Baltimore July 31, 2012
It was the top of the 2nd inning and the hated Yankees had just touched up starter Chris Tillman for five runs in the bottom of the 1st inning. Goodnight! Ballgame! Game over right? No way the Orioles come back against the Yankees on the road; they just folded up the tent and focused on the next game right? If your talking about any other season in the "Groundhog Day" like losing season drought that has plagued this organization for more than a decade you'd be right.
Not this season! Not this team! "Dem O's" as they say in here in Baltimore rallied with a 7 run 2nd inning capped by a Chris Davis Grand Slam as they went on to pound the Yankees 11-5 guaranteeing a series win.
Throughout this season this Orioles team has shown a since of resolve and desire that a generation of O's fans have never seen before. This team never gives up and never quits as they have so many times over the past few years. Last month the team overcame a critical 9th inning error and a blown save to defeat the mighty Tigers in a fourteen inning marathon.
No the Orioles don't have an inflated payroll or a roster full of slugging superstars. Yes their roster is filled with mid level talent, a superstar in decline in Jim Thome, a model of consistency in Nick Markakis and rising stars in Matt Weiters and Adam Jones. So what is it? What's different about this team that has them winning past the point where they would normally fade to black?
Buck Showalter is in his second full season at the helm and it has been clear since opening day that this team plays the game the Showalter way taking on his fiery demeanor. Showalter's fingerprints are all over every facet of this team's improvement. Moreover, this orange and black attack also seems to have a unwavering chemistry that can't be broken despite constant lineup changes during to injuries. In addition, it sure helps that Center fielder and $100 million man Adam Jones is blossoming into the player the Orioles knew he could be; both on the field where he is having a career year and in the lockeroom where he has become the unquestioned team leader.
This is all true and a factor in the O's success thus far but, is not the most integral key to that success. More than anything this team has showed the heart and will to win. This team is in it for the long haul and will be a force to be reckoned with for post season positioning. They don't quit and they never seem to think that they shouldn't win. That is something O's fans have been longing for hon! How bout Dem O's!
No comments:
Post a Comment