post-season – Baltimore Magazine https://www.baltimoremagazine.com The Best of Baltimore Since 1907 Wed, 05 Aug 2020 17:24:42 +0000 en-US hourly 1 https://www.baltimoremagazine.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/08/cropped-favicon-32x32.png post-season – Baltimore Magazine https://www.baltimoremagazine.com 32 32 Top 10 Orioles Moments From 2014 https://www.baltimoremagazine.com/section/sports/top-10-orioles-moments-from-2014/ Wed, 15 Oct 2014 19:04:00 +0000 https://www.baltimoremagazine.com/?p=67259 Though I am as desperately crushed as the next Orioles fan that we weren’t able to pull it out in the ALCS, I am still so grateful for all of the memories this team has given us this season. In summary, here were the keys to the Birds’ success, with unforgettable moments for each:

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]]> Orioles and Royals Exhibit Very Different Sportsmanship https://www.baltimoremagazine.com/section/sports/orioles-and-royals-exhibit-very-different-sportsmanship/ Wed, 15 Oct 2014 12:03:21 +0000 https://www.baltimoremagazine.com/?p=67253 Continued]]> As if going down 3-0 in the ALCS against the Kansas City Royals wasn’t bad enough, former Oriole Jeremy Guthrie had to rub it in even more with a shirt he wore in a post-game interview last night. 

Guthrie—who pitched for the Orioles for five seasons and established himself as a fan-favorite on and off the field—wore a shirt that said “These O’s Ain’t Royal,” which is a pun on singer Chris Brown’s song “Loyal.” 

The wardrobe choice, which was not just worn in the clubhouse amongst players but on a national post-game broadcast, upset many already downtrodden Orioles fans:

Of course, this is coming after pinch runner Jarrod Dyson’s comments that the Orioles would not return back to Baltimore during the ALCS (admittedly a likely scenario at this point). While showy comments, wardrobe choices, and 
signature dance moves may be the Royals’ style, it’s certainly not ours. Buck Showalter just wouldn’t allow it in his clubhouse.

Guthrie did end up apologizing to Orioles fans, tweeting and then deleting this: “My positive feelings for the Charm City, O’s organization, my former teammates and O’s fans is well documented. Nothing I wore [tonight] changes that.” The tweet he did end up posting said this:

So what do you guys think: Was the shirt an offensive move by a former teammate or are O’s fans overreacting after some tough losses?

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]]> Orioles Tickets More Limited Than Ever https://www.baltimoremagazine.com/section/sports/orioles-ticket-more-limited-than-ever/ Wed, 08 Oct 2014 12:00:00 +0000 https://www.baltimoremagazine.com/?p=67223 Continued]]> This Orioles post-season, even with all of its excitement, has been costing fans a pretty penny. According to the secondary market ticket site TiqIQ.com, the highest price for the recently concluded ALDS against the Tigers was $249 for game two (that’s compared to the highest price for the 2012 ALDS against the Yankees at $180).

And, not surprisingly, ticket prices for the ALCS are even higher on the secondary market, with the average asking price around $468 for games one and two, $511 for game six, and $624 for game seven. 

However, there are still a few options left for fans to buy tickets off the Orioles website. Until 5 p.m. tonight, fans can put down a deposit for a 20-game 2015 season plan and be guaranteed a purchase opportunity for games one or two tomorrow at 10 a.m. (Officials may extend the deadline as well).

If buying a season plan isn’t your thing, you can also try your luck tomorrow, as the Orioles will host a public sale on its website at noon (most expensive ticket for the ALCS on their site is $225; most expensive for World Series is $350). 

“We probably could have liquidated all of our inventory, but we thought it was important to have some tickets for the public,” says Greg Bader, Orioles vice president of communications. “Availability will be extremely limited, and tickets—which will be primarily scattered single seats, limited view seating, and standing-room only—will sell out in 10 or 15 minutes.” The maximum number of tickets one person can buy is four, and Bader advises that fans chances for games 6 and 7 are the most promising.

Bader, who has been with the Orioles organization for 21 years, says that this has been the most high-demand period for tickets he’s ever seen. “2012 was fantastic in terms of great demand,” he says. “But our season-ticket holder base was a lot smaller then. Now there are so many more plan-holders, fans are going to feel like tickets are even more scarce.”

So, good luck to everyone getting Orioles tickets through the website, on the secondary market, or are lucky enough to happen upon them. Though it’s quite the price tag, there should be plenty of priceless moments ahead.

