It’s March 26, 1996, and Baltimore dropped a preseason game, 9-8, to the Dodgers. Starter Kent Mercker got roughed up, giving up 6 runs in just 5 innings, but since he’s been sick this spring, he and the O’s seem more relieved that he’s getting some more innings under his belt before they start counting. 

Speaking of getting innings, lefty Arthur Rhodes has only thrown 4⅔ so far, and has somewhat become a forgotten man on the pitching staff. From high school phenom to high draft pick to promising prospect to failed starter to … bullpen weapon? That seems to be the plan for Rhodes, if his surgically repaired shoulder holds up.

Arthur Rhodes was born in October of 1969 in Waco, Tex. He and his older brother, Ricky, immediately fell in love with baseball. They were both pitchers, Ricky throwing with his right hand, and Arthur with his left.

“We started playing Little League baseball in the Waco Southern league the same year,” a young Arthur told the Waco Tribune-Herald. “We both pitched. But Ricky was older and bigger. He pitched most, and I was the catcher. But some games I’d pitch, and he’d catch.” (Waco Tribune-Herald, Neighbor Section, p. 4, June 16, 1988)

Arthur grew to be a star pitcher for La Vega High School in Waco, and also played offense and defense — and kicker — for the football team. After a dominant senior season, the Orioles drafted Rhodes in the second round of the 1988 draft. On draft day, he was…not pressed.

“I was still asleep when the phone rang at about 8 o’clock that morning,” he said. “My dad answered the phone, talked a little while, and I could tell he was very happy. He came and told me, ‘You’ve been picked by Baltimore.’” (Waco Tribune-Herald, Neighbor Section, p. 1, June 16, 1988)

After steadily climbing the minor league ranks for a couple years, Rhodes made his debut in Baltimore in 1991 at just 21 years old. It went quite poorly. He gave up 32 runs in 36 innings. 

After a solid half season (15 starts) in 1992, it looked like the O’s might have a young starter they could rely on going forward. But alas, he was shelled again in 1993 and 1994, shuttling back and forth between the majors and minors.

Prior to the 1994 season, Baltimore Sun sports writer Jim Henneman summed it up best:

Rhodes still hasn’t gotten rid of the “ifs.” Midway through 1995, he moved to the bullpen. The results still weren’t great. He sometimes had trouble throwing strikes, as evidenced by 48 walks in just over 75 innings. But he also showed glimpses of how, in short bursts, his stuff could be effective. In August, he struck out 10 A’s in one bullpen appearance. But he would just pitch one more game that season, ultimately needing surgery on his shoulder.

He’s back in camp in 1996, and he looks healthy. With the season fast approaching, Rhodes should start the year in the bullpen. He has been eased back this spring after his shoulder injury, but has pitched well. Since he throws with his left hand, he could still have a lengthy career ahead of him as a matchup lefty reliever, even though starting hasn’t worked out. 

For now, the “ifs” are still here. Surrounded by veterans in the pen, there should be less pressure. If he can throw strikes and keep the ball in the ballpark, he can still fulfill all the promise he showed in Waco way back when.

Today is Opening Day in 2026, but 30 years ago, the season never started this early. Opening Day 1996 is scheduled for April 1. The earlier start is mostly because way more teams make the playoffs now (12 teams will make the playoffs in 2026, compared to just 8 in 1996). To avoid having bad weather for the World Series in November, they opted for having worse weather for Opening Day in March.

But the weather is great here in Baltimore today and I’ll be heading out to the Yard in a bit. Here’s the team’s official hype video, featuring local legends Turnstile.

Let’s gooooooo!!!

Welcome to a recurring segment where I find fun things in today’s (in 1996) Baltimore Sun!

As described with ’90s-era scare quotes in today’s Sun, dozens of gay and lesbian couples were married in San Francisco, nearly two decades before the Obergefell v. Hodges decision guaranteed rights to same-sex couples. “It tells me that my city recognizes me and that my relationship is valid,” said Maxine Kincora, pictured on the left below.