Baltimore Orioles Hall of Famer Brooks Robinson Hospitalized

By: Tyler Ward

Robinson, noted as one of the best players in MLB history, became ill on Wednesday and was hospitalized with a fever and infection. He was rushed to the local hospital that night.

The Hall of Famer did not provide full details of his illness, but said that he expects a full recovery. Robinson said doctors admitted him early to "aggressively treat the infection".

He said that he is currently responding well to the antibiotics.

The 73-year old Robinson was treated for prostate cancer in 2009 and said that he is still cancer-free.

Robinson, one of the most well known Orioles ever, played for Baltimore from 1955-77. He was also elected to the Baseball Hall of Fame in 1983.

He has been noted to be the best defensive third baseman of all-time and was given the nickname, "The Human Vacuum Cleaner". Robinson won sixteen straight Gold Glove Awards, tied for second-most in baseball history with pitcher Jim Kaat.

For his career, Robinson batted a healthy .267, along with 2,848 hits. He also hit 268 home runs and had 1,357 runs batted in.

Robinson's awards throughout his career:

- 18x All-Star selection
- 2x World Series Champion (1966 & 1970)
- 1970 World Series MVP
- 16x Gold Glove Award Winner
- 1964 American League MVP
- 1966 MLB All-Star Game MVP
- 1972 Roberto Clemente Award Winner
- 1970 Babe Ruth Award
- 1966 Lou Gehrig Memorial Award Winner
- MLB All-Century Team
- Jersey (#5) retired by Orioles

Orioles Shoo Away Cliff Lee In Debut

By: Tyler Ward

Yesterday, as most of you know, the Rangers acquired former Cy Young pitcher, Cliff Lee, and reliever Mark Lowe in exchange for first baseman Justin Smoak, second baseman Matt Lawson, along with right handers Josh Lueke and Blake Beaven. Even though they acquired Lee yesterday, they penciled him in as the starter for tonight's game against the Baltimore Orioles.

Lee was almost a Yankee, but talks broke down at the last minute and he was then traded to the lonestar state.

Despite going through bankruptcy proceedings, the Rangers still acquired Lee in hopes of making their first playoff appearance since 1999. The Rangers (50-37) are 2.5 games ahead of the Angels in the division going into the All-Star break.

His Rangers debut didn't turn out as well, as he gave up a leadoff double to Corey Patterson on his very first pitch. The next batter, Miguel Tejada, hit a single on the first pitch too, driving Patterson in to make it a 1-0 Orioles lead. Two pitches into his Rangers career, Lee was already down in the first inning. After that, Lee got his command back and only needed 23 pitches to get his next nine outs. But, Baltimore's Nick Markakis hit his sixth home run in the fourth inning to give the Orioles a 2-0 advantage. He gave up a solo shot to Cesar Izturis the following inning and a two-run home run to Adam Jones in the sixth inning. That's all Chris Tillman and the Orioles needed to secure a 6-1 win over the division-leading Rangers.

Texas slugger Josh Hamilton went 0-4 Saturday, successfully ending his 29 game hit streak, one short of the Rangers record (Al Oliver in 1994; 30).

In his four previous starts, Lee pitched in 35 out of a possible 36 innings with three complete games. He had a 1.29 ERA in those four starts, but gave up six earned runs in his Texas debut. However, he did still pitch a complete game, but in a losing effort.

Lee's start overshadowed Baltimore's Charles Tillman, as Tillman took a no-hitter into the seventh inning. Texas' Ian Kinlser broke up the no-hit bid in the seventh inning on a one-out single. Tillman was recalled from Triple-A Norfolk before the game and replaced Kevin Millwood (2-8) in the rotation and only gave up two hits in a little over seven innings of work. This was Tillman's 17th career start, with five of those coming this season. He was 0-3 with a 8.40 ERA in four starts before being sent back to the minors on June 22.

Tillman's start couldn't have come at a better time since Baltimore claims the worst record in baseball right now (28-59). However, they have won their last three series before they enter the All-Star break. The Orioles also do not have a 4-game winning pitcher at the break for the first time in franchise history.

The Oriole pitched 7.1 innings, while striking out three and giving up one earned run on two hits to get his first win of the season. The lone run he gave up was on a wild pitch that plated outfielder David Murphy. The Rangers only managed to get four hits, while only scoring that one run.

With the win, the Orioles are now 31 games below .500 and are 27.5 games behind the New York Yankees for the AL East division lead.

American League East Predictions

By: Stephen Patterson & Tyler Ward

SP: The AL East has been the hottest division in the Major Leagues for yet another season. Hot off of bringing home their 27th championship, the Yankees are off to the right start to repeating this season. With the rise of Phil Hughes, New York still has one of the strongest rotations in baseball. Despite struggling so far this season, A.J. Burnett should be able to pull things together in time for the postseason. The Rays started the season off hot, but since being on the wrong end of Dallas Braden's perfect game, they have taken a downward spiral, including being no-hit for the second time this season by Arizona's Edwin Jackson. The Red Sox, much to my own personal delight, are struggling with age and injury and will be a tight battle for second in the division and to win the Wild Card. The Toronto Blue Jays and Baltimore Orioles won't be much of a factor and would be content to finish above .500. Here is my breakdown of the division and predicted outcome:

New York Yankees: 97-65 (Division Winner)

Boston Red Sox: 90-72 (Wild Card Winner)

Tampa Bay Rays: 86-76

Toronto Blue Jays: 79-83

Baltimore Orioles: 65-97


TW: This is definitely the best division in all of baseball. An AL East team has represented the AL in the World Series the past 3 seasons (Red Sox, Rays, Yankees). Earlier in the season, the Rays were considered by many as the best team in the baseball. They started off the season 32-12, and have gone 12-19 since that fantastic beginning. The Red Sox are hobbled by injuries, but I think they overcome that and challenge for the AL East crown. New York is getting older and older, but with their payroll, they are always able to compete and not to mention, they have 27 World Series rings. The Blue Jays always seem to challenge before the All-Star break, but after it's done, they fall out of contention. I think they'll do that again this year. Baltimore has not been good for a while and they'll be lucky to win 70 games this year.

Here's my breakdown of the division:


New York Yankees: 93-69 (Division Winner)

Boston Red Sox: 91-71 (Wild Card Winner)

Tampa Bay Rays: 89-73

Toronto Blue Jays: 81-81

Baltimore Orioles: 60-102