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]]> ALCS is a Long-Time Coming https://www.baltimoremagazine.com/section/sports/alcs-is-a-long-time-coming/ Mon, 06 Oct 2014 11:00:00 +0000 https://www.baltimoremagazine.com/?p=67214 Continued]]> When the Baltimore Orioles swept the Detroit Tigers this weekend, they earned their first trip to the ALCS since 1997. This feat is overwhelmingly difficult to wrap my head around, as I was just 12 years old last time this happened. 

That was the era of starting pitchers Scott Erickson and Mike Mussina, and 100 MPH fastballs from Armando Benitez. Cal’s streak was still alive. Harold Baines, Brady Anderson, and B.J. Surhoff were in the outfield. 

That was a time when cell phones looked like this and you only owned one if you had a really nice car or worked on Wall Street. The most popular songs were “Candle in the Wind” and “Barbie Girl.” That was the year of Dolly the cloned sheep. Television duos included Lois and Clark and Beavis and Butthead. We surfed the web with dial-up, Netscape Navigator, and CompuServe.

Suffice it to say, 1997 was a long time ago.

We didn’t know it then, but that was the start of 14 bleak seasons of Baltimore baseball. We would go through eight different managers in that span of time. We would painfully lose 1,276 games (that’s an average of 91 a season) and Camden Yards’ average attendance dwindled from 45,816 to 21,395. The stadium maddeningly filled up with Red Sox and Yankees fans. Saying you were an Orioles fan became synonymous with masochism and, more often than not, would garner sympathetic head tilts and condescending apologies. 

But true Orioles fans never gave up on the team—retaining season-ticket plans like my dad has done, having faith in players like Miguel Tejada and Sammy Sosa, and certainly never moving over to the Washington Nationals bandwagon. We held out hope as we watched other beleaguered teams, like the Boston Red Sox, go all the way. I remember a particularly desperate time when I named my goldfish in college “Javy” just to try to keep the Orioles Magic alive (we went 71-91 that year).

But then, slowly but surely, some things started going our way. I’d point to to  the 2008 Bedard-Jones trade as one of the first glimmers of hope. And then there was the late 2010 hiring of Buck Showalter, who looked and acted awfully familiar, to really catalyze a new era in Baltimore. Though we faltered in 2011, we still managed to keep the Red Sox out of the playoffs, bringing excitement back to a Yard that had felt dormant for years.

And of course, you know the rest. Two playoff runs in two years, leading the majors in home runs, and battling back from injuries to secure our trip to the ALCS. I have had the privilege of seeing some exciting games in Camden Yards over the years (namely Cal’s 2131 game and our playoff win over the Yankees in 2012), but nothing compared to the electricity and roar when Delmon Young cleared the bases on Friday afternoon. It was a moment I had been waiting for my entire life.

The Orioles are back, they are talented, and they are ready to take the baseball world by storm.

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]]> O’s Fans at the ALDS https://www.baltimoremagazine.com/section/community/fan-interviews-at-the-alds/ Thu, 02 Oct 2014 18:04:00 +0000 http://server2.local/BIT-SPRING/baltimoremagazine.com/html/?post_type=article&p=7830

As the Camden Yards concourse filled up before Game 1 of the ALDS against the Detroit Tigers, we interviewed some of the most spirited members of Birdland.


Father and daughter Amy and Gary Bittner said they’ve been Orioles fans for years. “Her hand looked like this when she was born, so she had to be an O’s fan,” Gary said laughing and motioning towards her plastic “hulk hand.” “I’m in the fire department,” Amy said. “And I was talking to a 90-year-old World War II vet the other day and he said, ‘If they don’t win this year, I won’t make it.’ “No pressure!” Gary interjected. “I certainly think it’s our time.”


“I’ve been here since ’92,” said beer vendor Joe Bezold as he held up two aluminum bottles in each hand. “In my extreme younger years, I worked at Memorial. I’ve lived a few other places, but always rooted for the Orioles. I don’t necessarily do any fancy tricks, maybe the double pour, but I leave the fancy stuff to the other guys.”


“We may be breaking up for nine innings,” said Kim Palmer. “Or longer, if it goes into extras,” added her boyfriend Tim, whose face is blocked because he skipped work and didn’t want a Ferris Bueller situation on his hands.


“I’ve got a lot of things I would say, but I’m working so they won’t let me. But I’ve seen a lot of things in this ballpark over the years,” said Frederick,
pictured, right, standing with his colleague Torey.


“He’s a Mets fan, but I’ve been an Orioles fan since I was born,” said Kim Harrington about her husband, John. “Our two-year-old Chase has been a good luck charm—the O’s have been good since he came along.”


“I made these jackets,” said Kay Smith,
pictured, left. “I’ve been an Orioles fan my entire life. I remember when we got the team and nobody liked us because we were the new kids in town. I like the team this year, but I’d like it better if we had Macahdo at third.”


