It’s been nearly four full months since I wrote this blog, On Top, Don’t Stop, the morning after the Orioles claimed the top spot in the AL East and never looked back. It was July 4th – Independence Day. And tonight the reward for consistency – the beginning of the playoffs for the O’s. On our home field, amid a sea of black and orange, the postseason in all its splendor. The Orioles have proven over the past four months they are one of the best in baseball and deserve this chance. You don’t finish 30 games over .500 on a wing and a prayer. No way.
The marathon of the regular season all comes down to this – a shot at the playoffs – a chance to win it all and be come World Champs. Every player who understands the grind of the season and the value of teamwork is playing for this moment, because they know you don’t reach that dream without your team.
It hasn’t been easy, it never is if it’s truly worthwhile and it won’t be easy moving forward, it’s not supposed to be, it’s baseball. Plain and simple.
My survivor and I will be among the thousands gathered tonight, in a frenzy I expect, as we celebrate the beginning of the next journey, hopefully a run through the playoffs. I can honestly tell you I have the same feeling now that I had two years ago when the Ravens began their playoff run. Ray Lewis had announced his retirement and the destiny of a Super Bowl victory seemed not just plausible, but probable. A lot had to go right, and some miracles happened along the way, but isn’t that how it always goes?  Nothing wrong with a little luck, or maybe even some divine intervention. 🙂
Yesterday, Mr. Oriole, Brooks Robinson, addressed this Orioles team. His message was that he’s excited to see how excited Baltimore is.  He’s been here, playoffs, World Series, he’s done it, and he said this is the most fans he’s ever seen walking around the streets wearing their Baltimore Orioles jersey and proud of it. It also might be Buck Showalter’s last, best shot at going all the way. If a manager ever deserved it, Buck is the one.
Tonight, pride and joy as baseball and Baltimore take another shot at history.
Now below… the link to the blog, which once I took a look back, seems to have stood the test of time. Go O’s!!
https://markbrodinsky.com/on-top-dont-stop-its-just-about-life/
Until next time, thanks for taking the time.
Mark
Mark Brodinsky, Author, Huffington Post Blogger, Financial Services
The #1 Amazon Best Seller: It Takes 2. Surviving Breast Cancer: A Spouse’s Story
(http://www.spouses-story.com/)