Five Hundred Thousand Clicks on the Wall... Bob's Backstop for October 19, 2004

When it all began:

The Orioles were still drawing over 3 million fans and I still had to buy what was then *REGS* Week tickets in January.

There was still some controversy over whether or not Syd Thrift was doing a good job.

We were all hoping for one more good season from Brady Anderson.

Fans had just seen the last in an Orioles uniform of Will Clark, Harold Baines, Pat Rapp, Charles Johnson, Albert Belle, and Mike Timlin.

Cal Senior had just passed away.

Steve Bechler was a healthy young man.

The Yankees were in the midst of a World Series run admired throughout baseball as being accomplished as much through brains as George's pocketbook, as several other teams, including the Orioles, were spending nearly as much money with lesser results.

Mike Mussina had just left the Orioles to begin what was sure to be a string of World Championships and 20-game-winning seasons.

Carl Everett was driving Boston fans crazy, but newly signed Manny Ramirez was going to become a Boston icon.

The "Rivals" Internet sports network was about to go under, as the entire Internet Boom came to a crashing halt.

Chris Richard of 2001 is about to do his best Larry Bigbie of 2004 impression, following up a solid half-season with a much lower level of performance.

Mike Bordick had just returned to the Orioles after a half-season with the Mets.

The Orioles are counting on newly signed David Segui to pick up some of the offensive slack left by the injured Albert Belle. Segui was to have only one healthy month in the entire six month season, however. His injuries included a recurring hamstring problem, as well as foot and hand ailments that limited him to just over half the 2001 season and only 347 plate appearances. And this was his healthiest season.

Brook Fordyce returns to catch after a solid three month audition with a new contract.

Fans are still upset about the Orioles trading away catcher Charles Johnson.

Ryan Kohlmeier was the team's closer.

At this moment, the Orioles bullpen consists of  B. J. Ryan, Mike Trombley, Buddy Groom, Willis Roberts, Ryan Kohlmeier, and Calvin Maduro. Alan Mills is on the DL.

The Orioles were looking for production and new blood from amongst this group, none of whom had more than a few months of playing time with the Birds: Chris Richard, Brook Fordyce, Luis Matos, Fernando Lunar, Jorge Julio, Mike Kinkade, Leslie Brea, Josh Towers, John Hale, Jay Gibbons and Willis Roberts.

Scott Erickson was going to miss the entire season with an injury. The club signed veteran Pat Hentgen to fill the gap.

Pitching hopefuls Kohlmeier, John Parrish (who had pitched very well in a couple of spot starts in 2000), and Chuck McElroy, a veteran reliever the team had made into a starter, were all struggling in Spring Training.

Orioles fans and Belfry participants were going to be mulling over the performance of the following: Josh Towers, Jerry Hairston, Willis Roberts, Fernando Lunar, Brian Roberts, Jay Gibbons, Melvin Mora, Brook Fordyce, Mike Kinkade, Tim Raines Jr., Chris Richard, Larry Bigbie, Luis Matos, Casey Blake, Willie Harris, John Wasdin, Chad Paranto, Leslie Brea, Kris Foster, John Bale, Jorge Julio, Rick Bauer, Willis Roberts, and Sean Douglass.

Greg Myers was released by the Orioles because they didn't think he could really contribute as a backup catcher. The team felt they had better options. Other players of note turned loose during the season: Brady Anderson, Chuck McElroy.

The Twin Towers were still standing, and Democrats were still seething over the Florida election results.

Very few fans knew there was an underground train tunnel under Baltimore. Even fewer knew that trains carried toxic materials under the city on an ongoing basis.

Oriole fans were hoping that this was the breakout season for Sidney Ponson.

Birds in the Belfry made its debut on March 17, 2001, with a first day of 42 hits. On March 20, Kerry published his first analysis of an Orioles draft. By April 15 we had published our first full-blown parody, "Instant Column". By now, the Belfry was beginning to take shape. By the end of April, we had over 100 fans dropping in every day to peruse the frames and crawl their way around on the first of our three major board designs, and the first of our three message boards.

We're glad you're still with us.