Baltimore Teams Are On the Rise

I just came across two articles about two young Baltimore athletes who seem destined for stardom. The first one is a profile of Orioles' outfielder Adam Jones, who at 23 looks to become a dominant fixture in the O's lineup for years to come. The article even includes some high praise of Jones coming from New York Yankees non-bearded outfielder Johnny Damon. So I guess that's one good thing to come out of the Yankees organization this year.

The other article is an interview with the Ravens' franchise quarterback, Joe "The Brow" Flacco, who became the first rookie ever to win two playoff games en route to the AFC championship. Flacco talks about coming into the 2010 season with confidence and why he isn't getting the big endorsements that other young athletes of his skill level are getting. Both stories give an insightful look into the future of Baltimore's two biggest sports franchises, and the future just keeps looking brighter and brighter.

But these stories don't even include what might be the brightest spot in a Baltimore sports team's future. That is because this bright spot is still playing in the minor leagues. I am referring to the top prospect in baseball, and maybe even in Orioles history (knock on lots of wood): Matt Wieters. Last season, in double-A, Wieters had what Baseball Prospectus called the best minor league season in the last 40 years. Wieters' even has a website dedicated to him, www.mattwietersfacts.com, which gives the catcher's stats, does game-by-game follow-up, and presents hilarious Chuck Norris-esque facts, such as "even atheists believe in Matt Wieters" and "Matt Wieters took batting practice this morning. There were no survivors." Though he's been slowed down by injury this season and is still playing in triple-A, he is expected to be moved up to the show sometimes around the All-Star break. 

As a lifelong Baltimorean, I cannot help but feel pure excitement for the future of our sports teams and thus the future of our city. The last time Baltimore has had two teams play at an elite level was during the late 60s and early 70s, when the Orioles and Colts both won their leagues' respective championships. Since then, either one team has had success while the other team suffered or, as it happened from 1984 to 1995, only one team existed. In my lifetime, only the Ravens have had continued success, but now it looks as if both teams could be headed to the top. 

This can only be good for the city of Baltimore, a city that might soon see its historic horse-track, Pimlico, which is home to the annual Preakness Stakes, turn into a parking lot. With the potential closing-down of its historic race-track and with a lot of uncertainty existing about the future of the city's economy, Baltimoreans will be looking for some shimmer of light in these dark times. From past experience, I know for a fact that people in the city are simply happier when our teams are succeeding. And additionally, it's great for the economy when people pay money to go to the games, which usually leads to more spending at venues around the area. People often look at sports at just a means of entertainment, but they can also serve as an economic boost and something around which a city can rally. I can only wait with nervous excitement to see if the Orioles and Ravens will both provide our city with a much needed morale boost.