Fans show faith in young O's; Team responds
We've all be tainted by the Orioles teams of the past 10 years.
That's why I was shocked last night when coming into the 9th inning, the O's were down 2-0 to the Mariners and a huge section of fans behind the Mariners dugout starting chanting "Let's Go O's".
It began to spread until the whole left field line was cheering. I'm sad to admit it surprised me that fans had that much faith in this young team.
Last year in that same situation, most fans would have been on 295 headed home by the 9th inning. Guess they were onto something because we all know what happened next.
Yesterday's 9th inning win over the Mariners was exciting to be a part of. Especially after the game as I interviewed the unlikely hero Luis Hernandez who hit the game winning walk off RBI single.
| This kid struggled with the English language when he first arrived in the majors last year and was very tentative to give interviews. His English has improved slightly, but as you saw last night on O's Xtra, Hernandez's confidence has improved dramatically. We saw it on the field as he came up big, fighting back from an 0-2 count to crush a 2-2 fastball past centerfielder Ichiro Suzuki who was playing in. Then we saw that confidence off the field as he was assertive in my post game interview, regardless of his heavy accent and difficulty finding the right words. |
It was very representative of the Orioles this season as a whole. Obviously they have shortcomings, but it looks as if they're out to prove they can overcome those with confidence.
Covering the team for 5 seasons I've seen funny things in the clubhouse, but last night's playing of the outdated tune "Orioles Magic" over and over was hilarious.
Watching serious guys like George Sherrill cracking up as players banged the rhythm with their fists on the dinning table was good for the soul. It was the first time I've seen the players that relaxed in a while.
Baseball is supposed to be fun. It hasn't been that way in this town for a while. You couldn't help but smile---so this is what it's like to win.
I am not sure what you're background is, or how long you've been in the Baltimore area. But as a lifelong Maryland resident and a Orioles' fan for my whole life, I was somewhat offended by your characterization of the "Orioles Magic" song as outdated. I understand that it references the "thunder and roar from 34", but that era was a magical one and that song symbolizes it. The "Orioles Magic" song brings back many nostalgic memories, and the excitement level at games back then (even when the Orioles weren't doing so well) was such, that you never were surprised about a chant being started by the crowd. Fans at O's games these days are too concerned about looking good to really even be involved much in the game. They should be trying to encourage their team by yelling and screaming when they are down - and it shouldn't come as a surprise to anyone (who is a real Orioles fan) when they do.