I'm sure you all have heard and read this, but Baltimore Orioles manager Buck Showalter and Vice President of Baseball Operations Dan Duquette have had their contracts extended until 2018.

Finally, after nearly a decade-plus, the Orioles finally have some stability within the organization. Obviously, most fans have heard in the past week or two that the organization was working on a long-term deal for Showalter; however, I did not hear much about Duquette.

Both men worked magic last year to get the Birds in postseason for the first time in 15 years. They came to the Orioles hungry for a second opportunity and wanted to do their part to create a winner.

They have done so.

Part one of the mission is accomplished: the team is no longer a perennial loser.

Part two of the mission: winning a World Series for the first time in 30 years.

Baltimore majority owner Peter Angelos has been given a lot of grief (much deserved, in my opinion) throughout his ownership throughout the years. However, this evening, he and everyone with the organization have given a lot of fans hope and a cause for celebration.

I'm still critical about what the team has done to improve in their offseason, but it's a good night for Orioles fans.

Birdland will be sure celebrating this Saturday at FanFest.

***

The Full Press Release from the Baltimore Orioles:

Orioles announce contract extensions through 2018 for Dan Duquette and Buck Showalter

The Orioles today announced contract extensions through the 2018 season for Executive Vice President of Baseball Operations DAN DUQUETTE and Manager BUCK SHOWALTER.

A veteran of over two decades in baseball operations at the Major League level, including 11 of those seasons in a general manager role with the Montreal Expos, Boston Red Sox and Orioles, Duquette, 54, has utilized strong scouting and player development to construct contending franchises. In 2012 the Orioles made a 24-game improvement from the previous year to finish 93-69 and win the American League Wild Card. Players acquired by Duquette, including JASON HAMMEL, WEI-YIN CHEN and NATE McLOUTH, played key roles in the club's successful season.

Duquette's eight seasons as Executive Vice President and General Manager of the Red Sox from 1994 through 2001 included three playoff teams (1995, 1998 and 1999), and his acquisitions helped lay the groundwork for the club's World Series championship in 2004. The club made the playoffs in back-to-back years in 1998 and 1999, the first time in 80 seasons the franchise had accomplished the feat.

Prior to joining the Red Sox, Duquette spent six seasons with the Montreal Expos, including a two-year stint as Vice President and General Manager from 1992-1993. Duquette was instrumental in assembling Expos teams that compiled a 255-183 record, best in baseball, from 1992-94 despite one of the lowest payrolls in the game.

Showalter, 56, became the 17^th full-time manager of the Orioles on August 2, 2010 and has led the club to a 196-185 record in 381 regular season games. He piloted the Orioles to a trip to the American League Division Series in 2012, the franchise's most wins and first playoff appearance since 1997.

On May 1, 2012, Showalter became the 58^th manager in major league history to win 1,000 games when the Orioles defeated the Yankees. He enters the 2013 season ranked 49^th all-time with 1,078 wins and is sixth among active managers.

In each of his managerial posts, Showalter has overseen a double-digit win improvement in his second full season with a club. He led a 24-win improvement in 2012 with the Orioles, an 18-game improvement in 2004 with Texas, a 35-game improvement in 1999 with Arizona and a 12-game improvement in 1993 with the Yankees.

A two-time Manager of the Year award winner (2004 with Texas and 1994 with the Yankees), Showalter was honored with The Sporting News version of the award in 2012, and finished 2^nd to Oakland's Bob Melvin for the official BBWAA award.

Orioles announce 2013 Early Bird Promotions Schedule feat. giveaways and savings

The Orioles today announced their 2013 Early Bird Promotions Schedule, a variety of giveaways and promotions designed to appeal to fans of all ages during the upcoming season. Highlights of this year's promotions include an Adam Jones Replica Away Jersey, a 1983 World Champs Floppy Hat and the return of the AT&T Fans' Choice Bobblehead. Also new to the schedule this year are a Men's Travel Kit, a Beach Towel, and Ear Buds.

Returning giveaways and promotions include a 2013 Schedule & Car Magnet, two Little League Days, a Field Trip Day, three T-Shirt giveaways, four post-game Fireworks displays, and two post-game Kids Run the Bases promotions.

