masn-baseballs-orioles.jpgWell, we’ve made it. Spring training has started, and a new baseball season is right around the corner. After all the havoc created by the pandemic since March, it feels good to look ahead to something with eager anticipation, doesn’t it?
While the Orioles get ready in Florida, we’ll continue revisiting yesteryear with “Orioles Classics” on MASN. This week, we’ve got two distinct themes: postseason baseball from 1996 and some prodigious power displays from the guys in orange and black.
So…

Well, we’ve made it. Spring training has started, and a new baseball season is right around the corner. After all the havoc created by the pandemic since March, it feels good to look ahead to something with eager anticipation, doesn’t it?

While the Orioles get ready in Florida, we’ll continue revisiting yesteryear with “Orioles Classics” on MASN. This week, we’ve got two distinct themes: postseason baseball from 1996 and some prodigious power displays from the guys in orange and black.

So sit back, count down the days until the April 1 opener and enjoy this week’s “Orioles Classics” memories.

Thursday, Feb. 18 – 11:30 a.m. – We promised you slugfests, and this game from May 16, 2017 certainly qualifies. It took 13 frames for the Birds to vanquish the Tigers 13-11 at Comerica Park. Mark Trumbo’s blast in the ninth forced extra innings, and the O’s and Bengals traded three-spots in the 12th. Chris Davis, who went deep in the 12th, also connected in the 13th, his two-run clout providing the margin of victory.

Thursday, Feb. 18 – 11:30 p.m. – Manny Machado’s first two major league homers came in the same game – on Aug. 10, 2012 – and helped the Orioles smack the Royals 7-1. Miguel González was the beneficiary of the firepower (which included a two-run shot by Omar Quintinilla), scattering six hits over eight innings for the victory.

Friday, Feb. 19 – 1 p.m. – After the Orioles claimed Game 1 of the 1996 American League Division Series at Camden Yards, Game 2 saw a 7-4 victory over the Indians. Orel Hershiser’s fielding error allowed the O’s to get on the board in the first and they never trailed. Brady Anderson led off a three-run fifth with a solo shot and the Birds scored three more times in the eighth.

Friday, Feb. 19 – 4 p.m. – The second of three 1996 ALDS games on today’s schedule is a 9-4 loss to the Tribe at Jacobs Field in Game 3. Jesse Orosco relieved Mike Mussina after six innings and surrendered an Albert Belle grand slam that snapped a 4-4 standoff.

Friday, Feb. 19 – 7:30 p.m. – The Orioles prevailed in Game 4 of the 1996 ALDS, with Roberto Alomar’s 12th-inning solo homer off José Mesa the deciding blow in a 4-3 Baltimore victory.

Monday, Feb. 22 – 11:59 p.m. – On June 2, 2016, the O’s brought out the heavy lumber, teeing off on Red Sox pitching for seven homers in a 12-7 triumph. Trumbo and Adam Jones each had two blasts and Manny Machado, Pedro Álvarez and Francisco Peña also went deep.

Tuesday, Feb. 23 – 3 p.m. – A 13-5 rout of the Astros on Aug. 18, 2016 saw the Orioles crush six homers. Trumbo got the longball parade started with a three-run tater in the first, and before everything was said and done, J.J. Hardy and Davis had homered twice and Machado also connected.