As another disappointing year for Oriole fans comes to a close, it’s important to remember that not everything went wrong.
Yes, there was a 14-game losing streak in May and a 19-game skid in August, the second longest in franchise history. In May and August, the Orioles went 9-47, but two of those wins stood out.
On May 5th in Seattle, John Means threw the Orioles’ first solo no-hitter since Jim Palmer pitched one in August 1969.
With the Orioles just two games from equaling their 21-game losing streak to begin the 1988 season on August 25th, a large crowd gathered around the bullpens just before game time.
They weren’t there to watch Chris Ellis make his first start for the Orioles. They were there to watch the American League’s Most Valuable Player, the two-way wonder, Shohei Ohtani, of the Los Angeles Angels.
Ohtani allowed four runs in five innings and struck out three times in four at-bats. The Orioles scored five runs in the bottom of the eighth and broke their losing streak, 10-6. Backup catcher Austin Wynns purchased incense and Trey Mancini sprinkled it around the ballpark, and the Orioles’ streak was over.
Mancini was the feel-good story of 2021. After missing 2020 because of colon cancer surgery and chemotherapy, Mancini played 147 games. Although his statistics were down — .255 average, 71 RBIs and 21 homers — he was the Comeback Player of the Year.
In 2021, the Orioles used a franchise-record 62 players. Many of them — Brandon Waddell, Zack Burdi, Nick Ciuffo, Jay Flaa, Manny Barreda and Mickey Jannis — were here briefly. Two, Barreda and Jannis, were positive stories. After years knocking around professional baseball in the United States and abroad, they each got to pitch in the majors. That’s what happens when you lose 110 games.
After the Orioles went 25-35 in the pandemic-shortened 2020 season, there was hope that 2021 might be better than the two previous full seasons in which the Orioles went 47-115 and 54-108. It wasn’t, although there were some other bright spots.
Centerfielder Cedric Mullins became the first Oriole with 30 home runs and 30 stolen bases in a season.
First baseman/designated hitter Ryan Mountcastle set a team record for most home runs by a rookie, 33, although he didn’t finish in the top three in the American League Rookie of the Year voting.
Brandon Hyde will be back for a fourth season as Orioles manager, and he should have more talent.
Cather Adley Rutschman and pitcher Grayson Rodriguez should make their debuts in 2022, and might be joined by some other prospects.
The Orioles’ farm system was named the best in Major League Baseball by MLB Pipeline, and fans in Bowie got to watch three months of Rutschman before he was promoted to Norfolk, and Rodriguez, who made the jump after beginning the season at High-A Aberdeen.
After Frederick was dropped by the team as an affiliate as part of the streamlined minor leagues, Aberdeen moved up from a short-season team to a full-season entry.
Infield prospects Gunnar Henderson and Jordan Westburg began the season at Delmarva before they moved up to Aberdeen and finally to Bowie.
Kyle Stowers, a top outfield prospect, started at Aberdeen, ended at Norfolk and could be called up by the Orioles later in 2022.
Outfielder Colton Cowser, the Orioles’ top draft pick in July, had a strong few weeks in Delmarva after tearing up the new Florida Complex League.
Heston Kjerstad, another college outfielder who was the top draft pick in 2020, has yet to play professionally because of myocarditis, an enlargement of the heart. But Kjerstad was able to work out in Sarasota at the Fall Instructional League, and he’s looking forward to playing next spring.
The troubled career of Chris Davis came to an end when a hip injury forced him to retire in August.
Pedro Severino, who caught the most games in the last three seasons, wasn’t invited back. He’ll be in Milwaukee instead.
The year ends in uncertainty because of a lockout. Although there haven’t been substantial talks about a new Collective Bargaining Agreement in the last month of the year, they should begin shortly, with spring training just a little more than six weeks away.
For Oriole fans, late December brought a sense of melancholy when former manager Buck Showalter returned to baseball for the first time since 2018, when the Orioles went 47-115 and Mike Elias and Hyde replaced Dan Duquette and Showalter. He will take over the New York Mets, who have the talent to make the playoffs, which the Orioles last made under Showalter in 2016.
