The Orioles have had moments in the previous thirty years where they made the playoffs and the Jeffrey Maier incident still haunts me to this day. I was able to watch as a very young kid the 83 world series, but ever since then there has been a lifetime of heartache. Although the team has the great memories of Cal Ripkin and the streak team accomplishments have been limited. Being in a division with the Red Sox and the Yankees is difficult, but the Blue Jays were able to win world series without the financial stability Oriole's owner peter Angelos has. His unwillingness to get spend the money necessary to build a consistent winner has been frustrating which is why i am cautioning my emotions with this year's team start.
The Orioles are in first place at 26-14 with a two game lead, and yes we are still in May. What has been consistent for Baltimore has been pitching. Before the season we knew pitching would be a key to the Orioles success, but being the best road team in baseball along with being 4th in ERA is better than anyone would have expected. The Orioles must continues to play well on the road and have consistent good pitching and defense if they want to toy with fans emotions further in the season.
For Orioles fans you cannot blame any of us for looking over our shoulder waiting for a Yankee or Red Sox title wave to crash on us sending us further than down the standings. My confidence in making the playoffs is still as confident as a Cub fan who has a ten run lead in the bottom of the ninth with an 0-2 count and two outs with a chance to go to the world series. Yes a Cub fan would be a wreck until the final out. The Orioles may continue to play well, but my emotions will as George Carlin describes baseball full of ups and downs.
