O's: The Magic Is Back

PIKESVILLE – For the Orioles, no matter what happens in the post-season, the magic is back.

But how?

Who ever heard of a team using a 40-man roster when it wasn’t September?

Here’s how: With the Orioles back in the playoff hunt, manager Buck Showalter needed to put all the building blocks in the right place. For instance, bringing up Nate McLouth when Endy Chavez was struggling gave the O’s a huge boost. It seems that when all looks doomed, the O’s turn it around.

Also, with the year that Adam Jones is having, I think that it was a great move to lock him up with a long-term contract. Usually the Orioles would get good players and after the season, let them go. Dan Duquette has seemed to make mostly no names, or players that have struggled in the past, turn into big parts of the Orioles this year.

But Andy MacPhail, who came before him as general manager, made some good moves for 2012, too—like Chris Davis. Coming into the season, Davis was known for his power in the minors, but also for strikeouts and a low batting average in the majors. This year, his power resume has come to life with the O’s and he is a real team contributor.

Then there’s another guy. He’s not a no name, but he was certainly not expected to be called up from the minors this season. I’m talking about Manny Machado. Now he is a big part of the Orioles’ late season success with the bat and also with the glove. He has made only one two errors at third base, where he only played twice in the minors.

Also, for the few games that Dylan Bundy has pitched in, he has been very good. I think that both call ups were very surprising, but have paid off in great amounts.

I’m not sure, but I think the O’s can duplicate their 2012 success for several years, maybe for decades.