O's Call Up a Local, NFL Draft and NBA Playoffs
In a momentous week for Frederick County sports, sports editor Josh Smith, sports writer Joe Ferraro and host Greg Swatek react to the major-league call-up for Thomas Johnson graduate Branden Kline. Needing some insurance arms for Saturday’s doubleheader against the Minnesota Twins, the Orioles called up Kline, a 27-year-old right-handed pitcher, from Triple-A Norfolk, making him the 14th player born in Frederick County to reach the major leagues. The guys react to Kline’s debut, which featured a 1-2-3 first inning of work and a bumpier second inning that saw him surrender a pair of home runs. They talk about why Kline’s physical and mental makeup make him ideally suited to be a major-league pitcher and what it might take to earn a more permanent spot on the Orioles’ roster. They also talk about the NFL draft and the NBA playoffs, which offer some really appealing second-round match-ups. Plus, more people are banished to the Boat to Nowhere and maybe even a black hole.