Whoopsie: Orioles Ballgirl Fields Live Baseball [VIDEO]

Ever do something super embarrassing and wish you could un-do it? Or at the very least, hide your head in the sand for a little while?

This Baltimore Orioles ballgirl, who we forgive because she is adorable and obviously has the skills to pay the college softball bills later on in life, made a pretty big Whoopsie on Sunday. She fielded a live baseball to result in a ground-rule double.
/sad trombone

[MLB]

Season Previews: Baltimore Orioles

With Spring Training well underway, it's time for one of our favorite things in all the world: Season Previews. Five years ago, they began as a semi-serious analysis and ended up as half-assed haiku. We're just gonna go with what we know. Polishing off our preview of the American League East, here are the 2012 Baltimore Orioles.

Jake Arrieta
Tommy Hunter, Wei-Yin Chen
Wada and Britton

Dana Eveland
In a trade with the Dodgers
Just signed D-Train too

Patton, Ayala
Gregg or Johnson the closer?
Lindstrom in the pen

Nolan Reimhold will
Start in left while Chavez and
Miller ride the bench

Markakis in right
Adam Jones in center field
A male model

Roberts plays second
J.J. Hardy at short stop
He is a hottie

Los Angeles Dodgers Get Busy, Sign Aaron Harang and Trade Dana Eveland

The Los Angeles Dodgers have filled out their rotation at the winter meetings action in Dallas today, signing Aaron Harang to a two-year contract worth $12 million with a 2014 option.

The 33-year-old right-hander joins a solid rotation that already includes National League Cy Young Award winner Clayton Kershaw, Chad Billingsley, Ted Lilly and Chris Capuano, whose two-year contract of $10 million was signed just last week.

Harang was pretty good last season, going 14-7 with a career-low 3.64 ERA in 28 starts with the San Diego Padres, his hometown team. General manager Ned Colletti is pleased with the signing and says it gives the Dodgers "a veteran arm in the rotation." Funny... I was under the impression Lilly was about as veteran as you can get these days.

The Dodgers also traded lefty Dana Eveland to the Baltimore Orioles in exchange for a couple of minor leaguers: left-hander Jarret Martin and outfielder Tyler Henson.

An 18th round pick with the Orioles in the 2009 draft, Martin was 5-12 with a 4.96 ERA in 31 games with Single-A Delmarva last season, so he sucks, but Henson batted .247 with three home runs and 36 RBI with Triple-A Norfolk in 2011. So there's that.

[MLB]

Texas Trades Taylor Teagarden to Baltimore for a Guy Named Randy

Taylor Teagarden may have one of the most unfortunate names in all of baseball. It's absolutely ridiculous.

Nonetheless, the catcher was traded away by the Texas Rangers on Thursday to the Baltimore Orioles for minor league right-hander Randy Henry (never trust a man with two first names) and a player to be named later.

Teagarden didn't see much action last season, batting .235 in just 14 games for the Rangers. In fact, he hasn't seen much action at all, playing in 118 games over the last four years. You'll have that when a team already has guys like Jarrod Saltalamacchia, Mike Napoli, and Yorvit Torrealba behind the plate.

However, in that short amount of time, Teagarden has thrown out over 30 percent of runners who have dared attempt to steal a base on him. Watch out. The soon-to-be 28-year-old will be a solid backup in the unfortunate case that anything would happen to adorable backstop Matt Wieters.

Meanwhile, the 21-year-old Henry went 4-3 with a 2.22 ERA in 29 relief appearances between the Class A Hickory Crawdads and Myrtle Beach Pelicans... Minor league teams have the best mascots ever.

[Fort Worth Star-Telegram]

Baltimore Orioles to Give Matt Antonelli a Shot at Spring Training

We'd like to give you the lowdown on Matt Antonelli and his recent signing with the Baltimore Orioles.

The free agent infielder is expected to have a strong shot at making the big league squad this Spring when he competes with second baseman Brian Roberts and third baseman Chris Davis, among others, for a role in the infield.

