Playoff Bound! After 15-Year Drought, O's Fans Have Something To Celebrate
BALTIMORE (WJZ )-- Even with Monday night's loss against the Tampa Bay Rays, many fans are still hoping the Orioles can beat the Yankees in the regular season.
Monique Griego has more on the excitement surrounding these last few games.
Fans know how critical these last few games are. Monday night, they were glued to the TV, hoping for some Orioles magic.
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Baltimore fans packed into Pickles Pub to watch the Orioles' first playoff team in 15 years take on the Tampa Bay Rays.
"It's absolutely fantastic," said fan Jeannie Orlando.
"It's the most excited I think this town has been," said fan David Ford.
Longtime fans like Ford are calling this season an unexpected phenom.
"We didn't expect this team to do what they did," he said. "They've played with a lot of heart, a lot of character."
"It's really a great thing to go this far with the team we have and the pitching and everyone has come together well. It's been exciting," said another fan.
The team's newfound success also has a lot of fair-weather fans back on the bandwagon.
"Just killing it. It's awesome. Loving life," said Derek Blazer.
Some O's fans have been waiting for this for a very long time.
At Ilchester Elementary in Ellicott City, fifth-grade teacher John Vandermer has an important lesson for his students.
"You stay with your home team through thick and thin because they are your home team," he said.
And Orioles gear is flying off the shelves. At the Inner Harbor, orange is the current "it" color.
"I just recently started coming down here to the harbor and there's so much going on and people are excited and I'm excited right along with them," said a fan.
"Now everyone walks around in Orioles gear," said fan Ashley Brooks.
"We have all our playoff stuff ordered, ready to come in," said Tracey Tyson, Poor Boys. "They just want anything orange: car flags, flags, decals -- you can't keep them in."
View Slideshow Of Orioles Fans Showing Their Orange & Black Pride
It seems everywhere you look in Baltimore, the O's are taking over.
"It's unbelievable. What a scrappy bunch of guys. They just don't give up. Like Baltimore--we don't give up!" said a fan.
"It's about time Baltimore has some good baseball energy in town," said a fan.
"Finally, we're there and there's all this camaraderie. We're rocking," said another fan.
In Federal Hill, a magical season is keeping the bars busy, especially during these last few critical games.
"I think it's great. It's great to see everyone going out to the games. I love it," said a fan.
"It's easy to have a letdown, but I'm hoping they won't," said fan David Dadds.
O's fans in Anne Arundel County say it puts Maryland on the map.
"It's great for the state of Maryland. It gives the people in the rest of the country an idea that Maryland just isn't crabs," said a fan.
Marylanders are hoping this unbelievable season is far from over. And as for these next few days...
"Pretty hectic, pretty insane. We're going to be watching the game every night," Ford said.
If the Orioles tie the Yankees at the end of the season, they will have a tie-breaker game Thursday. Tickets for that game will go on sale Tuesday.
WJZ is your place for complete coverage as the Orioles wrap up the rest of the season and get ready for the playoffs.
