Bob Haynie: Royals End Orioles Fine Season
The American League Championship Series didn't go as planned for the Baltimore Orioles, I think it's safe to say. After rolling the Detroit Tigers in three games in the ALDS, the Birds had high hopes as they faced the Kansas City Royals for the right to go to the World Series. Unfortunately, those hopes were dashed in a big way as K.C. swept Baltimore to win the AL pennant.
The games were close, intense and kept your interest until the final pitch. There is no denying that the ALCS featured plenty of drama.
In the end, it was Ned Yost and his Royals prevailing and keeping their incredible postseason run alive. As they head to the World Series, K.C. is cruising with a winning streak that has reached eight games. Nobody saw that one coming.
As for manager Buck Showalter and the Orioles, it is a disappointing end to an otherwise fine season. We may not want to embrace the fact now, but the Birds were a very good team in 2014.
In a season in which they lost 3B Manny Machado and C Matt Wieters to significant injuries, they persevered and won the AL East by 12 games. After losing 1B/3B Chris Davis to a late-season suspension, they were able to maintain and reach the ALCS.
Zach Britton stepped in as closer in May and was superb. The starting rotation exceeded everyone's expectations and was instrumental in Baltimore winning the division. In RHP Kevin Gausman, the Orioles have a potential star on the staff.
They led the league in homers and were one of the best defensive teams in baseball. I would assume that Showalter will be in line to win AL Manager of the Year. He certainly deserves it.
Now the offseason is here and the Orioles will have some interesting decisions to make with potential free-agents and other contracts.
As for today, I'm going to remember the 2014 Baltimore Orioles season for what it was.
A 96 win, AL East Championship season that ended four games short of a World Series.
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