Baltimore Orioles win the race to 100 losses on the season

SEATTLE, WA - SEPTEMBER 5: Baltimore Orioles manager Buck Showalter removes relief pitcher Sean Gilmartin #63 of the Baltimore Orioles from a game against the Seattle Mariners in the seventh inning at Safeco Field on September 5, 2018 in Seattle, Washington. The Mariners won the game 5-3. (Photo by Stephen Brashear/Getty Images)
SEATTLE, WA - SEPTEMBER 5: Baltimore Orioles manager Buck Showalter removes relief pitcher Sean Gilmartin #63 of the Baltimore Orioles from a game against the Seattle Mariners in the seventh inning at Safeco Field on September 5, 2018 in Seattle, Washington. The Mariners won the game 5-3. (Photo by Stephen Brashear/Getty Images)

It may not be the victory that the Baltimore Orioles wanted at the start of the year, but at least they won one race this year.

For a time, the Baltimore Orioles and Kansas City Royals found themselves in a spirited battle for the first overall pick in the 2019 MLB Amateur Draft. Both teams had reached levels of ineptitude that were astounding even for a league that saw a full scale tankfest brewing this offseason. Sadly, both the Orioles and the Royals had designs on being a contender, only to witness that plan bomb like WaterWorld.

Naturally, when the Royals and Orioles faced each other to begin September, we had a chance to watch this mesmerizing battle unfold. Two leviathans of losing, two maters of mediocrity, would be able to do battle with one another. Eventually, one team would walk away with a victory in this three game set, although the other squad would have won the overall war.

As it turned out, that battle was a laugher, with the Orioles being swept handily. The Royals, proving to be completely inept at tanking, had actually been in the midst of a winning streak, and had essentially handed the first overall pick to Baltimore. Thanks for Bobby Witt Jr, right?

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However, the Orioles were not complacent. Just like any other team, they could well go on a dreaded winning streak, just as the Royals went cold once again. It was important to keep their eyes on the prize. Baltimore did just that on Friday night, as their 14-2 drubbing at the hands of the Tampa Bay Rays gave the Orioles their 100th loss on the season.

One must admire the Orioles tenacity in this battle. Only one real prospect, Credic Mullins, appeared in this game. Instead, players like John Andreoli, Breyvic Valera, and Renato Nunez found their way into the lineup. That takes dedication.

At this point, the race to the bottom is likely over. The Orioles have won for losing, and have a chance to draft a franchise altering player next season. But nothing can be taken for granted, especially as the Royals are still within striking distance. As Yogi Berra used to say, it ain’t over till it’s over. And just as his Mets rallied to win the 1973 NL pennant, the Royals could come back and claim defeat from the jaws of victory.

The Baltimore Orioles are the first team in the majors to reach 100 losses this season. It is a great first step, but it is not enough just yet.