Hall of Famer Yogi Berra, yesteryear superstar Yankee catcher, said it all:
"It's not over till it's over."
As well known for his "Yogi-isms" as for his catching prowess, Berra, after a come-from-behind Yankee's victory, uttered his sage comment.
Could last Sunday's O's-Yankees game be described any more succinctly?
Actually, the saying gives a name to the entire weekend series.
New York, at first, turned the table on us.
Again, last Sunday, it appeared that an O's loss would be repeated.
Note: At the end of the eighth inning, the score still was 0-1, N.Y. Here's where I turned off the TV. The game was almost "over". An invitation to watch hometown tennis offered more action.
How right was Yogi; how wrong was I.
At their last at-bat and with one out, an Oriole made first base. Then Adam Jones homered.
We went 2-1 over N.Y. Then Showalter, showing faith in pitcher Johnson, who has struggled, put him on the mound.
Living up to one of baseball's time-worn clichés, Johnson "put out the fire."
Yankee Stadium, a virtual caldron with a pictured thermometer at 106 degrees, was not a happy place.
After a tight game on home turf and the game almost won, how could this be?
Remember, Yankee fans, your colorful catcher and his truism: "almost isn't over."
Endings such as this usually happen only in the movies.
Not with this year's O's. They have surpassed the most imaginative film makers in their unbelievable twists and turns which end with another victory.
There even is icing on the cake.
Three Orioles were chosen as All-Star Game starters with Chris Davis - of the fantastic home runs - receiving the highest number of votes of any player. Other O's starters are J.J. Hardy and Adam Jones.
Just turned 21, Birthday-Boy Manny Machado was named to the American League All-Star team.
Is this fun and did Yogi know his baseball?
To both questions, we say yes!
