Friday was a great day for former Major Leaguers J.J. Hardy and Mike Devereaux, who learned they were voted into the Orioles Hall of Fame. On the same day, the Orioles announced that radio broadcaster Joe Angel will be inducted as this year＊s Herb Armstrong Award winner.
That trio, along with the previously announced Wild Bill Hagy Award winner, Mossila ※Mo§ Gaba, will be honored during an on-field ceremony prior to the Orioles game on Aug. 7 against the Rays.
Hardy played the last seven seasons of his 13-year career with the Orioles from 2011-17, hitting .252 with 107 home runs and 385 RBIs while winning three Gold Gloves. His best year was in 2011 when he hit a career-high 30 home runs with 80 RBIs. While manning shortstop, Hardy helped the Orioles to the postseason three times, the last one coming in 2016.
Hardy played with two other teams -- the Brewers and Twins -- but considers himself an Oriole.
※Ever since I came to Baltimore in 2011, I felt this instant connection with Baltimore, the fans and everyone,§ Hardy said. ※I was hoping from the start I would finish my career there. I was super fortunate to play seven years -- and a fun seven years at that.§
Devereaux was a Dodgers prospect when the Orioles traded for his services before the 1989 season, and it turned out to be a good investment for the Orioles. He spent seven of his 12 big league seasons with the Orioles -- 1989-94 and 1996. During that period, Devereaux was voted Most Valuable Oriole in 1992 after leading the team in 10 offensive categories including batting average, home runs and RBIs. He hit .251 with 94 home runs and 403 RBIs in his Orioles career.
It all started with then-manager Frank Robinson, who gave Devereaux the opportunity to play often.
※[Playing for Robinson] was special to me,§ Devereaux said. ※He knew everything about the game. He was definitely someone I could learn from about this game and it showed through that first season.§
Angel, the winner of the Herb Armstrong Award given to non-uniformed Orioles personnel, spent 19 seasons over three stints as an Orioles radio broadcaster before retiring following the 2018 season.
Gaba, a 14-year-old Orioles superfan, was elected to the Orioles Hall of Fame on July 28, 2020, as the second-ever recipient of the Wild Bill Hagy Award, as one of the most passionate and devoted fans in franchise history. Gaba, who passed away the night of his election to the Hall of Fame, captured the hearts of local sports fans, making him a Baltimore celebrity and a household name.
Orioles make roster moves
The Orioles made a slew of roster moves during their game against the Yankees on Friday night. The team optioned left-hander Keegan Akin, infielder/outfielder Jahmai Jones and infielder Richie Martin to Triple-A Norfolk.
Left-hander Wade LeBlanc is back with the Orioles, signing a one-year Major League deal a day after he requested and received his release. The Orioles then placed first baseman Chris Davis on the 60-day injured list because of a lower back strain, while they reassigned left-hander Fernando Abad and infielder/outfielder Chris Shaw to Twin Lakes camp.
Akin was projected to make the rotation this year, but he was hit hard this spring, allowing 10 runs in nine innings. The Orioles felt he needed more time to develop on the mound.
※We still think really highly of him. Talking to him this afternoon, it was about getting a little sharper with his pitches,§ manager Brandon Hyde said. ※Command wasn＊t quite there this spring. He needs to locate on both sides of the plate. I would like to see the improvement in his offspeed stuff. He needs to land it for strikes.§
Jones could never get it going at the plate, going 3-for-21 (.143), while Martin didn＊t see much playing time because of injury.?
LeBlanc, 36, allowed two earned runs across eight Grapefruit League innings this spring, though the bulk of his work came in intrasquad and backfield action.
Once their leading slugger, Davis was limited to two at-bats this spring because of the injuries. Abad allowed seven earned runs in 5 1/3 innings. Shaw has one hit in 14 at-bats.?
L車pez making a case
Orioles right Jorge L車pez made a case that he should be in the starting rotation. He pitched five shutout innings and allowed two hits in a 4-1 victory over the Yankees on Friday night. L車pez has a 2.75 ERA in 19 2/3 innings with 17 strikeouts.??
Hyde said L車pez was aggressive with his fastball and pitching on both sides of the plate.?
"With Lope, it was about being aggressive in the zone. ... He had good secondary stuff and he showed it tonight,§ Hyde said.
Mountcastle battling at the plate
Entering Friday＊s action with the Yankees, Ryan Mountcastle was hitting .286 with four home runs and 13 RBIs. However, manager Brandon Hyde hasn＊t seen the plate discipline he saw from Mountcastle last year. He had only one walk.
But Hyde loves the fact that Mountcastle has been getting into hitter＊s counts and battling with two strikes this spring.
※It＊s a straight battle mode with two strikes and not giving in approach,§ Hyde said. "That was something I saw last summer when he came up. I love when he hits the ball the other way. That＊s because he is staying on the baseball.§
Mountcastle was called up last year and gave a good impression, hitting .333 with a .386 on-base percentage in 35 games.
Worth noting
? Hyde said there is nothing wrong with outfielder Anthony Santander, who hasn＊t played the last three days. According to the skipper, Santander has been getting at-bats on the back field. Santander is having a good spring, going 9-for-29 (.310) with three RBIs.
? Hyde started his Zoom call by giving his condolences to the family of Twins bench coach Mike Bell, who passed away Friday from kidney cancer.
※It＊s a big loss in the baseball community today. Mike Bell is a great man. ... I know a lot of people are hurting today,§ Hyde said.