Orioles Brave the Market Storm

Upon searching to find the best way to describe the Orioles' 2005 season and off-season, one can look to the music world to find the answers.

            " This circus is falling down on it's knees
The big top is crumbling down
It's raining in Baltimore fifty miles east
Where you should be, no one's around "

" I need a phone call
I need a raincoat
I need a big love
I need a phone call "

" And I get no answers
And I don't get no change
It's raining in Baltimore, baby
But everything else is the same "

-- Various stanzas from "Raining in Baltimore" by the Counting Crows

"It's raining in Baltimore" 

<Click!> <Phoomp!> pops open the umbrellas of each Orioles fan.  They have weathered this storm before, and they are weathering it again.  Except this time, it is raining "cats and dogs".  Not free agents. 

"I need a raincoat"

It is a hailstorm out there, with "baseball-sized" hail crashing down onto the B&O Warehouse and Camden Yards.  What irony it would be if that really were the case.

"The big top is crumbling down"

When it comes to baseball, it is a cloudy, dark and dreary time in the Charm City.  A once proud franchise is now engulfed in a never-ending losing streak.  Is there a ray of hope set to gleam through the storm clouds?  No, not a "Devil Ray", but a "ray of hope".  That once was Miguel Tejada, but even now, his future is clouded.  Sure, there is a plethora of young talent within the organization, but the Oriole fans and players want to win now, but without sacrificing the future. 

"And I get no answers, and I don't get no change"

Therefore, the front office either needs to a) Open up the wallet and sign some marquee free agents or b) Sacrifice some of the young talent, to bring in an impact player.  Currently, little is happening, and the players and fans are beginning to get restless.

"This circus is falling down on it's knees"

With the added drama resulting from Miguel Tejada's comments, there is a media frenzy resulting not just in Baltimore, but also throughout all of baseball.  In fact, it is a media circus, and each baseball town is writing articles on the players they could deal away to acquire the energetic but disgruntled superstar.  Furthermore, this "media circus" is a collective group that is "falling down on it's knees", and praying for such an astronomical trade to occur.

"I need a big love"

Oriole fans desperately need a new player to love.  Don't get me wrong.  There are a lot of likeable players on this current team.  Miguel Tejada (tons of energy and leadership), Melvin Mora (father of seven, plays hard), Jay Gibbons (good attitude, Rule 5 pick success story), Rodrigo Lopez (from Mexican League to the Big Leagues), and the list goes on.  However, after the debacle that was the 2005 season, the fans need someone new.  The Orioles NEED to sign or trade for a big name now. 

"I need a phone call"

Plenty of time still remains in the baseball off-season.  Many quality players are still out on the market, and waiting for calls.  The Orioles have made one significant acquisition by inking former San Diego catcher Ramon Hernandez.  I do not want to discount the signing, as Hernandez does provide a nice mix of offense, power, and game management.  Furthermore, I was extremely impressed with how genuine and positive Ramon was during his introductory press conference.  However, even after such a signing, the fans continue to weather the storm in the American League East.

"It's raining in Baltimore, baby.  But everything else is the same"

B.J. Ryan signs with Toronto.  <Crash!>  A.J. Burnett signs with Toronto.  <Boom!>  Josh Beckett traded to Boston.  <Rumble!>  Johnny Damon signs with New York.  <Rumble!>  Yet, the city of Baltimore remains quiet, with the exception of the thunderous crashes, and the constant spattering of raindrops.

Finally, perhaps the Counting Crows write about the Orioles consistently?  Not only does "Raining in Baltimore" jar memories of the Oriole woes, but also one could conjure up thoughts from "A Long December", which states the obvious title line, as well as "Maybe this year will be better then the last". 

For Orioles fans, they certainly hope so. 

<Shoomp!> <Click!>  Umbrella closed.