Oriolesfan44

BALTIMORE -- The Orioles went into the 2006 season with a lot of hope, and most of it hinged on the addition of pitching coach Leo Mazzone and the development of a young and talented pitching staff. Some strides were made in that department, but it was not enough to keep Baltimore from chalking up its ninth straight losing season.
There were some Spring Training concerns about how second baseman Brian Roberts would return from reconstructive surgery on his left elbow, but he came back and demonstrated his health by playing a full season. Right fielder Jay Gibbons wasn't as lucky, but Baltimore's regulars were largely untouched by severe injury problems.

The Orioles were consistent, winning between 11 and 13 in games every month until September, when a trade-depleted and youth-laden roster struggled to compete. That young roster produced some notable success, though, evidenced by the emergence of right fielder Nick Markakis and left-handed pitcher Adam Loewen.

Baltimore also got a typically strong season from star shortstop Miguel Tejada and a huge step forward from staff ace Erik Bedard. Still, the Orioles finished with their worst record since 2002, presaging an active offseason that included a full bullpen facelift.

January
The Orioles kicked off the New Year by signing veteran Jeff Conine to man left field. Mazzone seemed to be the star attraction at FanFest, a month before he started working with Baltimore's pitching staff. The Orioles added speed and defense in center field by trading two low-level prospects to the Chicago Cubs for Corey Patterson, who was coming off the toughest season of his career. Baltimore continued stocking its roster by signing first baseman Kevin Millar -- formerly of the division-rival Boston Red Sox -- to a one-year deal heavily laden with incentives. Kris Benson arrived in Baltimore as part of a trade for Jorge Julio and John Maine. The Orioles backed up their commitment to their young players by signing Gibbons to a four-year contract that took him past his first chance at free agency.

February
Pitchers and catchers reported to the team's Spring Training complex in Fort Lauderdale, Fla., and incumbent Javy Lopez helped make sure there was no catching controversy with newly acquired starter Ramon Hernandez. Tejada met the media for the first time and tried to explain some of his comments from a tumultuous winter that included a trade demand and retraction. Third baseman Melvin Mora decided not to play for Team Venezuela in the World Baseball Classic.

March
The Orioles still lost a huge segment of their roster to the inaugural tournament, including most of their starting rotation. Former top pick Loewen started to serve notice that he may be ready for big-league action. Markakis, Baltimore's top prospect, earned a role on the team with a torrid Spring Training.

April
Baltimore blasted four home runs and earned an easy 9-6 win at Tampa Bay on Opening Day. Lopez caught for the first time all season after a spring spent away from working behind the plate. Outfielder David Newhan, who had been gaining traction toward a starting job, broke his right fibula in a steal attempt. The Orioles ran into former manager Lee Mazzilli, now a bench coach for the Yankees, for the first time since his dismissal.

May
Bruce Chen, who had a surprising season in 2005, couldn't find a win early in '06. Utilityman Chris Gomez broke a bone in his left hand when he was hit by a pitch. Mora, one of the longest serving Orioles, agreed to a lucrative contact extension with a no-trade clause. First-year closer Chris Ray handled every one of his tests in the season's early going. Gibbons had his season turn on an ill-fated dive toward the wall at Angel Stadium.


June
Baltimore selected power-hitting prep infielder Billy Rowell with its first pick in the First-Year Player Draft. Former Oriole Jason Grimsley made national news when details of an affadavit from an interview with law enforcement officials appeared in the Arizona Republic. Benson enjoyed a rousing return to Shea Stadium. And two weeks later, Mazzone got to revisit the ghosts of pennants past.

July
Tejada broke a serious statistical milestone when he played in his 1,000th consecutive game. One day later, he learned he would be Baltimore's lone representative at the All-Star Game. Loewen returned on his initial promise by moving into the big-league rotation for good. Meanwhile, fellow high-ceiling pitching prospect Daniel Cabrera was struggling and needed demotion to Triple-A Ottawa. Bedard was a bright spot for the Orioles, establishing himself as a young staff ace.

August
Lopez was traded to the Red Sox shortly after the non-waiver trading deadline. Baltimore's most persistent problem was a leaky bullpen that ranked among the least efficient in the league. Hernandez, who performed at close to an All-Star level in the first half, tailed off after the All-Star break. Baltimore traded another veteran, Jeff Conine, to the Phillies for a player to be named later.

September
Loewen held his own against some of the league's best pitchers and best teams. Baltimore finally broke a long losing streak against the Red Sox. A vocal minority of the fans at Camden Yards staged a mass walkout in the middle of a close game. Rodrigo Lopez became the first Oriole in a generation and the fourth in franchise history to lose 18 games. Cabrera's last start of the season was a near-historic one-hitter at scenic Yankee Stadium.

October
The Orioles wrapped up the season with a soggy no-hit game in an abbreviated 9-0 loss to the Red Sox Baltimore picked up Adam Stern as the player to be named later in the Lopez trade.

November
Baltimore kicked off a busy winter by trading rookie reliever Chris Britton to New York for veteran starter Jaret Wright. The Orioles addressed the bullpen by signing southpaw specialist Jamie Walker to a three-year deal. Baltimore made another move toward a stable relief staff by signing former closer Danys Baez. The Orioles signed four more players before the Winter Meetings.

December
Things were quiet at the Winter Meetings, but the Orioles had a busy day at the Rule 5 Draft. Baltimore signed Jay Payton to fill the team's glaring vacancy in left field.

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Cal Ripken HOF 2007