Orioles Baseball Reflections--ALDS Finale Tonight

What a ride it has been with the Orioles this year.  The past two nights have had me staying up hours past my bedtime cheering for the team as they are locked in an epic struggle against the evil empire (Yankees). The teams are now tied 2-2 in a best of five series which ends tonight. They have played 25 innings of baseball over the past two nights--making me a very sleep deprived fan.

I am sure tonight will be dramatic. The best pitcher the Yankees have to offer will be on the mound against the "next man up" Orioles.

I like our chances.

I reread some of my blogs form March when I was headed off to Sarasota for Spring Training. The Orioles were expected to be terrible, but in my usual Spring Training mode, I believed that "it" could happen.

I am the eternal Spring optimist.

I go to Sarasota to get a feel for the team.

Here is what ESPN wrote before the season began:"Lefthanders Brian Matusz and Zach Britton make major strides before the team is crushed under the weight of a powerful division. For the sixth straight year, Baltimore fails to win 70 games, for the 15th straight year the team has a losing record. Yes, this is the best-case scenario."

Their best case scenario was, it turns out, a long way from reality. That is why the games have to be played.

The reality:

Entry Hall at Orioles Spring Training Facility

The Orioles won 93 games and made the playoffs for the first time in 15 years. They beat Texas (American League Champions for the past two years) in the one game Wild Card round. They have set up tonight's finale by playing the Yankees to a draw in the American League Division Series. All of these accomplishments are a long way from finishing with over 100 losses. I bought World Series tickets for the first time in my life and I believe that I may yet get a chance to use them to see the Orioles play for the crown of "best in baseball."

So win or lose tonight--the guys gave me and the other fans a season to remember. I hope they don't try to manage my expectations for next year. Because I know what goals I have in mind for this exciting baseball team.

-- Bob Doan, Elkridge, MD

Let's Talk Politics

How can you tell a politician is lying?  His/her lips are moving.

Sadly, it seems so true. We have become jaded by empty promises from office seeking people who will, it seems, do anything to win.

And then what? We are left wondering--what did I ever see in that person?

Who loses?

We all do when people without a clue get elected.

I always like to consider--can they make a decision? Do they surround themselves with people who will give them good advice--and will they take it? Can they evaluate competing views and choose the best one for the country? The news media seems to believe that consistency is the most important thing. Sadly though, the ways bills are written a seemingly good bill can be so loaded with pork that voting for it is just wrong. So really, it comes down to can they think, can they speak in full sentences, and can they make decisions under fire?

It is hard, as voters, to evaluate all of those complexities. And failing these items we become swayed by the manufactured facts and voting records fed to us by the campaigns and news media.

The real problem is that it is all so important. But often, there seems to be no right answer.

Maybe Mickey Mouse would be the best choice. At least I know the words to "It's a Small World" and I can never tell if Mickey's lips are moving.

-- Bob Doan, Elkridge, MD

Anti-ism wins: Protestants a Majority no Longer

The Associated Press reports that "For the first time in its history, the United States does not have a Protestant majority, according to a new study. One reason: The number of Americans with no religious affiliation is on the rise."  Rachel Zoll, an AP Religion Writer reported this in her article titled Report: US Protestants lose majority status.

Karl Marx wrote that "Religion is the opiate of the masses." I wonder what the lack of a widespread religious underpinning to our society bodes for the future?

The study suggests that the Americans who say they have no religion vote overwhelmingly for Democrats. I'm not sure what to make of this except that social policies offered by democrats may offer an alternative to religion. The aims are similar--take care of those around you through social programs. But the tax implications, as we have witnessed in European countries, are huge to pay for programs and that leads to bigger government and increasing inefficiency which creates more of a tax drain on society.

Despite the lure of social "do-goodism" though, the real issue is why are more and more Americans   choosing to avoid and reject the hope offered by religion?

Could it be because the message has become blurred by high visibility fanatical policies? Has protestantism become equated with an "anti-ism" approach to significant issues without providing an alternative? I can see it. In the name of religion we have witnessed Koran burning, gay-bashing, violent anti-abortionist activities, and in-your-face "I'm right and you're going to hell" mentalities which, frankly, turn me off.

