1989 ORIOLES---FROM 0-21 TO A NEAR TITLE--WHY NOT?
by Rick Benson
There will always be a special place in my heart for the 1989 Orioles. No they weren’t the most successful Oriole team. Not even close. They didn’t even win their division. But make no mistake. This team was something special.
Baltimore was now a baseball town; thanks to Orioles Magic in 1979 and the ineptitude and eventual departure of Bob Irsay’s Colts in 1984. With the hope of getting another NFL team nowhere in sight, the Orioles owned the hearts of Charm City’s fan base, but the years of on-field excellence were drying up. The Orioles Magic guys were aging, retiring and departing. Cal Ripken Jr. had emerged as a legitimate superstar but the patchwork surrounding cast of free agent signings and a non-producing farm system caused the team to sink in the standings.
The bottom dropped out in 1988 when the O’s lost their first 21 games to start the season. They broke the dreadful losing streak in front of a near capacity crowd on the same night that team president Larry Luchhino announced the team had signed a lease to play at a brand new downtown baseball-only ballpark to be completed for the start of the 1992 season. Lucchino was a holdover from the ownership group of the late Edward Bennett Williams. A high-powered DC attorney, Williams had pledged to keep the team in Baltimore if the city supported the team and the fans were holding up their end of the deal. That said, there was rightful paranoia among the fan base; having had their beloved Colts stolen away and even their basketball team ten years prior. The fact that the new owner Eli Jacobs (who acquired the Orioles through an estate auction) was a New Yorker, did little to alleviate those fears.
But the new stadium deal sealed the promise that the Orioles would remain in Baltimore and sowed the seeds of what was to be a renaissance of the once great franchise. The dismal start in 1988 doomed the O’s to a 54-108 record and a last place finish so nobody expected much from the 1989 team. But this season was the beginning of something new. It started with new uniforms and a new cap featuring an ornithologically correct oriole bird. The home opener featured President George Bush throwing out the first pitch, rocker Joan Jett belting out the national anthem, a home run and three RBIs from Ripken, an amazing crash-into-the wall catch by centerfielder Steve Finley; resulting in a 5-4 victory over Roger Clemens and the Boston Red Sox.
1989 OPENING DAY, O'S BEAT RED SOX
WHY NOT? SONG VIDEO
In addition to the ownership change, there was a significant purge of aging veteran such as Terry Kennedy, Fred Lynn, Scott McGregor and Don Aase. The Orioles also accommodated Eddie Murray’s request to be traded as he was sent to his hometown Los Angeles Dodgers. Murray had unfortunately become the scapegoat for the team’s slide while local hero Ripken became the Orioles leader. Baltimore’s best starting pitcher--Mike Boddicker—was moved in a highly unpopular trade with the Red Sox for Brady Anderson and Curt Schilling.
Aside from Ripken, veteran outfielder Phil Bradley and 32-year-old Dave Schmidt (who became the staff ace with just 41 career wins), Baltimore went to battle with a group of players reminiscent of the team’s “Kiddie Corps” of the early 60s. Outfielders Anderson, Mike Devereaux and Steve Finley were all rookies. First baseman Randy Milligan, second baseman Rene Gonzalez and third baseman Craig Worthington all had less than 360 career at bats. The remainder of the starting rotation; 25-year-old Jeff Ballard, 24-year-old Bob Milacki, 22-year-old Pete Harnisch and 24-year-old JJ Bautista had a combined total of 10 major league wins. Oh and the closer, Gregg Olsen, was also a rookie.
This rather unassuming cast of a characters had no business winning baseball games, but nobody reminded them of such. They were too young and too relaxed to fall into a losing mentality. They played sound fundamental baseball under the watchful eye of former Oriole great Frank Robinson, who took over as manager six games into the 0-21 start in 1988. Ballard became the unlikely ace with and 8-1 start as the Birds took over first place on May 28 and held it for 98 straight days. Their amazing run begged the question “Can they keep this up?” which resulted in the spirited response that was immortalized in song---“Why Not?” It’s really happening. Now the Birds are on the wing. Come on O’s, we can win this thing. Why not?
The Toronto Blue Jays finally caught the O’s in September and held a one-game lead going into the final series of the season between the two team at the Skydome. The first pitch of the series was hit out of the park by Bradley, and Ballard and Todd Stottlemyre kept it at 1-0 into the bottom of the 8th. With one out and a runner on 1st, the Orioles' rookie closer Olson came in. A stolen base and a ground out later, one of Olson's curveballs got by late-season pick-up Jamie Quirk. A two-out 11th-inning single by Lloyd Moseby won it for the Jays and clinched at least a tie.
Harnisch was slated to start the second game of the series, but reportedly stepped on a nail on the way back to the hotel on Friday. Middle River native and mid-season addition Dave Johnson got the start on three days' rest. The Jays scored in the 1st on George Bell's single. The Orioles responded in the 3rd when Bradley was permitted to score from first on a fan interference double by Ripken, and Milligan followed by singling Ripken home for a 2-1 lead. The lead then became 3-1 on Bradley's second infield hit of the game which scored Devereaux. The lead stayed there until Dave Johnson was lifted after walking Nelson Liriano to lead off the home 8th. The Oriole bullpen gave up 3 runs in the 8th after Johnson's departure, and a three-up-three-down 9th ended the Orioles' shot at a worst-to-first season.
The 1989 Orioles brought a winning excitement back to Baltimore. They clearly overachieved; beating more highly regarded teams that had more recognizable stars. Their 87-75 record was a 33-game improvement over the 1988 disaster. There were plenty of impressive performances by the Why Not crew. Ripken led the O’s in RBIs (93) and games played (surprise, surprise). Newcomer Mickey Tettleton led the team with 26 home run and became a local cult hero with his strong affinity for Froot Loops cereal. Even more notable, given their lack of experience, was the pitching staff. Ballard finished with an 18-8 record while Milacki earned the nickname “Bulldog” by logging the most innings pitched to go with a 14-12 record. Schmidt, the one experienced starter, struggled to a 10-13 mark with a 5.69 ERA. Olsen finished with 27 saves and a 1.69 ERA to take Rookie of the Year honors. Strengthening the bullpen were solid set-up men Mark Williamson (10 wins, 9 saves, 2.93 ERA) and Kevin Hickey (2.92 ERA).
As I’ve said, this team holds a special place in my heart. This team played at a time when I was attending and working sports memorabilia shows. Accordingly, I had the pleasure of meeting most of the Why Not gang and have plenty of great memories. When I met Mark Williamson, the 6’-0” Williamson looked up at the 6’5” me and said, “Wow, you’re a big sonofabitch!” I helped Dave Johnson escape from one card show when someone who had been stalking him showed up. I was concerned about how Rene Gonzalez would be as he rarely signed autographs at the ballpark, but he turned out to be a great show guest and became one of my favorite Orioles.
A great group of guys who played some great baseball and provided Baltimore with some great memories. Why Not?
