The Baltimore Orioles

Baltimore Orioles

The Baltimore Orioles are a professional baseball team based in Baltimore, Maryland in the United States. They are a member of the Eastern Division of Major League Baseball's American League. One of the American League's eight charter franchises in 1901, it spent its first year as a major league...

 entered the 2008 season

2008 Major League Baseball season

The 2008 Major League Baseball season began on March 25, 2008 in Tokyo, Japan with the 2007 World Series champion Boston Red Sox defeating the Oakland Athletics at the Tokyo Dome 6–5 in the first game of a two-game series, and ended on September 30 with the host Chicago White Sox defeating the...

 led by Dave Trembley

Dave Trembley

David Michael Trembley is a former manager of the Baltimore Orioles. Before managing the Orioles Trembley was a minor league manager for twenty seasons compiling a 1369–1413 record. He won two league titles and earned Manager of the Year awards in three leagues...

, now starting his first full season as manager. President of Baseball Operations Andy MacPhail

Andy MacPhail

Andy MacPhail is the former president of baseball operations for the Baltimore Orioles. He was the president/CEO of the National League Chicago Cubs from September 9, 1994 until October 1, 2006...

 continued the rebuilding process. Superstars Miguel Tejada

Miguel Tejada

Miguel Odalis Tejada was a Major League Baseball infielder who has played for the San Francisco Giants, the San Diego Padres, the Houston Astros, the Baltimore Orioles and the Oakland Athletics...

 and Erik Bedard

Erik Bedard

Érik Joseph Bédard is a free agent Canadian professional baseball pitcher in Major League Baseball.Bédard previously pitched for the Baltimore Orioles and Seattle Mariners. With Baltimore, he was the staff ace, setting the franchise single-season strikeouts per nine innings record at 10.93 in...

 were traded for younger talent and there were talks of Brian Roberts

Brian Roberts

Brian Michael Roberts is an American Major League Baseball All Star second baseman, nicknamed B-Rob.He made his Major League debut in and has spent his entire professional career with the Baltimore Orioles organization, located in Baltimore, Maryland.-Early life, education and college-baseball...

, but he was not traded.

The Baltimore Orioles

Baltimore Orioles

The Baltimore Orioles are a professional baseball team based in Baltimore, Maryland in the United States. They are a member of the Eastern Division of Major League Baseball's American League. One of the American League's eight charter franchises in 1901, it spent its first year as a major league...

 posted a record of 68–93 and finished in last place in the AL East for the first time since the 1988 season

1988 Baltimore Orioles season

The Baltimore Orioles season was a season in American baseball. It involved the Orioles finishing 7th in the American League East with a record of 54 wins and 107 losses. The season is remembered for the 0-21 start that lasted from April 4 to April 28 to start the Orioles season. Manager Cal...

.

Closer

Closer (baseball)

In baseball, a closing pitcher, more frequently referred to as a closer , is a relief pitcher who specializes in closing out games, i.e., getting the final outs in a close game. Closers often appear when the score is close, and the role is often assigned to a team's best reliever. A small number of...

 Chris Ray

Chris Ray

Christopher Thomas Ray is an American professional baseball pitcher who is a free agent.-Early life and career:...

 missed the entire season after Tommy John surgery

Tommy John surgery

Tommy John surgery, known in medical practice as ulnar collateral ligament reconstruction, is a surgical procedure in which a ligament in the medial elbow is replaced with a tendon from elsewhere in the body...

, and so did his replacement Danys Báez

Danys Báez

Danys Báez González is a Cuban professional baseball pitcher who is a free agent. Báez has previously played for the Cleveland Indians , Tampa Bay Devil Rays , Los Angeles Dodgers , Atlanta Braves , Baltimore Orioles , and Philadelphia Phillies .-Cleveland Indians:Báez was signed by the Cleveland...

. Left-hander George Sherrill

George Sherrill

George Friederich Sherrill , also known as "The Brim Reaper", "Flat Breezy", and "Duckbill" , is a Major League Baseball relief pitcher, who is a free agent-College and independent baseball:Sherrill was not drafted after graduating from Austin Peay State...