“I’ve been into the team since about ninth grade,” said Devon Faison, clutching a game-day program. “My parents were fans. I remember Cal’s record-breaking game, and I loved when Eddie hit 500 home runs. I was so happy I could get off work today.”


“I’ve had season tickets for 22 years,” said Chris Kosman,
pictured, left, while holding a feather boa sign with her friend Gayle Hyland. “This took about two hours to make. Tomorrow we’re going to make the the G and the O so it will spell ‘Go O’s.’ This is all we could do in a pinch.”


“My favorite memories here?” replied Jade McArdle,
pictured right, standing with a group of friends. “How about when you got engaged?” her husband Chris, pictured, second from right, chimed in. “Oh yeah!” Jade remembered. “It was Leap Year 2011 and he proposed to me in our season-ticket seats, section 23, right before we were going down to Sarasota for spring training.”


“J.J. Hardy is my favorite player,” said 12-year-old Olivia Haller, holding up her handmade sign. “I’ve liked the Orioles a lot my entire life, so this is really exciting.”

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]]> Five Reasons the O’s Beat the Tigers https://www.baltimoremagazine.com/section/sports/five-reasons-the-os-beat-the-tigers/ Wed, 01 Oct 2014 14:30:00 +0000 http://server2.local/BIT-SPRING/baltimoremagazine.com/html/?post_type=article&p=7836

Playoff series in baseball always come down to starting pitching and all we’ve been hearing about is how the Detroit Tigers will be rolling out the last three American League Cy Young winners to start the first three games against the O’s—the first time this has ever occurred in baseball history. Yada, yada, yada… You know what? The Orioles’s pitching—this season, the one we are playing right now—is better.

Here are five reasons the O’s will down Detroit:

1. Starting pitching: The O’s finished fifth in the American League in starting pitching, posting a 3.61 ERA. Chris Tillman (above photo), Wei-Yin Chen, Bud Norris, and Miguel Gonzales have been outstanding in the second-half. Detroit ranked 10th in the American League with a 3.89 ERA. Justin Verlander, the Tigers’s longtime ace, is no longer the dominant pitcher he once was, going 15-12 with a un-Cy Young-like 4.54 ERA in 2014. He’s the Game Two starter Friday at Camden Yards.

2. Bullpen: Playoff games are notoriously tight, with teams scratching for late-inning runs to win close ballgames. The O’s pen is as good as anyone’s in baseball. Closer Zach Britton and set-up men Andrew Miller and Darren O’Day all posted ERAs of 1.70 or under. Tommy Hunter has also regained his velocity and control after battling through injury issues and has been unhittable of late—not allowing a run in his last 12 appearances.

3. Steve Pearce: We tend to view Nelson Cruz, who led the league with 40 homers, picking up where Chris Davis, who led the league in home runs last year, left off. But Pearce, in essentially a half-time role, still gets overlooked. He delivered 21 home runs and 49 RBIs—all seemingly in clutch moments—and will be at first base against the Tigers. Pearce’s home run per at bat ratio was 16.1 this year. If he’d enough at bats to qualify for the official season leader stats that would’ve placed him 7th in the majors. Pearce’s unexpected production, like Delmon Young and others—are the reason the O’s won 96 games this year.

4. Buck: Losing three All-Stars, having your prize off-season signing (Ubaldo Jimenez) implode, and being forced to thrust an unproven lefty into the closer’s role certainly would’ve ruined most teams. But with Showalter juggling the lineup and pitching staff, as Baltimore magazine editor Jess Mayhugh noted this week, and Dan Duquette filling holes with unlikely replacements such as Nick Hundley, a former third-string catcher for the Padres, catcher Caleb Joseph, a 28-year-old rookie, and outfielder Alejandro De Aza from the White Sox, the O’s won their first division title since 1997 in convincing fashion.

5. When the going gets tough, we get going: As mentioned above, this Orioles squad knows how to overcome obstacles—big and small. The O’s went 32-23 in one-run games, tied for best in the majors, and went 14-6 in extra innings, the best mark in the majors. This kind of poise and savvy bodes well for a long post-season run.

So, that’s five reasons right there why we will beat the Tigers in the American League Division Series and we didn’t even bother mentioning Adam Jones, Nick Markakis, our home field advantage, that the O’s hit the most home runs in the majors this year and ranked third in the American League in fielding. That’s five more.

See you—and the real Chris Tillman—for the first pitch at Camden Yards tomorrow afternoon.

