Rob Long: Not What We Imagined
I don't recall a time when I've been more disappointed. I've been a sports fan all of my life and I don't recall having this feeling EVER. Maybe it's because I wanted it so much for them, not just for myself. When you know how much a team fights to get somewhere, you tend to pull for them just because of the effort. No, I'm not saying other teams give less effort, I'm just saying I see the Baltimore Orioles effort up close.
I know players and Adam Jones are going to get called out by the fans. I realize manager Buck Showalter is going to get second guessed. That's the nature of their business. The more eyes on you the more scrutiny you're subject to be under. That's largely because a baseball generation has been waiting for this and a four game sweep isn't what they imagined.
This is not the time to look back and reflect on how much fun we all had watching this team. I think it's too soon for that. Many of us are still trying to wrap our brains around what we just witnessed. Some of us are trying to get our emotions in check.
However, when you deal with that, take a look back and remember the 2014 season. I spoke with an Oriole official after the game about the team being contenders for the foreseeable future and I was told, "We aren't going anywhere, Rob." That was exactly what I wanted to hear. I share that with you because I feel that's exactly what you want to hear right now as well.
As for what moves the team will make to stay at or near the top of the American League East, we can only speculate as of now. What we do know is we all love the feeling that we felt watching this team clinch this year. I can also assure you that the people in the "Warehouse" love that feeling as well.
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