Heading into the final weekend of the season, the Baltimore Orioles needed only one win or loss from the Tampa Bay Rays to clinch the American League East and the No. 1 seed in the American League. Baltimore didn’t wait too long.
The Orioles were largely quiet offensively on Thursday against the Boston Red Sox, scoring only two runs on four hits. But as good as Boston’s pitching was, Baltimore’s was even better.
And when Orioles pitcher Tyler Wells got Red Sox Trevor Story to ground out to complete a 1-2-3 ninth inning, Baltimore locked up its 100th win on the season, clinching the American League East and the top seed in the American League in the process.
"Go crazy, Baltimore. You are the champions of the American League East."
Kevin Brown on the call as the Orioles clinch the American League East and the No. 1 seed in the American League. pic.twitter.com/Q2eXPe4uYL
— Awful Announcing (@awfulannouncing) September 29, 2023
Winning 100 games and a division title is a huge deal for any team. But for the Orioles, there’s an added layer of significance. Baltimore hadn’t won a division title since 2014. From 2018-2021, the team had a combined record of 178-368.
To go from 110 losses to 100 wins in only two years isn’t simply rare, it’s unprecedented.
the Orioles are the 1st team in MLB history to go from a 110+ loss season to a 100+ win in a 3-season span
the only other team to even go from 100+ losses to wins in such a span is the 1967-69 Mets https://t.co/3g4Mz3v8kB
— Sarah Langs (@SlangsOnSports) September 29, 2023
It’s been a bittersweet week for the Orioles and their fans. Baltimore said farewell to Brooks Robinson, the Hall of Fame third baseman from the great Orioles teams in the 1960s and 1970s.
But on the more positive end, during Thursday’s game, it was announced that the Orioles and Maryland had come to an agreement that will keep the team in Baltimore for 30 more years. So, Thursday was already a day of celebration for the Orioles and their fans.
Clinching the division title only made the day even better, and baseball fans were quick to congratulate the new American League East champions.
The Baltimore Orioles are the American League East Champions! I love this team so damn much.
I just stoped crying about the 89 Orioles and now it’s time to celebrate the best @Orioles I’ve seen in my lifetime. Let’s Go O’s and Let’s go Birdland! 🧡🖤 Congratulations! #100wins— Derek Waters (@derekwaterss) September 29, 2023
The moment the Orioles clinched the AL East, the No. 1 seed in the AL, and their 100th win of the 2023 season
And they’re staying in Baltimore and at Camden Yards for the next 30 years
The celebration is on
Charm City deserves this pic.twitter.com/xG0q3GJgLJ
— Kevin Oestreicher (@koestreicher34) September 29, 2023
THEY DID IT!!! MERRY CLINCHMAS!! WIN 100!! YOUR BALTIMORE ORIOLES ARE CHAMPIONS OF THE AMERICAN LEAGUE EAST!!! WHAT AN OUTING BY DEAN. TONY TATER IS THE DIFFERENCE. BULLPEN SLAMS THE DOOR. NOW…
FOR THE 1ST TIME AS AMERICAN LEAGUE EAST CHAMPIONS…
PLAY. THE. DAMN. SONG. pic.twitter.com/j5895zGKHp
— Zach Bollinger (@zachbollinger18) September 29, 2023
YOUR AMERICAN LEAGUE EAST CHAMPION BALTIMORE ORIOLES!
YOUR NO. 1 SEED BALTIMORE ORIOLES!
YOUR NO-SWEEPS BALTIMORE ORIOLES!
YOUR 100-WIN (FOR THE FIRST TIME IN MY LIFETIME!!!!!) BALTIMORE ORIOLES!
😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭
— Mallory Rubin (@MalloryRubin) September 29, 2023