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]]> Orioles Post-Season Drink Specials https://www.baltimoremagazine.com/section/fooddrink/orioles-post-season-drink-specials/ Wed, 01 Oct 2014 10:00:00 +0000 https://www.baltimoremagazine.com/?p=67304 Continued]]> With game 1 of the ALDS tomorrow, the Orioles are giving us a major opportunity to celebrate at some of Birdland’s best bars this week. Here are our picks for the best places to grab a drink and cheer on the birds all over town.

Mt. Washington Tavern, 5700 Newbury St., 410-367-6900. The neighborhood tavern will be offering affordable drink specials on any game day. Enjoy $3 16-oz. Natty Boh cans, $4 Blue Moon drafts, and $7 Deep Eddie vodka drinks.

Camden Pub 647 W Pratt St., 410-547-1280. This hometown favorite, located just two blocks west of Camden Yards, is famous for its game-day food and drink menus. Camden Pub will be featuring $6 pineapple, mango, or orange Camden crushes, and $3 cans of Natty Boh in celebration of the birds sliding their way into post-season.

Sliders Bar & Grille 504 Washington Blvd., 410-547-8891. Located only 771 ft. away from Camden Yards, Sliders will be open all day and night as the O’s take on the Tigers this Thursday and Friday. Sliders will be offering outdoor seating all day for fans to enjoy $5 16 oz. Natty Boh cans and its signature 60-oz. Orange Birdbowl full of Orange Crush for $12.

Max’s Taphouse 737 S Broadway, 410-675-6297. Grab a drink and show off your hometown pride at this Fells Point hotspot. Max’s will be featuring $1-off drafts Thursday and Friday, and its Friday night “Big Ass Draft” special will be in full effect during game 2 (a 32-oz. plastic cup full of draft beer for only $7). Max’s will also be featuring its signature $3.50 rotating house beers, like Oskar Blues Pale, on all game days Monday-Friday.

The Yard 110 S Eutaw St., 410-209-2853. This newly renovated modern restaurant in the Marriott Inner Harbor at Camden Yards features a happy hour on weekday games with specials like $5 Orioles Orange Crushes, $4 16-oz. draft beers, and its signature self-serve beer and wine wall that features local craft Heavy Seas beer. Guests can purchase a $20 gift card and help themselves to up to 53-oz. of the eight beer and wine wall taps.

Leinenkugel’s Beer Garden 4 Market Pl., 443-208-3316. This beer-garden-style bar in Power Plant Live will be featuring $3 Miller Lite cans, $4 Leinenkugel drafts, and massive $20 Miller Lite towers that hold eight cans of beer and have a tap that guests can control themselves.

Diamond Tavern 401 W Pratt St., 443-573-8777. Located in The Hilton Baltimore, Diamond Tavern will be hosting a bar on its patio just across the street from Camden Yards for the first two O’s playoff games. Starting at 4 p.m., the bar will be serving $6 Blue Moon, Heavy Seas Pale Ale, Miller Lite, and Sam Adams Octoberfest drafts and $7 sangria.

Kooper’s Tavern, 1702 Thames St., 410-563-5423. This Fells Point waterfront bar known for its burgers and Chowhound food truck will be offering specials throughout the entirety of the post-season, including $2.50 Natty Bohs and $4 Orange Crushes.

Turp’s Sports Bar and Restaurant, 1317 N. Charles St., 410-347-0349. Turp’s—which is actually the owner’s nickname and not a play on the University of Maryland mascot—is located Mt. Vernon/UB country and will be featuring game-day specials, like $2 Natty Boh cans, $2 shooters, and $2 hot dogs.

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]]> Orioles Stud of the Season https://www.baltimoremagazine.com/section/sports/orioles-stud-of-the-regular-season/ Mon, 29 Sep 2014 12:00:00 +0000 https://www.baltimoremagazine.com/?p=67283 Continued]]> The feeling is almost surreal—especially to someone in my generation—that the Orioles finished the regular season on top of the American League East with a 12-game lead over the Yankees. We have completely cruised (pun intended) into the playoffs, somewhere we’ve only been twice in 16 years. 

Not to mention, we lost three of our All-Stars and still managed to finish on top. You can’t help but think this year’s Orioles are a team of destiny, and the man controlling that fate earns our Stud of the Regular Season.

Stud of the Regular Season for March 31-September 28:
Buck Showalter

The Line:
This season, our manager helped the Orioles earn 96 wins—tied for the second-highest in the MLB this year behind the Angels, and the most wins for the O’s since 1997.

