In today's Baltimore Sun, Kevin "Don't You DARE Call Me Colin!" Cowherd wrote a column about the Orioles and the near-future for the franchise in flux. The main theme was the upcoming decisions that need to be made by the team (and overall make for a fairly throw-away column even for a guy who likes Cowherd). However, he opened with several paragraphs on the one thing I despise among the excitement of the opening of the NFL season and the MLB playoffs: the marginalization of the Orioles by the sports fans and media of the region.
The media has a fair excuse on the subject, because even though they cover both they focus on what gets attention from the readers.
However, this leaves the fans themselves to blame for the sudden dearth of attention on the Orioles.
Now, I'm sure many will say, "Now DJ, the Orioles have done this to themselves," and to a certain extent I agree. The Orioles have not made the playoffs or had a winning season since the Ravens were in their SECOND season in Baltimore. They have not had a relevant September since 2004* when the team finished with 78 wins on the backs of recent free-agent signings Miguel Tejada and Javy Lopez, and the quality pitching of ace Rodrigo Lopez, closer-in-waiting B.J. Ryan and young talent Erik Bedard and Daniel Cabrera.
*Read that last sentence again. Doesn't that feel like so long ago, yet at the same time just like yesterday? Remember when Larry Bigbie was the Great Right (Field...actually, left field) Hope? It just is a continual reminder of how far we have come and how far we still need to go.
However, there is a reason why I don't blame the Orioles for this problem. Following the Orioles and following the Ravens are not mutually-exclusive: you aren't rooting for one at the expense of the other. You can be a fan of both teams, and many of us are or at least profess to be.
This means that the start of the Ravens' season does not prevent fans of both teams from following the Orioles. So, why are fans willing to hide behind the Ravens as an excuse for not watching the Orioles?
I don't have an answer; that's part of why it upsets me so, because there IS no answer. If you don't want to follow the Orioles anymore, just admit it. Don't hide behind the Ravens. If you want to root for both, then admit that as well and maybe we can keep some attention on what we want to see. Both teams getting their coverage, and fans watching both all the way to the end.
The Orioles have young talent both ready to come up and already adjusting to the majors. The Ravens MAY have just lost their best (and possibly only) receiver. Things can change quickly in sports, and some of us will be there for both teams no matter what.
Monday, July 13, 2009
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8 comments:
I love both teams. My problem is, with so many games, the orioles start to lose me as the season drifts out of control. Every year I burn with orioles magic. And every year it crumbles to ashes within months. this year alone I went to 7 games in the first two months. I was at Wieters second game when he got on base for the first time. I was pumped. But they started to drop off again and the pitching is too painful too endure (I was also at Bergesen's debut game against the ChiSox; awesome!) and I just can't hold on for that much pain. The Raven's have a 16 game season and you build up to that game all week long. The pain of lose is fueled by excitement for the next match and before you know it its over. Baseball can burn out its fans. I have always been in favor of a shorter baseball season, but I understand why that wouldnt work as well. Football just satisfies the most raw aspects of our nature (for the more aggressive there is UFC). I will always be an O's fan, but I do need some stimulation.
You're missing the point.
Your desire for "stimulation" doesn't prevent you from watching or rooting for both teams in that short period they are both in-season.
That's what I was getting at: if you don't WANT to watch the Orioles, fine, but don't use the Ravens as an excuse.
the ravens arent my excuse. My feelings on it are that by the time football rolls around, I can't take anymore nightly beatings courtesy of the O's. I love 'em I do. I grew up with the O's and they will always be my team. I just can't watch them flounder all season long. Maybe I am a shitty fan, but I give it my all every year and they dont reciprocate the effort. IMO
That's pretty common, Dan. I think it's a side effect of baseball being a 162 game season, you know? Plus, there's that old joke with teeth: Baltimore is a football town with a baseball problem.
Then just state it that way and don't include the Ravens in the reason.
i do apologize for not being clear, but you will find in time, that i can't say much on this page without including the ravens.
Which is kind of the point, in the grand scheme. The entire scope of the Baltimore sport fan, and let's face it...Dan isn't the only one. We're all representing different aspects of fans, you know? But I'm glad we're generating this debate amongst ourselves.
Now, we need to get the word out to the masses.
i'm trying to tell people but i dont even think my wife will check it out. she's lazy
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