Time for the Birds to cut their losses, Summer of Baseball with Major League Madness 2008

Jay Payton’s release is way overdue.  As an Oriole fan, I can honestly say I would rather have any other major league player – even a journeyman minor leaguer who does not play the outfield, for that matter – on Baltimore’s roster.  Payton is a poor hitter and a mediocre defender at best, but has managed to remain on the active roster for the last season and (almost) a half.  In 2007, he hit .256 with a pathetic .292 on-base-percentage and a measly .376 slugging percentage.  So far this season, he has managed to put up even worse numbers - .239/.289/.372.  Part of the problem is that Orioles manager Dave Trembley for some inexplicable reason finds it necessary to start Payton a couple times every week, which only magnifies the team’s weak bench.  A fourth outfielder should be someone the manager knows can deliver in the clutch, a guy he calls on to pinch-hit for the pitcher or in the American League, for his offensively-challenged Gold Glove catcher or middle infielder.  Jay Payton is a far cry from a heavy hitter who puts fear in the opposing manager’s eyes.  On defense, he doesn’t make a ton of errors, but no major league outfielder does or else he’d find himself either a) at a new position or b) in the minors.  Payton doesn’t make any great plays, nor does he rack up outfield assists, as he doesn’t have a cannon for an arm and his limited throwing accuracy fails to make up for his lack of strength.

Payton’s attitude is another part of the problem.  He thinks he’s better than he really is, and complains when he doesn’t get enough playing time.  A few years back he got into a shouting match with Red Sox manager Terry Francona and was traded the next day.  I can only hope Dave Trembley comes to his senses and realizes Payton does much more harm than good.

I got my July baseball trip itinerary last weekend.  For those of you I am not in touch with, I’ll be leading a teen tour called Major League Madness, which involves spending three weeks visiting ballparks and watching games on the east coast and in the Midwest.  Though I was disappointed St. Louis, Washington, Pittsburgh, and the south side of Chicago were left off the schedule, I am very excited about my first-ever visits to Wrigley Field – the first stadium on the trip – and Fenway Park – the trip’s last stop – as well as a number of other parks and cities I have never seen.  Having been to the Midwest only once in my lifetime – Minnesota two summers ago – this trip will mark my first time in Chicago, Milwaukee, Detroit, and the fine state of Ohio, where interestingly, the group will spend six days of our 21-day trip while touring Cleveland, Cincinnati, and Columbus.  I’ll visit Cooperstown for the third time in my life, though this time will be different, as I’ll be attending the Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony of former pitching great Goose Gossage.  Personally I’d have rather been at Tony Gwynn and Cal Ripken’s induction last year or (presumably) Rickey Henderson’s in 2009, but I’m not complaining.  While I’d like to think some day I’ll end up in the perfect baseball job for me, this is without a doubt the summer job of my dreams.