Bob Haynie: Orioles Pushed To The Brink
Prior to Wednesday's game three of the ALDS between the Orioles and New York Yankees, we heard a lot about Jeffrey Maier. Maier was the then-12-year-old fan who interfered with a Derek Jeter fly ball in game one the 1996 ALCS.
Maier's actions led incompetent umpire Richie Garcia to rule the Jeter fly ball a home run when it should have ruled an out. Instead of being thrown out of the stadium for fan interference, Maier became a celebrity.
Wednesday night, the Orioles played their first postseason game in New York since 1996 and they lost in heartbreaking style.
Unlike 1996, there was no controversy. Just a veteran player coming up huge.
The Orioles were two outs away from taking a 2-1 series lead over the favored Yankees when Raul Ibanez added his name to the list of athletes who has broken the hearts of Baltimore fans.
Ibanez, pinch-hitting for the struggling Alex Rodriguez, spanked a Jim Johnson pitch into the right field seats to tie the game at 2-2.
Three innings later, Ibanez homered again-- this time off Brian Matusz--to win the game and push the Birds to the brink of elimination.
Prior to Ibanez's heroics, the Orioles had won 16-straight extra inning games and were 76-0 when leading after seven innings.
By the way, Baltimore is now 0-3 against New York this season in extra's.
However, before we put a period on this season, let's remember that the day after the Maier debacle the Orioles beat the Yankees, 5-3.
Unfortunately, they would still go on to lose the series.
My point is, the Birds do have a game on Thursday. But there is no tomorrow for Buck Showalter's crew.
They have to win.
Raul Ibanez has pushed them to the brink.
BH