, acquired from the Mariners

Seattle Mariners

The Seattle Mariners are a professional baseball team based in Seattle, Washington. Enfranchised in , the Mariners are a member of the Western Division of Major League Baseball's American League. Safeco Field has been the Mariners' home ballpark since July...

, was named the team's closer for the 2008 season and became the lone representative for the 2008 Major League Baseball All-Star Game

2008 Major League Baseball All-Star Game

The 2008 Major League Baseball All-Star Game was the 79th midseason exhibition between the all-stars of the American League and the National League , the two leagues comprising Major League Baseball. The game was played at Yankee Stadium in The Bronx, New York, home of the New York Yankees, on...

, while Jeremy Guthrie

Jeremy Guthrie

Jeremy Shane Guthrie is a Major League Baseball right-handed starting pitcher for the Baltimore Orioles.-Early life and education:...

 was the Opening Day

Opening Day

Opening Day is the day on which professional baseball leagues begin their regular season. For Major League Baseball and most of the minor leagues, this day falls during the first week of April. For baseball fans, Opening Day serves as a symbol of rebirth; writer Thomas Boswell once penned a book...

 starter

Starting pitcher

In baseball or softball, a starting pitcher is the pitcher who delivers the first pitch to the first batter of a game. A pitcher who enters the game after the first pitch of the game is a relief pitcher....

 after an impressive rookie season and several solid spring training

Spring training

In Major League Baseball, spring training is a series of practices and exhibition games preceding the start of the regular season. Spring training allows new players to try out for roster and position spots, and gives existing team players practice time prior to competitive play...

 outings.

Transactions

• On December 12, 2007 the Orioles traded shortstop Miguel Tejada
  Miguel Tejada
  Miguel Odalis Tejada was a Major League Baseball infielder who has played for the San Francisco Giants, the San Diego Padres, the Houston Astros, the Baltimore Orioles and the Oakland Athletics...
  
   to the Houston Astros
  Houston Astros
  The Houston Astros are a Major League Baseball team located in Houston, Texas. They are a member of the National League Central division. The Astros are expected to join the American League West division in 2013. Since , they have played their home games at Minute Maid Park, known as Enron Field...
  
   for outfielder Luke Scott, pitchers Matt Albers
  Matt Albers
  Matthew James Albers is an American professional baseball pitcher with the Boston Red Sox of Major League Baseball.-High school:In 2001, Albers graduated William P. Clements High School in Sugar Land, Texas...
  
  , Troy Patton
  Troy Patton
  Troy Jamieson Patton is a Major League Baseball pitcher for the Baltimore Orioles. Patton attended Tomball High School in Tomball, Texas.-Baseball career:...
  
  , Dennis Sarfate
  Dennis Sarfate
  Dennis Scott Sarfate is a Major League Baseball right-handed relief pitcher for the Baltimore Orioles organization.-High school career:...
  
   and third baseman Mike Costanzo.
• On February 8, 2008 the Orioles traded left-handed pitcher Erik Bedard
  Erik Bedard
  Érik Joseph Bédard is a free agent Canadian professional baseball pitcher in Major League Baseball.Bédard previously pitched for the Baltimore Orioles and Seattle Mariners. With Baltimore, he was the staff ace, setting the franchise single-season strikeouts per nine innings record at 10.93 in...
  
   to the Seattle Mariners
  Seattle Mariners
  The Seattle Mariners are a professional baseball team based in Seattle, Washington. Enfranchised in , the Mariners are a member of the Western Division of Major League Baseball's American League. Safeco Field has been the Mariners' home ballpark since July...
  
   for outfielder Adam Jones
  Adam Jones (baseball)
  Adam La Marque Jones is a Major League Baseball center fielder for the Baltimore Orioles. Jones was born and raised in San Diego, California where he starred at Samuel F. B. Morse High School. He was drafted in the first round of the 2003 draft by the Seattle Mariners...
  
  , pitchers George Sherrill
  George Sherrill
  George Friederich Sherrill , also known as "The Brim Reaper", "Flat Breezy", and "Duckbill" , is a Major League Baseball relief pitcher, who is a free agent-College and independent baseball:Sherrill was not drafted after graduating from Austin Peay State...
  
  , Chris Tillman, Tony Butler and Kam Mickolio
  Kam Mickolio
  Kameron Kraig 'Kam' Mickolio is an American professional baseball pitcher for the Hiroshima Toyo Carp of Nippon Professional Baseball.-Amateur career:...
  
