Tiger Roars Back

Few professional athletes/public figures have fallen from grace the way Tiger Woods has over the last decade. Hell, his wasn't a fall in fact, but rather a meteoric crash.

People said, "It's over." "He's done." He had become the punchline of junks on late night TV. His comeback was sidetracked by injuries, and the once-dominant golfer was often irrelevant on the tour.

Well, at golf's cathedral that is Augusta National Golf Club, the old Tiger emerged from the darkness to claim history.

He carded five-under 67 in the third round, his lowest round at Augusta since 2011, and took to the course on Sunday to finish the job, donned in his signature red and black attire. Tiger roared back into relevance yesterday as he captured his fifth green jacket.

Twenty-two years after celebrating his first Masters title with his late father, Earl, it was fitting to see Tiger celebrate his accomplishment with his family in the same exuberance as he did more than two decades ago. At 43, Tiger became the second-oldest winner of the Masters, behind Jack Nicklaus, who won it at age 46 in 1986. 

Speaking of Jack, Tiger also captured his 15th major with yesterday's win, to edge one step closer to Nicklaus' record for victories in major tournaments at 18

In may have taken a decade or so, but the sport of golf is better when Tiger Woods is in the equation on Sundays.

Look out Jack, "Tiger" could once again be on the prowl for that majors record.

Tiger in Photos at the Maters (USA Today)

Are O's struggling off the diamond as well

By now, you've all likely heard or read part of a quote Caleb Joseph gave earlier this week when talking about the poor performance and current situation of the O's: "We’ve got to man up, grow up, start playing better. Period. No ands, ifs or buts about it."

The "grow up" part stuck out to me as an odd thing for him to say. So, I asked a few guys I know who are ex-big leaguers if I was just being my normal crazy self about baseball or if there was something to it? Each one of them agreed that it was a little weird and, from their respective times in MLB clubhouses, suggested something was happening off of the field as well.

None of them would speculate on the notion, but I will because this team has depressed me and we need to figure out why things are so bad.

That said, I think the "grow up" comment surrounds Manny Machado. He lobbied until he got his move to SS and we all know that he is playing for that big contract (likely $30MM / year). But can we all admit that the person or persons on the O's who granted that request should be ashamed of themselves!

Don't misunderstand me. I believe Manny is an incredible talent; a generational player who a team could build around to seriously contend for and likely win a title. His performance after being shifted to third base was incredible (Platinum & 2X Gold Glove winner), and he made plays at the Hot

Corner that even caused Brooks Robinson's jaw to drop...and the latter is a 16x Gold Glove winner and the standard for third base defense. Plus, Machado is the only guy in the O's current line-up who is producing with the bat. But, things have a ripple effect. We've seen the weakened defense on the field, but is the issue much bigger than just what we see on the diamond?

Before we go on, let's step back and just be clear on the following: Manny's move to third is not why Chris Davis strikes out more than me at my college bar on "Ladies Night." It's not the reason Brad Brach blows games, or why Tillman - and now, Dylan Bundy of late - can't pitch.

Overall, this group is not playing like a "team," but rather a collection of individuals who seem to show no interest in the present...or the team as a whole. There doesn't seem to be any chemistry like the 2104 team. No Us vs. Everyone mentality. That attitude and those related intangibles fueled the team that brought the O's out of irrelevancy in '14. Again, just my opinion from watching the first six weeks of this season.

Regardless of Caleb's comment, we know this is a house divided. Dan Duquette is a lame duck GM as power seems to have shifted to Brady Anderson. Angelos - more his kids at this point - need to make changes immediately, starting from within.

Why would you want a guy who everyone seems to know will be gone in 2019 handling the trading of your franchise player? We saw Duquette botch things after the '14 season when he was trying to make an exit to Toronto. Plus, as I said earlier this week, I don't think Buck should get a pass on this mess either. I respect and appreciate that he helped end the almost decade-and-a half long losing culture in Baltimore, but that doesn't absolve him from the numerous in-game and other poor decisions he continues to make.

The Orioles’ organization (different owner, I know) fired Baltimore Baseball Royalty in Cal Ripken, Sr. after he went 0-6 to start the season in 1988. No one should be untouchable in 2018.

Bottom line, Memorial Day is no longer the marker for determining what needs to happen on this team, and the evaluation needs to start from within.

The Morning After - O's vs Astros, Game 2

Well this sucks. With a second consecutive one run loss in Houston, the Birds have dropped the series to a team whose record was 16-28 prior to this three game stretch versus the Orioles. Hopefully, the players have short memories and the O's win tonight to avo
id the sweep.

Not to overlook the impending Cleveland series, (not a political post, so don't read into it). but the Orioles' offense needs to right itself before a critical series at Oriole Park next week against Boston. To say that the Red Sox are on fire is like saying Donald Trump's having a bad hair day

Boston has pulled away from the O's to take sole possession of first place in the A.L. East by two games. While the Birds are 4-6 over the last 10 games, the Red Sox are 7-3 during that same clip.
I feel like each time I check the scores, those damn Red Sox are putting up double digits on their opponents. In 22 games in May, they've scored at least seven runs in 13 of those contests...ugh! On the season, they have a  run differential of +78...in comparison, the O's hold a +22 in that category.

I've made no secret about my disdain for that team, and it's annoying fans. I mean, how can you not want to smack a dude wearing a Pedroia jersey at
a July game...between the O's and Twins?!?  And do I really need to say anythng about David Ortiz?  Hopefully the O's bats take to some home-cooking and find the ball a lot in that series.

But I digress. Let's focus back on last night. Here are a few thoughts/observations/opinions:

1) Orioles have truck out 37 times in TWO games...ouch!

2) Birds' usually stellar defense committed four errors...the most since September 30, 2015

3) Three game losing streaks ties the team's longest such stretch of the season

4) Pedro Alvarez should NEVER touch a glove

6) Only Oriole to not strike out was Hyun Soo Kim. For a guy who rarely - and I mean rarely - plays, Kim had an impressive outing at the dish last night, going 3-for-3 with two doubles, a single and a BB. He runs very well for a big guy. One of his doubles lead off an inning, but the Birds
stranded him at second. Kim's put in a lot of work with the coaches, and in adjusting to the game in the U.S.  I give him credit for preserving...it has to be challenging to be effective on such little playing time

5) Buck looked and sounded pissed in the postgame interview. He also announced that Kim will start in tonight's finale. To soon to panic, but Joey Rickard should be a little concerned about his every day role if Kim keeps contributing.

6) Did I mention that Pedro Alvarez should NEVER touch a glove...NEVER. Throw his glove in Lake Houston.

O's wrap up the Houston trip tonight at 8:10 p.m. Hopefully a solid Gausman shurts down teh Astros, especially Valbueno, and the bats give him run support.

Let's. Go. O's!