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Orioles losing “fans” early and often

two fans in stands wearing black and orange bags over heads
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It’s no secret that much of the MLB thinks the Orioles’ 2012 season was a total fluke. We’re out to prove otherwise. But being a winning team comes with a price that some, including myself, don’t particularly enjoy paying: dealing with fair weather fans.

The 2013 campaign has been exciting thus far, especially with Chris Davis’ record setting week and Adam Jones’ hot start, but a 3-4 record is a bit alarming to some fans. We’re 1-24 from the DH slot and the duo of Steve Pearce and Ryan Flaherty is a combined 0-24. Roberts is hurt (again). Reimold is hurt (again). We’ve lost three in a row for the first time since July of last season, and we’re under .500 for the first time since 2011. Should we be concerned?

Easy answer: No. What bothers me is the amount of people who ARE concerned. People who call themselves fans. People who are ready to jump off the bandwagon that they joined last year. People who probably couldn’t name a single member of the 2011 Orioles. People who have been the reason for the multitude of empty seats that have filled Camden Yards for years. It’s unfortunate, really.

I’m a loyal fan. Always have been, always will be. I came out to The Yard to support Sidney Ponson and Larry Bigbie, as hard as that was. I’ve sat through many a disappointing season, but not once have I given up on this team. As an 18 year old, 2012 was the first winning season that I can remember the O’s having. I waited my whole life to experience it. I was too young to remember the wire-to-wire division champs of 1997. But I rooted for the Birds in 2012 the same way I did in 2005… with passion and 100% support no matter what the outcome.

It really, really annoys me that fans are already giving up on the 2013 season. I see it all over twitter. I myself criticize the flaws of the team just like the next guy, but that’s because of the passion I have for Baltimore baseball. The same people who were cheering their hearts out in the bleachers last September and October are now the ones who won’t even think about buying an O’s ticket this season if we have a losing record come July, and that irks me to no end.

Unfortunately, this is the way all sports are and probably always will be. There’s nothing we can do to change it. For those of us who are true fans, all we can do is root, root, root for the Orioles and try our best to ignore the fair weather fans.

Side note: This completely goes against absolutely everything I’ve said in this article, but I absolutely LOVE the fact that Yankee Stadium seems almost empty all the time nowadays. That’s a loyal fan base if I’ve ever seen one.

8 Responses

  1. If they’re jumping off the wagon after 7 games they weren’t fans to start. It’s been 7 games people. Where’s the love! A winning team starts with supportive fans.
    Great job Ryan

  2. You should embrace these “fair weather fans” because without them the Camden yards would look like the Miami Marlins stadium.

    1. I’m not looking for people to just fill the seats. I’m looking for loyal fans who fill the seats whether we’re winning or not! I appreciate the comment, Matt.

  3. Love the main picture. That was me two years ago when the Orioles were in a real losing rut. When you go to 50+ games a year and you feel that you’re getting a sub par product these are the things that happen.

    It’s still early, and yes the fair weather fans will be back. The orioles will get things together. They have the core that they need to be able to win day in and out. It was sad to see Roberts go down, because he was that spark and producer that they needed! On a side note, I feel the Orioles need to move Machado out of the 2 hole, maybe to the six, or seven hole. Even though he is “getting better pitches” I think it is a lot of pressure and he is not capitalizing on it. I’m not a fan of doing nothing, and letting him work out of it.

    1. I agree with you. However, I wanted Hardy out of the 2 hole last year, and Buck kept him there all damn season. I’m afraid we’re in for more of the same with Manny.

  4. I remember goin the see the playoff games in 96/97….and last year…this years team is gona succeed…we could easily be 6-1..some costly errors makes the difference….my biggest concern right now is bottom lineup hitting. .but Buck will make changes if need be…boy..TJ Macfarland looks like the real deal…and Jonesy is hitting every game…this team is dam good….Give them a chance..

  5. I agree with Mr. Blake, I think that fans give up too easily and think our season is bust. It’s only game number 7, and we have 155 more games left to go against good teams like the Dodgers, Yankees, Angels, Nationals and etc. You can’t give up just because a small slump, and especially after this is the first time we went under .500 since the end of 2011 season. Cmon People! Give us a chance!

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8 Responses

  1. If they’re jumping off the wagon after 7 games they weren’t fans to start. It’s been 7 games people. Where’s the love! A winning team starts with supportive fans.
    Great job Ryan

  2. You should embrace these “fair weather fans” because without them the Camden yards would look like the Miami Marlins stadium.

    1. I’m not looking for people to just fill the seats. I’m looking for loyal fans who fill the seats whether we’re winning or not! I appreciate the comment, Matt.

  3. Love the main picture. That was me two years ago when the Orioles were in a real losing rut. When you go to 50+ games a year and you feel that you’re getting a sub par product these are the things that happen.

    It’s still early, and yes the fair weather fans will be back. The orioles will get things together. They have the core that they need to be able to win day in and out. It was sad to see Roberts go down, because he was that spark and producer that they needed! On a side note, I feel the Orioles need to move Machado out of the 2 hole, maybe to the six, or seven hole. Even though he is “getting better pitches” I think it is a lot of pressure and he is not capitalizing on it. I’m not a fan of doing nothing, and letting him work out of it.

    1. I agree with you. However, I wanted Hardy out of the 2 hole last year, and Buck kept him there all damn season. I’m afraid we’re in for more of the same with Manny.

  4. I remember goin the see the playoff games in 96/97….and last year…this years team is gona succeed…we could easily be 6-1..some costly errors makes the difference….my biggest concern right now is bottom lineup hitting. .but Buck will make changes if need be…boy..TJ Macfarland looks like the real deal…and Jonesy is hitting every game…this team is dam good….Give them a chance..

  5. I agree with Mr. Blake, I think that fans give up too easily and think our season is bust. It’s only game number 7, and we have 155 more games left to go against good teams like the Dodgers, Yankees, Angels, Nationals and etc. You can’t give up just because a small slump, and especially after this is the first time we went under .500 since the end of 2011 season. Cmon People! Give us a chance!

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Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

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