Chris Tillman, 2010 Topps Allen and Ginter #166

I'm not sure what I expected from Chris Tillman's season debut with the Orioles today, but I can safely say that I wasn't anticipating a shutout bid into the ninth inning. The righthander, who is still only 24 years old, dominated the Mariners with 8.1 innings of 2-hit ball and might have had the complete game if he had a competent defense behind him. As it was, he set a career high in innings pitched and struck out seven batters while walking just a pair. The Birds have never seen such an efficient performance out of Tillman. While it's just one game, and it comes against a fairly anemic Seattle offense, he looked like the vaunted prospect that the O's acquired from the Mariners in the Erik Bedard trade. Not only did he hit 97 mph on the radar gun, but he maintained that velocity after he topped 100 pitches. That's the kind of thing that Baltimore needs. Welcome back, Chris.

Miguel Tejada, 2010 Topps Allen and Ginter #8

Two ships pass in the night. Welcome to Baltimore, Buck Showalter. May you have a better time of it than your last five predecessors...six, if you count Juan Samuel, which I don't. You're a brave soul if you're willing to jump right into this hot mess with the team 40 games under .500. You're certainly a bigger man than that self-important weenie Bobby Valentine.

So long again, Miguel Tejada. I will miss your entertaining handshakes and gestures and the ability to reference "Miggi and Wiggy", but I won't miss your infuriating insistence upon swinging at the first pitch over and over again, especially now that your bat has slowed down enough to ensure a healthy dose of ground ball outs. Best of luck in the National League West pennant race. I'm sure you remember pennant races, right? You used to be in them back in Oakland, way back in the early 2000s.