The club's annual Fan Appreciation Weekend has been extended to a full week and is scheduled for the final homestand of the season, September 24-29 against the Toronto Blue Jays and Boston Red Sox.

Every Tuesday is Ollie's Bargain Night, presented by Ollie's Bargain Outlet, featuring $9 Upper Reserve tickets when purchased in advance. Every Friday is Student Night presented by AT&T, featuring $6 LF Upper Reserve tickets with valid Student ID.

A current list of 2013 promotions and ticket discount offers follows. To purchase tickets, or for more information, call 1-888-848-BIRD or visit www.orioles.com. Additional promotions will be added as the season progresses.

If you were following the news around baseball Friday morning, outfielder Justin Upton of the Arizona Diamondbacks turned down a trade to the Seattle Mariners.

According to Ken Rosenthal of Fox Sports, the two teams had a deal done; however, everything was contingent on Upton's approval.

The Mariners were ready to send the Diamondbacks pitchers Charlie Furbush and Stephen Pryor, infielder Nick Franklin and outfielder Taijuan Walker. All the names mentioned are prospects, and Walker is projected to have the highest ceiling of the group according to baseball experts.

The Mariners have been looking for a bat this offseason and Upton could have made a difference out there with their offense; however, it looks like Seattle along with the Toronto Blue Jays, New York Yankees, Boston Red Sox and the Chicago Cubs are part of his no-trade list according to ESPN.

I could imagine Upton turned down the trade to Seattle because of their relatively large ballpark, which in turn would potentially affect his offensive numbers.

Upton has long been rumored to be a candidate to be traded from Arizona due to his relatively affordable team-friendly contract (under control for another three seasons and will make $9.75 million in '13), the franchise's finances and a perception that he is not happy with the team.

Arizona general manager Kevin Towers has made it known that Upton is available - at a price.

>>> Read More

ESPN this afternoon released their first-half schedule for their 'Sunday Night Baseball' broadcast, and the Baltimore Orioles will be featured on April 14th against the New York Yankees.

The two teams last played on the Sunday broadcast at the end of 2008, as the network decided to cover the last game at old Yankee Stadium.

This has been a long time coming for us fans. Yes, it's only a Sunday night game on cable; however, ESPN has long overlooked the Birds for their marquee game of the week.

Maybe last season's winning and a playoff berth had something to do with the decision by the network.

Over the weekend, the Baltimore Sun and MASN Sports reported that Oriole centerfielder Adam Jones will play in the 2013 World Baseball Classic.

From the Baltimore Sun: Orioles center fielder Adam Jones has accepted an invitation to play for the United States in the upcoming World Baseball Classic in March.

Team USA manager Joe Torre called Jones before Christmas and extended the offer. And what was the Orioles’ favorite class clown’s response?

“’I’m an American,’ in my best Toby Keith voice,” Jones joked in reference to the country music star.

Jones is expected to be the only Oriole on Team USA, but club executive vice president Dan Duquette said starter Miguel Gonzalez (Mexico) and reliever Pedro Strop (Dominican Republic) are candidates to pitch for their countries.

Oriole fans all feel like that we know Jones – somewhat – through his persona that he projects in public. It would be an understatement to say that he is pumped and energized to play for team USA when the World Baseball Classic kicks-off in March.

Meanwhile, closer Jim Johnson declined to take part in the WBC.

That being said, I will probably head down to Florida and watch the WBC in Miami and sync that with the Orioles spring training.

As fans, do you all feel that Jones should suit up for the WBC, or focus exclusively with the Orioles?

I don’t have a problem with it at all; however, if I were in the front office of the Orioles, I’d a little concerned and would want him Jones the squad in preparation for the season.

As well, I would be concerned on the injury front, or Jones not getting his timing at the plate down – especially if he is working on it outside of the club.

Then again, Jones has been with the Orioles has enough tenure with the team that no one should think his inclusion in the World Baseball Classic is a big deal.

Buck Showalter doesn’t seem to have a big deal with it.

On Friday afternoon, the Orioles and Nolan Reimold agreed to terms on a one-year deal worth $1 million. The two sides avoided arbitration.

From the Baltimore Orioles:

Orioles agree to terms with OF Nolan Reimold

The Orioles today announced that they have agreed to terms with OF NOLAN REIMOLD on a one-year contract, thus avoiding arbitration.