Studliest Moment:
Showalter had a lot of studly moments this season—especially when it came to manipulating the roster to combat injuries, like Manny Machado returning from knee surgery in April only to go out again from his other knee in August. Chris Davis was on the disabled list with an oblique injury in April (and is currently riding out a 25-game suspension for Adderall) and, when he returned, Matt Wieters fell off the active roster for an elbow that needed Tommy John Surgery.

Losing three All-Stars would certainly crumble most franchises. But with Showalter and Dan Duquette at the helm, the team filled holes with unlikely replacements: Nick Hundley, a former third-string catcher for the Padres; catcher Caleb Joseph, a 28-year-old rookie; third baseman Jimmy Paredes from the Royals; outfielder Alejandro De Aza from the White Sox; and third baseman Kelly Johnson from the Red Sox. 

With this unexpected set of tools, not big names by any means, Showalter juggled playing time according to match-ups and, ultimately, created plenty of Orioles magic moments that led the team to another playoff bid. To use the phrase the manager himself coined (and has since been turned into a t-shirt and hashtag): “I like our guys.”

The Clincher:
Maybe even more impressive than his roster mechanics is his class as a leader. Starting with the clinch game on September 16, Showalter left the faltering Ubaldo Jiminez in a few extra innings because he could see in his eyes that it meant a lot to the pitcher, whose parents were attending the game. After the O’s last out, players jumped in a huddle, sprayed bottles of beer on each other and into the crowd above the Orioles dugout. But Showalter stood on the first step of the dugout, watching quietly, taking it all in and letting his players have their moment.

This graciousness continued during Derek Jeter’s last game in the Bronx, as the Orioles stayed in the visitors’ dugout to clap and watch Jeter’s celebration. After the game, Showalter explained the move in a quote that captures his humility, but he’s also quick to point out that the Orioles—unlike the Yankees—aren’t done playing yet. Classy, but tough.

“Our guys, everybody has a lot of respect for Derek and what his career has been about,” he said. “You never like to lose a game, but you try to keep a grip on reality and the whole gamut of it. We wish him well and I’m sure it was a great moment for him here. And it will be a great moment for us as we go forward to continue to play.”

I read this ESPN article a couple of years ago essentially saying that Buck Showalter was, among other things, a genius, a mind-reader, and a fortune teller. Judging by his tenure so far, I’m convinced that that is 100-percent true. I would only add to that last that he is a hard-worker (showing up at 11 a.m. for night games), detail-oriented (removing a photo from the clubhouse that depicted an Orioles loss), and can deliver a one-liner like nobody else (My favorite was his response to Buster Olney’s “What’d you like about that home run?” “I like that it went over the fence.”) 

Birdland, it’s time to #BuckleUp!

Be sure to check back for continuing coverage of Orioles post-season, as we’ll be reporting live from the pep rallies and games, beginning with Thursday’s ALDS opener against Detroit.

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]]> Merry Clinchmas, Baltimore! https://www.baltimoremagazine.com/section/sports/merry-clinchmas-baltimore/ Wed, 17 Sep 2014 15:27:00 +0000 https://www.baltimoremagazine.com/?p=67361 Continued]]> For the first time since 1997, the Orioles have clinched the AL East division title and exuberant fans everywhere—even the players themselves—took to Twitter to express their excitement. Here are some highlights.

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]]> Orioles Pep Rally Schedule https://www.baltimoremagazine.com/section/sports/orioles-pep-rally-schedule/ Wed, 17 Sep 2014 09:30:00 +0000 https://www.baltimoremagazine.com/?p=67352 Continued]]> As if last night’s AL East-clinching game celebrations weren’t enough, the Orioles have announced a series of rallies to generate even more post-season excitement. Based on the new fan video, these “We Won’t Stop” street rallies will travel throughout town over the next few weeks.

Former Orioles players including Al Bumbry and Scott McGregor, as well as the Oriole Bird, will join the promo team for most of these events, which will feature promotional item giveaways and the chance for fans to win autographed memorabilia. Below is a schedule of rally dates already planned. Additional locations and appearances will take place throughout the next two weeks.
  

DATE TIME LOCATION ADDRESS FORMER PLAYER
9/18 11 a.m.-1 p.m. Hard Rock Café-Inner Harbor 601 E. Pratt St. Al Bumbry
9/29 12-1 p.m. Stevenson University 11001 Owings Mills Blvd. Tippy Martinez
10/1 11 a.m.-1 p.m. Hard Rock Café-Inner Harbor 601 E. Pratt St. Scott McGregor
10/3 5-7 p.m. Harborplace Plaza Pratt and Light Sts. TBD
10/4 7-9 p.m. Mother’s Bar and Grille 1113 S. Charles St. Larry Bigbie
10/5 5-7 p.m. Bond Street Social 901 S. Bond St. TBD

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