Matthew Taylor: There's something in the air on Eutaw Street

Of course you know that the Orioles are playing well above average so far during the 2012 season. But did you notice that it's been an above-average season for Eutaw Street home runs, as well? Batters have hit an average of three Eutaw Street home runs per season since Camden Yards opened in 1992; four such homers have already been hit this year. Eric Thames of the Blue Jays got things started on April 24. He was followed just four days later by the Orioles' Chris Davis on April 28. Thanks to Thames and Davis, April is now the most active month for Eutaw Street home runs in Camden Yards history with 13 total. (June is the second most active month for Eutaw Street home runs with 12.) May has been just as busy as April was on Eutaw Street this year. Josh Hamilton of the Rangers reached the walkway May 10 and was followed, again just four days later, by Curtis Granderson of the Yankees on May 14. That makes four Eutaw Street homers two months into the season, which puts Camden Yards batters on pace to break the 2008 record for most in a year. Eight Eutaw Street home runs were hit in 2008. The first two came off the bat of the Yankees' Jason Giambi on May 27 and May 28. Two more were hit in June (Nick Markakis on June 14 and Lance Berkman of the Astros on June 18), followed by two in July (Alex Gordon of the Royals on July 1 and Luke Scott on July 19), one in August (Robinson Cano of the Yankees on Aug. 22) and one in September (Scott again on Sept. 8). Regardless of whether the torrid pace for really long balls continues in 2012, batters at Camden Yards are already approaching rarified air. There have been only four seasons when batters hit more than four Eutaw Street homers: 1996 (seven), 1999 (five), 2008 (eight) and 2011 (five). With six home games remaining this month, and the Orioles leading the majors in home runs, it could happen before school is out for summer in 2012. Matthew Taylor blogs about the Orioles at Roar from 34. His ruminations about the Birds appear as part of MASNsports.com's season-long initiative of welcoming guest bloggers to our site. All opinions expressed are those of the guest bloggers, who are not employed by MASNsports.com but are just as passionate about their baseball as our roster of writers.