For you, the readers of BaltimoreBaseball.com, a heartfelt thanks from our publisher Steve Cockey, editor Jack Gibbons and me for our best year ever. Fans especially seemed to enjoy the minor league coverage, and there will be plenty more of it in 2022.
Washington Football Team coach Ron Rivera likes to caution those that cover his team: “Don’t make what’s interesting, important.”
For 2022, I’ll continue to report on what’s interesting and important with the Orioles, and perhaps there will be a few more wins to tell you about.
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Rich, thanks for delivering interesting and informative coverage of the Orioles during a challenging time.
A major story to follow in 2022, that will be crucial to the future of the franchise, is the status of the Orioles lease at Camden Yards. Last February, the team decided to enter into only a short two year lease extension through 2023. Since then, we have heard nothing about progress, or even any discussions, on a long term lease extension.
Thank you, Birdman!
Rich, really enjoy your stories and appreciate your patience with all of us regular posters. Let's hope that 2022 season starts on time and marks the beginning of the next great Os era.
HAPPY NEW YEAR!!!
Ditto, Rich….great job doing what you do. Thanks for everything
Thank you Phil and Orioleschatter.
Rich, happy new year to you as well.
Lets hope that 2021 was our low point and now we can actually start to see some progress. Having a farm system rated #1 might be nice, but it doesn't mean much unless the prospects make it to the majors and start to contribute at the major league level.
Thank you, John!
I’ve never been a big New Years resolution kind of guy, I think they’re silly, but I have made one for this year. To get back to OPACY. Having not gone once last season along with not being allowed to go in 2020 makes this the longest I’ve gone without going to a game in Baltimore in probably almost 50 years. I’m hoping to go to Opening Day but failing that I hope to go whenever GR makes his debut. Hopefully they’ll be smart enough to make that a home game. The reason I say GR instead of AR is because I believe they won’t truly begin to turn the corner until they get some starters who will give them a chance to win and just from the 3 innings I saw of him in Harrisburg last summer I think he can do it. I know the Senators (Hbg.) weren’t exactly the Rays, Yanks, Jays or BoSox but just his presence on the mound that night in Hbg. was something I haven’t seen in Baltimore since Moose was pitching there.
Have not been to Ralph Kramden yards since 1992!
Thank you Rich for a year of excellent writing on all things Baltimore Orioles.
You are a strong analyst and always keep things balanced and even-keeled.
- 2022 will be the year that Orioles Faithful begins to see the beginning indicators of the change that lies ahead. It won't all happen all at once, but it will begin to move the needle.
- we're so worn down by the lesser lights that we've been watching for what seems like over a decade, it will be very refreshing to actually see the future. Except for the the Four "M's"; Mullins, Means, Mancini and Mountcastle, the product on the field was a delight for their competitors to behold before every game.
- the BallPark issue is something for us to pay attention to. I am not convinced in the full commitment of the Brothers to fully finance the turnaround and reap the rewards here in Baltimore. I want to believe that, but I'm not sold on this.
Wishing you all the best in this very troubled and dangerous World we are all now living in.
BC, it is fine to be skeptical, I suppose, even on New Year's Eve. The brothers have been as clear and consistent as possible that they have no intention to move the team from Baltimore. I feel like, as I would for anyone that I don't know, I should take them at the word, until there is a reason to question their integrity. As for why no lease extension, I have always thought there there are a couple of reasons, maybe more, that should not be discussed or revealed. Legally, it strikes me as possible that PA's health and "being of sound mind" is an issue that could be of concern to both parties. But of equal possibility is the State of Maryland has got to be sure that is has the resources for the improvements that come from the landlord as part of a long-term lease. I think there is already an agreement in principle to extend the lease, with needed updates and improvements. The devil's always in the details. The State has people to answer to regarding the funding of improvements for a stadium, when the impact of the pandemic and other priorities for the State and City have to be considered.
Phil,
You certainly present a compelling argument and case here, certainly there are many things up-in-the-air on this.
Thank you, Mike.
