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MASN getting geared up for O's in postseason (updated)

October 02, 2012, 1:10pm

Orioles

MASN getting geared up for O's in postseason (updated)

Seems like only yesterday that Roch Kubatko was bringing class in "School of Roch" to order in Sarasota. But that was more than seven months ago, and a lot has happened in the interim - not the least of which is the fact that the Orioles will make their first appearance in the postseason since 1997. Now, how they'll do that remains to be seen, since the season's not yet over. The O's could win out in St. Pete against the Rays and hope the Yankees lose their final game at home against...

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James Baker: It's not over

October 04, 2012, 8:01am

Orioles

The Orioles finished Game 162 with a 4-1 loss at the hands of a scrappy, prideful, Tampa Bay Rays team. But for the first time in more than a decade, the season is not over. As a result of the their loss and the Yankees' win, the Orioles are the second wild card team and must fly to Arlington, Texas, to face the suddenly mortal Texas Rangers. The 2012 season will go down in Baltimore lore as one of the most amazing spectacles. The Orioles finished with the best record in one-run-games in the...

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Neal Shaffer: A burden, lifted

October 02, 2012, 6:12pm

Orioles

What do sports mean to a city, after all? Of what value is a team? What do we really gain from having handsomely compensated athletes organize themselves in uniform to play games in a city most of them don't call home? In a word, it's community. From economic impact to camaraderie, everyone can find their own favorite reason why sports matter. Regardless of which one you favor, a team is one of the few things that still has the power to impart a real sense of "us." Rooting can be a...

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Zach Wilt: Who's writing this script?

October 02, 2012, 6:03am

Orioles

If Hollywood was smart - six "Fast and the Furious" movies are strong evidence to the contrary - there would be a movie about the Orioles' season out by Opening Day 2013. This season is the perfect script and in a lot of ways, like most O's fans, I feel like I'm playing a minor character in it. Like when my brother-in-law and sister-in-law helped me purchase postseason tickets just days before giving birth to their first child. Or when my dad and I were on MASN reaching for Nate...

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Flashback: Imagine Brooks Robinson trying to go unnoticed in Baltimore

September 25, 2012, 10:30am

Orioles

Flashback: Imagine Brooks Robinson trying to go unnoticed in Baltimore

What can be said, written or thought about Brooks Robinson that hasn't already been said, written or thought? Simply put, he's Mr. Oriole, the enduring face of the franchise when the O's finally weaved themselves into the tapestry that is Baltimore, right beside steamed crabs, marble stoops and painted screen doors. If you don't have a Brooks Robinson autograph, that means you've probably never tried. As a kid, I remember thinking how cool it was for the best third baseman of all time to...

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Neal Shaffer: What if the Orioles miss the playoffs?

September 26, 2012, 4:55am

Orioles

Today I come to raise a spectre. Not because I want to. Certainly not because anyone else wants me to (you surely don't). I do so, simply, because I must. To wit: What if the Orioles miss the playoffs? With seven games left the black and orange remain in a strong position. Despite two consecutive losses to the Blue Jays, they're still in this thing. The division title might be slipping away but the wild card is very much an option. The numbers, however, are not comfortable. A lot can and...

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Zach Wilt: Qualifying the Orioles' 'luck'

September 25, 2012, 4:55am

Orioles

Growing up, my dad always had old sayings that he would use to help teach me a life lesson. They were always simple, thought-provoking sentiments about whatever struggles I happened to be facing at the time, and many of them stick with me today. One such saying has particularly been of interest to me throughout the last five months. As I have watched the Baltimore Orioles go from 69 wins in 2011 to 88 wins (and counting) in 2012, I can't help but hear my dad saying, "You make your own...

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Domenic Vadala: On closing acts and changed fortunes

September 24, 2012, 5:00am

Orioles

Domenic Vadala: On closing acts and changed fortunes

On Friday night, the Boston Red Sox come to town for the final home series of 2012's regular season. Friday is also the Sept. 28, which will mark the one-year anniversary of last season's spectacular finish to the regular season. I'll spare everyone the details yet again, however the act of Robert Andino hitting an RBI single to win it for the Fighting Showalters followed almost immediately by Evan Longoria hitting a walk off homer in St. Petersburg, Fla., is something that will not soon...

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Matthew Taylor: Historical proof that more is better

September 21, 2012, 5:38am

Orioles

Matthew Taylor: Historical proof that more is better

The Orioles extended their remarkable run of consecutive extra-inning victories to 15 this week with wins in 18 and 11 innings against Seattle. Overall, the O's are 15-2 in extra-inning games in 2012. Explanations for the team's success in extra frames are varied; however, the historical marker you'll hear referenced most often is that the current 15-game extra-inning streak is the longest such effort since 1949, when the Cleveland Indians won 17 straight extra-inning games. History tends to...

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O's unveil clever contest to advance Brooks Robinson's Legends ceremony

September 20, 2012, 4:49pm

Orioles

O's unveil clever contest to advance Brooks Robinson's Legends ceremony

Brooks Robinson was so revered in Baltimore that his first name is all that's necessary to reference him as an Orioles legend and Hall of Famer. Before honoring the man himself at the final Legends Park statue ceremony on Sept. 29 at Camden Yards, the Orioles are honoring his name with a clever sweepstakes. Former Associated Press sportswriter Gordon Beard once wrote, "Brooks never asked anyone to name a candy bar after him. In Baltimore, people named their children after him." Playing...

