Well, that was exciting.  BRob got 3 hits.  I was waiting for the 4th, and then I would have to knit him socks, according to my rules.  Of course, I make the rules, I can break the rules.  I would feel really stupid sending a stranger socks . . . unless I send another stranger socks at the same time.  I did that with members of Pearl Jam.  Two of them had babies last year so I sent them baby blankets I made, but only after I sent a blanket to Project Linus so I didn’t feel completely dorky.  So, BRob you get 4 hits, and you and a soldier gets socks. 

Send to one stranger or another, eh, so what.

I saw the first couple innings, and had to leave when the Yankees scored the second set of runs.  I thought the Orioles could make it back, and from the articles, it looked like they did.

I remember seeing the Orioles lose miserably against Pettite earlier in the season.  A mantra like Go Team Go just doesn’t seem to have the passion needed to encourage the Orioles.  Howabout The quicker you win, the quicker you get to go home! (?) Or Pack the Magic, not the Wet Noodle!  Better is probably just Pack the O’s Magic!, eh?

As I was watching the Yankees I was hoping that they would do well, also.  I was really torn.  It’s not because I was a Yankees fan most of my life.  I would feel the same if the other team was Tampa Bay or Boston.  After seeing the same players over and over, and looking at their stats, which feels so intimate, I wish them all well.  It’s their job, and I hope they all have fun, and do their best.  Part of me wants Guthrie to have a no-hitter and part of me wants Pettite to have a no-hitter. 

Those no-hitters must be the perfect confidence boosters. 

BRob didn’t play so I didn’t watch the game that much.  I would turn it on every hour and a half or so, and it looked like it was a game better not watched.  If a person is a true fan, and isn’t so focused on one person then it’s always a good time to watch a game, eh?  A true fan has the passion that’s ignited from supporting the team to the end and beyond.  That’s not me at this time.  No BRob, then I’m listening to music and knitting socks.

Speaking of socks I just finished the pair shown.  The yarn is Koigu P436 which doesn’t look like it’s on the site.  I bought the yarn from Knit & Stich = Bliss in Bethesda.  Because I make my socks so long I bought 3 skeins.

Next I’ll be knitting basic socks, but adding different colors to the cuff, heel, and toe.  Should be cool.

Orioles lost, Brian didn’t get a hit, but I was listening to a new knitting podcast, and really enjoying myself knitting my second sock of my 4th pair of socks.  I can knit, listen to podcasts, follow reactions on the Orioles fan forums, and watch Gameday all at the same time.  I’m such a MULTI-TASKER! 

I’m not the only one that thinks Brian can be trouble if he gets on base:

From the Baltimore Sun

• ESPN.com‘s Jerry Crasnick has Brian Roberts at No. 5 in his “Hail to the Thieves” Starting 9, a ranking of the top base stealers in the majors.

Roberts is the quintessential pest once he reaches base. Marlins starter Mark Hendrickson found that out this spring when Roberts stole two bases in an early Grapefruit League game. After Hendrickson expressed his displeasure, Roberts told reporters, “That’s what you do in spring training, last time I checked.”

In contrast to, say, Ichiro, Roberts attracts everybody’s attention as he prepares to take a base. He’ll mix in some jumps, starts and “false breaks,” and try to build momentum to shave valuable hundredths off his arrival time. One AL coach said Roberts’ technique is “head and shoulders” above many players on this list.

See, Brian, all believe in your ability as long as you get on base.  You just need to get on base.  In fact, didn’t you steal a base yesterday after you walked?  Just get on base or hit a home run, whichever you prefer. 

How hard can it be? 

Orioles lost, BRob didn’t get a hit, but I finished a pair of socks (YIPPPEE!)  This is the third pair I finished, so I’m on a roll.  Aren’t they cool?  I’m wearing them to work today because the weather is on and off cool/sortof cool.  The color is Purple Earth from Claudia Hand Painted Yarns.  I bought the skeins at Knit N Stitch in Bethesda, Maryland. 

The series is still up for grabs.  Both teams really want it, just have to work for it, eh?

BRob got a triple, and I baked a batch of brownies.  I’ve baked the same recipe over and over and over and for some reason they ended up underbaked.  Hmmmm, we’ll they were suppose to last me a week or so – not sharing this batch.  I may have to trash them eventually.  I included white chocolate chips in the batter.  Also, I knitted quite a bit on a second sock.

