Riots Create an Empty Stadium

Wednesday, 4/29/15.

Baltimore, the community unrest, resulting in riots and widespread looting, had cancelled Tuesday's game between the White Sox and the Orioles at Camden Yards. On Wednesday team and league officials have decided to not cancel the game, but to close the gates to the public, in order to save the City of Baltimore from having to pull over 200 police officers from the front lines of the turmoil. Earlier in the week the Maryland Governor had requested additional police officers from New Jersey, Pennsylvania and New York to respond and assist the law enforcement presence in downtown Baltimore. 

Prior to last nights game with an Official attendance of zero, the MLB record low was six. Players and broadcasters described the experience as surreal.

BALTIMORE ORIOLES

2015 PROJECTED STARTERS

As of 4/6/2015;

Catcher:                                    CALEB JOSEPH                               R/R  Age 29

First Base:                                 CHRIS DAVIS                                  L/R  Age 29

Second Base:                            JONATHAN SCHOOP                      R/R  Age 23

Third Base:                               MANNY MACHADO                       R/R Age 22

Shortstop:                                 RYAN FLAHERTY                           L/R Age 29

Left Field                                  ALEJANDRO DE AZA                     L/L Age 31

Center Field:                            ADAM JONES                                   R/R Age 29

Right Field:                              TRAVIS SNIDER                              L/L Age 27  

DH:                                           STEVE PEARCE                              R/R Age 32  

Batter Bench Notable:              EVERTH CABRERA                       S/R  Age 28

                                                 DELMON YOUNG                           R/R Age 29

Starting Pitcher 1:                     CHRIS TILLMAN                            R/R Age 27

Starting Pitcher 2:                     WEI-YIN CHEN                               L/L Age 29

Starting Pitcher 3:                     MIGUEL GONZALEZ                     R/R Age 30

Starting Pitcher 4:                     BUD NORRIS                                   R/R Age 30

Starting Pitcher 5:                     UBALDO JIMENEZ                         R/R Age 31

Closer:                                      ZACH BRITTON                              L/L Age 27

Pitcher Bench Notable:            KEVIN GAUSMAN (SP)                  L/R Age 24

NOTABLE INJURIES:            MATT WIETERS (C) and JJ HARDY are on the DL to start the season, but both are expected to be on the club by May.

PROJECTION:  2ND in AL East, could challenge if they improve their rotation through a mid season trade. Projected 88 wins.

MVP:                                        ADAM JONES

POTENTIAL ROOKIE IMPACT: DYLAN BUNDY and HUNTER HARVEY are not expected to make a Major League impact this season. 1B CHRISTIAN WALKER might be used as trade bait if the Orioles see their window as now. 

COMMENTS:   The 2015 Orioles are going to rely on ADAM JONES bat and a his talented young teammates. If their bats can keep them in contention I can see the Orioles making a mid season trade for a top flight starting Pitcher.