For Pete's Sake, Angelos is the Grim Reaper
| Published 10/24/03
Graphic By: Matt Witherow
Where do I start? How about with Rafael Palmerio or Mike Mussina? Maybe
I should start with Kevin Brown or Curt Shilling? How about Jeff Conine,
Roberto Alomar, Brady Anderson, BJ Surhoff, Sidney Ponson, Jeffrey
Hammonds or Mike Bordick? Baltimore Orioles owner Peter Angelos felt
like none of these players belonged in his organization. How about managers Phil
Regan, Davey Johnson or Mike Hargrove? What about the media talent of
Jon Miller? More talented people in baseball that Angelos
didn't want.
It's safe to say that October 4, 1993 was one of the scariest days in
Baltimore Orioles history. It's very fitting that Halloween occurs in
the same month since Angelos is the Grim Reaper of Orioles fans. He has
killed all hopes of a World Series or even a chance at the playoffs. He
has killed the excitement and enthusiasm all O's fans.
I am a diehard Orioles fan, but I am speaking on professional terms when
I say Peter Angelos is a disgrace. I was enraged when I saw Jeff Conine,
who was a former Oriole, throw out JT Snow off of Jeffrey Hammonds' base hit, who is
also a former Oriole, in what could have scored a game-tying run in Game 4 of
the NLDS. It also hurt to see pitcher Mike Mussina help boost the
Yankees in another World Series visit.
This anger is something that has been bottled up for a long time now.
During a discussion with some fellow Oriole friends last week, we realized how
tired we were that the Orioles haven't made the playoffs in years. That's when I started
searching for answers by looking back over the past few years.
Maybe it was the long speech Angelos gave during Cal Ripken's celebration
after breaking Lou Gehrig's record. Maybe the reason lies in the fact
that the Oriole's haven't made the playoffs since '97 and placed fourth
in the AL East for five consecutive years. It could be the fact that
instead of signing Ivan Rodriguez or Hideki Matsui, Angelos signed
Albert Belle and traded 2000 All-Star Hammonds for Willie Greene. Do you even
know where those guys are playing these days? Neither do I.
This season really hurts. Now I know events such as the injuries of Jerry Hairston
and Scott Erickson are beyond Angelos' control. However, he did have
some decent unheard of talent on the team this year, (except for Jeff Conine and
Tony Batista) and I was expecting a better result than what us Orioles fans got. Why was the team lacking in power hitter? Or a good
pitching staff? æOne answer: Angelos. Instead of improving the team, he
fired one of baseball's greatest managers, Hargrove.
Not only has Angelos made Baltimore fans suffer by giving them terrible
teams each year, but good old Pete has to make Washington fans suffer by
blocking the city of getting a new baseball team. What's wrong, Angelos?
Afraid of too much competition? Maybe you're afraid a DC team would
become more popular or more talented, or maybe their owner would do more
for the community.
I have attended three memorable games this season. The first was a 7-2
rout of the struggling Brewers, where I witnessed my last Ponson game
as an Oriole. The next was the memorable 17-inning loss to the
Philadelphia Phillies. Paying $100 for a baseball game was well worth
it. Omar Daal, who was supposed to be the Orioles best acquisition of
last year's off season, was the reason for the loss. (He has to be one of
the worst signings in the team's history!) The last game I attended this
season should've been the blueprints of last season. æThe only thought
that echoes in my mind is a thought of what could've been. On Aug. 5, my
girlfriend and I went to the game for our six month anniversary. She
took us to Camden Yards, where we enjoyed club level seats and one of
the only good moves Angelos has made: $1 hot dog night. However it
probably wasn't even Angelos who initiated that idea, so I take back the
compliment. That night, new hometown heroes Luis Matos, Brian Roberts,
and Jay Gibbons each got at least one hit. The Orioles best pitcher
Jason Johnson got his ninth win in the year. The O's defeated the
playoff Twins and pitching legend Kenny Rogers in a 3-2 victory. It
could've been a staple of this season, but Angelos got in the way.
One thing to remember is that it's not the fans' fault that Angelos had
a terrible team. If the Orioles keep having seasons like this one, I
might just stop cheering for the Orioles, which is possibly a move I
should've made a long time ago.
It's hard to do that. I've been an Orioles fan all my life. I like the O's talent. I like GMs Flanagan and Beatie, and
I'm going to like the next manager. I just don't like Angelos. It's that
simple. I wish it was simple for the Orioles to make the playoffs, but
nothing is simple with Angelos as the owner. Nothing he does is
positive, and no one is happy. Now moving from one holiday to another, I'm forgetting about Mr.
Grim Reaper and going to turn my attention to Mr. Santa Claus. æAll I want for
Christmas is a winning season. Is it that hard to ask? With Angelos in town, it might be.
Name: Shaggy Year: Alumni Comments:
I hear ya Doug. Angelos burn in hell! While we are asking for Christmas gifts, can I have a Caps winning season as well?
