COLUMN | By simply showing his smiling, bruised face after getting nailed by a foul ball, Craig Albernaz helped set the tone for a fighting comeback — the kind the Orioles have had all too rarely for the past two seasons.

COLUMN | High-priced contracts for Pete Alonso and Shane Baz have yet to pay dividends. Both struggled in a 6-3 loss to the Giants, highlighting how huge investments the Orioles made over the offseason haven’t helped much so far.

COLUMN | With the issues on the offensive line, many observers assume the Ravens’ No. 14 pick will go toward a blocker. But, behind Zay Flowers and Mark Andrews, there's no proven receiving depth. Using a draft pick for a pass catcher would be just as prudent.

COLUMN | Jackson’s mere attendance speaks volumes to his personal buy-in. After he passed on a $750,000 contract stipulation last season, we know what Jackson is willing to trade for not coming to OTAs.

COLUMN | Julian Reese, Bub Carrington and Cam Whitmore grew up in the same basketball circles. Now their NBA dreams have become a reality — together.

COLUMN | While there are bigger fish for the Orioles to nail down extensions with, Shane Baz is a great early entry who keeps the organization pointed in the right direction to lock down more players.

COLUMN | When COVID-19 hit, the Orioles ended the long-standing practice of letting fans in early to watch the home team take batting practice. The opportunity finally returned for early arrivals.

COLUMN | The Orioles caused a stir within their fan base last season by changing the Birdland membership tiers and displacing a number of members from their seats. After a few months, most fans who spoke to The Banner remain season ticket holders, but they are cynical about the direction of the program.

Can the Orioles return to winning after a 2025 debacle? How will the team look under new manager Craig Albernaz?

COLUMN | For a first-year manager, Craig Albernaz has tremendous self-confidence, a combative personality and a motormouth. The Orioles have felt stagnant too often for the past season and a half. It’s hard to imagine Albernaz letting that happen.

COLUMN | The Mimi DiPietro Family Skating Center is scheduled to close forever after this season with no plan to replace it with a new indoor ice rink. The Baltimore Banners hockey team, whose existence may hinge on the dome staying open, is hosting a weekend rally in an effort to extend its life for a few more years.

COLUMN | At 24, Coby Mayo has flipped positions a few times. Now back at third, he’s trying to see a new coaching staff and a return to an old position as a clean slate rather than just the latest plot twist.

COLUMN | This is an all-time screw-up that makes Baltimore look either overly timid, underinformed or both.

COLUMN | Tyler Linderbaum, Isaiah Likely, Jordan Stout and others are gone. Should the Ravens have found ways to keep more of their free agents? And how does this change the strategy going forward?

COLUMN | The Ravens’ franchise quarterback has a lot to gain from an extension before the new league year begins Wednesday. But the biggest advantage will be how the Ravens can help him with a better supporting cast.

COLUMN | With the franchise shortstop going 4-for-5 in his WBC start against Great Britain on Saturday, it's a reminder that Gunnar Henderson can be at his best when the games matter. That's one reason it's imperative for the Orioles to get back to the playoffs this fall.

The Ravens secured the backup QB position after a season in which Tyler Huntley kept their postseason ambitions alive in two key starts.

COLUMN | Getting the All-Pro pass rusher from the Las Vegas Raiders could put the Ravens defense back on the path to being elite.

“It’s just a strange feeling, kind of the way it happened in May and then not seeing people for a while,” Hyde said. “But it’s great to see these guys.”

COLUMN | The Orioles 2024 first-rounder has disappointed at the plate so far in his minor league journey, but with four home runs in four at-bats, his stunning power is turning heads this spring.