Like All-Star video games, elections have a tendency to go away behind a contact of optimism (and greater than somewhat second-guessing), so it’s in all probability fortuitous that the Maryland main fell on the identical day because the Major League Baseball’s Midsummer Classic this 12 months. Both occasions present a chance to take the measure of issues.
But whereas the end result of the first vote is critically essential to the state, the results of the sport at Dodger Stadium isn’t that huge a deal to Orioles followers. That’s as a result of the 2022 franchise already made them proud. How? By doing one thing all through the season that many people had not anticipated: They’ve been profitable video games. Not all of them. Not even most of them. But an entire lot greater than they did final season, or most seasons of late.
Even probably the most informal of sports activities followers has seemingly heard concerning the 10-game profitable streak the Birds put collectively not too long ago, one of the best such streak by the workforce this century. But the actual marvel is the O’s general document of 46 wins in opposition to 46 losses. What’s so nice about taking part in .500 ball? Last 12 months, the workforce was 28 and 61 on the break. In reality, the 2021 Orioles didn’t win their forty sixth recreation till Sept. 15, en path to a 52-110 season, which was among the many franchise’s worst (simply behind its dreadful 47-115 end three years earlier, which was one of many 5 worst in MLB historical past and 61 video games out of first place). So sure, what an enchancment for a workforce that has been — and we are saying this with as a lot affection as attainable — stinking up the joint.
There are a number of classes right here that need to be highlighted. First is that the Orioles didn’t flip the nook (if that’s what they certainly have achieved) in a single day. Under government vp and normal supervisor Mike Elias, whom the workforce employed after that depressing 2018 season, they’ve gone about rebuilding within the least flashy manner, buying younger expertise, abstaining from expensive free agent signings, and assembling a workforce the place the sum could show larger than its elements. Individually, the gamers don’t dominate American League stat sheets and subsequently didn’t rank excessive in All-Star voting. But collectively they’ve produced a document that places them legitimately within the operating for a wildcard berth.
(All of this made their acquisition of Jackson Holliday, the son of seven-time All-Star outfielder Matt Holliday, the highest choose within the MLB draft final Sunday evening, some icing on the cake. The shortstop is simply out of highschool, so it could be some time earlier than his title will get inked on a Camden Yards lineup card, however his achievements thus far — and blood line — recommend he’s cash within the financial institution, the subsequent Adley Rutschman.)
The second lesson is in the truth that they caught to their plan regardless of all of the doubters.
The third is that they appear to have ignored the distractions. The O’s have been horrible final 12 months, but Mr. Elias didn’t swerve. And the workforce made headlines this summer time for the continued household feud and lawsuit involving the sons of Peter Angelos over management of the workforce (and far of the household fortune). Again, it appears to be enterprise as normal within the clubhouse, the place hitting a homerun will get you the distinction of carrying a large chain and O’s brand across the neck. The guys appear to be having enjoyable and having fun with one another’s firm. That’s a very good check in any group.
How significantly better would possibly Baltimore be if those that win on the poll field might take a cue from the Orioles and in the identical workmanlike method struggle gun violence, improve colleges and supply financial alternatives? Putting management on the identical web page —from prosecutors to mayor and from state legislators to the governor — would certainly promote fairness and create a greater functioning metropolis authorities. As with the O’sn, progress wouldn’t occur in a single day, and actions would seemingly draw criticism. There would undoubtedly be distractions. But there will surely be hope for the longer term.
Meanwhile, all this profitable and enthusiasm makes the Orioles simply plain enjoyable to observe. They return to motion Friday evening in opposition to the first-place New York Yankees at Camden Yards. An gratifying evening on the ballpark will get our vote each time. And elevated residence attendance helps town make some progress with downtown renewal, too.
Baltimore Sun editorial writers provide opinions and evaluation on information and points related to readers. They function individually from the newsroom.
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Source: www.bostonherald.com