Meaningful Games

The phrase “meaningful games in September” has become central to the conversation around the resurgent Baltimore Orioles. 2012 was special because it was the first time in fourteen years that O’s fans had baseball to watch with real playoff implications, other than playing the role of spoiler (see Season Finale, 2011).

The 2013 season didn’t result in a return to October, but did result in those “meaningful games.” Even as the team faded, league-wide circumstances kept them numerically in the race until September 24. Though the disappointment was real, there were only 5 games for fans to endure after the team was eliminated.

But were those games meaningless?

In one sense, no. The Orioles used the remaining schedule to get a look at a promising rookie in Jonathan Schoop. “Playing the kids” had been a staple of late-season disappointment for so long, and was met with much derision. This time around, fans were genuinely interested to see what he could do. Do we have another Machado on our hands, or another disappointment (specific examples too numerous to list)?

In another sense, those last five games provided some guys the opportunity to make a lasting impression as their fates hang in the balance. Guys like Nate McLouth, Steve Pearce, Danny Valencia, and Brian Roberts. No one knows what the off season has in store for them – where will they land, what is their worth, will they play at all? The

More importantly, the last home stand against the Blue Jays and the Red Sox provided a chance for the team and fans to connect, one last time before the off season. I suspect that under the hard veneer of grown men who get paid millions to play a child’s game, those guys care about fan support. And not just the guy from Pigtown. You can tell that the players legitimately care about being a part of the revitalization of a once-proud franchise. They appreciate the silliness of grown men painted orange and dressed in costume, and they take seriously the hero-worship of young Baltimore fans. It’s a lot more fun to play when you win, and it’s a lot more fun to play in front of passionate fans.

I went to four games last week. The causal fan may not have shown up, but I can assure you that the people in the seats did not view those games as meaningless. here are some examples:

• Wei-Yin Chen left after an uneven 5.1 inning performance to a standing ovation. The cheers had nothing to do with that particular game, and everything to do with showing appreciation for a guy who has worked hard all season to send the crowd home happy.
• Chris Davis entered each at-bat to rousing applause. His introduction as both “the Orioles all time home run leader” and “2013 Most Valuable Oriole” gave the crowd an excuse to go nuts.
• Brian Roberts received a appreciative applause during his (possible) last game.
• O’s fans did their best to defend the home turf as Pink Hat Nation descended on Camden Yards.

These games were anything but meaningless. Oriole fans who have had very little to get excited about since the late 90s came out in force to spend the last of their summer with a winning ball club – and for once, they should have every expectation of seeing the same on Opening Day the following year.

Sleep fast, as Buck would say. Only 182 days until we get to start this up again. You can count on some more meaningful games.