[Baltimore Sun] Baltimore fans know how to keep the faith (but it sure ain’t easy) | STAFF COMMENTARY
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If it’s true that the night is darkest just before dawn, it’s been a perpetual 5 a.m. in the vicinity of Oriole Park at Camden Yards and M&T Bank Stadium these past two weeks. Not only are the Orioles slumping — and that might be too generous a description of their lackluster play since the All-Star break — but our community’s real ace-in-the-hole, the Baltimore Ravens, have lost two games to start a season that some of us (gulp) thought was destined to culminate with a Super Bowl berth. Baltimoreans are a hardy bunch. We’ve survived concentrated poverty, gun violence, an occupant of the White House who called our city a “rodent-infested mess,” the destruction of the Francis Scott Key Bridge and the end of HonFest. But why must we live a sporty version of the Book of Job when all we want is to dominate the diamond and the gridiron and be the envy of every other city in America?
OK, OK, maybe that was asking for too much. The biggest mistake we could make is to press the panic button and lose faith. In this, we are tempted to follow the example of the Birds who have taken the bold step of — wait for it — completely shuffling the walk-up music. That’s right. When shortstop Gunnar Henderson heads to the plate, you won’t hear Gwen Stefani’s “Sweet Escape” at Camden Yards during this last home stand on the season. Oh, no. Now, it’s time for 50 Cent’s “Magic Stick” and lyrics like “I know if I can hit once, I can hit twice,” which seems a lot more appropriate than the tune’s more explicit descriptions. Clearly, the bigger mistake would be for players to freak out or suddenly change their swing or their pitching philosophy or whatever. Walk-up music can at least lighten the mood, and that sounds like a good idea.
We don’t know if the Ravens are in panic mode quite yet. We certainly haven’t spotted any sign of that. Still, we’ve been a little surprised at the number of letters we’ve received from the Ravens flock seeking John Harbaugh’s ouster after 16 years as head coach, including a Super Bowl championship in 2013. Hey, they came within a toe of beating (or at least tying) the Kansas City Chiefs on the road the first week of the season. That’s not exactly bad. Can the team bounce back? The Cincinnati Bengals and Houston Texans made the playoffs the last two years after 0-2 starts. It’s not easy, but clearly, it can be done. Have we forgotten about a certain Lamar Demeatrice Jackson Jr., the reigning NFL MVP? Maybe he just needs better walk-up music.
Our point is that if winning the World Series or the Super Bowl was easy — if the path was straight and clear and all anyone associated with MLB or NFL teams had to do was show up for work on time — what fun would there be in that? Sports are a bit like life. You have to roll with the punches. You get knocked down, pick yourself up, dust yourself off and try again. It’s gut-check time, so keep your eye on the ball. Have you heard any of these gems before? We’ve watched enough bad sports movies to keep them coming all day. If the Orioles need walk-up clichés, we can be made available.
Lastly, and we need to be a little serious about this, why don’t we go out there and have some fun? Root for our O’s and Ravens, wear the gear, jump up and down, and even yell at the TV when appropriate during the late afternoon game in Dallas against the Cowboys on Sunday. Win or lose, this is part of our shared experience, family moments, and sense of community. And should the home teams fall short? That just gives us something to talk about — and maybe even read about in your morning newspaper. See? We knew there was a consolation prize.
Baltimore Sun editorial writers offer opinions and analysis on news and issues relevant to readers. They operate separately from the newsroom.
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