Rob Long: Orioles Can Clinch At Home
I received a text this morning indicating that the Baltimore Orioles have a chance to clinch the division at home for the first time since 1969. I wasn't even born yet. Not trying to rub it in to those of you who were. Yes, I'm younger but more importantly, I've followed this team like family and I've yet to see them clinch anything in person. I remember the 1983 World Series. They won that in Philadelphia. Not that I could have actually gone to the game anyway.
Now, on Tuesday, we have a chance to see history up close and personal. The O's can clinch the American League East for the first time since 1997 and clinch at home for the first time in 45 years. Excuse me for a second. I need a minute...
Okay, now I'm good. This team is just fun to watch. ESPN's Sunday Night Baseball did a great job in showing the nation how much fun they really are. John Kruk did Adam Jones a lot of justice highlighting his personality and how this team is really wired. Correct me if I'm wrong but didn't they lose All-Star and Gold Glove catcher Matt Wieters and All-Star and Platinum Glove winner Manny Machado and then, hopefully the final blow, losing All-Star first baseman Chris Davis? Didn't that really happen to this team?
Maybe, eventually, it all catches up with them. Maybe, eventually we'll realize they don't have enough to do what we believe they can do. Nah, I doubt it. I think this team has that "something" that can't be measure. They have enough swagger that can carry them through adversity yet enough humility to realize how fragile all of this is. This is Birdland.
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