Who will be Orioles’ surprise player in spring training? | MAILBAG

Question: Can you pick a surprise player at spring training who we might see playing during the season? From: Bill Connor

Answer: Bill, among pitchers, I like Luis González, a 33-year-old rookie left-hander, and Brandon Young, who threw two scoreless innings against the Phillies on Sunday. It’s harder to pick among position players, but I’ll guess Vimael Machin, a utility infielder who could get a call if there were injuries to middle infielders.

If you ask this question again after another week or 10 days of games have been played, I may give you a different answer.

Question: I’ve been hoping they would resurrect one of my favorite things about watching Oriole games at the old Memorial Stadium. I don’t know if you remember but any time someone in the stands would make a great play on a foul ball, the PA would fire up Rex Barney’s call of “Give that fan a contract.” Could they still bring it back? And while we’re at it, how about a third strike sound effect like some teams employ. The Yankees ‘whistle comes to mind. How about something like a bird tweet? Thoughts? From: Mike Sherman

Answer: Mike, Rex Barney was the public address announcer in the early years of Camden Yards and he continued his “Give that fan a contract,” until his death in 1997.

I think it fit well with him, and particularly Memorial Stadium, but Adrienne Roberson, the Orioles’ excellent public address announcer, has her own style.

I find the Yankees’ whistle annoying, and I’m fine with not having a bird tweet.

Most weekdays, I’ll be answering at least one Orioles question. If you’d like to submit a question, send it to: Rich@BaltimoreBaseball.com. Questions may be edited for clarity, length and style.