BBing Dead

With the Orioles’ .500 start through 14 games, there is a lot to feel good about. The first is that the O’s have managed to remain at .500, while it’s clear that they are not playing their best baseball. While the pitching and hitting comes and goes, they’re still finding ways to win as many as they lose. That will be sure to get better. Another good sign is that no one in the AL East has separated themselves while the Orioles have been floundering.

But perhaps the best part of this even start is that they’ve done so while battling an outbreak of the flu in the clubhouse. It seems like every day, there is a new Oriole leaving the clubhouse, or being listed as unavailable. Later in the season, injuries will lead us to call the team the “walking wounded.” Right now, it’s closer to “walking dead.”

Brian Matusz, Evan Meek, and Adam Jones have all been felled by the flu bug, and surely countless others have been affected to a lesser extent. The illness was a factor in the decision against holding a doubleheader on Wednesday, and undoubtedly has informed Buck’s lineups and bullpen usage. Bud Norris has been available to pitch in relief – not as a reflection on his own performance, or a sign of an overused ‘pen, but because of the flu.

It’s been noted that the flu outbreak caused the Orioles to disinfect the clubhouse and shower area, including the pool and ping pong tables. I’m not as concerned about the games – they’re an obvious item that lots of guys handle. My question is this: why is disinfecting the clubhouse/shower area a special event? It would seem that a closed, shared space for that many people would need to be cleaned on the regular – especially when the health of its occupants contributes to the success of over $100 in team investment. Maybe it’s just me. I’ve got two small kids, so I’m constantly scrubbing the place down so that I can stay healthy enough to walk from the couch to the fridge. Different standards on both sides, I guess.

This, too, shall pass. The club will get well collectively – hopefully from a health perspective, and in regards to winning. But until then, take a look at the (ever loose) bullpen guys, honoring their “fallen” comrade:

Photo Credit: Rock Kubatko