Steve Davis: A Magical Night At The Ballpark
There may have been 35,000+ fans at Camden Yards Tuesday night, but when all is said and done, there will be a lot more saying they were there. Why? Because it was one of those magical nights that, even if you weren't there, you wish you were, and you might even say you were.
It's like Cal's 2131. There were a lot more than 48,000 people that say they were there.
That's fine. No biggie.
You just don't want to take nights like this for granted, because you just don't know when, or if, they will happen again. And, if it does happen again, it won't be like this.
Adam Jones running around the park, with the flag, celebrating with the grounds crew, hugging random fans, shoving pies in the faces of begging fans, grabbing the "championship" belt from a little boy. It was absolutely amazing.
The Orioles having the sense to celebrate briefly in the lockerroom, but prefer to enjoy this with their friends. What a breath of fresh air these guys are.
I watched with my 15 year old son and we both had ear to ear grins.
Nick Markakis, finally.
Steve Pearce and Caleb Joseph, unsung heroes who fought and clawed and scratched to make the majors, and stay in the majors.
Ubaldo Jimenez, who has been such a disappointment, having something to truly celebrate. He was the winning pitcher the night they clinched, and his mom and dad were here!
On and on we go.
And Buck. Just surveying the scene like a proud dad, but finally cracking some huge smiles himself. He is a great manager. He is like Dan Marino. Has the resume, has the stats, but needs the title to cement the legacy.
Let's not leave out Dan Duquette, who has done a masterful job assembling this team. Who knew De Aza and Kelly Johnson would figure into the mix the way they have. If this team does well in the Postseason, those two guys, cast off by their previous teams, will start a lot of games for the Orioles. This truly is a team where the sum is greater than the individual parts.
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