  .

New coaches

• Rick Kranitz
  Rick Kranitz
  Richard Alan Kranitz is the pitching coach for the Milwaukee Brewers. Previously, he served as the pitching coach for the Baltimore Orioles and Florida Marlins.-Playing career:...
  
   - Orioles pitching coach
• John Shelby
  John Shelby
  John T. Shelby is a former center fielder in Major League Baseball who played from 1981–1991. His nickname was "T-Bone" for his slight frame...
  
   - Orioles 1st base coach

Roster

2008 Baltimore Orioles
Roster
Pitchers		Catchers Infielders		Outfielders		Manager Coaches (hitting) (bullpen) (bench) (pitching) (third base) (first base)

Game log

2008 Game Log

Starters by position

Note: Pos = Position; G = Games played; AB = At Bats; H = Hits; Avg. = Batting Average; HR = Home Runs; RBI = Runs Batted In

Pos	Player	G	AB	H	Avg.	HR	RBI
C	Ramon Hernandez Ramón Hernández Ramón José Hernández Marin is a Venezuelan professional baseball catcher who plays for the Colorado Rockies. Previously, he played with the Oakland Athletics , San Diego Padres , Baltimore Orioles , and Cincinnati Reds .-Career:Hernández is a career .263 hitter with 144 home runs, 651 RBI, and 455...	133	463	119	.257	15	65
1B	Kevin Millar Kevin Millar Kevin Charles Millar is an American former professional baseball first baseman and current analyst for MLB Network and New England Sports Network. Millar played college baseball at Lamar University in Beaumont, Texas, where he continues to reside in the off-season. Millar is the nephew of former...	145	531	124	.234	20	72
2B	Brian Roberts Brian Roberts Brian Michael Roberts is an American Major League Baseball All Star second baseman, nicknamed B-Rob.He made his Major League debut in and has spent his entire professional career with the Baltimore Orioles organization, located in Baltimore, Maryland.-Early life, education and college-baseball...	155	611	181	.296	9	57
3B	Melvin Mora Melvin Mora Melvin Mora , affectionately nicknamed Melmo or Melvy, is a Venezuelan professional baseball infielder who is a free agent...	135	513	146	.285	.23	104
SS	Juan Castro Juan Castro Juan Gabriel Castro is a former Mexican professional baseball infielder. He played for the Los Angeles Dodgers, Cincinnati Reds, Minnesota Twins, Baltimore Orioles, and Philadelphia Phillies, during his career...	54	151	31	.205	2	16
RF	Nick Markakis Nick Markakis Nicholas William Markakis is a Major League Baseball right fielder for the Baltimore Orioles. Of Greek and German descent , Markakis is known for his arm strength, stellar right field defense and smooth hitting....	157	595	182	.306	20	87
CF	Adam Jones Adam Jones (baseball) Adam La Marque Jones is a Major League Baseball center fielder for the Baltimore Orioles. Jones was born and raised in San Diego, California where he starred at Samuel F. B. Morse High School. He was drafted in the first round of the 2003 draft by the Seattle Mariners...	132	477	129	.270	9	57
LF	Luke Scott	148	475	122	.257	23	65
DH	Aubrey Huff Aubrey Huff Aubrey Lewis Huff III is a Major League Baseball first baseman with the San Francisco Giants. He debuted in 2000 with the Tampa Bay Devil Rays, and later played for the Houston Astros, Baltimore Orioles, and Detroit Tigers. He is the starting first baseman for the San Francisco Giants who won the...	154	598	182	.304	32	108

