriole Park and left-hander Andy Pettitte gave up just two runs on six hits over 7 1/3 innings to remain undefeated in six career decisions in Baltimore.

Faster than a speeding moron, able to leap all forms of logic with a single bound, more powerful than an agent with three major stars in his stable, here's "Terminal Velocity." It's absolutely untainted by thought and unblemished by distinction but still kind of fun. I liked it when the guy parachuted into the windmill. That was cool.This may be the first in a horrifying new genre of thrillers known as post-"Speed" narratives. That seminal money machine may have driven the final stake into the heart of conventional narrative: It proved for all and sundry how bereft of subtext a story could be, how shorn of such futzy old-fashioned delicacies as "character" and "sense," and still make a potful of money.