It’s May 6, 1996, and on their way to a road series in Chicago, the O’s stopped in Rochester to play an exhibition against their top minor league club. Bobby Bonilla and Gregg Zaun each drove in three runs, as the Birds rallied to beat the Red Wings 11-9 in front of 9,302 fans.

It was the 27th time the O’s played an exhibition in Rochester, and it would be the final time in the old Silver Stadium, as the Red Wings will move into a new ballpark next year. The Birds win moved the all-time series record to 13-13-1.

Cal Ripken, Jr., noted the awkward nature of a midseason exhibition. “On the one hand, you want to avoid injuries and realize that we’ve got a long season to go,” he said. “But on the other hand, you want to give the fans something to cheer about. This is the only time a lot of them will get to see certain guys. It’s a tough situation.” (Baltimore Sun, p. 6D, May 7, 1996)

The fans got to see O’s starter Kent Mercker, and he pitched two mediocre innings. “For whatever reason, there’s no life in my arm,” he said. “It’s just dead right now.” (Baltimore Sun, p. 1D, May 7, 1996) Hmmm… sounds bad. For now, he and his 9.25 ERA remain in the rotation.

While they were passing through Rochester, the O’s added lefty Rick Krivda to the major league roster. Krivda grew up in McKeesport, Pa., and was drafted by the O’s in the 23rd round in 1991 out of Pennsylvania Western University California. He managed to make it to the big club in 1995 and started 14 games, going 2-7 with a 4.54. ERA. Orioles manager Davey Johnson said he wanted a righty to pitch in long relief out of the bullpen, and it seems like that may be Krivda’s role, despite the fact that he’s lefthanded. 

“We’re just looking for someone to give us an inning or two out of the bullpen,” Johnson said. “Rick’s been here before, and we think he can do the job.” (Baltimore Sun, p. 6D, May 7, 1996)

To make room for Krivda, the Orioles sent down struggling righty Jimmy Myers, who got rocked yesterday against the Brewers and has an ERA over 7 on the season. If you’ll recall, Myers was one of the last guys to make the club and made his major league debut after pitching 900 innings in the minor leagues. Unfortunately for Myers, that game against the Brewers would be the last time ever pitched in the big leagues. He would kick around the minors for a few different teams until playing his final season of professional baseball in China in 1999.

No game today. Wall stays the same.

Orioles (16-14) vs. White Sox (16-14), 8:05 p.m.

Starting Pitchers
BAL – LHP David Wells (2-2, 4.40 ERA)
CHW – RHP Alex Fernandez (4-2, 3.78 ERA)

It’s been two years, and survivors of the genocide in Rwanda are still waiting for justice. Between 500,000 and 800,000 people died in the genocide in 1994, but so far, no one has been brought to trial. In fact, only 10 key suspects have been indicted and only two of them are in custody.

“It’s the forgotten tribunal,” said Jennie Green of the Center for Constitutional Rights. 

The Sun describes the U.N. tribunal as “financially strapped” as it struggles to track down suspects who are believed to be living freely in other countries.  

“The only way for there to be any hope for the future is for hate to dissipate and for some form of forgiveness to begin, so that there can be true reconciliation,” said Richard Goldstone, a South African jurist who is the chief prosecutor not just for the Rwanda tribunal, but also for a separate one probing Yugoslavian war crimes.

The article is an interesting look at what happens in the immediate aftermath of a genocide. As the country tries to figure out how to hold those responsible accountable, the international court struggles to gain credibility on the ground. 

“Until there are trials, there will be skepticism about the process,” said Crystal Nix, a lawyer in the State Department’s human rights bureau who pressed for the tribunal. “I think people will realize we’re serious. And to the extent that prosecutors are able to apprehend the masterminds, that will increase confidence and create a sense that justice is being done.” 

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

Hey! I recognize that guy! It’s 0-time Tour de France winner Lance Armstrong. It’s cool he can win a stage here in the U.S., but will he ever make a name for himself in Europe???