Wednesday, July 01, 2009

Birds Go Back to the Future, Beat Red Sox 11-10

The Sun's headline says it all: "Believe it: Orioles rally from 10-1 deficit, win."

However, that doesn't mean more hasn't already been said as O's fans start to recover from that speechless feeling following Tuesday's unprecedented comeback against the Red Sox. And though it doesn't fit with Roar from 34's "Eutaw Street Week" theme, the largest comeback in the modern history of the franchise must not go without mention in this space.

Last night's heaping does of Orioles Magic topped an eight-run rally the team mustered on Sept. 2, 1956. Final score of that game? 11-10. The opponent? The Boston Red Sox. It seems everything old is new again.

A rundown of comeback-related headlines follows, including my personal favorite from Weaver's Tantrum. First, though, let's revisit the history.



In the 1956 game, attended by 12,529 fans at Fenway Park, the Red Sox put up consecutive four-run innings to start the game, blasting O's starter Ray Moore for six runs on three hits in one inning pitched.

Billy Loes, the Birds' fifth pitcher of the game, ultimately got the win after pitching two hitless innings as the Orioles scored two runs in the eighth and three runs in the ninth for the victory. First baseman Bob Boyd, third baseman George Kell, and left-fielder Bob Nieman each had three hits for the O's. Nieman, who finished seventh for the 1956 MVP won by Mickey Mantle, also tallied 3 RBIs.

The O's finished the 1956 season with a 69-85 record for sixth place in the eight-team American League.

Now, back to the considerably more exciting recent history.

Here are some of the early takes on the game from around the sports world and the Blog-O's-phere:


Associated Press: Orioles rally for stunning 11-10 win over Red Sox.

MASNsports.com: Orioles Magic: More on one special comeback.

MLB.com: O's stage historic comeback vs. Red Sox.

Reuters: Orioles complete record rally to soar over Red Sox.

CBSSportsline: Baltimore makes comeback history.

SI.com: O's stun BoSox with biggest rally in team history.

ESPN.com: O's 9-run rally stuns BoSox.

Boston Globe: Old Bawl Game.

Camden Chat: Orioles 11, Red Sox 10: Greatest Comeback in Franchise History (you can look it up).

Around the Harbor: What? Really? What? This is the Greatest Thing Ever.

Wayward Oriole: super reverse dOuble massacre.

And finally, Weaver's Tantrum: HOLY F#$%ING &*%$!!!

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