Sunday, September 16, 2012

An Orioles Fan Enjoys an Astonishing Season!

I know this has nothing to do with raising twins but I felt compelled to write it.

I am no bandwagon jumper.  I come by my love for the Baltimore Orioles honestly.  I have been a fan since I was a child, following the great O's teams of the late 1970s and early 1980s.  I have also suffered for the last fifteen years watching year after year of bad to terrible Orioles teams, only holding the hope that they might become good once again.  The beginning of the 2012 season was no different. 

But this has turned into an incredibly fun season, no matter the final outcome because this team has seemingly beaten down all its critics and naysayers along with the "stats gurus" and is still a wild card team in mid September.  They have swept division rivals Yankees and Rays in recent series and have some legitimate all stars.  The could even win the AL East division title!

However, it is the way they are winning games that is so exciting.  13 straight extra inning wins, including the one early in the season that went 16 innings and DH Chris Davis pitched two innings to beat the Red Sox.  He had gone 0-for-8 as a DH that particular game, but struck out Adrian Gonzalez to help save the game.  There have been so many of these types of games for the Orioles.  And each night it is a new hero.  The bullpen has been magnificent, particularly Darren O'Day, Pedro Strop, and Cy Young contender and closer Jim Johnson.  Buck Showalter should win manager-of-the-year and has utilized over 50 players this year.

I just wanted to thank them for providing this fan with so much fun and excitement this summer.  Keep it going...hopefully to the playoffs...and the World Series.  With this team, nothing is impossible!