Reimold, 29, was limited to 16 games in 2012 due to a herniated disk in his neck and was on the disabled list from May 1 through the end of the season. In his 16 games, he batted .313 (21-67) with five home runs and 10 RBI.

The Orioles now have eight arbitration eligible players remaining: CA MATT WIETERS, INF CHRIS DAVIS, LHPs BRIAN MATUSZ and TROY PATTON and RHPs TOMMY HUNTER, JASON HAMMEL, JIM JOHNSON and DARREN O'DAY.

I believe this may be Reimold’s last chance to make it as an everyday player – much less a bench guy – with the Baltimore Orioles. One would think that he would probably be battling out with Nate McLouth for the left-field spot.

Over the past several seasons, he has shown potential at the plate and has impressed with his overall play; however, for one reason or another, something gets in the way.

Reimold has either been injured, or unable to keep his spot on the roster during his tenure with the Orioles. He got off to an impressive start in 2012 until a back issue sidelined him for the rest of the season.

Time and time again, Reimold has shown that he can be an everyday player and be a productive part of the Oriole roster.

Again, the issue with him heading into Spring Training will be this: can he stay healthy?

Orioles Caravan to visit four Maryland affiliate locations

            The Orioles and OriolesREACH today announced plans for a three-day, four-city caravan around Maryland that will include appearances by Executive Vice President of Baseball Operations DAN DUQUETTE, Manager BUCK SHOWALTER and several Orioles players.

            On Wednesday, January 16, Orioles pitchers BRIAN MATUSZ and KEVIN GAUSMAN and the Oriole Bird will appear at the William Talley Recreation Center at 121 North Bentz Street in Frederick, home of the Class-A Frederick Keys, to meet with children from the Police Athletic League and the Frederick Boys and Girls Club, signing autographs and playing games with the children from 4:00-5:30 p.m. The event is open to the public and there is no charge to attend.

            On Thursday, January 17, Orioles pitchers and former Bowie Baysox stars ZACH BRITTON and CHRIS TILLMAN and the Oriole Bird will appear at the Westfield Annapolis Mall at 2002 Jennifer Road from 6:00-8:00 p.m. to sign autographs, pose for photos with children and take part in question and answer sessions with fans in the JC Penney Concourse. A raffle to benefit the Bowie Health Center will take place as part of the event that is free and open to the public.

            Also on January 17, Showalter will serve as the keynote speaker at the Aberdeen Ironbirds' Hot Stove Dinner at Ripken Stadium in Aberdeen from 6:00-9:00 p.m. Orioles pitcher JIM JOHNSON will join Showalter at the event. Tickets for the dinner are $40 and are available through the Ironbirds' website www.ironbirdsbaseball.com.

            On Saturday, January 26, Duquette will serve as the keynote speaker for the 12^th Annual Delmarva Shorebirds Hot Stove Dinner at the Delmar VFW at 200 West State Street in Delmar from 5:00-8:00 p.m. Tickets for the dinner are $33 and are available through the Shorebirds' website www.theshorebirds.com. Proceeds from the dinner will benefit the Delmarva Shorebirds Community Fund and the United Way of the Eastern Shore.

ADAM JONES TO PARTICIPATE IN MARTIN LUTHER KING JR.

TRIBUTE WITH THE Y OF CENTRAL MARYLAND

          Orioles centerfielder ADAM JONES will join the Y of Central Maryland for "A Monument to Greatness" tribute to Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. on Friday, January 18 at the Weinberg Family Center Y at 900 East 33^rd Street in Baltimore. Jones and MLK Foundation President and CEO HARRY E. JOHNSON will speak at the breakfast which will run from 9:00-10:30 a.m. Tickets to the event are available at www.ymaryland.org and proceeds from the event will benefit Y programs for vulnerable youths in Baltimore.

The Baltimore Orioles have had a hard time -- at a glance -- landing an impact bat on both the free agent and trade market.

Spring training is just around the corner for the Birds, and as the weeks go by, fans are wondering:

"When will we finally get a middle-of-the-order guy?"

"What is this team doing? Why have we not gotten anyone yet?"

With Mark Reynolds and his power now in Cleveland, who can fill his spot with the Baltimore Orioles?

