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Winston-Salem, NC -- When Andy MacPhail took over the front office reigns of the Orioles last summer, I cackled at the TV screen as the Orioles marked another turn in their efforts to rebuild. However, MacPhail has accomplished more positive tasks in his one year in office than any other VP / GM combined since Pat Gillick was the GM. The trade with Seattle, bringing back Adam Jones, George Sherrill, et al. for Erik Bedard is looking like a steal. While the Tejada has played very well for the 'Stros, the pitching prospects received in return could blossom in the near future. Luke Scott has been steady at the plate and with the glove in left field. There are finally signs of progress in Baltimore. However, there has been one battle that Baltimorians have been fighting for decades, even before AngeLOSE owned the club. "Baltimore" was removed from the road jerseys in 1973 (one season after the Senators moved to Texas) in order to incorporate the Washingtonians as Oriole fans. The jersey switch was no bagatelle to Baltimorians.

As a man who loves jersey designs and the game of baseball, I think this is a great move by the Orioles. Why not? Washington now has its own baseball team. Washington baseball fans will always flock to Camden Yards because they know it's the best ballpark in the majors. AngeLose needs to win back the fans of Baltimore. The city can support the team by itself, as shown in the 1960's and 1970's (when Washington had a team through 1972). The Orioles have a storied tradition and the uniforms were very much a part of it. I scoff at the Phillies, Cardinals, Angels, and Rays for not placing their city's name on their road jerseys. It should be mandatory. If the Orioles aren't going to play like the championship teams of the late 60's and early 70's, at least they'll look like them.