Cal Ripken Jr., 1998 Topps #320

One week into the 2015 MLB postseason, I've found a lot to enjoy and celebrate. The Yankees and Cardinals got bounced, so somebody else will have a chance to hoist a World Series trophy; the Blue Jays are the most recent champion among the remaining playoff teams, and they did it in 1993. There have been a lot of tense, back-and-forth games and some standout individual performances. But sadly, I can't say that I've enjoyed Cal Ripken's commentary on TBS' broadcasts. He was a great and intelligent player, but he's just plain awkward in the booth. Last night, he spent an uncomfortable eternity halfheartedly defending Chase Utley's illegal takeout slide from the previous game of the Mets-Dodgers NLDS. I couldn't even tell you what his main argument was, because I was too busy cringing and waiting for Ernie Johnson or Ron Darling to change the subject. I'm not sure why TBS has kept him on the mic for each of the last four postseasons.

Scott Erickson, 1998 Topps #416

It’s a Tuesday that feels a little like a Monday. Link roundup time!

-Bill at The Platoon Advantage paid brief tribute to each of the 42 MLB veterans who retired in 2006 with at least a decade of experience and did not make it onto this year's Hall of Fame ballot. It features plenty of Oriole retreads: Manny Alexander (with a funny one-line anecdote), Mike DeJean, current Bowie coach Einar Diaz, Jason Grimsley, Rick Helling, Tim Laker, Eli Marrero, Chris Widger, Tim Worrell, and Esteban Yan. If you wake up in a cold sweat one night this week, it probably means that you read that list out loud. Sorry about that. Also on the non-ballot list is Scott Erickson, who was no Hall of Famer, but certainly more worthy of a vote than ballot members Tony Womack or Jeromy Burnitz.

-My blogging brother from another mother, Night Owl, has started not one but TWO new card set blogs. He’s taking the lid off of two of his favorite sets, 1971 Topps and 1985 Topps. One post in on each, and they’re already looking like fun reads. Particularly the ’71 set, which pays homage to Shaft. I can dig it. I’m also learning things, such as this: Brooks Robinson does not appear in the Orioles team photo that kicks off the 1971 set. What gives? (As a side note, it’s a good thing for Night Owl that he doesn’t make any money off his blogs, or else he might owe me a cut for the dozens of readers I send his way.)

-This brilliant Orioles Decision Making Flowchart, courtesy of Tumblr user “Billy”, started making the rounds last weekend. It’s hilarious and sadly too true. But if you’ve been an Orioles fan for this long and haven’t figured out how to laugh at yourself, then there truly is no hope for you. I’m nodding knowingly at this path: Are we winning? -> No -> lol idk let’s get some players -> Sign -> Reliever -> He sucks -> Play him anyway -> Blame McPhail.

-Lastly...The Baltimore Sun's Dan Connolly makes it as painfully clear as he can: Prince Fielder is not coming to Baltimore, so stop asking already.

Roberto Alomar, 1998 Topps #285

This card has a special copper foil stamp in the top left corner indicating that it has been "minted in Cooperstown". Unfortunately, Roberto Alomar cannot yet say the same. I would express my annoyance and irritation with the schmucks of the Baseball Writer's Association of America who turned in blank ballots (there were five - Bert Blyleven missed election by FIVE VOTES) or gleefully explained their circular voting logic or voted for David Freaking Segui (one person actually did this)...but Adam Jones tweeted his dismay first, and I can't compete with that.

Instead, I'll actually try to play Polyanna on this one. If you look at the voting results, every single incumbent candidate received more votes this year than they did last year. That's not a great consolation when Tim Raines is getting 30 percent of the vote, but the voters are becoming more inclusive and there are more progressive and sane writers who are receiving the vote.

It's just that there's a lot of work left to do.

I'm not sweating Robbie much. While it's insane that the best second baseman of his era can't get in on the first try, he's close enough that he'll likely get there next year. Besides, Warren Spahn (363 wins!) was a second-ballot guy, so this crap has been going on for decades. I just hope that Bert can beat the clock.

Geronimo Berroa, 1998 Topps #363

A moment in my life as an Orioles fan:

Summer, 1997. I'm at Oriole Park at Camden Yards with my Dad, sitting out in the bleachers. We have an up-close view of the misadventures of Geronimo Berroa, one of a laundry list of right field butchers in the recent history of the Birds. Others who come to mind are Jay Gibbons, Bobby Bonilla, even (briefly) Pete Incaviglia and Chris Sabo. Chris Sabo! During the game, a deep drive is hit into the right field corner. We stand to get a better look. Berroa races - as much as he was ever able to race - after the ball, disappearing; our view is obstructed by the out-of-town scoreboard that creates a sort of mini-Monster from the right field fence. Those of us in the bleachers share a tense moment of uncertainty before the roar of the rest of the crowd confirms the improbable. He caught it! We exhale. Dad goes into an impromptu comedy routine, clutching his chest like Redd Foxx and swaying on his feet. "Oh my God! I don't believe it! He caught the ball! It's a miracle!"

For some reason, that is my only memory of Geronimo Berroa in an Orioles uniform. It's also proof that cynicism is hereditary.