The thread about how losing is easier to write about brought up a great point by Mackus:
How about comparing this year to last year? Which season did/does everyone enjoy more?
Last year, until about August, I was enjoying the winning record, but always sort of waiting for the other shoe to drop. They were winning, but in a flukey, unsustainable way. Once they started kicking ass later in the season, I bought in fully and loved the stretch run and the playoffs. The Friday night Wild Card round is one of my favorite sports days as a fan ever, probably even above the Ravens Super Bowl wins for me.
I feel like I'm enjoying this season and the high level of play just as much as the end of last season. It feels awesome to expect to win each night, even if the SP matchup is unfavorable. Expecting to contend all year long makes the tough losses sting a little more than they would otherwise, but it's totally worth it.
This has been an -excellent- 18 months for the Orioles and Ravens, Ibanez, Lee Evans and Cundiff notwithstanding. The question here is...what's your favorite game over this timeframe?
For me (and where I watched them, for no reference other than my own):
#1: Ravens at Denver, AFC Divisional game (Watched at: Mile High)
#2: Orioles at Texas, Wild Card game (Watched at: Bar in Towson)
#3: New York at Orioles, Divisional game #2 (Watched at: Oriole Park)
#4: Ravens vs Niners, Super Bowl (Watched at: Arcos at Fells)
#5: New York at Orioles, Thursday, September 6th (when Jones, Reynolds and Davis all homered) (Watched at: Home)
#6: Ravens at Patriots, AFC Championship Game (Watched at: Bateman's in Reisterstown)
#7: Ravens vs. Tigers: Dickerson! (Watched at: Home)