An Open Letter To: The Baltimore Orioles Front Office

Courtesy of: Baltimore Sports Report

Dear Baltimore Orioles Front Office,

This letter comes to you as both a plea and a warning. I ask that you don’t simply dismiss it as another disgruntled, emotional fan’s venting, but rather take a few minutes to read it, understand it, and let it sink in. This moment, this offseason, may be the most important in the history of a storied, and beloved, franchise. A bit melodramatic…hyperbolic even? Perhaps. But the point is valid and should not be taken lightly.

I consider myself well versed in the city’s sports landscape and its history. I believe I have my finger on the pulse of its residents’ feelings toward its eldest feathered franchise; which is to say I listen to local radio, read articles by local writers, and carry on regular conversations, both casual and passionate, about all things Orioles. If those qualifications aren’t enough to lend weight to my remarks, then so be it; however it won’t stop me from writing them here.

Mr. Angelos, Mr. Duquette, Orioles’ Brass – you’re dangerously close to losing this city. Heed these words gentlemen, for they are strong and not without merit. Let me explain.

From 1954, the first official season of the “modern era” Birds, to 1997, Baltimore enjoyed one of the greatest periods of sustained success in all of sports. Over those 44 years, only twice did the O’s record losing seasons in 3 straight campaigns; in fact from 1968 through 1985, the Birds never finished a season less than 6 games above .500…that’s 18 consecutive winning seasons. Spouting off a bunch of old-school facts isn’t why I’m writing however; after all, if I know these stats, I certainly hope you do as well. The reason for bringing this up is to shine a spotlight on the fact that the fans of that perpetual contender, that cream-of-the-crop juggernaut, are getting older.

The new generation that is taking their place doesn’t have the same Orioles magic inside them, not after 15 consecutive losing seasons. Teenagers, young adults, men and women in their twenties and even thirties know only of a losing culture here in Baltimore; one highlighted by home-grown talent jettisoning their roots for greener pastures, and aging former A-listers brought in as smoke screens to provide us with nothing but a sad glimpse at the twilight of a once-impressive career.

Year in and year out, our expectations continued to drop. No longer did we hope for World Series titles or even playoff berths; those pipe dreams were replaced with the hope of a .500 season or a 4^th place finish in the stout AL East. Then something strange happened. Our Orioles started winning.

In 2012, the O’s flipped the script, as well as their previous year’s record, and went on a magical run that saw them soar past .500 and into the postseason for the first time since Chumbawamba “Tubthumped” all over the music charts. What’s more; they followed it up with a second consecutive winning season in 2013. All was right with the world again…or so it seemed, taking in the view of Camden Yards through our rose-colored glasses. The casual fan saw a winning baseball team again, but you and I knew better. 2013 revealed flaws that 2012 covered up with clutch hitting and an incredible record in 1-run games. A winning season was nice, but with a solid core of young talent and a small window of opportunity, savvy O’s fans knew that with the right moves this offseason, we might finally have that perennial contender back in Baltimore.

This brings me to today, this moment, the present state of our Baltimore Orioles.  We are mere weeks from pitchers and catchers reporting to spring training and as of this point in time, I can sum up your offseason work in one word; disappointing.  By the time the last out of 2013 was officially in the books, it was clear what this team needed to make it to the next level.  I assume your “to-do” list looked something like this: Find a legitimate upgrade at starting pitcher, add depth in the bullpen, figure out 2^nd base, Left Field, and DH.  If that wasn’t your “to-do” list, it certainly should have been.  These pieces were missing from a team that just missed out on another playoff appearance, so logic would tell you that plugging these holes would certainly put you on a path to the postseason.

Instead, your offseason moves have consisted of trading away a closer that saved over 100 games in two seasons in return for a high five and a bag of balls, losing a starting pitcher (whom you have yet to replace), replacing a career .250 hitter in Nate McLouth with a poor man’s version of Nate McLouth, and refusing to even throw your hat into the ring for a single, high-profile free agent.  What the fans of this organization wanted to see this winter was initiative, aggressiveness, the appearance of a desire to win.  What you’ve shown us instead is the same old Baltimore Orioles we’ve known for nearly two decades.

As if the lack of upgrades wasn’t enough, the breadcrumb comments you continue to drop along your path to mediocrity foreshadows a serious concern I have for the future of this team. Two years ago, perhaps squeezed by the pressure of a winning season and a screaming fan base, you demonstrated a willingness to spend by signing Adam Jones to a long-term deal. What we thought was a sign of things to come appears to once again be an aberration, as player after player continues to sign with other teams.  In case you thought I wasn’t paying attention, I’d like you to know that I am well aware of the additional $26 million that each team received this year thanks to baseball’s highly lucrative television deal. So can you explain why, as it stands right now, the O’s will enter the 2014 season with a projected payroll of nearly $10 million less than last year? Go ahead, I’ll wait.

Since you have nothing to say on the matter, I’ll continue. Your actions continue to resemble those of an organization that is not committed to win. As disappointing as this fall and winter have been, I’m even more concerned with the coming years. Our team has slowly become one built around a core of young, blossoming stars and in the next year or two, those stars will need new contracts in order to remain in Black and Orange. What will you do then? I’m already hearing rumors that Matt Wieters and Chris Davis will likely be donning new uniforms in the not so distant future. Why? Because there is no reason to believe that you will open your wallets and make it known to the baseball world that the Baltimore Orioles are World Series contenders.

A generation of fans has been dreaming of a baseball team they can be proud of; not just its players, but its executives. We’ve been waiting for the opportunity to see our team become what it once was; the class of the American League. After a couple of winning seasons, we as fans are coming back to the ballpark, soaking in the once customary magic, and committing ourselves to a historic franchise. All we ask in return is that you commit to us as well.

This is the most important moment in your organization’s history. I said that in the beginning of this letter and I’m saying it again now. Why? Because your fans want to believe in Orioles Magic once again and we’re counting on you to deliver it. If you fail; well, there’s always next year. But if you refuse to try, if you continue to stand on the sidelines while this rare opportunity races by; well that’s something that we might not get over so easily. There’s still time to make this right…if you want it enough.