To Rich and my fellow posters: A Very Happy and Heathy New Year and may I be wrong about the O's losing 110 games.
Thank you, Norm.
Rich,
One thought came to me about 3 days past this last Thanksgiving Holiday and I wish I had expressed my gratitude then. But I know for a fact, that one goal Mr. Cockey and 'that other guy' had when first starting this most wonderful of websites of yours, was their desire to KEEP BB.COM FREE OF CHARGE. I'm sure it hasn't always been easy, and likely still isn't.
Again, I wish I had expressed this back in November.
In any case, It hasn't escaped me and I am truly grateful to your team for making my mornings a bit more fun every day. I'm sure others feel the same way.
Happy New Years to all ... yeah even Elias.
Go Os!
Ken, I don’t think you have anything to worry about. Happy New Year.
Thanks for a interesting articles when the team was not very good. Thee us hope for the future. Happy new year.
Thank you, lurch.
Drink at home, it is safer and you will save money!
Not to mention it's a much more persistent buzz.
Rum & Pepsi ....doesn't sound right does it?
…or Canadian and Pepsi.
Rum works well also.
White or Dark?
All the best to you BRR and Buzz!
Bottoms up BC!
I am hanging out with my dear Old Grand Dad! Best to all!
Thanks for everything you, Steve, and Jack do to keep the site up and relevant. Thanks to Todd for some great minors coverage this year, and to all the guest writers.
A happy and healthy new year to the readers that do a great job of creating critical commentary (and some history too!)
Thank you, cedar.
Happy New Year to all on this site and especially Rich for bringing us all there is to know about the Os!
Thank you, Dc.
I pledge not to make any stealth edits in 2022. What do you all say? Journalism should provide up front and noted edits! Say MLB pitchers were once supposed to spend 15 days in the minors before being called up but that rule is changed to 10 days due to COVID. Wouldn't it be best just to up front state, "we mistakenly stated MLB pitchers were to spend 15 days in the minors before being recalled; but hey we were wrong! MLB website is wrong too! It's actually 10 days now" Todd?
Like an elephant, some are very slow to forget...
Thank you Rich. I love always having something to read about the Orioles whether it’s during the season or during the off-season. You do a great job of keeping things balanced and providing quality, accurate coverage. Here’s to hoping the Os turn the corner in 2022.
Thank you, Georgia.
I saw an interesting article with a breakdown of the worth for all major league owners. Sadly, the Angelos family is among MLB's poorest at only 2 billion dollars. There's your explanation for the need to keep the payroll in check.
Wow, only 2 billion. Now I understand why they’re pinching pennies on tv and radio personnel. In case you’re wondering I’m being sarcastic.
I take all these Forbes-style articles relating to Professional Sports Team Owner's net worth with a large grain of salt.
Not that the Angelos Family is towards the richest in MLB, but they have plenty of money to finance this team. Plenty.
My hope of course, is that they do indeed sell the team. Many people may say, well what if some asshat from out-of-town buys the team? I say, they can't be worse than the local asshats have been for the last couple of decades..
I’d like to wish a very happy and prosperous new year to everyone at BB.com and to all who follow this site and contribute their thoughts. We may not always agree with each other, but we do have one thing in common… an illogical passion for this team called the Baltimore Orioles.
All together now… Let’s Go O’s!!
Anybody have any inside dope on the “big announcement” WBAL is gonna make in 4 days? The 4 is in orange and DAYS is
Rumor has it that they're changing their flagship radio station to WNAS.
I was kinda hoping they were gonna announce they’re the majority owners of a conglomerate that was gonna but the O’s.
BÇ, it can always be worse. As I have noted before, this team really cannot be sold to any investors until PA passes away, unless it is forced into bankruptcy, which is unlikely, IMHO. O's fans are stuck we these guys for awhile. Having MASN dispute fully resolved and a stadium agreement in hand are two other requirements for selling the team, at least we can hope for these two items to be resolved soon.
Continued. Accidentally hit send. The DAYS is in black. I’m thinking they’re gonna get back to radio and tv coverage of O’s games. I’d love that to be true.