Reality: The Orioles have played in front of tiny crowds the last 2 nights.
Perception: The Orioles still had a 6-game lead in the American League East on Monday, but were swept by the Cubs in Chicago. A lot of fans were very discouraged and started wondering if the Orioles would be able to recover.
So when the Birds got back to Oriole Park at Camden Yards Monday night, they were welcomed home by just 13,000 fans in attendance. Everyone took notice, and on twitter I defended us against everyone who was bashing Baltimore, including a Tampa Bay Rays beat writer.
It was the first day of school for many across the state of Maryland. That’s a valid excuse… a Monday night game, and the first day of school. Sorry, but I’m a diehard Orioles fan, and if my kids had just started school, I wouldn’t have been at the game either. The first day of school is all about your kids and getting them back on a routine. Staying out late at an Orioles game is not part of that.
Last night, there were 16,000 fans at the Yard. It was another day of the first day of school for many more kids across the state. Honestly, it wouldn’t shock me if the crowds this week were all smaller. Like I said, most fans bring the family to the game, and this week is all about getting back into a routine at home. So I understand it.
However, if OPaCY is not packed to the top this weekend, then we have an issue. I came from the generation of Orioles fans who packed Memorial Stadium no matter what. In 1988, after the Orioles started 0-21, they won their next game and returned home to a sold out crowd who welcomed the team back like rock stars.
This year’s team is doing something that we haven’t seen since 1997. They deserve to see a packed yard every night. Let’s hope this is just a one-week lull while families get adjusted to a new school year.
Reality: Buck Showalter has won Two AL Manager of the Year Awards (1994, 2004).
Perception: He should win number three this year. As Daniel Clark said on twitter yesterday morning, the Orioles had played 672 games under Buck Showalter, and had a .528 winning percentage. In 672 games before Buck, the O’s had a .396 winning percentage.
Buck has lead an Orioles team, that most predicted would finish 3rd or worse this season in the division, to one of the best records in all of baseball. Plus, he has led the team to 20 games over .500 while missing two of their best players, Matt Wieters and Manny Machado.
There will be a lot of people pushing for Kansas City’s manager to get votes, but no one has done a better job pushing the right buttons at the right time than Showalter.
Reality: Adam Jones has never been a serious AL MVP Contender.
Perception: This year, he should not only be in the running, he should win. I would be shocked if Jones actually won the AL MVP award, but he deserves it, in my mind. His offense has been a key component to this Orioles lineup. But his Gold Glove play in the outfield has been second to none.
Do we need to post the videos of his defensive efforts the last two nights? Well, we will anyway!
When you look at the whole package, Jones should win it. Those “MVP” chants should be started at the Yard this week.
Reality: The waiver trade deadline is Sunday.
Perception: It’s hard to make a move for anyone significant in August. But the Orioles have many needs. We won’t see them get a second baseman this week, or even a starting pitcher who will help in the pennant race. However, they could make a move for an infielder to help, since Manny Machado is not returning this season.
Roch Kobatko of MASN said in an article this morning:
I’ve heard from a variety of people that the Orioles had a potential deal fall through after news of Machado’s pending surgery leaked to the media. Teams tend to want more in return if they sense that the Orioles have become desperate.
Brett Hollander from WBAL tweeted last night:
In talking to Dan Duquette today, I got the sense the club is actively trying to make a move to bolster the roster & lesson the Machado loss
— Brett Hollander (@BrettHollander) August 26, 2014
Could that be Adrian Beltre of the Texas Rangers? Besides him, I’m not sure who else is available that would do better than the combo of Davis at 3B and Pierce at 1B. We will have to wait and see.