It seems, aided by the sensationalism of the news media, that protestants are anti everything. It is obfuscating the message of eternal hope and the love of God. The efforts of the majority are being overshadowed by the radical few. And now, the numbers reflect that.

We need to be less damming and more affirming and forgiving. 

-- Bob Doan, Elkridge, MD

On an Damp and Cold Night

The night was cold. The crowd was loud. The game was on the line.

Orioles Park - October 8, 2012

The city seemed united behind a bunch of baseball players locked in a struggle between the rebel alliance and the evil empire.

I looked at the clock as the game ended--it was 11:59 PM on October 8, 2012.

The upstart Orioles pulled even with the Yankee juggernaut in the best of five elimination series.

But they had help.

48,000 fans were louder than I have ever heard them. I was listening to the cheers echo off the surrounding buildings during the pauses. Fans united, trying with their voices to help the team find a way to win.

Oriole Park - Post-season Baseball
October 8, 2012

And, in no small way it seemed that we did.

Nine innings of baseball with the crowd growing stronger with each pitch finally reaching a deafening roar as the last Yankee batter struck out to end the game.

Nothing could be sweeter for Orioles fans.

-- Bob Doan, Elkridge, MD

Orioles Baseball -- First Playoff Game in 15 Years

Last evening I attended the first home playoff MLB game is fifteen years at Camden Yards.

The stadium was alive. It was decked out for the game--spirits dampened only by the rain which delayed the start by two and a half hours. The crowd was alive and the team responded. Even with the rain and the delay--it was electric.

And I hope tonight will be more of the same.

That is the great thing about the baseball playoffs--they last for more than just one night/day; unlike the NFL.  When the season is 162 games long it is good that the playoffs are not a series of one-and-done affairs.

Go O's.

-- Bob Doan, Elkridge, MD

Monday Musings - October 8, 2012

1. Baseball is a 27 out game, unless tied. The Orioles were great for 24 outs yesterday. Unfortunately, the Yankees owned the last three outs.

2. Winning ugly is still a win.

3. Busy weekends pass so quickly. From Charlottesville in the morning, to Monticello, and then and Orioles game. Wow, what a day. Anyone want a holiday?

4. I am wondering if I am beginning to overload on baseball? Nah.

5. The colors of autumn are really beginning to invade the hills. We saw a windblown leaf storm this weekend.

6. Holiday mondays are a great way to recover form a busy weekend. Why are holiday's so busy, too?

-- Bob Doan, Elkridge, MD

Wings Over Wine Country

One winery we visited yesterday was hosting the Wings Over Wine Country awareness for injured animals for the Wildlife Center of Virginia.



The organization brought along a few animals. including the screech owl in this picture.

This owl is missing one eye and the other is damaged rendering her effectively blind. They believe she may have been hit by a car or a train. he was found along railroad tracks near an intersection. Now she is a permanent ambassador to raise awareness for injured animals.

It is amazing what one finds while spending a great day sampling the fruits of the vine.

-- Bob Doan, Writing from Charlottesville, VA

Out the Hotel Window - Charlottesvile, VA October 2012

The autumn colors are creeping into the afternoon sunlight illumined trees. The weather, although warm, is turning cooler with each passing night. The vineyards have harvested the grapes for the upcoming winemaking season and the preparation of the 2012 vintages are well underway.



It was an awesome day. I is a stop along a busy weekend that began last evening with the O's first playoff victory in over 15 years. Today was sampling wines at many of our favorite and one newly discovered vineyards.

Tomorrow a visit to Monticello and then home for a busy Sunday in the middle of a busy three day weekend.

It is becoming an annual event--doing something special on the first weekend in October. The weather is beautiful with the summer still close enough to remember and the autumn rain and chill still something that yet has not arrived.

But it will. Until then, enjoy life, drink wine, and love deeply.


-- Bob Doan, writing from Charlottesville, VA

Orioles Magic--Pushed to the Brink

One game play in. The October hunt is underway.

