Orioles Baseball

I, along with about 13,000 of my closest friends went to the ball park the other night.

It was a raw night--cold and misty.

I was treated to seven innings of great baseball. A pitching duel between the Orioles and the Rays. It was fun to watch--especially since the O's had a 3-0 lead at the end of seven.

I was at the park with Jeremy and we had a great father and son time together. It was my first trip to Camden Yards of the season--one in which the Orioles have sunk to be the worst baseball team in the American League and arguably (with the exception of the winless Houston Astros) in all of baseball.

I love baseball--and it pains me to see a major league team make so many Little League mistakes.

I'm demoralized just watching them. Base running mistakes that run the team out of innings--and a huge managerial mistake at the game I was at where the manager failed to protect the starting pitcher , who had pitched a fabulous game, from being in line to get a loss when he finally tired one out into the eighth inning. He needed to pull him out one batter before he did. Although, it worked out for the pitcher--the team lost their lead and wound up losing 8-6 in 10 innings. I didn't stay after the Rays hit a three run shot in the top of the 10th (shhhh, don't tell Chris, I never leave games before the last out).

It is frustrating to watch.

It must be more frustrating to be a player and be on a team that can find a new way to lose, rather than win , every night.

I have such high expectations for the season. I'm still hoping for 82-80 at least. And 91-71 is possible even with this dismal start. It is early and there is a lot of baseball yet to be played.

So, let's get on with it and start winning. The sports talk radio has been talking about how the fans are booing--but the night I was there, we cheered pretty hard--we all felt like we could will the team to a win.

Yet, I lost my voice for naught. Had a good time with my son. Spent a cold night at the Yard. Imbibed some cold beer.

Does it get better than that? (yup, diving the Vandenberg off Key West)