The 17th overall pick by the San Diego Padres in the 2006 amateur draft, Antonelli played with the Washington Nationals Triple-A affiliate Syracuse Chiefs last season, hitting .297 with eight homers and 30 RBI as a utility player. The 26-year-old right-handed batter has a pretty good eye too, walking 47 times in 300 at-bats. He does have some major league experience, playing 26 games with the Padres back in 2008.

According to Antonelli's Twitter page, baseball is not his first passion. He cites "fantasy football, dancing, and directing" as his true talents. We'd like to take this opportunity to challenge him to a dance-off. He's pretty adorable, but we can definitely shake it.

Good luck buddy!

[MLB]

Holy Crap, Wild Card Wednesday Was Nuts

What a finish to baseball's regular season, the greatest show on dirt. That was literally the most exciting night of baseball we have ever witnessed in our entire lives. Sincerely hope you got to see at least one of these games.

The Atlanta Braves and Boston Red Sox polished off their respective collapses while the Tampa Bay Rays made the most improbable comeback of their young franchise's history. Also, Chris Carpenter and the St. Louis Cardinals plowed through the Houston Astros like they had the worst record in baseball... oh, wait.

Guys like Nolan Reimold and Robert Andino, who forced Jonathan Papelbon's soon-to-be infamous blown save, are maybe the last two names you'd expect to hear today. Maybe, if you're living outside of Baltimore, you have no clue who the hell they are. They're spoilers. Season-enders. Game-changers for a day.

Many Red Sox fans, already disappointed with Carl Crawford's once-promising season in Beantown, may want to kick him in the nuts today after his disgraceful, missed catch on Andino's low liner to end the game. Pure laziness. David Ortiz summed it all up in his post-game interview:

"Umm....this is... this might be the worst situation that I have ever been involved in, in my whole career."

Then there's Evan Longoria, who enjoyed a two-home run evening -- one being quite possibly the biggest walkoff bomb of his career -- at Tropicana Field as his Rays rallied from a 7-0 deficit in the eighth inning. And Dan Johnson. Batting .183 on the year and the last guy you want at the plate when your team is down to their last strike of the season in the bottom of ninth, goes yard to tie it up and give Tampa a shot at October.

Red Sox and Rays Both Victorious, Wild Card Still Tied

If you watched any of the Boston Red Sox game against the Baltimore Orioles Tuesday night, we hope you caught the Adam Jones at bat in the bottom of the ninth inning with two out and a man on second. What an attention whore.

After ten agonizing pitches, Jonathan Papelbon eventually got Jones to ground out on a slider and end the game. The 8-7 victory, combined with the Tampa Bay Rays' 5-3 win over the New York Yankees, allowed the Red Sox to stay alive another day in the American League Wild Card hunt.

Boston went yard four times in the evening, including two homers off the bat of adorable rookie catcher Ryan Lavarnway. The Yale philosophy major who never even played a big league game before this August, nailed a three-run shot in the fourth before adding a solo shot for good measure to give his team an 8-4 lead in the eighth. The O's tried to rally late in the game, but Papelboner was having none of that.

The Red Sox will send workhorse Jon Lester to the mound on three days' rest to face Alfredo Simon in the season finale Wednesday night in an effort to punch their fourth ticket to the postseason in five years.

Rays Win, Red Sox Lose, AL Wild Card All Tied Up

With only two games remaining in the regular season, the American League Wild-Card is all knotted up between the Boston Red Sox and Tampa Bay Rays.

Boston found yet another way to lose a ballgame Monday evening, squandering their one-game lead over the Tampa Bay Rays with a 6-3 loss to the Baltimore Orioles. This marks their 17th failure in 22 games, creating a giant sucking sound out of Beantown.

Josh Beckett started for Boston and ended up surrendering seven runs on six hits over six innings, losing to the Orioles for the second time in less than a week. Ouch. An attempted rally in the eighth was thwarted when the Red Sox loaded the bases with one out, missing the opportunity when Pedro Strop struck out Jarrod Saltalamacchia (who was hit in the throat with a foul ball in the bottom half of the inning) and retired Marco Scutaro on a grounder to end the threat.

