J. J. Hardy, 2011 Topps Orioles Team Set #BAL15

Today is my father's 60th birthday, and the Orioles gave him a damned fine present: three more years of J. J. Hardy. On the eve of the ALCS opener, the Birds locked up the would-be free agent with a three-year contract extension that will pay him $40 million. It also includes a vesting option that could keep the Gold Glove shortstop in Baltimore through 2018. It's risky to have any player contracted through his age 35 season, but I know I'm glad to be able to watch James Jerry do his thing in the middle of the O's infield for the foreseeable future, and I'm sure Dad is happy too.