The Orioles of 1988 & 2018 Can Make History Together

June 16, 2018- The Baltimore Orioles of 1988 began the season losing 21 straight games. The 0-21 start is a MLB record that will live as long as Cal Ripken's consecutive game streak of 2,632 games played. Those Orioles were led by Ripken & Eddie Murray. They had some fantastic years together and only 5-years earlier won the 1983 World Series. After the dust was settled the two of them would be enshrined in Cooperstown and remain Oriole legends.

30-years ago after starting out at 0-21 the Orioles would have an 19-50 record after 69 games played in 1988. They would have a 19-29 record for the next 48-game stretch. For a team that was that bad to start the season at 0-21 a 19-29 record showed that they were making an effort.

Eddie Murray was the highest paid player on that 1988 team (4th highest in MLB) with an annual salary of 2.1 million per year. Ozzie Smith of the St. Louis Cardinals was the games highest paid player that year at 2.34 million.

The Miami Marlins defeated the O's 2-0 last night. They were shut out for the 8th time this season.This group of O's are now standing with a 19-49 record. They also have lost 10-straight home games . Their last win at home was on May 13th. That was 1-month and 3-days ago. The Charm'tastic Mile & Cal Ripken Way are both 1.3 miles in length. That's a nice stretch to walk and that's a long stretch of games not to win in your own ball park.

The game this afternoon vs the Marlins will go down in history if the Orioles lose. They will tie the 1988 O's record 69-games into the season with an identical 19-50 record. The Marlins are 27-43 to start 2018. Who would've thought that a Saturday game one-day before Father's Day between 2 teams playing under .500 ball could have historical relevance.

Chris Davis the man known as "Crush" just a couple of years ago is the teams highest paid player with an annual salary a staggering $21,118,782.00 US dollars. He accounts for 14.4% of the team payroll. Davis has sat out the last 3 games. He makes $130,362.85 per game (based on 162 game season). That equates to $32,590.71 per at bat (4). Will Chris be on the field today and be part of history if the O's lose.

The Orioles total payroll this season is $150,384,375.00. That includes active payroll, disabled list, retained salary & buried minor league salaries. With a payroll of over 150K this O's team is worse than the 1988 club. If they lose vs. the Marlins all of the players will be part of history that they will try to forget, but will linger with fans and historians long after they hang up their cleats.