O's Bucking a Trend
As a lifelong Orioles fan, there was a certain routine that I followed each offseason leading up to opening day. Each free agency period would begin and rumors would formulate linking the O's to big name players. These rumors would eventually either die out or the Orioles offers would come in much lower than other teams closer to contention. We would sign our B list free agents as the market played out, and some would have potential (Garrett Atkins) or a storied history (Sammy Sosa).
Spring training would bring its usual new hope for the once proud franchise, every team starting the year in first place. Most years the O's would tread water or make a short sprint at contention. Last year I had legitimate hopes that this would change and the team would become competitive with its promising nucleus, especially the 'calvalry', the term used for the Orioles young arms. Instead the team got off to a 2-16 start and the beautiful Camden Yards emptied to record lows. The team seemed destined to be blown up once again and the start of a new plan was on the horizon.
That is until a certain someone strolled into Charm City. Buck Showalter was brought in by Andy MacPhail and Mr. Peter Angelos to change the losing culture in Baltimore. He had a proven track record of building championship caliber teams in New York, Arizona, and Texas. He was an instantly credible presence in the clubhouse and carried with him some clout. The team instantly responded.
The young guys and veterans alike knew that the end of last season was an audition, if you didn't make the cut or seen as part of the plan, you were likely out of a job. Since taking over the team, Buck's Birds are 38-23 and have started the young 2011 season 4-0. With the addition of several veterans and the influx of some young talent, the Orioles have a new look roster that has many fans, myself included, thinking big for 2011 and beyond. I try to remain tempered; a realistic big step for the O's would be a .500 season and steady progression by the young guys. Though the AL Beast is just that and the O's schedule especially early on is very ominous, the hope that left Baltimore in 1997 may just be making its way back to Camden Yards.
Spring training would bring its usual new hope for the once proud franchise, every team starting the year in first place. Most years the O's would tread water or make a short sprint at contention. Last year I had legitimate hopes that this would change and the team would become competitive with its promising nucleus, especially the 'calvalry', the term used for the Orioles young arms. Instead the team got off to a 2-16 start and the beautiful Camden Yards emptied to record lows. The team seemed destined to be blown up once again and the start of a new plan was on the horizon.
That is until a certain someone strolled into Charm City. Buck Showalter was brought in by Andy MacPhail and Mr. Peter Angelos to change the losing culture in Baltimore. He had a proven track record of building championship caliber teams in New York, Arizona, and Texas. He was an instantly credible presence in the clubhouse and carried with him some clout. The team instantly responded.
The young guys and veterans alike knew that the end of last season was an audition, if you didn't make the cut or seen as part of the plan, you were likely out of a job. Since taking over the team, Buck's Birds are 38-23 and have started the young 2011 season 4-0. With the addition of several veterans and the influx of some young talent, the Orioles have a new look roster that has many fans, myself included, thinking big for 2011 and beyond. I try to remain tempered; a realistic big step for the O's would be a .500 season and steady progression by the young guys. Though the AL Beast is just that and the O's schedule especially early on is very ominous, the hope that left Baltimore in 1997 may just be making its way back to Camden Yards.
