Andy Kostka - The Baltimore Banner
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Andy Kostka

Andy

Andy Kostka is an Orioles beat writer for The Baltimore Banner, focused on telling stories that revolve around — and away from — baseball. He previously covered the Orioles for The Baltimore Sun, and before that he worked for The Clarion Ledger in Mississippi. Kostka graduated from the University of Maryland and grew up in Rockville.

The latest from Andy Kostka

Ryan O'Hearn hugs members of the Newtown Edgmont Angels, a Philadelphia-area Little League Challenger Division team he supports.
On his bat, Orioles All-Star Ryan O’Hearn reps a Little League Challenger team he cares for
Ryan O'Hearn (32) salutes the crowd ahead of a game against the Miami Marlins on July 11.
Ryan O’Hearn’s All-Star recognition is a fitting reward for a player who was once an afterthought
“The way it has progressed has been insane,” said O’Hearn of a career he felt might be over at any moment years earlier. “Better than anything I could have imagined.”
Ryan O'Hearn, right, poses with his wife Hannah as he is recognized for being an All-Star before a baseball game against the Miami Marlins on July 13.
At All-Star Game, Ryan O’Hearn can’t escape trade deadline speculation: ‘It’s hard to ignore, for sure’
“Be where my feet are, focus on my team," O'Hearn said. "The Baltimore Orioles right now are my team. In my mind, we’re trying to make a miraculous comeback."
Washington Nationals' James Wood sits in the dugout before a baseball game against the Los Angeles Dodgers in Los Angeles, Friday, June 20, 2025. (AP Photo/Jessie Alcheh)
The path to MLB stardom for James Wood began in a batting cage in a Maryland suburb
Before Wood got the invite to launch homers during the derby alongside some of the game’s biggest stars, he and his hitting coach Gerardo Caceres developed his swing in Gaithersburg.
Kyle Stowers of the Marlins rounds the bases after hitting the first of his three home runs Sunday at Camden Yards.
Kyle Stowers exacts revenge with 3-homer, 5-hit game vs. Orioles in final game of first half
Stowers went 5-for-5 with 6 RBIs and 4 runs scored as Miami won the deciding game of the series.
Orioles All-Star first baseman Ryan O'Hearn, who will be a free agent after the season, waves to fans after Friday night’s victory over the Miami Marlins.
To talent evaluators, these are the most enticing Orioles players potentially available via trade
To scouts around baseball, the prudent path forward would be to sell players at the deadline, prioritizing a retooling for 2026 competitiveness over the long shot of 2025.
Marlins outfielder Kyle Stowers takes practice swings from the on-deck circle in the first inning of Friday’s game at Camden Yards. Stowers will represent the Marlins in the All-Star Game.
Connor Norby and Kyle Stowers return with fond Orioles memories, but their path forward is in Miami
The Orioles dealt the players to the Marlins at last season’s MLB trade deadline.
Orioles interim manager Tony Mansolino said it is too early to write the obituary for this season.
Not so fast, the Orioles clubhouse says. Despite a trade, don’t call it quits on the season.
To interim manager Tony Mansolino and players, the plan remains: Win as much as possible, keep the team together, make the playoffs.
Tomoyuki Sugano allowed three runs, four hits and three walks in six innings as the Orioles beat the Mets 7-3 in the second game of Thursday’s doubleheader at Camden Yards.
Tomoyuki Sugano shows improvement, if not perfection, in Orioles’ win vs. Mets
Sugano overcame a two-run first inning by the Mets to post his best start in more than a month.
The Orioles’ Charlie Morton is scheduled to start the first game of Thursday’s doubleheader at Camden Yards after Wednesday night’s game was rained out.
To Charlie Morton, Jason Isbell’s ‘Palmetto Rose’ is far more than his walk-up song
The Orioles’ Charlie Morton is scheduled to start the first game of Thursday’s doubleheader at Camden Yards after Wednesday night’s game was rained out.
Orioles control person David Rubenstein takes questions from reporters in February during spring training.
David Rubenstein says Orioles have ‘good chance’ to do better in second half
“We have a lot of injuries,” Rubenstein said. “We lead the major leagues, I think, in injuries."
Reliever Bryan Baker (43) leaves the mound after giving up four runs during the eighth inning.
Brandon Young delivers, but the Orioles bullpen crumbles in loss to Mets
The Orioles remain the only team in Major League Baseball without a walk-off victory this season.
Gary Sánchez z catches a pitch during a game against the Texas Rangers on June 24.
Orioles catcher Gary Sánchez to miss 8 to 10 weeks with knee sprain
Baltimore has suffered a cascade of catching injuries.
Orioles prospect Nate George tracks a fly ball in the outfield at Perdue Stadium in Salisbury, Maryland.
Meet the 16th-round Orioles pick who’s playing like a first-rounder
Baltimore signed George for $455,000, the seventh-highest bonus in its 2024 draft class. So far, as the 19-year-old George rips his way through the Florida Complex League and Low-A Delmarva, he’s proving himself as a sound investment.
A large group of dads pose with their Orioles-playing sons during Baltimore's Dads Trip to Arlington, Texas, on Tuesday.
Dads of the Orioles are on this road trip. We asked about their sons’ journeys to MLB.
The dads trip allows fathers to join their sons on the team plane, at the team hotel and in the clubhouse after a win to share a beer and a smile.
Tomoyuki Sugano allowed 10 hits and six runs in 4 2/3 innings Wednesday night as the Orioles lost 6-0 at Texas.
Tomoyuki Sugano continues regression as Rangers blank Orioles
There has been a stark difference in the Sugano who took the league by surprise early this season and the Sugano of late.
Ryan O'Hearn connects with a pitch against the Detroit Tigers in June.
Orioles’ Ryan O’Hearn wins fan vote to start All-Star Game as AL designated hitter
Jackson Holliday steals second base in the first inning ahead of the tag of Taylor Walls of the Tampa Bay Rays on June 28.
Under Tony Mansolino, the most noticeable change is on the basepaths: ‘It’s just creating havoc’
“That was one of the messages whenever he took over: run out of control, be super aggressive, and we’ll reel you back in, if need be,” second baseman Jackson Holliday said.
Orioles pitcher Brandon Young reacts after pitching to the Texas Rangers during the first inning.
Orioles improve fortunes against Jacob deGrom but are blown out by Rangers anyway
This contest unraveled to the point that infielder Luis Vázquez took the mound in the eighth inning for his third pitching appearance in less than two weeks.
Shortstop Gunnar Henderson (2) watches his teammates from the dugout during a game against the Detroit Tigers.
Orioles roundtable: 4 key questions as July begins and the trade deadline looms
The July 31 trade deadline is the point of no return when it comes to the 2025 season: either sell and wave the white flag, or stand pat and strive to pull off the unlikely.
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