The Orioles hellacious April ended on a high note last night, a very high vote indeed. Miguel Tejada singled up the middle scoring Adam Jones (who had doubled to lead off the inning) giving the birds a very uplifting 5-4 victory over the Red Sox. I honestly think no one was happier in that ensuing dogpile than Adam Jones. Jones is off to the worst start of his young career coming into last night’s game batting just over the mendoza-line. But after a 3 for 5 night his average bounced up about 20-points to a slightly less gut-wrenching but still vastly under-performing .223.
A wise man once said “April is the cruellest month” – there is no better way to describe the Orioles’ April. The worst start since the 0-21 start in 1988, the first losing April since 1996 and (the worst part) the hope of a city crushed.
I will tell you something, people were excited for this team. People were talking, people were ready. As I walked through my neighborhood to run my errands (the benefits of living in one of the most awesome neighborhoods of the city) I usually have some sort of O’s covering on. This usually garners me little attention, but this past March was a different story. People were stopping me on the street wanting to talk baseball. Strangers and neighbors alike were completely jazzed, some would even say giddy, over the prospect of this team. Even after the poor start in Tampa Opening Day at the park was electric, Pratt Street was overflowing in orange and black. I have been to many opening days including the last six-straight and I can honestly say that this past opener was the biggest celebration I have ever seen. People want this team, Baltimore is aching for a winning team, they are quivvering in anticipation for their Orioles to return to prominence.
But then – April happened.
There is no way to describe the deflated feeling around town. People are just crestfallen when they think of the Orioles. Discussion still happens; we haven’t given up on baseball, we need something to do in the Summer, but the overall theme has been “why?”. Why does it always seem to be us? What is the kink in our system? Is it the owner? Yes, of course it is no one is denying that – but even his reach both wide and ominous can’t have perpetrated this level of mediocrity. Why is that our prospects always seem to have a bump in the road, something to overcome, while Tampa Bay for example picks up a first baseman that never hit more than 27 HRs in his career, almost didn’t find a job and have him become one of the better power-hitters in baseball? Why?
Last night’s game was going off of the same April script. The Orioles had the bases loaded and no out. With our OWN under-achieving first base pick up standing at the plate, he grounds into a double play. The Orioles would not score any more runs. You just knew that would be the game, that one huge missed opportunity would cost the Orioles a sure win. The Red sox would scrape out the lead, thanks to the suddenly derelict arm of Jim Johnson, but last night the Orioles made a statement not only to themselves but this city – we are here and we are not done yet.
On his way to scoring the game-winning run Adam Jones was running faster than I think I have ever seen a man run. There was a level of determination in his strides fueled by the sting of criticism and the promise of opportunity. This team may be born of despair and heartache but last night showed everyone that this team has the talent and the heart to keep moving forward.
