A New Generation of Orioles Magic

Most fans agree that Orioles Magic began with one swing:

It was a moment that captured the imagination of Orioles fans. That team had a penchant for come-from-behind victories. Unfortunately, that team would also lose the 1979 World Series to the “We Are Family” Pirates. But as Buck Showalter is fond of saying, success was delayed but not denied. Four seasons later, fans were treated to this sight:

Thirty-five years later, Orioles fans were treated to another magic swing. We all know the story: Delmon Young stepped to the plate with the bases loaded with the Orioles down 6-4 in Game 2 of the ALDS, and delivered a double which resulted in the loudest crowd reaction ever at Camden Yards:

One swing that captures an amazing moment in Orioles history. If you were at the game, you don’t remember what you saw. You remember the sound. You remember the feeling as the crowd’s joy swept over you. You remember cheering to the point of exhaustion. If you watched or listened to the game, you remember exactly where you were and who you were with.

It was this generation’s Orioles Magic moment.

And like the 1979 Orioles, the 2014 team did not end its season with a world championship. I hope it is simply delayed, and not denied.

For this magic moment, we have Delmon Young to thank. I was never Young’s biggest fan. I thought his off-field personality would be a problem. He was a tough guy to root for on that front. He had a single skill set, which did not fit a Buck Showalter team.

Young was designated for assignment today, as the first place Baltimore Orioles work to manage a roster crunch. Without a position (please don’t call him an outfielder), and without his only tool, the ability to deliver clutch hits off the bench, he became the odd man out.

Even still, don’t love him. But I love that swing. That one, magic moment.

Best of luck, Delmon Young. And thanks for the memory.