The Baltimore Orioles had the best record in the American League last year and took the AL East crown with a comfy cushion.
They hadn’t been that good in a while: after postseason appearances in 2012, 2014, and 2016, they vanished into mediocrity from 2017 to 2021.
But they started showing signs of what was to come in 2022, with an 83-79 record, and finally broke through last year.
Can they win their division, arguably the toughest in the league, for a second consecutive year?
That hasn’t happened in a long time.
“The last time the Orioles won the AL East in consecutive years was 50 years ago (1973-74). Will history repeat itself this season?” MLB Network tweeted.
The last time the Orioles won the AL East in consecutive years was 50 years ago (1973-74) 👀
Will history repeat itself this season? pic.twitter.com/8Qf6dr1sTj
— MLB Network (@MLBNetwork) February 29, 2024
Five decades have passed since the O’s last won two straight AL East titles.
50 years.
That was actually the golden era of the Orioles: between 1966 and 1974.
Over that span, they went to the American League Championship Series six times, advancing to four World Series and winning two (1966 and 1970).
If you are an old school fan, you will likely remember some of these names on the 1974 O’s, the last iteration of the team to win back-to-back division titles: Boog Powell, Don Baylor, Brooks Robinson, Mike Cuellar, Dave McNally, Jim Palmer, Ross Grimsley, Grant Jackson, and more.
Today’s version of the Orioles has the potential to be just as dominant.
Kyle Bradish is currently injured, but he should be back this year.
In his place, Corbin Burnes will be the team ace and will be helped by Grayson Rodriguez, John Means, and an incredible bullpen.
The lineup is powerful and deep, with reigning AL Rookie of the Year Gunnar Henderson, Cedric Mullins, Anthony Santander, and star catcher Adley Rutschman, among others.
The O’s want more than just winning the AL East, though: they want it all.
Can they reach the ultimate goal?
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