The Red Sox must win their final two games, and at worst, back into the postseason by winning a one-game playoff against the Rays. That would be the most exciting scenario, of course, but either way they control their own destiny. Former Oriole Erik Bedard will face his old team Tuesday night against rookie left-hander Zach Britton, who has a career 10.80 ERA against the Red Sox over two games this season. Looking good for Boston.

Nationals Enjoy Record-Setting Rout of Orioles

Yay Interleague baseball! After being shut out twice in a row, the Washington Nationals enjoyed some batting practice Friday evening, right through their 17-5 win over the Baltimore Orioles at Camden Yards.

In their team's biggest offensive show since the Expos moved to Washington in 2005, Danny Espinosa -- who entered the game with a terrible .194 batting average -- homered and drove in five runs. Jayson Werth smashed two longballs and four RBI, with Roger Bernadina, Wilson Ramos, and Laynce Nix also going yard during the 19-hit attack.

Season Previews: Baltimore Orioles

With Opening Day just hours away, we're finishing up with one of our favorite things in all the world: Season Previews. Four years ago, they began as a semi-serious analysis and ended up as half-assed haiku. We're just gonna go with what we know. Continuing our preview of the American League East, here are the Baltimore Orioles.

Welcome Derrek Lee
We just knew you'd find a home
For at least a year

Speaking of new guys
Welcome to Vlad Guerrero
He still has a bat

Bet the ladies will
Enjoy the dreamy blue eyes
Of J.J. Hardy

Adam Jones sure looks
Dapper in the Five Four spread
What a stud muffin

Adam Jones on the Five Four Catwalk

There's probably quite a bit you know about Adam Jones.

For instance, you were probably already aware of the fact that the Baltimore Orioles center fielder was originally drafted by the Seattle Mariners with the 37th pick of the 2003 draft as a right-handed pitcher who dabbled at short stop.

Maybe you've heard that the 25-year-old Gold Glove recipient became just the second player in Yankee Stadium history to hit a triple and a grand slam in the same game as a visitor back in July of 2008. Okay, so that stat was a little obscure.

We're sure you heard about the time border patrol wouldn't let him into Canada because they had mistaken him as Adam "Pacman" Jones, who has a history of breaking the law. True story.

But we bet you didn't know that he makes a damn sexy clothing model! Jones has teamed up Five Four in their new campaign. A snippet:

Adam Jones is the quintessential Five Four modern gentleman; he is hard working, motivated, stylish and passionate about his career. He has achieved a high level of success at a young age and is someone that Five Four proudly associates with its brand.

Hot. Read more about Jones' new endeavorer at the Five Four link below, where you can see the rest of his spread.

[Five Four]

Vladimir Guerrero Has Found a Home in Baltimore

Vladimir Guerrero finally has a team to call his own, and the Baltimore Orioles have a badass cleanup hitter. Everybody's happy.

The two sides agreed to a one-year contract this weekend, apparently worth $8 million. Of course, nothing is final since the deal hasn't been announced yet.

The free agent slugger, sitting at 436 career home runs over 15 big league seasons, hit .300 last year with 29 longballs and 115 RBI for the American League Champion Texas Rangers. If the 36-year-old passes his physical, he will most likely become Baltimore’s designated hitter.

Best of luck to the Sporting News AL Comeback Player of the Year (turning 36 on February 9) on passing his physical and continuing on his road to The 500 Club.

[Sporting News]

Baltimore Orioles Pitcher Alfredo Simon Denied Bail

Alfredo Simon was denied bail Tuesday morning and will in turn remain jailed on a month-old charge of involuntary manslaughter.

The Baltimore Orioles reliever will likely stay behind bars for an entire year while officials investigate the fatal shooting from New Year’s Eve in the city of Luperon in Puerto Plata.

The 29-year-old pitcher’s lawyer claims Simon was firing celebratory shots in the air. However, one bullet killed 25-year-old Michel Castillo and injured his 17-year-old brother, Starlling Castillo.

Simon's defense attorney Dinosa Dilone had this to say:

We think the judge acted in such a way to avoid a reaction from the media. There is already forensic evidence that Simon’s weapon did not cause the death of the victim.

