Thanksgiving wishes for the Orioles

After the abrupt end to the Wild Card Series, I patrolled the Orioles’ clubhouse, getting as many quotes as I could, and at the same time, thanking players for their cooperation, and wishing them well.

It’s something I’ve always done because I enjoy my job and appreciate the players’ cooperation. The large majority of them are helpful, even if they spend less time in the clubhouse than their predecessors did.

I spent a few extra minutes at catcher James McCann’s locker because he’s one of the best people I’ve covered with the Orioles, regularly coming up with angles that reporters are appreciative of and always being polite. McCann was the Orioles’ nominee for the Roberto Clemente Award for his charitable works off the field.

McCann solidified his connection with Oriole fans, and with pitcher Zach Eflin, who was making his first start with his new team on July 29^th when he was hit by a pitch in the first inning, suffering a broken nose and, amazingly, completing the game.

Not only did McCann not leave the game, he didn’t go on the injured list and played two days later. He did use an offday on the team’s road trip to fly back to Baltimore and have his nose surgically repaired.

And, yes, McCann eagerly answered questions after the game, a few minutes after he assured his worried family that he’d be fine.

McCann might not be back with the Orioles in 2025, and I was thankful I got to cover him.

After I said goodbye to McCann, I made my way to relief pitcher Danny Coulombe, who was understandably stunned. I never dreamed the Orioles would decline his $4 million option, and I’ll miss him.

In an article early in the season, Coulombe gave me my favorite quote of the year.

“I do want to set the record straight. I did get two at-bats in the big leagues. I did not get a hit, but I wasn’t allowed to swing in both [at-bats]. I didn’t get an opportunity to hit—just for the record.”

Just for the record, any writer who gets to cover Coulombe is in for a treat.

Starting pitcher John Means might not be back, either, and his class and willingness to provide insight was appreciated. He and his lovely wife, Caroline, are expecting their second child next spring, and perhaps Means can help the Orioles shortly after that.

Free-agent outfielder Anthony Santander probably won’t be back. In his time with the Orioles, Santander went from a shy young man who spoke little English to a delightful slugger, who thoughtfully answered questions. His parents, who traveled to many road games, were a delight, too.

When the Orioles clinched their playoff berth at Yankee Stadium, Santander walked up to a group of us with a bottle of champagne, and said: “You guys have to celebrate, too.”

He sprayed us and a minute later, Colton Cowser decided I needed to join in the fun, and he and Gunnar Henderson doused me. That’s a delighted, wet me who was coaxed into the selfie.

Cowser and Henderson will be back, and Oriole fans should be thankful, too.

Ryan O’Hearn, another honest and incisive interview subject, will be back next season, too.

There are lots of other players who are great to be around: Ryan Mountcastle, Cedric Mullins, Albert Suárez and Jordan Westburg have been particularly helpful.

Félix Bautista and Yennier Cano have always been kind and tolerant with my futile attempts to learn Spanish.

There are so many others, too. I’m thankful for all of them.

Oriole fans are eager for the team to advance in the postseason, and I’m always delighted to hear from them, and our regular mailbags allow me to read what they’re thinking.

Even though I’m rarely on television, I’m occasionally recognized. A few weeks ago, my wife and I were taking a walk through a neighborhood park and a worker was removing a tree stump, and I complimented him on his artistry.

“Are we going to spend money this winter?” he wanted to know.

Yes, the Orioles are going to spend money, thanks to their new owner, David Rubenstein, who delighted fans with his Mr. Splash routine and his tossing of caps and balls into the crowd. Oriole fans are thankful for him.

I enjoy the company of my colleagues in the press box, some of whom are four decades younger than I am. I do learn from them, and I hope they learn from me.

At home games, I sit between Noah Trister, the Associated Press’ Baltimore reporter, and MASNsports.com’s Roch Kubatko.

Noah had heart surgery in September and is already back at work, and Roch had heart surgery earlier this month and is making a fine recovery. I’m thankful for the skilled work of their surgeons and their improved health.

It’s been another wonderful year at BaltimoreBaseball.com, and on behalf of our outstanding columnist, Peter Schmuck, our publisher, Steve Cockey, and editor Jack Gibbons, we’re thankful for you reading us, and we’re looking forward to our 10^th season of covering the Orioles.

Call for questions: I answer Orioles questions most weekdays. Please send yours to: Rich@BaltimoreBaseball.com.