Mike Bordick, 2002 Topps #153

The magic number for the Orioles is 14, thanks to the Yankees' 1-0 loss to Big Game James Shields and the Royals. Of course, the O's were also shut out last night, with Alex Cobb, Brad Boxberger, and Jake McGee flummoxing them in Tampa. They're still having a devil of a time scoring runs against the notoriously stingy Rays; it's 2-1 Tampa Bay in the top of the sixth as I type these words. Come on, guys...I want to see a clincher during the next homestand.

It would be fitting if Mike Bordick were in the broadcast booth for MASN whenever the Orioles do clinch. In 1997, he joined the team as the starting shortstop, moving Cal Ripken back to third base full-time. That year, Baltimore spent every day of the regular season atop the American League East, topping the Yankees with a 98-64 record.

David Segui, 2002 Topps #137

Here's a sight that is all too familiar these days: empty seats at Camden Yards. Of course, it's not like you can blame anyone for deciding to spend their shrinking disposable income somewhere other than Eutaw Street, particularly when the heat index in Baltimore is climbing up to 110 degrees and the O's are stumbling through a crummy 2-8 homestand. The Birds are now a league-worst 18-32 at home. On the plus side, that's better than their atrocious 13-34 road record. Another silver lining to this endless free-fall is this: for those fans who do bother to show up for a game, they've pretty much got their pick of any seats in the park. At least that's what my boss tells me when we have one of our daily conversations about the sorry state of the Orioles.

Am I sounding like a broken record yet?

Mike Hargrove, 2002 Topps #298

In his playing days, Mike Hargrove was known as "The Human Rain Delay". The former Rangers, Padres, and Indians first baseman drove pitchers to distraction by stepping in and out of the batter's box during his at-bats. Between each pitch, he would first adjust his helmet, then fiddle with his batting gloves, then hitch his jersey sleeves up ever so slightly, and finally wipe each hand on his uniform pants. Only then would he retake his place at the plate. Sure, this extended and particular routine was enough to wreak havoc with the rhythm of scores of pitchers, as his impressive .396 career on-base percentage indicates. Amazingly, this number is higher than his career slugging percentage (.391). But the grim and exact machinations of "Grover" are a telling window to his soul. It's called Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder, Mike. Look it up. You don't have to suffer alone...and neither does Nomar.

Fun fact: Mike Hargrove was the 1974 American League Rookie of the Year, sandwiched between two former Orioles outfielders - Al Bumbry (1973) and Fred Lynn (1975, then with the Red Sox).