An intriguing option for the Orioles to bolster the middle of their lineup perhaps would be Michael Morse, who is currently signed with the Washington Nationals.

Morse, 30, is a 6-foot-5, 230-pound man whose looks resemble an NFL or college tight end than your conventional baseball player. He is expendable in Washington now as the Nationals re-signed first baseman Adam LaRoche this week to a two-year deal. If you combine that deal with the addition of Denard Span via a trade with the Minnesota Twins and Bryce Harper and Jayson Werth entrenched in outfield spots, he could be dealt before spring training.

I've seen him play many times in both Washington and Baltimore since I live between the two cities, and I think he would be the perfect complement for the Orioles' lineup. He has been a productive part of the Washington starting lineup for the past few seasons and has hit for average and power. In 2011, he hit 31 homers with 95 RBIs along with a .303 average, .360 on-base percentage, and a 3.1 WAR in 146 games in his best major-league season so far.

>>> Read More

MASN, the television home of the defending American League wild card champion Baltimore Orioles, will broadcast six Orioles spring training games. All will appear on MASN HD, MASN's dedicated high-definition channel, beginning with the Orioles' Feb. 25 home game against the New York Yankees from Sarasota, Fla.

The network's Grapefruit League coverage also includes five more games from Ed Smith Stadium, the team's spring training home: March 7 against the Toronto Blue Jays, March 14 against the Tampa Bay Rays, March 17 against the Minnesota Twins, March 23 against the Philadelphia Phillies and March 27 against the New York Yankees.

All afternoon games will be replayed the same day in prime time on MASN HD.

The popular team of play-by-play voice Gary Thorne and color analysts Jim Palmer, the longtime O's pitcher and a member of the National Baseball Hall of Fame, and former Orioles shortstop Mike Bordick will again call the action during MASN's spring training broadcasts. Fans can also access all of the Orioles news from spring training by logging onto Roch Kubatko's "School of Roch" for around-the-clock reports at MASNsports.com.

The complete MASN HD spring training schedule for the Orioles is as follows:

* Monday, Feb. 25 at 1 p.m., New York Yankees vs. Orioles (replay at 7 p.m.)
* Thursday, March 7 at 1 p.m., Toronto Blue Jays vs. Orioles (replay at 7 p.m.)
* Thursday, March 14 at 1 p.m., Tampa Bay Rays vs. Orioles (replay at 7 p.m.)
* Sunday, March 17 at 1 p.m., Minnesota Twins vs. Orioles (replay at 7 p.m.)
* Saturday, March 23 at 1 p.m., Philadelphia Phillies vs. Orioles (replay at 7 p.m.)
* Wednesday, March 27 at 7 p.m., New York Yankees vs. Orioles

MASN features every play and every game in crystal-clear high definition, pregame and postgame shows before and after every regular season game, an all-star talent team and comprehensive online coverage at MASNsports.com.

About Mid-Atlantic Sports Network:

Mid-Atlantic Sports Network (MASN) is a regional sports network owned by two Major League Baseball franchises - the Washington Nationals and Baltimore Orioles - and televises every available game of both teams, live and in high-definition. The network is available in a seven-state region, from Harrisburg, Pa., to Charlotte, N.C., on 30 cable, satellite and telcos operators. Since the launch of its full-time, 24/7 schedule in 2006, MASN has televised more than 600 professional and NCAA Division I collegiate events annually. MASN is the official cable network of Georgetown Hoyas basketball, George Mason Patriots basketball, "Big East Game of the Week" in basketball and football, Big South basketball and the BB&T Classic. For more information, please visit www.MASNsports.com.

Everyone knew there was a chance at no player eligible being elected to the National Baseball Hall of Fame this year. Well, this Tuesday afternoon, for the first since 1996, it happened.

We can all understand that the voters wanted to send a message and not elect anyone connected to PED/steroid use; however, could they not find someone worthy to induct?

Did Craig Biggio (3,060 hits) with 68.2% of the vote deserve to be snubbed? Mike Piazza? Jeff Bagwell? Curt Schilling? Who knows. However, if he is going to get in at some point, then why not elect him now?

I have more important things to get angry about than the National Baseball Hall of Fame voting for 2013; however, why does it seem to me that some of the voters (perhaps, a small minoroty) seemed to have an agenda and acted with some vindictiveness?

Crazy.