Strange end to the Orioles season: Great sweep of the Blue Jays in the second to last series, then 10-2 win over Yakees, followed by 3-6 loss in the double header. Then . . .
Final game of the year cancelled (with no reschedule) due to nor’easter. :/
I had said I’d be happy if we finished above 500 - we didn’t quite get there at 79-82. August showed some spark, but September fizzled some.
Good to celebrate Pete Alonso’s wins:
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First MLB player to be the RBI leader in both AL and NL
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Most homeruns in AL for the season (at 43)
And I think I see the team starting to settle in with each other a bit and get real about what it’s going to take (as opposed to the pump machine of the last couple years that kept faltering in the delivery phase).
I don’t know enough details about Elias’ management to make any definitive calls – it has seemed a little helter-skelter at times, and I know he’s had to work within some limitations in a small market team. I’ve appreciated Rubenstein & owner group’s willingness to up the investment and there may be ways we’ll see the payoff (Basallo contract, Alonso contract, Bradish contract, Baz contract, and others).
The possibility is still there, but it’s not just ‘going to happen’ (as I feel like may have been a mindset the organization was unconsciously operating from) – In my mind, a proper soul-searching reset this off-season sets the stage for what can be a better performing 2027. If it all clicks, perhaps a promising post-season – but I’d settle for at least demonstrating the potential that exists and having some fun ball, which is really what I think everyone enjoys anyways. 🙂⚾