It sounds great, right up until it is game day and the entire post-season is on the line.

The team that few of the pundits believed in at the start of the season is one of 10 teams still standing and starting the post season today. Twenty other teams are sitting at home watching on their televisions.

The odds seem stacked against the Orioles:

An away game, in Texas who won 5 games against 2 losses this season against them. The O's are 1-2 in Arlington this season.

Starting a pitcher who is a clear candidate for Rookie of the Year honors (Yu Darvish,16-9 with a 3.90 ERA and 221 strikeouts in 191 1/3 innings)

Texas, who has a guy who hit four home-runs against them in a single game this season (Josh Hamilton)

Coming off the final series of the regular season after being held to 5 hits and 2 runs over the last 18 innings (2 games) and losing two of three to the Tampa Bay Rays to wind up on the road for the Wild Card game.

But it is the Orioles!

The team projected to lose possibly 120 games (they lost only 69 while winning 93).

The team that was in the toughest division in baseball with one of the smallest payrolls.

The team that set a new major league record for roster moves during a season.

The team with two players with more than 30 home runs, and five with more than 20 home runs.

I like our odds.

Take one scrappy team living the dream and play against a team that blew a 17 game lead in their division, put them together to see who advances on one night .

This is post season baseball and regardless of the outcome, Orioles Magic is back!

Like the first verse and chorus of the Orioles Magic song:

Something magic happens, everytime you go
You make the magic happen, the magic of Orioles’ Baseball!

When the game is close, and the O’s are hot
There’s a thundering roar from 34 to give it all they’ve got 

And you never know who’s gonna hear the call
Every game there’s a different star
That’s the magic of Orioles’ Baseball! 

Orioles Magic! Feel it happen!
Orioles Magic! Feel it happen! 

O - R - I - O - L - E - S ! 

Magic! Magic! Magic! Magic! 

-- Bob Doan, Elkridge, MD

Life in the Friendly Skies

I reflected upon my recent traveling experience trying to remember the golden days of flying, when passenger comfort was what air travel was about instead of making a profit.

Yesterday, at times. I felt more like self-loading cargo, a term I remember pax (as we were called) being referred to when I was on active duty in the Air Force.

Looking at the 737 Being Readied to
Fly from Denver to Baltimore

Starting with the screenings before being allowed into the terminal, everything seems designed to remind us that we are the by-product of the system rather than the reason everyone there has a job. Oh, generally the people who work in the airport are nice and deferential--but I am convinced they believe that it would be a great place to work if there were no passengers.

Kind of like schools--a great place to work except for the students.

I remarked to another passenger that with all of the cost cutting measures (or cost increasing measures from a passenger perspective) soon we are not going to need to check our bags anymore. The will have us walk down the ramp and stow the bags in the cargo hold ourselves before going back up the ramp to our seats. And we will retrieve them after the flight. Oh yeah--they will still charge $25 per bag for the self-service option.

I have to chuckle at United's boarding sequence. I guess they have seven boarding groups. Somehow I was in group four yesterday. Turns out, I was the only person in boarding group four. And the plane was jammed. Many people went before me and most came after me, making me feel very conspicuous going through the gate.

Food on a flight? Fly first class or buy it. I remember when meal service was standard for all classes. Problem was that everyone complained about the food so they did away with it and now we can complain about not getting any.

I think the greatest thing that has happened in air travel is the permanent no smoking situation. I remember the days when the back  of the plane was blue with cigarette smoke. Getting stuck in the back was a sentence to a terrible trip--worse than sitting next to a screaming infant that pukes on nearby innocent passengers.

The next greatest thing in air travel will be allowing mobile devices to be used during take-offs and landings. The pilots are using iPads, why can't we? From a practical perspective it would save the airlines money because I wouldn't drag a book along with me to read during take-offs and landings. Since books have weight and fuel is used to fly weight--there would be some savings if most people decided not to bring additional reading material along.

So many stories and so little time.

-- Bob Doan, Elkridge, MD