Enjoying the 2024 Orioles

Opening Day, from the Baltimore Sun

A year ago, I blogged about enjoying the Baltimore Orioles. After years of futility, things looked to be on the rise. And they were; last year, they finished 101-61, their best record since 1980. The got swept out of the playoffs, unfortunately (by the eventual champion Rangers), but things looked bright. How have they held up this year?

Really well. Their core returned, they traded for all-star starting pitcher Corbin Burnes (who started for the AL in the all-star game on Tuesday), and they have even more promising rookies this year. In addition to superstars Gunnar Henderson (last year's AL Rookie of the Year) and Adley Rutschmann, rookies Jordan Westburg and Colton Cowser have shown great promise. Grayson Rodriguez (rookie last year) has become a solid #2 starter behind Burnes, and veterans like Anthony Santander and Cedric Mullins are delivering good seasons. They sent five (Burnes, Rutschmann, Henderson, Westburg, Santander) to the all-star game. Their depth chart is below.

The biggest concern: pitching. The O's lost three starters for the season, all of them good: John Means, Kyle Bradish, and Tyler Wells. Last year's star closer (Felix Bautista) is still on the injured list, though he may return soon (and veteran Craig Kimbrel has been a decent closer in his place). Their bullpen depth has been affected, too, forcing the GM to scrape the league for serviceable arms. 

Still, the future is bright in Birdland because they have drafted well (ESPN Insider recently called them the gold standard in drafting—see below). That is key for a small market team.

The key in Baltimore is patience and opportunism: they have to make the right deals for the right price to get a title in the next few years before their core becomes too expensive to keep. And I hope they do. 

So why this post? I have learned it is important to enjoy the excellence while it lasts . . . because in professional sports, things can change fast. In 2022, I posted about my Calgary Flames, who were then poised to be in great shape. That all crashed down shortly thereafter, as they lost or traded their best players and are now in full-on rebuild. I miss that team. I should have enjoyed them more when they were together. I don't want to make that mistake again.

The Orioles might win a title in the next year or two. Or they might crash and burn. We hope for the former and cheer them on either way. Let's go O's!

Another opening day photo from the Sun.