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James Baker: The magic number

September 20, 2012, 8:46am

Orioles

The Orioles have off today so Baltimore gets to take part in its new favorite game: Scoreboard Watching! O's fans everywhere will be paying attention to the Rays, Yankees, Angels and Athletics games to see how the most direct competition fares. If all goes according to plan, the Orioles could awake tomorrow in a very advantageous position. The Orioles are in control of their own destiny, and their most recent spate of miraculous impossible play has put them in a very cushy place. The way I...

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O's slate series of "BUCKle Up!" rallies

September 19, 2012, 3:48pm

Orioles

O's slate series of "BUCKle Up!" rallies

You say you've caught pennant fever? You say you want to get together with like-minded, orange-crazy Orioles fans? You say you need to root loudly for your favorite team, even outside of Camden Yards? Well, the O's have you covered. Beginning Friday, Sept. 21 and continuing through Oct. 2, the Orioles will hold a series of "BUCKle Up!" rallies around town designed to generate maximum excitement surrounding the O's playoff push. A "BUCKle Up" street team will travel throughout...

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A look at how new postseason format could apply to O's

September 17, 2012, 4:42pm

Orioles

A look at how new postseason format could apply to O's

On one level, the Orioles have already put 14 years of misery to rest by clinching their first winning season since 1997. Now they're seeking another first since that same year - a playoff berth. While it isn't a certainty with their final 13 games coming against AL East foes, the O's chances look good with a little bit of padding in the wild card standings and a narrow margin behind the Yankees for first place in the division. Baseball's playoff format is a little different from the last...

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Neal Shaffer: The 2012 Orioles season is a teaching moment

September 19, 2012, 5:22am

Orioles

It's funny how time moves. Even funnier how "normal" moves with it. Think of the last daunting task you undertook. Depending on your age, it might be applying for college or graduating college. It might be looking for a job. It might be buying a house or having a kid. It might be sending that kid off to school. It might be taking the plunge into retirement. Whatever it is, it probably felt huge when you first started planning. It may have even felt one or two ticks short of impossible....

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Zach Wilt: The three best games I've ever attended

September 18, 2012, 4:31am

Orioles

Zach Wilt: The three best games I've ever attended

I received a text message from my good pal and former college roommate Reilly last week asking when we could get together. It had been far too long and different jobs in different locations have made it more difficult to get together than either of us probably ever would have imagined during our days in Tower B at Towson University. Reilly asked what my plans were and I told him I was booked up Wednesday night and during the day Thursday, as I had tickets to watch the Orioles face the Rays at...

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Domenic Vadala: Time loves a hero

September 16, 2012, 5:08pm

Orioles

There are so many different angles at which we can look at these 2012 Orioles. However, needless to say 2012 will always represent a return to glory of a once-great franchise. Ironically - and who among us ever thought we'd hear this - I've seen some blabber on message boards to the effect that people are getting tired of hearing so much about the Orioles on national outlets. Feels strange not to be talking about Boston or New York, doesn't it? When Manny Machado's blooper hit the ground...

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Matthew Taylor: New Oriole Magic ends string of 14 losing seasons

September 14, 2012, 6:37am

Orioles

Matthew Taylor: New Oriole Magic ends string of 14 losing seasons

Let's start with this: The Orioles' run of 14 losing seasons is over. The O's 14th-inning victory Thursday against the Tampa Bay Rays was their 81st of the 2012 season, ensuring that they can do no worse than a .500 record. If you follow the team closely, you know the numbers and therefore understand how appropriate it was for the Orioles to secure a non-losing fashion in the manner they did. Here's a refresher: the Orioles are 27-7 in one-run games, 64-0 when they lead after the seventh...

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Orioles throw down the "Go Orange" challenge

September 13, 2012, 5:27pm

Orioles

Think you've got all of your back-to-school clothes? Think again, Orioles fans. They say you shouldn't wear white after Labor Day. Fortunately, with Birdland in the midst of an historic season, you won't fret about missing out on that dapper, white outfit. From now on, it's orange all the way. The Orioles have issued a challenge to all elementary, middle and high schools in the state of Maryland to "Go Orange" and demonstrate their support for the Orioles. Schools are encouraged to...

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James Baker: No longer losers

September 13, 2012, 8:31am

Orioles

The Orioles have won their 80th game. Let that sink in for a minute. What else is there to say? With a sweep today, the Orioles will finally end the 14-year losing streak that has plagued this team, its fans and the city of Baltimore. Confederate money, 30-3, Jeff Maier, Raffy -gate, Mazzilli, The Mother's Day Massacre, Armando Benitez, Omar Dhal, BJ Ryan, Kurt Ainsworth - all will be wiped away. The Orioles can no longer be lumped together with the laughing stocks of sport. No longer can...

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Throwback pricing extended to Toronto series from Sept. 24-26

September 13, 2012, 4:48pm

Orioles

Throwback pricing extended to Toronto series from Sept. 24-26

You spoke - purchasing the discounted throwback tickets offered by the Orioles for this week's crucial series against the Rays - and the O's listened. The sight of packed left field boxes and the Eutaw Street bleachers was too good a deal to pass up, and you'll have the opportunity to do it all over again from Sept. 24-26, when the Orioles entertain the Blue Jays. Once again, fans can purchase seats in those locations at 1992 pricing, a nod to the 20th anniversary of Camden Yards. While...