Aubrey Huff News

THT Awards season finale, part two by John Barten October 20, 2009 Welcome to the awards.

They spent more than a billion dollars to build a new playground in the Bronx for the New York Yankees' well-heeled fans.

Problem No. 1 - The Orioles need a legitimate power bat to give Markakis some protection.

Will the Orioles spend their extra cash? The Orioles began this season with roughly $77 million owed in salary - including more than $9 million due to ex-Orioles Jay Gibbons and Ramon Hernandez .

It's funny how much things can change in one year. Just last year, the Pirates were finishing in last place, Brett Favre was unretired, Cecil Cooper had one year left on his contract, and we had an administration doing nothing about emissions standards.

MINNEAPOLIS -- Ryan Raburn's wife, Suzanne, is on one good leg because of a horse-riding accident.

MUCH TO MY surprise and I'm sure to the surprise of many people, Dave Trembley will return as the Orioles manager next season.

"We will be bat shoppers." The Orioles have a talented young outfield, a guy nicknamed "God" at catcher, and an All Star second baseman locked up at 2nd.

Dave Trembley reminds you of a guy in a knife fight and all he has to defend himself is a swizzle stick.

Detroit Tigers third baseman Brandon Inge said he has made better and more artistic catches than the one he made Thursday night in Cleveland, diving to snag a soft, broken-bat liner by Jhonny Peralta that Tigers manager Leyland said would have tied the game had it reached left field.

Michael Aubrey is making his case for a roster spot next season. Going into Monday's series opener against the Rays, Aubrey had been playing a lot more as of late, and as a result, has seen his offensive numbers skyrocket.

Nick Markakis has 13 games to make a statement. Markakis has gone cold down the stretch, posting a powerless September that threatens to recast his productive season.

The transformation starts in the morning. In the shower Justin Verlander closes his eyes, runs through the lineup of that evening's opponent and visualizes "not just getting them out, but dominating them." On days that the Tigers' ace is to start, he blocks out the world.

As the season wanes and his options shrink, Orioles manager Dave Trembley said he has to decide what type of team to put out on the field.

Each day seemingly brings more attrition to the Orioles' roster, with the latest setback coming Friday afternoon, when the club shut down rookie outfielder Nolan Reimold for the rest of the season so he can undergo surgery on his left Achilles tendon.

Nick or Brian for MVO? I am writing this sitting in the press box at Camden Yards, where myriad baseball arguments are being tossed around as I type.

Sports Hernia is getting in the ring with Ric Flair this morning. Apologies in advance for the fantasy baseball mentions.

Aubrey Huff #17 of the Baltimore Orioles at bat against the New York Yankees on May 21, 2009 at Yankee Stadium in the Bronx borough of New York City.

Once again, Orioles fans are in the autumn of their discontent, and it's hard to make a case for anything short of despair as they watch their rebuilding team coming unglued again.

The work the Red Sox have done the past five months earned them a 2 1 2-game lead in the American League wild card race.