O Yes

 

Having a favorite team gives us a reason to live vicariously once in a while, with hopes of winning it all.

Seventeen years ago.   That is how long it has been since my favorite baseball team, the Baltimore Orioles, last won its division. It was 1997, the year Princess Dianna died, gasoline was $1.22 a gallon and sheep were being cloned.           

Just recently, someone asked me why I cheer for the Orioles, since I reside in the Philadelphia area?   My answer is a little offbeat.  While watching an All Star Game in 1979 I noticed a Baltimore Orioles’ hitter with a cool logo on his helmet and I liked it. Not to mention their main color is my favorite color: orange.  So, after that I cheered for the Phillies in the National League and the Orioles in the American League. 

Then a few years later the Phillies traded my favorite player, Manny Trillo away and I began to exclusively cheer for the Orioles. To say the least, this decision did not go over well where I lived and I even endured having the Oriole mascot being called a woodpecker.  However, that just seemed to fuel my fire even more to cheer for the Orioles, affectionately known by diehards as the O’s.

Now, I am moderately hoping to celebrate a World Series victory by the O’s this year, but I am not holding my breath.  Heck, the last time the Orioles did that was in 1983.  Fortunately, I no longer live and die with my team and get into arguments like I used to when I was fifteen and full of testosterone.  Back then I was obnoxious and feeling the need to defend my squad in church foyers, school libraries or wherever I was at the time. Often, I would get to finger pointing and raising my voice to defend my team. 

Back in the day, when the Orioles won the World Series the big names were Cal Ripken, Jr, Eddie Murray, Rick Dempsey, Tippy Martinez and Scott Mc Gregor.  My favorite all time Orioles’ highlight came in the 1983 playoffs when the O’s needed a big play in the fourth game of the playoffs.  A seldom used utility outfielder named Tito Landrum came to bat in extra innings with the hopes of just getting on base.  To my surprise he hit the ball out of the park giving the Orioles the victory and a spot in the World Series.

Strangely enough, the 1983 World Series matched the Orioles vs. the Phillies prompting the local fans to come out of the woodwork to harass me.   As it turned out the Orioles won in five games to become World Champs. Unfortunately for me the final game was on a Sunday night and I missed the entire game due to church.  On top of that, for weeks after the fact, my critics avoided me like the plague. It even took me six months to get a World Champs t-shirt because there was no e-bay.

All that to say, is I hope the O’s win, I really do.  But, it’s no longer a matter of life or death anymore and I suppose it never really should have been.  The last I checked the Baltimore Orioles don’t need my help or support, but it sure is a nice feeling when they win.

The fact remains, being able to say, “O yes my team just won” always feels much better than saying, “Oh no my team just blew it again.”

Swavel