Optimism high at FanFest
Orioles fans have turned out in droves for the team's annual preseason celebration (in fact, they were still flowing into the Baltimore Convention Center as I was writing this post). And those fans have high hopes -- and high expectations -- for their club this coming season.
Said Matt Layman, 30, of Dundalk: "I expect them to finish over .500 because they've improved every position except our starting pitching, which was the one real bright spot at the end of last year. I'd like to see one or two of the young guys have a breakout year... It'd be nice to see [catcher Matt] Wieters take another step forward and start living up to his potential."
Layman's brother Andrew, 31, anticipates an enthusiastic atmosphere at Camden Yards in 2011. "I'm looking forward to Orioles fever, some Orioles Magic coming back," he said. "It was upsetting to go to games [last year] and see only 9,000 fans. To have a team where [it's possible to fill the stands again] is exciting,"
Katie Clayton, 25, from Baltimore echoed that sentiment. "It'll be nice to see a packed stadium that's not just packed for [games against] the Yankees, Red Sox and Nationals."
Randy Poist, a bartender at Pickles Pub, across the street from Oriole Park, said he believes increased fan excitement and turnout will be good for business and set the bar high for the Orioles in 2011, "I picked the Orioles to win 94 games this season," Poist, 31, said. "I'd like to see the team have more than one All-Star this year and have the team play well at the start of the season rather than [just] at the end."
Towson's Ed Layfield, 29, thinks the Orioles have hired the right manager to turn the team around. "I like [Buck Showalter's] attitude, and he brings experience. I like that he doesn't back down from the rest of the AL East. He's not going to tiptoe around those guys,"
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A Baltimore native, 
Comments
Seems like Poist had a few drinks at his bar ... 94 wins? Riiiiight
Posted by: Lay off the booze | January 29, 2011 1:38 PM
Glad to know I am not the only one drinking the Kool-Aid. Low expectations with high hopes.
I think the thing that is most exciting is the potential for a star to be born in Baltimore this year. We have waited a long time for a baseball superstar (Ripken), and this feels like the year where we could have more than one breakout (matusz and Jones or Scott or NickMac or Reynolds :-)
Last year we somehow sent Wigginton to the All Star game, that is how bad this team WAS. AM has changed almost all of the worst stuff and is building with better parts throughout. Please get Vlad and Millwood and lets do this thing.
Posted by: FL_O'sFan | January 29, 2011 2:01 PM
@Lay of the Booze: Very funny stuff.
Pickles + O's = Very Fun
Posted by: King of the Donkeys | January 29, 2011 2:44 PM
94 wins!? are they serving more than just alcohol at pickles?
Posted by: brandon | January 29, 2011 3:12 PM
Optimism? We will be 3rd place if we are lucky.
You people sound like redskins fans. Two months into the season you will be singing the same old song. Morons.
Fire Angelos.
Posted by: Theyre Still Shi**y | January 29, 2011 11:00 PM
Don't underestimate the 'Buck Factor'. Look what he did with a bunch of nobodys last year.
Posted by: BobbyWoontz | January 30, 2011 7:20 AM
There is statistical and emotional reasons for expecting BIG results from the Orioles this year.
Statistical:
Understand that if our pitching DOES NOT improve all is NOT lost.
The O's went 12 - 70 when they scored 3 runs or less. But, they went 54 - 26 when scoring 4 runs or more. The offense has been drastically improved, the young hitters have had their sophomore seasons so improving the run production is pretty much a given.
Emotional:
Two words - Buck Showalter. He knows how to win, motivate and improve overall player performance.
Posted by: Dennis | January 30, 2011 8:05 AM