masn-baseballs-orioles.jpgWith apologies to a long-ago tirade by former NFL coach Jim Mora, we’re talking playoffs this week.
Yes, playoffs. As in the American League Division Series, which in 1997 pitted the Orioles against the Mariners in a coast-to-coast clash.
On this week’s “Orioles Classics” on MASN, you can relive the entire four-game series with midday broadcasts of the O’s conquest of the wild card Mariners. It was a wild series full of twists and turns, marquee pitching matchups and unexpected power.
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With apologies to a long-ago tirade by former NFL coach Jim Mora, we’re talking playoffs this week.

Yes, playoffs. As in the American League Division Series, which in 1997 pitted the Orioles against the Mariners in a coast-to-coast clash.

On this week’s “Orioles Classics” on MASN, you can relive the entire four-game series with midday broadcasts of the O’s conquest of the wild card Mariners. It was a wild series full of twists and turns, marquee pitching matchups and unexpected power.

If playoffs isn’t your cup of tea, there are a couple of other “Orioles Classics” on tap for this week, some featuring memorable moments in Birdland – like Eddie Murray’s 500th career homer or a multiple-pitcher no-hitter – and others of a more recent vintage.

Enjoy!

Monday, Jan. 23, 12:30 a.m. – What’s a week without a walk-off? Well, in this game from Aug. 15, 2015, slugger Chris Davis did the honors. His second homer of the game came in the bottom of the ninth, giving the Orioles a 4-3 win over the A’s.

mussina-sidebar.jpgMonday, Jan. 23, noon – In Game 1 of the best-of-five 1997 ALDS, Mike Mussina benefited from an offensive outburst against Mariners ace Randy Johnson in a 9-3 victory on Oct. 1. Geronimo Berroa and Chris Hoiles went deep for the Birds, offsetting three Seattle longballs.

Tuesday, Jan. 24, noon – The O’s liked the 9-3 final in Game 1 so much, they decided to replicate the score in a Game 2 victory at the Kingdome on Oct. 2, 1997. Harold Baines and Brady Anderson went deep in the win, but it was a four-run eighth – featuring a two-run single by future MASN analyst Mike Bordick – that created separation after the Mariners crept within 5-3. Scott Erickson was the winning pitcher.

Wednesday, Jan. 25, 12:30 a.m. – On July 13, 1991, four pitchers combined to hold the A’s without a hit in a 2-0 win at what was then Oakland-Alameda County Coliseum. Bob Milacki went the first six innings, with Mike Flanagan, Mark Williamson and Gregg Olson chipping in an inning each. Mike Devereaux homered and Hoiles added an RBI single.

Wednesday, Jan. 25, noon – The 1997 ALDS shifted to Camden Yards on Oct. 4 and the Mariners averted a sweep as Jeff Fassero blanked the Birds for eight innings in a 4-2 win. Jeffrey Hammonds had a two-run double in a ninth-inning O’s rally that fell short.

Thursday, Jan. 26, 12:30 p.m. – Game 4 on Oct. 5 brought a rematch of the Game 1 pitchers, Mussina and Johnson. Manager Davey Johnson inserted Jeff Reboulet into the O’s lineup at second base instead of Roberto Alomar, and the backup infielder responded with a solo homer. Cal Ripken Jr. added an RBI single in the first en route to a 3-1 win in the clincher.

Friday, Jan. 27, noon – That the Orioles lost 5-4 to the Tigers in 12 innings on Sept. 6, 1996 was a footnote to history. Murray connected off Felipe Lira in the seventh inning, sending the ball into the bleachers in right-center, for his 500th career home run.

Sunday, Jan. 29, 1 p.m. – Let’s end the week with a homer barrage from June 2, 2016. The Orioles blasted six home runs to prevail 12-7 in a slugfest against the Red Sox. Mark Trumbo and Adam Jones hit a pair each, with Manny Machado, Pedro Alvarez and Francisco Pena also connecting.