The Orioles are becoming Baltimore’s team

facebooktwitterreddit

Mandatory Credit: Joy R. Absalon-USA TODAY Sports

For much of the 21st century, the Baltimore Orioles took a back seat to the Baltimore Ravens as Charm City bleed purple and black. However, in the past three years, there has been a culture switch in regards to which team is more prominent.

Baltimore natives are very passionate about their sports. They want to cheer for winning teams and the city has a “What have you done for me lately?” mentality when it comes to their teams. After the Ravens won Super Bowl XLVII, the team is 13-12.

The Ravens currently sit in last place of the AFC North Division. The defense has some major holes in the secondary with cornerback Jimmy Smith out for the season. The offensive line gives Joe Flacco close to no time to throw and Flacco, himself, may be the highest paid mediocre quarterback in NFL history.

However, where the Ravens make you upset, the Orioles make you hopeful and excited every time baseball season rolls around. For a long time, the Ravens had one of the most feared and talented defenses in the NFL. Now the Orioles have that very same type of defense in the MLB with three 2014 Gold Glove Award winners on the roster.

The Orioles have power throughout their lineup as they led the MLB in 2014 with 211 home runs. Now with young pitchers like Kevin Gausman and Dylan Bundy on the cusp of breaking out as starting pitchers for Baltimore along with the leadership of players like J.J. Hardy and Adam Jones, the Orioles are winning over the sports fans in Baltimore.

The city’s overall excitement during the Orioles’ 2014 Postseason run was electrifying and it showed the baseball world that Baltimore has some of the most passionate baseball fans in the country. Orioles magic is alive and well in Baltimore.

And after winning their first AL East Division Title since 1997 last season, many people in the city would admit they are looking forward to Opening Day of the 2015 season more so than they are looking forward to the Ravens next game against the Titans.