8) Daniel Cabrera’s One-Hitter in NYC
No man has generated more hair-pulling moments than one Daniel Cabrera. D-Cab was quite possibly the most maddening force of nature that put on a uniform in the last ten years. More likable than Sydney “Margaritaville” Ponson but more unstable than that adjustable rate mortgage you got four years ago Daniel generated more controversy than virtually any Oriole in recent history.
Enigmatic. Frustrating. Electric. Headcase. Head-hunter. Talented. Unteachable. Just a few of the words that accurately describe the towering Dominican pitcher. It seemed that every month Daniel was about to “turn the corner” and Orioles fans everywhere were eagerly awaiting the results of their patience. Many thought the time finally had come one night in New York City.
September 28, 2006.
Cabrera had yet another maddening year of ups and downs. He entered New York with an 8-10 record and an ERA just over 5.00. He had only gotten past the sixth inning once in the month of September, his prior start against the Twins in Baltimore. No one was expecting what would happen next.
Over nine innings, his only complete game of the year. Cabrera would overcome three errors behind him to take a no-hitter into the ninth inning against one of the strongest lineups in baseball. Cabrera literally cruised into the ninth inning in complete command. His fastball in the mid-90’s with movement was confounding Yankee hitters all night. In the bottom of the ninth Cabrera’s bid for history was foiled when Robinson Cano slapped a clean single off of a 0-1 count. The Yankee crowd cheered, Cabrera and Orioles fans everywhere winced in frustration. Cabrera would retire Bobby Abreu on a routine double-play and the Orioles would win.
So close.
Not only does it describe that game, but Cabrera himself; so close. Many thought that this was Cabrera turning the corner, but it would never come to pass. Daniel never found it, the Orioles gave him every opportunity and every coach tried their best but Cabrera was never able to harness the lightning bolt in his forearm. Cabrera lost 18 games in 2007, 10 games in 2008 before he was let go and found his way to the Nationals – where he finished with an 0-8 record before being released. Daniel Cabrera, amazing moment; a brush with history – so close.
7) “The Comeback”
June 30, 2009. Boston Red Sox v Orioles in Baltimore.
It was just another Boston beatdown in Baltimore. Meathead Sox fans were in full-force and full throat, especially after they got off to an early 9-1 lead by the fourth inning. Orioles starter Rich Hill was tagged for all nine of those runs as he went 3.1 innings giving up two home runs in the process. Just another Boston beatdown.
But, the Orioles would stage the single greatest comeback in the history of baseball. Down 10-1 in the seventh inning the Orioles would score 10 runs in their last two at bats taking the lead for good in the bottom of the eighth and blowing a save for Jonathan Papelbon.
The crowd of Boston fans left the stadium totally stunned. The Orioles were the lead on Sportscenter that night and for at least one night Orioles fans everywhere got a bit of revenge on Red Sox Nation.
click to see Marakis’ go-ahead double
6) 30-3
August 22, 2007
Texas Rangers v Orioles, Baltimore – ugh.
This game actually started out okay. After three innings the Orioles were up 3-0. Then. Well, then the 
Orioles pitching staff would allow 30, that is THIRTY, un-answered runs to be the first team in baseball’s modern era to allow 30 runs in a game. The Orioles’ bullpen (Brain Burres, Rob Bell and Paul Shuey to be exact) combined to pitch four innings giving up 24 runs. Burres was tagged for eight runs in 0.2 innings.
By the end of the game most people were routing for history. I mean, history is history but still just a remarkable night of futility. The Orioles were the butt of every sportscaster’s jokes for a month. The updated version of one of those ubiquitous “Ballparks of the MLB” coffee table books, the now updated Baltimore Orioles timeline talks of the “hapless” Orioles and their dubious mark.
To compound matters this was the day where Dave Trembley was picked up for another year. During the post game interview Dave made a simple statement, stood up and walked away from his table with a disgusted sigh. Basically how we all felt.