I ran this morning, and I guess I’m running tomorrow, eh?  BRob gets a hit, and I run.

DCab has to stop hitting people.  Otherwise he is doing really well, it seems.  Congratulations, Orioles! 

When you hit the ball, and get on base, I’m inspired to run.  I ran Saturday and Sunday because you hit the ball, and got on base, Friday and Saturday.  Day off today as you didn’t hit the ball and get on base yesterday. 

Actually, even when you don’t hit the ball you inspire me to run.  Tomorrow I’ll run just because it’s a good thing to do.

However, not to put preasure on you, but hit the ball and get on base BRob!

Remember when KC played St. Louis in the World Series?  It was called an I-something series, or something about the connecting highway series.  I remember that because my parents are big St. Louis fans, and it’s kindof contagious as the uniforms are a nice bold, aggressive red.

I didn’t know Orioles pitchers could pitch an entire game.  You ROCK, DCAB!  Congratulations!

Unfortunately, I’m not able to see BRob’s fielding through the GameDay free service, but I can see how many times BRob did not get on base.  Ok, BRob forget the cupcakes.  I’m knitting more anyway, and it’s very cool to watch the game while knitting a pair of socks.  Here’s the newest challenge for you:  4 hits in one game, and I knit you a pair of socks.  In this way I can just send it on to the Orioles fan address, and we never have to go through the awkwardness of meeting i.e., “Thank you, BRob, for the inspiration etc etc etc . . .  ”  However, everytime you wear these handknit socks, you can feel proud of yourself.  I’m into very colorful skeins of yarn, but I’ll tone it down into dark colors just for you.  Are you up to the challenge, BRob?

I never ran 11 miles.  I ran 10 miles, but I never ran 11 miles.  That would be my challenge.  Actually, I decided once I run 10 miles again, I’ll go back to internet dating, which is a chore, but at least it’s an avenue to meet people.  Makes you wonder why I haven’t run much recently, eh?  

I had a really nice run a couple days ago.  It was just a few miles, but it was feeling natural, and just groovy.  It’s something to look forward to, even if it means I’m challenging myself in many ways.  Good luck, Brian!  Wish me luck, too.

Of course, who am I to talk about not meeting one’s work potential i.e., batting average potential.  I think Brian Roberts is still incredible at fielding (did you see the barehanded catch against the Angels?)  The batting is on par with many of his teammates.  Because the team doesn’t have the best team average, is it a reflection of the batting coach?  That question is coming up on the official mlb Orioles fan forums.  Ultimately, it is an individual’s responsibiity, right?

Anyway, back to potential.  I’m at my twin’s house, and my 7-year old niece asked me to help her down the steep incline of a driveway as she was wearing skates, with helmet, knee pads, and wrist pads.  So as we are walking down the hill, and she is holding on to me, she starts to fall, and I try to keep her up, but WE BOTH FALL!  Talk about not living up to job potential.  I failed as a SuperAunt!  Of course, since I weigh more than she does the fall was in slow motion, and I’m the one that ended up with a hole in the knee of my pants, and in need of a band-aid.  She was fine as she had all that protection on.  Good thing she had the helmet on.  Second time she needed help down the incline, we walked down the grassy section, and both ended up unscathed.  Lesson learned, eh?

This is the first opposing team which I saw as truly better than the Orioles.  It may be the grounded shortstop, and the speed.  I think the Angels are better than the other teams that I have seen the Orioles play, and it was surprising that the Orioles won.

I thought Jeremy Guthrie pitched and played very well . . . until that fiasco with the stolen base, and the Orioles were “flat footed” as one announcer referenced.  That was strange.  I don’t know if Guthrie is glue, quite frankly.  He’s good, but is he too removed from the team?  Again, there were times he played the first base position better than Millar, but there was some distance between him and the other players later in the game.  Maybe it was just that one play, but what an odd steal.

BRob, ok, so you hit the ball, but it has to stick.  Get back on a streak.  I have you pegged for the Beat the Streak fantasy thingy.  Anytime you play, I put your name for my streaking buddy.  You can do it!  

Could you send me good running energy, please?   I think I can I know I can I knew I could!