Extra Credit

Take a look around most message forums concerning the Orioles and you'll find people falling all over themselves talking about how good the personnel moves have been thus far.

Some people are even going as far as wondering if "The Oriole Way" is back in Baltimore. I wonder if the girlfriends and wives of those same people complain about them being premature, if you know what I mean.

Anyway, the moves look good in theory, as they appear to streamline the organization from top to bottom, but it's not known how well the moves will turn out or how fast results will be produced. There is a lot of work that needs to be done throughout this organization.

And besides, this isn't the first time we've seen some personnel get shuffled around.

During the last 10 years, we've welcomed several different personnel moves, only to watch as they fizzle like an Alka Seltzer tablet being dropped into a glass of water.

And while it's good to be pleased with the moves the Orioles have made as opposed to questioning them, it's still too early in the game to give out credit to Andy MacPhail and company like it's candy.

Halloween was more than a week ago.

At this stage in the game, after 10 losing seasons of watching the Orioles sink to the bottom of the ocean and come to a rest next to the Titanic, it's going to take a lot more than some good personnel moves to get fans back to the Yard with hope in their hearts.

Wins are about the only thing that can change fans' opinion of the team right now, with Angelos selling the Orioles at a close second. And putting "Baltimore" back on the road uniforms comes in at third.

So while these moves may be the first step in a long process of getting the Orioles back to respectability, don't expect any credit for it until said respectability is actually achieved.

Like I said, it's been a week since Halloween, but the Orioles are still so ugly you'd swear they're still wearing a costume.