Other batters

Player	G	AB	H	Avg.	HR	RBI
Jay Payton Jay Payton Jason Lee "Jay" Payton is a former Major League Baseball outfielder. He has played for the New York Mets , Colorado Rockies , San Diego Padres , Boston Red Sox , Oakland Athletics Baltimore Orioles and the Colorado Rockies in 2010. He bats and throws right-handed. Payton is an opposite-field...	127	338	82	.243	7	41
Alex Cintron Alex Cintrón Alexander Cintrón is a former Major League Baseball infielder who played for the Arizona Diamondbacks, Chicago White Sox, Baltimore Orioles and Washington Nationals. His last Major League game was in April 2009...	61	133	38	.286	1	10
Brandon Fahey Brandon Fahey Brandon Michael Fahey is a Major League Baseball utility player and is a free agent. He played high school baseball for Marshfield High School in Marshfield, Wisconsin...	58	106	24	.226	0	12
Guillermo Quiroz Guillermo Quiroz Guillermo Antonio Quiroz [gee-YARE-mo kee-ROZE] is a Major League Baseball catcher who is currently in the San Diego Padres organization.-Biography:...	56	134	25	.187	2	14
Freddie Bynum Freddie Bynum Freddie Lee Bynum Jr. is a shortstop playing in the St. Louis Cardinals organization. He is known for his blazing speed and excellent defensive abilities which include the ability to field several different positions in the infield and outfield...	40	112	20	.179	0	8
Lou Montañez Lou Montañez Luis Anibal Montañez is a Puerto Rican professional baseball outfielder who is a free agent.-Minor leagues:...	38	112	33	.295	3	14
Luis Hernandez Luis Hernández (baseball) Luís Andres Hernández Mendoza is a Venezuelan professional baseball shortstop who is a free agent.-Atlanta Braves:Hernández was signed as a non-drafted free agent by the Atlanta Braves on September 16, 2000...	36	79	19	.241	0	3
Oscar Salazar Oscar Salazar (baseball) Oscar Enrique Salazar is a Major League Baseball infielder.-Biography:Signed by Oakland as an amateur free agent in 1994, Salazar was selected off waivers by the Detroit Tigers in 2002, making his debut in that season.In one season as a backup with the Tigers, Salazar batted .190 with one home run...	34	81	23	.284	5	15
Omir Santos Omir Santos Omir Santos Rios is a Major League Baseball catcher. Santos has played for the Baltimore Orioles, New York Mets and Detroit Tigers.-Career:...	11	10	1	.100	0	0
Eider Torres Eider Torres Eider Lenina Torres Sandoval is a Major League Baseball second baseman for the Colorado Rockies organization....	8	9	2	.222	0	0
Scott Moore	4	8	1	.125	1	1

Starting pitchers

Player	G	IP	W	L	ERA	SO
Daniel Cabrera Daniel Cabrera Daniel Alberto Cabrera Cruz is a Major League Baseballright-handed starting pitcher who is currently a free agent. He is one of the taller pitchers in the league, standing at 6' 9" and 270 lb....	30	180	8	10	5.25	95
Jeremy Guthrie Jeremy Guthrie Jeremy Shane Guthrie is a Major League Baseball right-handed starting pitcher for the Baltimore Orioles.-Early life and education:...	30	190.2	10	12	3.63	120
Garrett Olson Garrett Olson Garrett Andrew Olson is a Major League Baseball pitcher currently in the Pittsburgh Pirates organization.-High school:Olson attended Buchanan High School in Clovis, California...	26	132.2	9	10	6.65	83
Radhames Liz Radhames Liz Radhames Corey Liz is a starting pitcher for the LG Twins of Korean Baseball Organization.-Biography:...	17	84.1	6	6	6.72	57

Other pitchers

Player	G	IP	W	L	ERA	SO
Brian Burres Brian Burres Brian Burres is a Major League Baseball left-handed pitcher for the Pittsburgh Pirates. Burres' best pitch is his changeup, which is highly regarded...	31	129.2	7	10	6.04	63
Chris Waters	11	64.2	3	5	5.01	33
Steve Trachsel Steve Trachsel Stephen Christopher Trachsel , nicknamed "The Human Rain Delay", is a former Major League Baseball pitcher. He is known for the long amount of time he takes to deliver the ball to home plate in between pitches. Games in which he pitches are known to be considerably longer than most games, leading...	10	39.2	2	5	8.39	16
Adam Loewen Adam Loewen Adam Alexander Loewen is a Canadian professional baseball outfielder and infielder for the New York Mets of Major League Baseball. He bats and throws left-handed...	7	21.1	0	2	8.02	14
Brian Bass Brian Bass Brian Michael Bass is a Major League Baseball relief pitcher, who is with the Philadelphia Phillies organization.-Kansas City Royals :Bass, a graduate of Robert E...	5	21	1	0	4.71	13

