What a beautiful day for baseball in Charm City. After taking two of three from the Tampa Bay Rays the Orioles come to town full of momentum and optimism that this 2013 season will pick up from where the 2012 season left off. It is a new year and a different team but the foundation from last year and the winning culture has been put in place.
The Brian Roberts injury was the only negative that came out of the three game series against the Rays. He will be out 2-4 weeks with a ruptured tendon in the back of his knee. The Orioles certainly could have swept Tampa Bay especially after taking a 4-0 lead into the 6th inning in game two. Give the Rays credit they battled back against what was a stellar bullpen last year.
Luis Ayala had a tough outing and Pedro Strop had some tough luck as the Rays hit the ball where the Orioles weren’t that day thanks to a bunt and a base hit that put a couple of guys on that would score. Then in the 9th Tommy Hunter got into a hitters count at 3-1 and gave up the game winning home run. We all knew fastball was coming and so did Joyce.
The Orioles failed in the Top of the 9th to get Brian Roberts home with one out, which would have made Matt Joyce’s home a game tying homerun not a game winner. Our starters did not necessarily have their best stuff either but they kept us in the game and gave the team a chance to win and that is all you can ask for as a team. Hamel and Gonzalez got the win in their outings. Chen got a no decision. Chris Davis and Adam Jones have been on a tear and how about Manny Machado making some terrific plays at third base.
Every game is important and to take two of three on the road against a team that arguably could win the division is huge. The Minnesota Twins are a team the Orioles should take two of three from or sweep. In this division getting out to a good start is key and with road series against Boston and New York coming up the schedule does not get easier outside of this weekend.
Opening Day for me brings back memories of playing ball for Catonsville Rec. I remember playing shortstop, pitcher and catcher. I remember one year my team was the Orioles, I was so proud we were the “Hometown Team”. I emulated Greg Olson’s pitching style that year when I was on the mound. I just wish I had had his curveball but I pitched well.
I remember my Dad standing behind the backstop and occasionally voicing his displeasure at a call or two from the ump. I remember thinking, “Come on Dad you are not doing me any favors here.”
I also recall my late Grandfather and my uncle Phil coming to watch me play all three positions in one game which included 3 shutout innings and throwing a runner out from the shallow outfield grass from the shortstop position. It meant so much to do well in front of my family.
As a kid growing up in Woodlawn I would spend hours pitching on the brick wall that separated my house and my neighbors. There were two bricks I focused in on that were the catcher’s mitt and I would pitch several nine inning games and be out there for hours. I would emulate the different deliveries of each of the Orioles starters. I collected baseball cards and knew all five starting pitchers for every team. I was enthralled with baseball. Sadly the 1994 strike and more than a decade of losing greatly diminished my passion and my interest waned although never left me. I am so happy my passion and interest has been reinvigorated by the Orioles.
I look forward to the younger generations in Baltimore growing up and finding the same passion for the game that I did. Many have grown up knowing only losing baseball from the Os and at best were marginal fans if fans at all. Some became fans of other teams. Those fans hopefully we can get back and they won’t end up being the lost generation or lost decade of fans in town.
There is a brand new generation that is just learning about baseball and with the Orioles relevant again that we can capture and groom to be Orioles fans for life.
Whether you will attend the game or a bar enjoy the game, let the memories flow and a few Natty Bohs. After many years we can once again say with conviction the line that the late Chuck Thompson used…
“Ain’t the beer cold!”
Amen, Go O’s and Happy Opening Day
One Response
like USAA commercials – my love of the O’s has been passed down the generations – and win or loose – we are Baltimore – we are O’s !!!! these newfangled drunk non watching party kids don’t even know 33rd street or Earl Weaver? are they fans? they are nonfans who think winning O’s are cool. Well my kids -22 now – grew up thinking that O’s games were the only baseball there was – and – “Dad, you turned the O’s channel! Mom’s gonna be mad!!” well even Dad has been groomed – and now we know Baysox, Keys AND O’s! because its ok to like babybirds too!! I am sorry – O’s ball is baseball – win or loose – they are the O’s – so get outta my seat and go drink your beer across the street! ….. Hey Clancy!! bring me a cold one!!!