62 replies to this topic

[BSLChrisStoner]

I'm thinking entering '97 was the last time expectations were this high?

[Mackus]

I'm thinking entering '97 was the last time expectations were this high?

 

I'd imagine the '98 expectations must've been sky high following being the best team in baseball, ALCS appearance and returning nearly the entire roster other than Randy Myers.  Davey Johnson leaving was weird, but I'm sure we all still thought the team would be great that year.

[weird-O]

I'm thinking entering '97 was the last time expectations were this high?

Same here

[Slidemaster]

For me, most anticipated ever.

[NewMarketSean]

I'm just excited to have high hopes again. That's really all we can ask for as fans.

[mdrunning]

For me, maybe the most since 1980 when we were coming off a World Series appearance in '79.

[Ravens2006]

1954!

[mdrunning]

1954!

I actually have a copy (not an original) of the program from that first game in Baltimore in 1954. It was some type of promotion, like the 25th anniversary of the Orioles coming to Baltimore or some such thing.

[BSLMikeLowe]

For me, maybe the most since 1980 when we were coming off a World Series appearance in '79.

 

I felt the same for '83, considering they were just one win on the last day of the season shy of making the playoffs in '82. Only question was how they'd do without Earl, but that team was stacked enough that Altobelli only needed to avoid screwing it up.

[TwentyThirtyFive]

Kind of a tough question. I think after 2012 I went into all the years following with that core believing they were a contender. I believed they were a real contender last year. I believe they are again this year. I try not to get into the minutiae of just how good. That was my whole thing with the Ravens this year. Really good team . One of the best DVOA teams ever. Knew once the playoffs came around none of that mattered. It was a one shot deal against other good teams. Thats def the story in baseball too. Ask the Braves and the Dodgers the last few years. So being a team that I think is a baseline 85 win team vs baseline 90 win team doesnt make much difference for me.

[BaltBird 24]

Yup.

Every year after 2012-2018 was highly anticipated with the hope of competing.

2004-2005 with Tejada, Raffy, Javy, Sosa after years of incompetence, though obviously those teams flamed out.

[TwentyThirtyFive]

Its not worth adding extra pressure or expectations onto the year. Yes, Id rather win the division and get a bye but for me its just about making it. Whether that ends up being 87 wins or 105.

[BaltBird 24]

Just get in and enjoy the ride along the way. Winning 101 games is definitely less stressful than 87 and barely squeaking in.

[BaltBird 24]

Burnes, Bradish, Means, Rodriguez, Kremer. Obviously guys will miss starts to injury, illness, whatever but there's honestly not a guy who can be starting who won't be worth tuning into. Exciting summer coming to Baltimore.

[TwentyThirtyFive]

Win total over/under is 90.5 and 91.5 at DK and FD. I dont know if there is any way of going back and finding out what it was in Vegas in '96 or '97 but Im certain its never been that high since then. Very possible thats even higher a number than it was those years too. In that sense I think its probably the most anticipated season in 40+ years. High expectations.

[BSLSteveBirrer]

Gonna date myself but man I think its 1966. O's fans were pretty stoked that we had picked up Frank over the winter. Coming off a 94 win season things were pretty upbeat around Memorial Stadium. And we know how 66 turned out!!

[dude]

I'm thinking entering '97 was the last time expectations were this high?

 

This is it for me.  The '97 team was loaded and produced in '96.

 

After the surprise of 2012 (many thought we would go back into 'rebuilding') those teams were all fun.  It was a good group and when you're producing results, we don't get to comment too much, but I wouldn't say expectations were really high any of those years.  I always felt those were 78-83 win teams playing really well.

 

It would be great if we're entering a 20 year run like the '66-'83 clubs.

 

....but nobody is giving it to you, you have to go earn it.  The Yankees, Indians, Angels, Mets, Cards and Padres all thought they were making the Playoffs last year at this time.

 

It won't be the Team with the most Talent that wins, it will be the Team that gets the most out of their Talent that will.  Earn it.

[Mackus]

Why's everyone ignoring 1998? What was more exciting entering '97 than entering '98? We didn't know '98 was gonna stink heading into the year. Team returned almost everybody except Randy Myers and Davey Johnson.

[dude]

Why's everyone ignoring 1998? What was more exciting entering '97 than entering '98? We didn't know '98 was gonna stink heading into the year. Team returned almost everybody except Randy Myers and Davey Johnson.

 

I think the undermining of Pat Gillick had many people wondering about what was going on....I recall his efforts headed into 1998 being half-hearted.

 

I also think back to the signing of Albert Belle (1999) and Tejada (2004) as big moments that got us excited, but I don't think the overall team/opportunity had the same feel.  Post 1997 you clearly had the emerging dysfunction that we've battled constantly as an Organization.  Even in 2012-2016 you had clouds hovering from the influence battles that were going on....Buck/Adam did a great job separating that until the wheels came off.

[BaltBird 24]

Looking back on 2012-2016, it was fun to be competitive again, but the lack of a competent farm system really left those teams feeling bleak. Basically relied on career years from guys like Nelson Cruz, Mark Trumbo, Steve Pearce complemented by guys like Machado, Davis, Jones.

Dominant BPs with mediocre starting pitching.