Mike Bordick, a typical Baltimore fan favorite...underdog, white, no speed, not a top tier player, humble, unassuming lunch pail type (see: "Slats", "The Froot Loops Kid", "Pags", "Mad Dog", Jeff Manto, "Will the Thrill" (we wanted to see if you were paying attention <g>).

Bordick started out 2000 as one of the few highlights of the early season, hitting a robust .352 in April, and challenging Charles Johnson for the team HR lead while continuing his usual stellar defensive play. Batting eighth, ninth, or second, he performed admirably in every role the Orioles could dream up for him.

He again hit well against southpaws; not to the tune of last year's .402, but still a respectable .307, slugging nearly .500 against them, as well.

He continued to be a bright spot right into the dog days of summer, even though he seemed to contribute somewhat to the overall decline of the O's once-representative defense. His 16 errors for the season was his highest count in four seasons, and tied his overall high season total. His range seemed to be slightly diminished as well. Fans thought it may have something to do with Cal's drop in range at third, but Bordy dropped 100 points in zone rating this season. Zone Rating is a flawed stat, but a 100 point drop is a cause for a little alarm. Mike's fine offensive season overshadowed any drop in his defense.

Once May arrived, it was evident that Bordick was on the trading block, as he was playing very well, was a free agent at the end of the season, and was making a lot of money. Finally, the deal came...he went to the Mets.

Even though he hit a HR in his first game as a Met, he really didn't play nearly as well for them as he did for the O's. He hit only .260 with the Mets, with a huge drop off in slugging percentage, down 120 points to a more Bordick-like number of .365.

He was consistent, however, and played well enough to be considered an asset.

TO CONTRIBUTE SUCCESSFULLY NEXT SEASON HE MUST:

(1) Continue his assault on left-handed pitching.

(2) Rebound defensively from what few noticed as a sub-par Bordick year.

Notes: crushed the ball when he was first pitch swinging...to the tune of a .429 average and .643 (!) slugging…had a bad year with runners in scoring position, though he hit well in "close and late" situations...hit 20 HR, with 80 RBI, both career highs...if his O's season would have extended, he would have tied Derek Jeter for sixth among AL SS for in slugging percentage. Probably had the seventh best extended offensive season among AL shortstops. Ranked 12th in the ML in actual offensive winning percentage among SS, right in the middle.