Baltimore reliever Steve Kline's comments to the Post-Dispatch that he wished he still played for the Cardinals raised much more of a stink with Baltimore fans, some of whom wanted to ship him right back, postage paid, than it did in the Orioles' clubhouse.
Kline did some damage control, addressing his team before a game at Tampa Bay on Wednesday night and then he went out and gained credit for a victory.
Bullpen coach Elrod Hendricks hugged Kline and said, "Daddy still loves you." A teammate, also finding the whole situation amusing, said, "Unlike Kline, I'm happy here. Cut me, and I bleed orange."
Kline, who received attention last year for flipping off Cardinals manager Tony La Russa in the bullpen, joked that he got a new haircut to avoid being recognized. The lefthander struck out Tampa Bay's Aubrey Huff to stop a Tampa Bay rally Wednesday and the Orioles then went ahead in the next inning.
"I figured, if I (mess up) right now, they may as well shoot me," Kline said.
Players waited in front of the dugout to congratulate Kline.
"You can see how good we can be, and I feel guilty for two of the three losses we have," Kline said. "My team picked me up big-time. They showed me a lot of love. I'm happy about that.
"We had a good talk today. They told me, 'Don't worry about it, big boy. Just go out and throw your game and bring us home some victories.'"
rotoworld wrote:Steve Kline reportedly refused a demotion to Double-A Bowie. The Orioles needed to make room on the roster for Erik Bedard, but when Kline wouldn't agree to be sent down they instead designated James Baldwin for assignment. Not quite fair seeing as though Baldwin had a 1.61 ERA and Kline has been a major disappointment all year
Whoever wants Kline could probably have him for next to nothing right now.
My friend's dad is friends with one of Kline's best friends, and apperently he has been wanting to come back to St. Louis for a while. I wouldn't mind seeing it, Kline was always one of the top autograph signers
"I'm going to meet the greatest umpire of all, and he knows I'm innocent."
I remember them talking about that during a BAL game. I doubt it will happen since they don't really need him and his 5+ ERA with King and Calero/Flores. I just don't see Walt taking him back unless he gets him for absolutely nothing, which would probably be the case right now.
SaintsOfTheDiamond wrote:I remember them talking about that during a BAL game. I doubt it will happen since they don't really need him and his 5+ ERA with King and Calero/Flores. I just don't see Walt taking him back unless he gets him for absolutely nothing, which would probably be the case right now.
If it wasn't for that stupid MLBPA, I bet Kline would annul his contract for the chance to come back here. The union would never allow that though...
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by JTWood » Sun Apr 17, 2005 10:03 am 
