All of last season, the Orioles had to put up with national baseball experts saying they were lucky because of their one-run win record and run differential. Their Pythagorean record suggested that they weren’t as good as their actual win-loss did.
But It didn’t matter, the numbers and experts were wrong and the O’s grabbed a Wild Card spot, knocked out the defending AL champion Texas Rangers and took the Yankees to five games in the ALDS.
In 2013, the Bronx Bombers have managed to stay atop the AL East without Mark Teixeira, Alex Rodriguez, Derek Jeter and Curtis Granderson (he’s back now) with a 25-14 record through the first 40 games of the year. Their 8-2 record in one-run games and 22-18 Pythagorean record should make them the contender for baseball’s “lucky” label this season.
The Yankees +16 run differential is the lowest among teams with a .500 record or higher in the American League.
So where’s the outrage? Why haven’t we heard about how they will fall back to earth and that this team is fooling everyone in baseball like the O’s last season?
As the Yankees continue to get healthy, you’ll hear even less about their luck. People will credit them for keeping their heads above water while their veterans make their way back to the diamond. And they should. Run differential, Pythagorean record and one-run wins mean nothing. The only thing that matters is win-loss.
It’s just funny how in Baltimore no one believed the win total to be anything but like, but the same style play is referred to as “Yankee baseball” in New York.
Zach,,,,,when will you learn there is something magical about those pin-stripes,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,
Spy,,,, when will you read actual articles instead of headlines before commenting,,,,,,,,,,,
Zach,,,,,I did read your article,,,,,,,,,,how does me reading your article affect my comment ? I understand what you are saying and I know Pythagoras was a philosopher and mathematician from Greece,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,I’m a regular guy from Dundalk but my comment was accurate , those pin stripes are magical to the press and recieve special treatment,,,,,,,,,those pin stripes also affect the players who wear them and have inspired them to achieve heights they normally would not achieve,,,,,,,,,,,,,,don’t you have a pin striped suit , I do and it works,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,
Spy, are you the creepy Dundalk guy that waves at men from your bathroom window on hot summer days as they wash their cars and cut their grass.
My bathroom does not have any windows…………………………..and I don’t wave at men , you must be thinking of chowman,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,
Spy, had to rip on you… Haven’t ripped on anyone for awhile since no one on here is going against the Baltimore teams or my Bro’s… Probably have to wait till football season again…
ESPN controls the vast majority of sports fans minds. If ESPN says it, it has to be true. They are almighty and all powerful in most fans’ eyes.
The big market teams, New York, Boston, Philly, LA, make ESPN the most money. They will never question (or bite) the hand that feeds them.
Good point,,,,,,,,,,,
Well….I don’t know where the outrage is, but I do know one thing. You don’t get considered “lucky” if you aren’t a good ballclub 1st. So if someone wants to sit back and simply say the Orioles were lucky because of the 1 run differentials, all the extra inning wins and whatnot, then look at all of the times that opposing ballclubs weren’t able to hang with the Orioles last season, in those very games. While what the Orioles did last season was remarkable winning as many ballgames in the fashion that they did, Was it just “bad luck” by the Orioles opponents that much more than simply being bested by Baltimore? So far the Orioles this season aren’t on track for their same 1-run and extra inning wins that they had last season, but they are still playing well. If anything, they can “surprise” some of the media outlets if they win the AL East overtop of the Yankees and Red Sox. I believe the 2013 Yankees do not get the same kind of image by the media that the Orioles did last season, because of their image.
The Yankees play in NY, they have probably the largest fanbase in baseball, combined with the fact that they have been in the playoffs for all but one season since the mid to late 90s. The Orioles had their first winning record and first playoff appearance last season SINCE 1997, That creates a huge difference in image for media to playoff of. Guess what though, will anyone be “surprised” around here if the Orioles bounce back from the San Diego series and take at least 2 of 3 from Tampa Bay, and keep right on track in the AL east race? I don’t think so. At the end of the day, the feeling in Baltimore I believe is continuing to grow subtly that the Orioles may have a shot follow up in October to what the Ravens did in February.
Tim – welcome to BSR. Hope to see you back more often.
Nice comments , that NY image is all about the money and the pin stripes,,,,,,,,,,,,,welcome……………….oh yea , performance does count doesn’t it ?
I subscribe to the “bikini theory” with regard to statistics. What they reveal is important but what they conceal is vital. How many times in sports do teams win “ugly” meaning statistically they lose every phase of the game but the one that matters- the final outcome. If that was not the case, you could use the stats and 100 percent successfully handicap the results of every horse race. Does luck factor in, of course but that’s why sports are reality entertainment at it’s best. On any given day…throw the stats and the script out the window and enjoy the event.
I like the comparison to the bikini , I like the mystery also,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,in both sports and getting the chance to play with that bikini you have to be GOOD AND LUCKY………………….