The lockout slogs on with very little progress so far – Camden Chat

Good morning, Camden Chatters.

If youre still holding out hope for a swift end to the MLB lockout, that hope is fading fast. According to ESPNs Jesse Rogers, the league and the MLBPA have made very little progress toward a new deal, having only discussed non-core issues this month while saving the heavy lifting the major economic issues for January negotiations. Rogers adds, its anyone guess right now if that will happen on Jan. 2 or Jan. 22.

Youre telling me the players and owners might not even start talking about the most contentious issues until late January? Given how long those negotiations will surely take, it would be a miracle for the two sides to agree on a new collective bargaining agreement before pitchers and catchers are scheduled to report in mid-February. And the longer thats pushed back, the more danger there is of the 2022 season failing to start on time.

For now, though, nobody involved seems to feel any particular sense of urgency, especially with the holiday season upon us. And so we wait. As always.

And while were waiting, how about taking a crack at todays Camden Chat Sporcle quiz? Lets see how well you know Orioles playoff teams specifically, every starting pitcher for Orioles playoff teams. Youll surely know a bunch of great Os pitchers who started many postseason games, but once you get down to the one- and two-gamers, this ones a puzzler. I definitely wouldnt have guessed a few of those names without looking them up.

A conversation with Orioles player development director Matt Blood, Part 2 The AthleticI had never heard the term practice design before, but its something the Orioles really value in their new hitting coaches. Its almost like these guys are smarter than me.

Bemboom braced for competition and Rutschmans arrival - School of RochWeve been seeing very few interviews with actual baseball players since the lockout began. So this chat with new catcher Anthony Bemboom, however unexciting, is a refreshing change of pace.

Wondering how many of the Orioles gang will join Showalter in New York - BaltimoreBaseball.comRich Dubroff speculates new Mets manager Buck Showalter could reunite with some of his former Orioles coaches, or players, for his coaching staff in New York. Any staff that includes Adam Jones would have my heartfelt approval.

The pitcher that went from Rule 5 longshot to bullpen stalwart - Steve MelewskiSpoiler: it was Tyler Wells.

Is today your birthday? Happy birthday! Two Orioles from the past decade have birthdays today right-hander Asher Wojciechowski (33) and catcher Taylor Teagarden (38) as do four guys who each played 10+ years in the majors but only one season apiece with the Birds: righties Roger McDowell (61) and LaTroy Hawkins (49) and outfielders Elliott Maddox (74) and Andy Van Slyke (61).

On this day in 1976, the Orioles officially parted ways with veteran lefty and 22nd best Oriole of all time, Mike Cuellar, granting him his release. Cuellars eight-year career with the Birds had featured a Cy Young award, four 20-win seasons, three All-Star selections, four years of down-ballot MVP votes, and a World Series championship. He was coming off a rough 1976 season, though, in which he went 4-13 with a 4.96 ERA. Cuellar signed with the Angels but worked just two games before calling it a career.

And on this date in 1995, the Orioles signed Hall of Famer and 45th best Oriole Roberto Alomar to a three-year deal in free agency. On the field he was superb, posting a 12.5 bWAR and collecting two Gold Glove awards in three All-Star seasons. But his Os tenure was marred by an ugly incident in which he spit on umpire John Hirschbeck, and last year he was placed on MLBs ineligible list over a sexual misconduct allegation.

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The lockout slogs on with very little progress so far - Camden Chat