The headline made it seem all gloom and doom, but my column in early July about the Orioles having lost their way ended with hope and a wish:

A baseball team has to win big once in a while not only to be financially sound but to win young fans for life - so that they don't all become Yankee fans or members of the Red Sox Nation, or switch to the NFL and never look back. The teenage boy who expressed regrets (to me) about the Orioles' perennially losing ways - I think he would be satisfied, if they just came close again. And this season, that wouldn't be so bad.

That teenage boy, and his sister, are really into the Orioles, as never before -- even though they know the team has little chance (no chance?) of making the playoffs this season. There is hope here. The Birds are fun to watch.

They steal bases.

They play good defense.

They have some fascinating young pitchers.

You get a great sense of future in watching them.

There have been some ugly moments, of course, but lately there has been a lot of great stuff coming out of Orioles games.

They don't give up. Today they came back against the Yankees and won in the 10th inning! 

They are scrappy and even exciting. The manager and pitching coach appear to be handling the young arms well.

You should give them a look again, if you haven't in a while. The MASN telecasts are excellent, and the radio broadcasts sound terrific on FM. There's something cookin' here, folks, and I suggest you tune in, next chance you get.