CHICAGO – Outfielder Austin Hays received his surprise promotion to the majors on Sept. 5, 2017 and was in the Orioles’ lineup two nights later. He remembers the pennant race, how they were above .500 and trying to make the playoffs in back-to-back years.
There was excitement in the clubhouse, with a 71-68 record keeping them in contention. And then they lost six in a row, nine of 10 and 12 of 14.
The crash into last place was loud and violent. The final record of 75-87 causing players to book flights home rather than riding the charter to their next games.
A teardown was looming. Even uglier than the collapse that proceeded it.
Hays hasn’t known winning with the Orioles. Hasn’t been able to recognize it. They lost a team-record 115 games in 2018, leading to massive changes in the front office and manager’s office, and on the coaching staff and roster.
