Young Players

Davey Johnson was on the phone, talking about all that was for the Orioles, and all that might have been under general manager Pat Gillick and former assistant GM Kevin Malone."

COLLEGE PARK - For decades, Ralph Friedgen's summer coaching ritual has included a page-by-page review of the previous playbook, watching each game once more, and other tedious tasks intended to analyze the football season and improve upon it. For fear of being redundant and boring, he didn't do it last year. It was Friedgen's first losing season in 17 years. "I don't think I'll ever make that mistake again," said Friedgen, whose Terps finished 5-6 last fall. "I put that on me." And now it's on him to turn it around, just as he did in 2001, when he took over the program.

The Lansdowne, Baltimore Highlands and Riverview communities are initiating a Pop Warner youth football program that will play on Saturdays on the artificial turf football field at Lansdowne High School. Kevin Williams, chairman of the Lansdowne Ravens program, said he is excited about its debut Saturday afternoon. Long hours have gone into obtaining the necessary permits, sponsors and donations. In addition to the young players, coaches and parents have also put in their time in practices, on and off the field.

Look at the standings. The Orioles entered September in last place, stumbling toward 90 losses. That is who they are, and no amount of executive finger-pointing or clubhouse grumbling can change that fact.Deal with it, gentlemen.If you're the owner, remember that it is you who hired the general manager and manager that you might fire at the end of the season.If you're the manager, go out with some dignity, without blaming others for your failings.And if you're the displaced center fielder, understand that your team is out of contention and that the organization must make decisions on young players -- yes, even one who plays your position.

FORT LAUDERDALE - If the Orioles are going to make good on the promise of youth that has sprung from a difficult rebuilding process, they need to show significant progress both on the field and in the American League East standings during the 2002 season. That was the message vice president of baseball operations Syd Thrift delivered to his staff during four days of front office meetings last week. It's time to prove to the fans that the club's long-term plan is going to work. "This is really a test year," Thrift said.

Dawan Landry makes sure to spend some quality time in hot- and cold-water tubs after practice. Haloti Ngata can lean on the counsel of 10-year veteran Trevor Pryce. And Sam Koch keeps the punting to a minimum during the days leading up to a game. Those are just a few of the tactics Ravens rookies have used this fall to avoid the dreaded "rookie wall" in a season that has already exceeded in duration any they have played on the collegiate level. And thus far, the first-year players have withstood the physical and mental grind of the season admirably.

ARLINGTON, Texas -- It happens often. Orioles second baseman Brian Roberts will get into a discussion with a competitor about various players in the game and Nick Markakis' name will come up. "I was talking to [the Boston Red Sox's] Mike Lowell the other day when he was on second base, and he said, `Man, [Markakis] is one of my favorite young players. I respect those guys that can drive in those kinds of runs without hitting 40 homers,' " Roberts said. "I know guys on every team that are impressed daily by the way he plays and his ability level.

LAKE BUENA VISTA, Fla. -- Melvin Mora dearly wants to remain an Oriole, but at this point of his career, he also desperately wants to be on a winning team. That's why the longest-tenured Oriole acknowledged yesterday that he would consider dropping his blanket no-trade clause if the team enters a rebuilding stage that would likely result in more losing in the short term. "I want to see what they say, and when [president of baseball operations] Andy MacPhail calls me and calls my agent, we'll go from there," said Mora, an Oriole since 2000.

The just-completed 1991-92 American Hockey League season was like a roller-coaster ride for the Skipjacks.They accelerated to an early lead, hit the doldrums at Christmastime and continued to sink until they reached bottom with a 10-game losing streak in February and March.They lost only twice in their last six games, but the damage had been done and Baltimore finished out of the Calder Cup playoffs for the first time in three years and the second time in the four years they have been affiliated with the NHL Washington Capitals.

FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla. -- The Orioles have taken strong stances in contract negotiations with their highest-paid players, Mike Mussina and Cal Ripken. But a handful of young players found out the club is serious about holding costs on all contracts.Unable to reach agreements with infielders Manny Alexander, Willis Otanez and Danny Magee, pitcher Esteban Yan and catcher Cesar Devarez, the Orioles yesterday unilaterally renewed the contracts of those players, as teams are permitted to do.The Orioles used to generously pay players with less than three years' experience.