Orioles Will Be World Series Contenders For Years To Come
By Samuel Njoku
Showalter Brought The 'Show'
The game of baseball is a beautiful thing, isn’t it? The mere fact that the throw of a ball and the swing of a bat can change the essence of a city in a matter of moments. That’s what happened to the city of Baltimore in 2014. To be fair to the Orioles organization, the change of culture has been a 4 year ordeal. It’s no coincidence that this time frame directly correlates with the hiring of Buck Showalter. After a streak of losing that would make the Cleveland Browns blush, Baltimore was at a breaking point. When losing shifts from sad to expected, it’s time for a change. And that’s exactly what the fans of Baltimore got.
The 'Show' Rejuvenated Baltimore
The city of Baltimore was starving for baseball – decent baseball. The thought of a winning record seemed to most like a sick fantasy – a mixed bag of chocolate and rusty nails. For winning the AL East was not going to cut it for the Orioles. If fans were crazy enough to daydream of playoff baseball in Baltimore, they would have to except the fact that it would be far from a quick fix.
Then came Buck Showalter.
To put it bluntly, he’s become the face of Baltimore. Not Ray Lewis. Not Michael Phelps.
Buck.
Of course he didn’t do it alone. Along with Dan Duquette, Showalter would create a winning culture in the Orioles organization. It wasn’t nearly as easy as it looked. In 2011, they would finish 69-93 and in last place in the division. But, deep within that cesspool of convoluted sadness lay the small foundation for a winning baseball team. In December, the Orioles acquired J.J. Hardy from the Minnesota Twins. And it’s been nothing but happy days in Baltimore ever since.
Baltimore's Steady Climb
In 2012, the Orioles were a wild card team that made it to the ALDS before losing to the New York Yankees in 5 games. In 2013, they registered a winning record but failed to make the playoffs. And in 2014, they won the AL East and swept the Detroit Tigers in the ALDS before falling to the Kansas City Royals in the Championship Series. Of course, fans of the Orange and Black are extremely disappointed. Their hearts are understandably broken. Their expectations were so high following the Tigers sweep.
Bright Future Ahead
How about that? A town full of expectations after a plethora of consecutive losing seasons. The old proverb of getting back up after you fall down never applied to the citizens of Baltimore. When they fell, they stayed down. But the Orioles finally gave them a reason to get up – and stay up. Losing in the ALCS is never fun, but the future has never been brighter. The shortstop that started it all signed an extension to be with Baltimore for years to come. Adam Jones remains the centerpiece to the Championship puzzle. And pitchers Kevin Gausman and Dylan Bundy could transform an above average rotation to an exceptional one.
The Show Will Go On
Baltimore will be back in the playoffs. They'll win division titles. They'll win playoff games. And they'll fight for a championship they haven't won in nearly 31 years. No daydreaming required. So sit down, relax, and Buckle Up.
Samuel Njoku was born and raised in Baltimore, MD and is a graduate of the University of Maryland Eastern Shore. Samuel has covered the Ravens for Examiner.com since 2010. Prior to 2010, Samuel was an avid blogger and radio personality in Salisbury, MD. Samuel Njoku is a freelance writer covering all things NFL. His work can be found on Examiner.com. You can also follow him on Twitter @Ravens_Examiner.
