Black, White and Gray…….
I’m not a huge fan of John Kruk, I loved the ESPN Sunday Night commentary regarding the Orioles being a team of baseball guys that eat and drink the sport they play, and I REALLY don’t understand the MLB strike zone, at all!
However, because I only have so much time and so little space, I’m only going to opine about the O’s and maybe why Baltimore suddenly likes this team so much.
First, they’re refreshing to watch and slightly oxymoronic in today’s world of super hyped, spoiled professional athletes………..they run out ground balls, hit the cutoff man, hold runners on first, have a catcher that teaches pitchers how to pitch, and start a twenty year old that came up through their system and can actually sacrifice bunt! They’re blue collar in the seemingly, increasingly white collar world! Hell, they’re Baltimore! Hampden, Fells Point, Federal Hill with just the right touch of Under Armor, Legg Mason and the National Aquarium!
Second, they have that unique managerial approach to things in our socially PC world! If you don’t or can’t do the job we pay you to do, we will go find someone that can! Huh, say what? They used fifty two guys last year finding the right mix, and seeking success after twelve years of misery. You have to do this, this and this or you can’t stay here! People are paying to watch us run, bunt, throw strikes and hit, so let’s make sure we do. Every time I think about it, my fifty something year old heart does double time!
And lastly, I think they like, and respect who they play for and the guys that run the show, not the owner, but rather the manager and the general manager. They seem to be not ivory tower, but rather one of us! Buck for Governor!
Although, I never got rid of my O’s hat, I have to admit, it had gathered a rather substantial coating of closet dust over the last ten years. That one is back under the back window of my car, looking pristine, along with two new ones that I wear proudly here and on travels.
Great to have the BALTIMORE Orioles back!
One Response
Good read.