The Camden Chat community is mourning the loss of one of its longtime regulars, Jakubazookas, known to many as Jaku. He died last month, after what was apparently an act of random violence while he was walking to work.
For years, Jaku was one of the voices that gave the comment section its life. He showed up for the offbeat conversations, the movie talk, the running jokes, and the back-and-forth that made Bird Droppings feel like more than just a place to follow the Orioles. He loved sharing the things he was into, and in recent years that included baking, with his posts about his latest creations drawing plenty of interest from people who were eager to see what he’d made next.
He posted from Hawaii, which meant he was often checking in while Orioles games were unfolding on the other side of the world. That alone made him stand out.
He kept his fandom going from a place where staying connected was inconvenient, and he did it with the kind of commitment that was impossible to miss. He also had a knack for describing the people around him, whether he was talking about an office job or the baking job he eventually took because he was good enough to bake for work.
The personal connection ran deeper than the comments. A few summers ago, my wife and I were in Hawaii and met up with Jaku and his wife for dinner at a Japanese place in Honolulu.
It was a lovely evening. I tried octopus for the first time.
They were both very nice people, and I was glad we were able to make that part of our trip. Now I’m even more glad, because it turns out that was the only chance we were ever going to get.
One memory that always stuck was how Jaku would light up whenever the Delmon Young Double in the 2014 ALDS against the Tigers came up. He was there in the stadium that day, and not just anywhere in the park - he was in the front row in left field.
If you know where to look in the replay, you can see him banging his palms against the padding on the left field fence as the ball landed out there. That’s the image that will stay with me: Jaku fully in the moment, part of that surge of joy with everyone else in the ballpark.
The family has set up a Gofundme to help his wife with expenses. If you enjoyed Jaku’s presence here, consider contributing and letting them know he will be missed by the people of Camden Chat.
In Other News...
Playoff Power Bat Slipped Away For One Reason Padres Could Not Control
The Orioles have a chance to jump the line for a player who suddenly found himself available in the middle of the stretch run. The Mets placed outfielder Luis Robert Jr. on outright waivers, and Baltimore claimed him, giving the club a shot at adding a proven bat without having to wait for the usual trade-market wrangling. For a team still sorting out its late-season picture, that kind of waiver claim can carry real weight.
Baltimores path to Robert came with a bit of timing and a little luck, since the Padres were also in the mix but did not have the waiver priority to get it done. Even so, the move does not immediately change Roberts status with New York, because he remains eligible to keep playing for the Mets while the waiver process plays out. That leaves the Orioles watching a situation that is still unresolved, but one with plenty of implications if it lands their way. [Read more 🡒]
Orioles Roster Churn Just Cost Them More Pitching Depth
The Orioles recent roster churn reached another pitching layer when the Mets claimed right-hander Cameron Weston off waivers and sent him to Triple-A Syracuse. Weston had been in Baltimores organization as another arm worth keeping around for depth, the kind of pitcher teams are reluctant to lose when the staff is already stretched thin, but the waiver process left the Orioles exposed.
Shawn Ross was the corresponding move on New Yorks side, with the catcher designated for assignment to clear a 40-man spot. Ross now goes on waivers and could be claimed again, or outrighted if he clears, while Baltimore is left sorting through yet another reminder that pitching depth can disappear quickly when roster spots start moving around. [Read more 🡒]
Orioles Just Added A Top Prospect For Their Playoff Push
The Orioles made another late-season addition to their pitching mix by promoting left-hander Luis De Leon, their No. 7-ranked prospect, to the major league roster. De Leon got the call against the Colorado Rockies and worked one inning in his MLB debut, allowing two runs, one earned, with a strikeout as Baltimore continues sorting through options for the stretch run.
For a club trying to hold its place in the postseason picture, De Leon gives the bullpen another arm with upside and a little less familiarity for opposing hitters. The Orioles are planning to use him there for the rest of the season, which makes his early outings worth watching closely as Baltimore looks for any fresh leverage it can find. [Read more 🡒]