For the first time since the 1996-97 seasons, the Baltimore Orioles are headed to the postseason in consecutive years. While not getting into the years of ineptitude that caused such a streak to be possible, let’s celebrate what Mike Elias & Co. have been able to accomplish during this rebuild. The players and coaches were certainly ready to do just that following their magic number dropping to zero last night.
First, the Birds, bolstered by the returns of players like Jordan Westburg, Ryan Mountcastle, and Ramon Urias, each of whom contributed offensively last night, dispatched with the New York Yankees by a score of 5-3. Then, they turned their eyes to Target Field in Minnesota, where a loss by the Twins would assure them of a playoff berth. The Miami Marlins led 4-1 headed into the bottom of the ninth. Poetically, the first two outs of the final frame were both on pop-ups caught by former Birds – Kyle Stowers and Connor Norby. A strikeout ended it, and just a few minutes after sealing their own victory, the Birds busted out the champagne.
Let's get it on. pic.twitter.com/KWsVfHtVq8
— Baltimore Orioles (@Orioles) September 25, 2024
Brandon Hyd is absolutely right that this team has been through a ton of crap over the last few months. At first, I was a bit surprised they were celebrating so hard after only clinching a playoff berth – not the top wild card seed just yet, and certainly not the AL East crown – but after reflecting upon what a grind the last three months have been, I came around to the point of view that they absolutely deserved to let loose.
pookies are looking absolutely fire tonight pic.twitter.com/EErGLhSg2P
— Baltimore Orioles (@Orioles) September 25, 2024
A highlight was the display set up for 20-year-old Jackson Holliday, who of course isn’t legally allowed to fully participate in the festivities.
biiiiiiig sparkling water guy pic.twitter.com/0qAgpjfKES
— Baltimore Orioles (@Orioles) September 25, 2024
Colton Cowser was in rare form, interview-bombing Kevin Brown and Gunnar Henderson with a story about going to see The Great Gatsby on Broadway, and having something called a pizookie beforehand, which upset his tummy.
LMAO at @kevinnbrown's face
Consummate professional pic.twitter.com/xDMyqn9yAT
— Eutaw Street Report (@EutawStReport) September 25, 2024
I can’t get enough of Kevin Brown’s face during that interview.
Some other great moments:
Not sure what this is pic.twitter.com/FWkgCx34br
— Baltimore Banner Sports (@AllBannerSports) September 25, 2024
Yeah, Mounty’s back pic.twitter.com/WTEwUEAVZi
— Baltimore Banner Sports (@AllBannerSports) September 25, 2024
Adley is Adley pic.twitter.com/AI38pTGQ7V
— Eutaw Street Report (@EutawStReport) September 25, 2024
James McCann, Adley Rutschman and others chugging from the Orioles’ Homer Hydration Station pic.twitter.com/aZC26xIvI9
— Jacob Calvin Meyer (@jcalvinmeyer) September 25, 2024
Man, I can’t help but think how nice it would have been to be having this celebration in the bowels of Yankee Stadium after locking up consecutive AL East titles. Alas…
Hopefully this is just the first of many such celebrations we see from the Birds this fall. This year’s team is much more battle-tested than the 2023 version, and should hopefully be ready to overcome the adversity that’s sure to face them in October.
