The Orioles finally made some news this week when they announced the hiring of new manager Craig Albernaz. You can read plenty of information and opinions on Albernaz, including here on Camden Chat. Feel free to delve into the comments to see the strong opinions from people who had never heard Albernaz’s name before Sunday night.
Despite the announcement, Albernaz won’t be officially presented to the world as the team’s manager until November 4th, which is after the end of the World Series.
Speaking
of the World Series, it was a barn burner last night. Max Scherzer started for the Blue Jays and held his own until his team took a lead against Tyler Glasnow. Scherzer was pulled from the game in the fifth inning when Shohei Ohatni came to the plate, a move that backfired when Ohtani hit an RBI double as part of a rally that would tie the game.
The game was tied going into the seventh inning until Bo Bichette hit an RBI single just inside the first base line. Vladimir Guerrero, Jr. scored from first base to give the Blue Jays a 5-4 lead. The ball rattled along the wall and looked like it might have hit a camera guy as he scrambled out of the way. Nothing was called, however, and Guerrero got his hand on the plate ahead of the throw.
With one out and bases empty in the bottom of the seventh, Ohtani came to the plate to face former Oriole Seranthony Domínguez. He’d already homered and hit two doubles. My husband dispensed some wisdom from his recliner: “They should just walk him.” They did not walk him and he hit a game-tying home run. Should have walked him! Of course, it’s a tough call because while Ohtani is the best there is, he’s also followed in the lineup by Mookie Betts and Freddie Freeman. I guess why that team is in the World Series.
The game went into extra innings, at which time I had to call it a night. Ohtani did not get the chance to hit a walk-off home run as he was intentionally walked in the bottom of the ninth. He then got thrown out for stealing, because, I guess, nobody’s perfect. He’s about as close as they come, though.
Game four of the World Series is tonight with Shane Bieber scheduled go against Ohtani. The last game Ohtani pitched was the final game of the NLCS. In that game, he struck out 10 batters and hit three home runs. It wouldn’t surprise me if we saw similar tonight. I am on record with not wanting to see the same teams in the postseason/World Series every year, but it just feels like Ohtani should be there every time.
Links
Do you like stories about Craig Albernaz? I hope you do!
Washington Nationals lose out on Craig Albernaz to rival Baltimore Orioles – Federal Baseball
“Just a day after it was reported that Craig Albernaz was interviewing for Nationals manager job, he was hired by the O’s,” MWAHAHAHAHAH
What Craig Albernaz brings to the Orioles as their new manager – The Baltimore Banner
Andy Kostka with a rundown of what to expect from Albernaz.
Now that they have a new skipper, what’s ahead for O’s this offseason? – MLB.com
Turns out hiring a manager is just the first step.
What they’re saying about new Orioles manager Craig Albernaz – Baltimore Baseball
A round of what media and former colleagues have to say about Albernaz.
Birthdays and History
Is today your birthday? Happy birthday! You have five Orioles birthday buddies, including Sammy Stewart. Stewart pitched for the Orioles from 1978-1985, mostly in relief. He pitched 2.2 scoreless innings in the 1979 World Series and made five appearances in the 1983 postseason without allowing a run. After his career, Stewart struggled with drug addiction. He passed away in 2018 at the age of 63.
Also born on this day are Corbin “Brother of Caleb” Joseph (37), who played 14 games for the Orioles in 2018; Nate McLouth (44), outfielder for the O’s in 2012-13; Juan Guzmán (59), who spent two of his 10 MLB seasons in Baltimore; and Bob Melvin (64), catcher from 1989-1991.
As is always the case this time of year, there is no Orioles history to speak of. Maybe in two years.
On this day in 1968, Cardinal Bob Gibson won the Cy Young Award unanimously with a 1.12 ERA in 304.2 IP. He also won the MVP in ‘68.
In 1981, the Dodgers defeated the Yankees, 9-2, to win the World Series in six games. The Dodgers had lost the first two games of the series, then won four straight to close it out.
In 1989, the Oakland Athletics swept the San Francisco Giants to win the World Series. It was, of course, the year that the WS was interrupted by an earthquake that led to 12 days between games two and three being played. What a wild time to live in Northern California.
In 1995, the Braves won their first World Series since moving to Atlanta. They defeated Cleveland in six games. It was their only WS victory during their long run of dominance from the early 1990s through early 2000s.
In 2018, the Red Sox won their fourth WS since 2004 by beating the Dodgers in five games. Steve Pearce was named WS MVP, which made me happy despite my dislike of all things Red Sox.
In 2021, the Padres hired Bob Melvin to be their manager. I only mention this one because, as mentioned earlier, today is his birthday. What a nice gift for him!
