The 2014 season was a magical one for the Baltimore Orioles. They won their first American League East Title since 1997. They swept the Detroit Tigers in the ALDS, and even though they fell just short of the World Series, it is a year and a season to be very proud about. Throughout this magical year, the Orioles had many ups and downs. They had many key injuries, but they also had once unknown players make a name for themselves. Lets take a look back at their thrilling season.
The Orioles got off to a good start on opening day, as newcomer Nelson Cruz hit the game winning homer in his first game as an Oriole. That was just the start of a monstrous year for Cruz. After Opening Day though, they really missed Manny Machado for the first month of the year. It wasn’t a bad start, but it wasn’t the best start they hoped for. In late April, Matt Weiters delivered a walk off home run to sweep a double header against the Pirates. That was definitely his best moment of his shortened year.
In early May, the Orioles received the terrible news that Matt Weiters would undergo Tommy John surgery, ending his season. This was a major blow to the O’s, as Weiters was a leader at, and behind the plate. In the early stages of his absence, the Orioles clearly struggled, as rookie Caleb Joseph and Steve Clevenger tried to replace his production. As always, Dan Duquette made a move to make sure he filled his hole at catcher. He acquired Nick Hundley from the Padres. Him and Joseph platooned at catcher. They struggled at the plate at times, but both played key roles in helping the O’s get to where they got.
Chris Davis had one of his best performances in mid May in Pittsburgh, as he hit three homers in one game. It looked like he might turn it on after that, but he didn’t. The low point of the season was the last weekend in May, as the Orioles lost their second straight game in Houston, and fell below .500 for the first, and last time on the year. Ironically, I went to that series in Houston, and I got to talk to Miguel Gonzalez, plus I met the beat reporter that inspires me, Brittany Ghiroli. From that day forward the O’s got going, and in a big way too, and I think I had something to do with that.
MVP- Coming off great years in Texas, Nelson Cruz was looking for a big multi year deal. He was coming off a Bio genesis suspension though, and no team looked as if they wanted him, except the O’s of course. Right before Spring Training, the O’s signed Cruz to a bargain of an $8 million one year deal. It was the biggest steal in baseball, as without Cruz, the O’s would be nowhere close to where they got.
Most Key/Contributing Players- All Star Adam Jones as always had a monster year. Nick Markakis continued to be as consistent as ever. Caleb Joseph and Nick Hundley filled a key hole with the O’s losing Matt Weiters. Steve Pearce was the most surprising, and heroic player this year. He proved he belongs on the O’s. How about the “Ace less” O’s rotation. Chris Tillman, Kevin Gausman, Miguel Gonzalez, Wei Yin Chen, and Bud Norris proved the O’s staff could silence the haters. J.J. Hardy had an off power year, but had maybe his most consistent year, as well as being the anchor of the defense. Rookie Jonathan Schoop did well in his first year. Ryan Flaherty moved everywhere filling any hole the Orioles had, and of course the Orioles bullpen once again shined. Zach Britton thrived as the closer. A late trade for Andrew Miller just helped make the bullpen even deadlier.
Most Disappointing Players- Chris Davis under performed all year, and then killed the Orioles by getting suspended late in September, hurting the O’s World Series chances. Ubaldo Jimenez was also a disappointment after he signed a four year $50 million deal. He was inconsistent all year.
Best Game/Moment- Too many to count. The Orioles had countless walk off thrillers, close games, great performances, and magical moments in a magical year.
The big scandal of the year for the O’s was in early June against Oakland, when Manny Machado took offense to a Josh Donaldson tag, and both benches cleared. Later in that series, Machado was thrown at, and he flinged the bat towards the pitcher, Fernando Abad. Again, both benches cleared, and Machado was suspended for 5 games. Later in July, Oakland didn’t let Manny forget what happened, as they booed the life out of him. He responded with a huge 2 run homer that looked to win the game, but Josh Donaldson of course hit a walk off 3-run homer. That was perhaps the most heartbreaking loss in the regular season, but the Orioles would go on to have the best record in baseball after it.
The most wild series of the year was against the Chicago White Sox. Chis Davis hit a walk off 3-run home run in the first game, and then after trailing 4-0 in the next game, Nelson Cruz hit a game tying grand slam, followed by a walk off wild pitch. Easily the most exciting series of the year.
Right after the All Star break, the Orioles had a crucial west coast road trip. Ten games in Oakland, Anaheim, and Seattle would test the O’s. It was a make or break point on the season and they came out of there alive going 6-4. They then came home to a 4-2 home stand. After a quick trip to Toronto, the Orioles came back home to their best home stand of the year. In their 60th anniversary night game, the Orioles had quite a party on and off the field. They exploded to win 12-2, and after the game the O’s honored their history in Baltimore. They went on to crush the Cardinals again, and they then had a defining moment of the season.
On a Monday night in August, the Orioles were punched in the gut again. Manny Machado injured his knee in a game against the Yankees. He came out, and in came Chris Davis, who was benched for poor performance. In his first at bat in for Machado, Davis belted a go ahead home run that lead to a crucial win against the Yankees. It was a big win, but a big loss, as they lost Machado for the year. After a rain out the next night, the O’s came back on a Wednesday night game, down 2-1 late, and got a game tying homer from Jonathan Schoop. At 2-2, Adam Jones got his signature moment, hitting a game winning 3-run homer sending Camden Yards into a frenzy. That win seemed to be the win that really sent the Orioles on their way to the AL East crown. They swept New York, and sent them home crushed. It looked like it was time in Baltimore.
The Orioles kept seeing their magic number dwindle, and the day kept getting closer. They swept the White Sox, and got swept by the Cubs in their week in Chicago. After being swept by Chicago, they again responded to adversity. The Orioles went on to sweep Cincinnati at home, as well as sweeping Boston. It was now a question of when, not if. So close to clinching, the Orioles faced another huge obstacle. Chris Davis was suspended 25 games for use of amphetamines. It was a killer. Many thought the O’s were done, but all year Davis under performed, but thanks to the hero that is Steve Pearce. Pearce was by far the biggest surprise, and he contributed in every way the O’s needed. Davis’s replacement that day, Jimmy Paredes, hit a walk off double against New York that lead to a double header sweep that all but clinched the division.
On September 16, the Baltimore Orioles won the American League East for the first time since 1997. It was an amazing scene in Baltimore, as the team celebrated on the field in front of their thankful fans. They made sure everyone knew that they were very happy, but still had work to do. That work was in October, and it began against the mighty Detroit Tigers, and their all but invincible pitching. Yeah right. The Orioles had none of that. They swept the Tigers right out of the playoffs. Delmon Young had the biggest hit of the series, season, and last 17 years, when he cleared the bases winning game 2. He will forever live in Orioles history.
It seemed as though after sweeping Scherzer, Verlander, and Price that no one could stop the O’s. There was one team that could though, and that team was the Kansas City Royals. The Royals handed the Orioles a sweep of their own, and they advanced to the World Series. It was a sad ending, but nothing could change the way people viewed this season. It was a magnificent, magical year for the O’s. So many walk offs. So many surprises. So many exciting, and special moments. It was great to follow the Orioles this year, and it looks as though they are headed in the right direction, and are getting closer to their ultimate goal. There is a lot to look forward to. Thanks O’s for a great year.