Relief pitchers

Note: G = Games pitched; IP = Inning pitched; SV = Saves; W = Wins; L = Losses; ERA = Earned run average; SO = Strikeouts

Player	G	W	L	SV	ERA	SO
Jamie Walker Jamie Walker James Ross "Jamie the Cat" Walker is an American Major League Baseball relief pitcher who is currently a free agent. He previously pitched for the Kansas City Royals, Detroit Tigers, and Baltimore Orioles....	59	1	3	0	6.87	24
Dennis Sarfate Dennis Sarfate Dennis Scott Sarfate is a Major League Baseball right-handed relief pitcher for the Baltimore Orioles organization.-High school career:...	57	4	3	0	4.74	86
George Sherrill George Sherrill George Friederich Sherrill , also known as "The Brim Reaper", "Flat Breezy", and "Duckbill" , is a Major League Baseball relief pitcher, who is a free agent-College and independent baseball:Sherrill was not drafted after graduating from Austin Peay State...	57	3	5	31	4.73	58
Jim Johnson	54	2	4	1	2.23	38
Lance Cormier Lance Cormier Lance Robert Cormier is an American professional baseball pitcher for the Tampa Bay Rays of Major League Baseball. He has previously played for the Atlanta Braves, Arizona Diamondbacks, Baltimore Orioles, and Los Angeles Dodgers.-Early years:Cormier went to Lafayette High School, and graduated in...	45	3	3	1	4.02	46
Randor Bierd Randor Bierd Randor Bierd is a Major League Baseball relief pitcher who is currently a free agent.Bierd was originally signed by the Detroit Tigers as an undrafted free agent on June 3, ....	29	0	2	0	4.91	25
Matt Albers Matt Albers Matthew James Albers is an American professional baseball pitcher with the Boston Red Sox of Major League Baseball.-High school:In 2001, Albers graduated William P. Clements High School in Sugar Land, Texas...	28	3	3	0	3.49	26
Alberto Castillo Alberto Castillo (pitcher) Alberto Castillo Betancourt is a Cuban professional baseball pitcher who is a free agent.- Amateur career :Castillo played for Cuba in the 1993 World Junior Championships in Windsor, Ontario, at which time he defected....	28	1	0	0	3.81	23
Fernando Cabrera	22	2	1	0	5.40	31
Rocky Cherry Rocky Cherry Rocky Ty Cherry is a pitcher in Major League Baseball who is currently a free agent.-Biography:Cherry pitched for the University of Oklahoma from 2000–2002. He was used mostly in relief his first season, but was a full-time starter by the time he finished at school...	18	0	3	1	6.35	15
Greg Aquino Greg Aquino Gregori Emilio Aquino Valera is a Major League Baseball pitcher who is currently in the Chicago White Sox organization.Aquino was originally signed as a 16-year-old infielder in , by the Arizona Diamondbacks....	9	0	0	0	12.54	9
Kam Mickolio Kam Mickolio Kameron Kraig 'Kam' Mickolio is an American professional baseball pitcher for the Hiroshima Toyo Carp of Nippon Professional Baseball.-Amateur career:...	9	0	1	0	5.87	8
Bob McCrory Bob McCrory Robert Glenn McCrory is a Nippon Professional Baseball relief pitcher for the Chiba Lotte Marines.McCrory was drafted by the Houston Astros in the 11th round in the 2000 Major League Baseball Draft. However, he did not sign with the Astros, choosing instead to play college ball at the University...	8	0	0	0	15.63	5
Jim Miller Jim Miller (pitcher) James Matthew "Jim" Miller is an American professional baseball pitcher for the Oakland Athletics of Major League Baseball.-Career:...	8	0	2	0	1.17	8
Ryan Bukvich Ryan Bukvich Ryan Adrien Bukvich is a relief pitcher in Minor League Baseball who is currently with the Newark Bears. Bukvich attended the University of Mississippi....	4	0	0	0	6.75	5
Alfredo Simon Alfredo Simón Alfredo Simón Cabrera is a Dominican professional baseball pitcher with the Baltimore Orioles of Major League Baseball. From 2001 through part of 2004 he pitched under the name Carlos Cabrera.-Minor leagues:...	4	0	0	0	6.23	8