Why I Love Valentines Day

Today is a wonderful day. I just took a stroll around the neighborhood, did some shopping, got a panini and just am enjoying this fabulous day. The birds are singing and people are walking around hand-in-hand celebrating this wonderful day. I'm surprised to see everyone around me as lovestruck as I am today. I certainly am dressed for the occasion. I'm shouting in joy from my patio because of this day, because I want the world to know how I feel.

First, shameless plug for my best buddy Adam Seery, Happy Birthday!

No silly, I'm not talking about that stupid valentines day crap. I'm sporting my O's shirt, hon. TODAY is the start of something great! TODAY we celebrate pitchers and catchers reporting to training camp baby!!

Anyone who thinks today should be the celebration of anything else needs to get their priorities straight. Let's be honest, we all knew it was only a matter of time until I brought up Baltimore sports in this blog. Today is the perfect mix. It's beautiful out, I have nothing at all to do except watch my laundry air dry and that global feeling of love is hitting me hard for my O's. The only thing that is missing from this Monday afternoon is chowing down on some Chick-Fil-A, right J-lynn? You, Dom and Irene know what I mean, but let's not get me started on Chick-Fil-A..

Okay, I know, you're skeptical. Is Michael really excited about a team that hasn't had a winning season since 1997? A team that has had more steroid users in the last decade than all-star players or playoff wins? A team that hasn't won it all since Cal was a rookie? I'm telling you YES YES YES. And this is why:

Let's first start with offense. We can all agree that was one of the five areas from last year that need improvement (the other 4 areas being managing continuity, starting pitching, relief pitching and closing pitching) ha. Okay the infield is completely different from last year. B-Rob missed over 2/3 the season last year and is now back, healthy and more excited than he's ever been about an Oriole team. At first base we've got all-star Derek Lee, we've finally got someone with some pop at SS with J.J. Hardy and then at third base the slugger Mark Reynolds. The improvement doesn't stop in the infield though. Matt Wieters has another year of pro ball under his belt and is making the necessary adjustments to become an elite catcher. The outfield is OMG incredible. Nicky M, Jonesey and Luke Scott! With my boy Reimold and then Felix Pie as the backups this is the most complete area of our team right now in terms of hitting and fielding. All 3 of those starters were allstars last year in my book. Oh and by the way, one of the most dangerous hitters of the decade is our DH, that's right Vlady, come back and show the world you ain't done yet.

Okay, pitching. We could have won so many more games last year had we pitched like we did down the stretch. JUST to remind you all, we had a 34-23 record under Buck ever since he took over on that glorious day of August 2nd, 2010, I remember it too well. Okay so pitching, Guthrie is a go to have another great season after we inked him down for another year. Duchscherer is a good pick up, his incentive laden deal will make him want to work hard and it wasn't a high risk money move for us. Rounding out the rest of the starting rotation will most likely be Matusz, Bergesen and Arrieta or Tillman. (There might be some benefits to doing a 6 man rotation) Considering how great these young guys pitched down the stretch last year, there is no reason to not expect them to improve even more as time goes on.

We picked up some great relief pitching in Kevin Gregg and resigned a big talent in Koji. With Jim Johnson, Gregg and Mike Gonzalez bridging the gap over to Koji (who I predict to be the closer after his amazing finish last year), it will be tough for any team to get back in the game as long as our starters hold on for at least 6 innings and don't force Buck to overuse the bullpen like Trembley was forced to do last year.

Managing. Mr Showalter, I really hope that you realize how much Baltimore loves you. Sure, Trembley was nice, Perlazzo was kind of likeable, Ray Miller, well I never liked him and I never knew what Juan Samuel was saying so I guess I liked him by default, but you sir, are incredible. You give legitmacy to this team with your track record of turning around teams and bringing them to the playoffs. YOU are the reason for the Yankee dynasty of the late 90's, Joe Torre was just reaping the benefits of what you did. I have been oozing with excitement ever since you took over. You can ask my friend Ken Hartman back home to verify this, from Day 1 he knows I have been park of Bucks Pack (yes wearing buck antlers to games will catch on eventually because of us). Just keep doing your thing, don't listen to anyone else.

In summary, reasons to be excited for next year include the addition of the big 4 acquisitions and their 90 collective home runs from last year, and B-rob being healthy, along with Markakis, Scott and Jones having some protection, the offense will explode this year. The young pitchers and catcher are a whole year older and have more savvy under their belt. Veterans like Guthrie, Lukeee and B-rob and hungry to finally get what they deserve and tear it up in the AL East, watch out division, we're gonna show that you don't need tons of money to get a championship, you should need some heart, will power and a chip on your shoulder.

-Spicy Baltimore Dall'Italia

Listen to my guest appearances on College Park's only source for sports, WMUC Radio every Thursday from 6pm-7pm on the Big A and LaGow Show!!

Enjoy your Valentines Day. #Birdland