The Dumb and Dumber Chances of a Baltimore Orioles Collapse
Aug 16, 2014; Cleveland, OH, USA; Baltimore Orioles starting pitcher Ubaldo Jimenez (31) walks off the mound during a pitching change in the fifth inning against the Cleveland Indians at Progressive Field. Mandatory Credit: David Richard-USA TODAY Sports
Perhaps the train of thought that raises the question as to the odds of the Baltimore Orioles blowing an August 22nd nine-game lead is symptomatic of irrational negativity and stinkin’ thinkin’ after too many years of losing. But psychologists would say that a person should face and name his fears. So, in an effort toward enhanced mental health and well-being, let’s quantify the fear of an Orioles collapse in the history of the sport of professional baseball.
In my view, the greatest movie of all time (that isn’t a baseball flick) is “Dumb and Dumber.” I swear there is a quote from that film that fits every scenario of life. I love it when Lloyd is hoping for a permanent relationship with Mary Swanson, asking her what the chances are, and she says, “Not good.” After pressing for numbers, she responds, “Like one in a million” … to which Lloyd says, “So you’re saying there’s a chance.”
I’m saying there is a chance the Orioles could blow their nine-game lead.
There is a chance that the Baltimore Orioles can blow this late-season margin, and that chance is higher than one in a million. Leads like this have been blown before, some of them not long ago at all.
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So, God forbid it happens as some karma-like payback for the final game of 2011; but where would it rank all-time? Let’s talk about it! Let’s face the fear, name it, quantify it, etc.
Relax, lay back on the couch, and step through only four more pages with me and we’ll arrive at a percentage figure at the end. Speaking of percentages, about 40% of you out there don’t like going through pages like this. Come on, push past your fears, because there’s a competition for a prize at the end.