This week on Outside the Lines we will be looking into both sides of the budding rivalry between the Orioles and the Mets. We'll also see how they think they will fair this season, and what they hope to accomplish.
Bob Ley: So, Scott. What happened between you and Mets Captain Gary Merritt? Is this something that spawned from your time together on the Padres, or did this occur more recently then that?
Scott Debiase: Well basically about halfway through the season Gary started trying to undermine my authority as captain and recruiting current players from the padres to join his future team. Then when I asked him to come out of games he refused when he couldn't hit the side of a barn. Then he claimed I stopped trying against the dodgers when I pulled myself out of the game against the dodgers because my arm gave out and I couldn't move my arm fast enough to get anything on a pitch. Then in the off season I basically started a friendly banter with Gary to generate some interest in my team aka the Lane Kiffin approach. Then me and Curtin had a brief falling out and he told Gary he was going to play for the Mets even though he already was committed to the orioles. After talking to Mike he said he shouldn't have done that and he wanted to still play for the orioles. So then I talked to Gary about it and he was being a huge dick about it so then I ramped up the rivalry and got it intense and mike eventually got back to the orioles. Then after that Gary just got a little too serious when I was just having a good time and that's how the rivalry is what it is before we've played a game. Can't wait for opening day now.
Ley: Who do you think would have won if you two did get into a physical altercation?
Debiase: I think I'd have him beat in terms of movement and speed but he's got power on me. I think it would be a good fight but he would probably come out on top.
Ley: Alright, enough about that. So how do you think your Orioles will fair in the 2010 season? Do you think you have the tools to compete for the Championship ?
Debiase: Our interest in Jay Rozell had nothing to do with the Mets getting involved. I actually laughed when I told buster that we were interested in him and then right after that i saw the Mets were talking to him, I guess its just a coincidence. Our interest actually developed when we saw that he had lost a great deal of weight. As many had seen we previously were not interested in Jay because we are building our team around pitching and fielding and the hitting will fall into place. Jays fielding problems were a well known problem for him so this is why we were uninterested in him before. Since he trimmed down we feel he now can fit into our team philosophy of speed, fielding and pitching. Also who wouldn't want one of the greatest hitters ever in HFWB in Jay Rozell.
Ley: Okay time for the tough question. Prediction time. Where do you think the Orioles will finish in the Hess League with the format as it stands right now? Who do you see playing for the Championship, and who wins it all in the 2010 HFWB Season?
Debiase: We will finish third in the division. We will make a run to the conference finals where we will lose to the Indians and the Indians will play the Rockies if they have Fuchs. Rockies 2010 champs.