Simon, who went 4-2 with a 4.93 ERA and 17 saves for the Orioles last season, could face up to two years in prison if convicted of involuntary manslaughter.

[MLB]

Derrek Lee Has a Home for Another Year

Derrek Lee, who agreed to terms with the Baltimore Orioles last week, finalized the one-year deal Thursday for $7.25 million.

Lee, who will have the opportunity to earn an additional $2.75 million in performance bonuses, hit 19 home runs with 80 RBI last season between the Chicago Cubs and Atlanta Braves.

Alfredo Simon Surrenders to Dominican Police

It's all fun and games until someone is charged with manslaughter.

Baltimore Orioles reliever Alfredo Simon surrendered to police Monday, facing an involuntary manslaughter charge in a fatal New Year’s Eve shooting in the Dominican Republic.

Free agent second baseman Julio Lugo was hanging out with Simon, and eventually convinced him to turn himself in after fleeing the scene.

According to his lawyer, Carlos Olivares, Simon was merely firing off celebratory shots into the air, which ended up killing his 25-year-old cousin, Michel Castillo Almonte, and wounding his other cousin, a 17-year-old boy.

However, Public Prosecutor Victor Mueses has a different story:

Smokin' Hot Stove: Twins and Orioles

Hot Stove time! The Minnesota Twins have traded shortsop J.J. Hardy and utility infielder Brendon Harris to the Baltimore Orioles for right-handed relievers James Hoey and Brett Jacobson.

This seems like a decent deal for all parties involved, except for female Twins fans who fell madly in lust with Hardy's sparkly baby blue eyes last season.

Nice Work, Camden Yards Security

I'm pretty impressed with the Camden Yards security from Thursday during the Orioles game against the Minnesota Twins.

This kid was allowed to run around the ballpark for so long that he eventually surrendered due to boredom after covering every inch of the field.

Thanks for the tip Shannon!

Dave Trembley Canned By O's

After nearly three seasons, Dave Trembley has finally been put of his misery. The [former] Baltimore Orioles manager was fired this morning after President of Baseball Operations Andy MacPhail realized his team was slipping into oblivion yet again.

The Orioles are headed toward their 13th consecutive losing season, sporting the worst record in all of baseball. The team is now sitting at 15-39 after an 0-6 road trip in which they were outscored 34-8 by the Toronto Blue Jays and New York Yankees.

Third base coach Juan Samuel was appointed interim manager by MacPhail, the guy who hired Trembley (187-283 with the O's) to replace Sam Perlozzo back in June of 2007.

Best of luck to you, Juan! You might need it.

[USA Today] | [Baltimore Sports Report] | [Orioles Cards]

Happy Trails, Eric Byrnes

Eric Brynes, we've always liked your surfer look and sweet shades. Absolutely no one can rock the socks with sandals look quite like you, and for that, we'd like to high five you so hard that your hand stings for a whole day.

Only you could bounce back from those bad hair days on Baseball Tonight to bring us unconventional highlights from a kayak in McCovey Cove. Along with your faithful dog Bruin, you showed off your regular Joe fandom while other guys enjoyed playing in the 2007 All-Star Game. If only they knew how much fun you were having out there...

But way back in the day, we loved your hustle: those sweet diving grabs and shoe-string catches. And yes, we kept on loving you straight through the ups and downs. While the baseball world is very much looking forward to your unusual, yet sure-to-be entertaining broadcasting contributions, your buddies are looking forward to that right-handed bat roaming left field in beer league softball even more. Maybe you'll step up your game and bring a couple of sweet demarini baseball bats to the new field.

Season Previews: Baltimore Orioles

With pitchers and catchers reporting to Spring Training camps this week, it's time for one of our favorite things in all the world: Season Previews. Three years ago, they began as a semi-serious analysis and ended up as half-assed haiku. We're just gonna go with what we know. Moving right along with our preview of the American League East, here are the Baltimore Orioles.

Suckfest in '09
Just sixty-four victories
Man, that is crappy

Guthrie is all set
Brad Bergesen is a klutz
New Spring Training park!

We love Matt Wieters
Tejada at third or short?
Jones in center field