The Comeback Kids: A Fan Relives the Amazing Baltimore Orioles 1989 Season

Rating:
Summary: A Treat for any Orioles Fan
Review: "The Comeback Kids" is a treat for any fan of the Baltimore Orioles. I am a college student who discovered this book ten years ago during the summer of 1993. It made me into the passionate, loyal O's fan that I am today.

"The Comeback Kids" starts out with a brief history of the Orioles franchise, from its humble beginnings in 1954 as the remade St. Louis Browns to its glory years from 1966 to 1983 and through its steady decline after 1983 toward the horrific 1988 season. Keplinger argues that the franchise's rise was based upon adherence to a program of fundamental baseball skills and know-how called "the Oriole way" that was taught throughout the organization. He blames owner Edward Bennett Williams and others for losing touch with the Oriole way after 1983 and bringing about the tragedy of the 1988 season.

Most of the book is devoted to telling the story of the dramatic turnaround that occurred in the 1988-89 offseason and the 1989 season itself. The franchise hired Frank Robinson as manager, unloaded most of their older free agent players, hired or promoted several young players, and tried to make a fresh start. It worked better than anyone could have expected. Not only did the Orioles avoid finishing last in the American League East. They competed for the division title for most of the season. Although they eventually finished second to the Toronto Blue Jays, they brought hope back to Baltimore fans everywhere.

Even though it has been ten years since I have read this book, some of the personal stories remain etched in my memory. One curious anecdote that the author shares relates to slugger Mickey Tettleton, whom the Orioles acquired in the middle of the season (I think). After he started hitting well for the O's, word got out that Tettleton was eating Froot Loops cereal before every game. It did not take long for Tettleton to earn the nickname "the Looper" and for boxes of Froot Loops to fly off of Baltimore grocery store shelves. Keplinger shares many stories like this one that make the book more than just an amplification of each game's box score.

"The Comeback Kids" would make great reading for any Orioles fan anytime of the year. It would be especially helpful, though, to read it in January, just before spring training begins, so that you might start out the new season with the optimism that "maybe this will be the beginning of something big again, like in 1989." Only time will tell if something this "amazing" ever happens again in Baltimore.

Rating:
Summary: A Treat for any Orioles Fan
Review: "The Comeback Kids" is a treat for any fan of the Baltimore Orioles. I am a college student who discovered this book ten years ago during the summer of 1993. It made me into the passionate, loyal O's fan that I am today.

"The Comeback Kids" starts out with a brief history of the Orioles franchise, from its humble beginnings in 1954 as the remade St. Louis Browns to its glory years from 1966 to 1983 and through its steady decline after 1983 toward the horrific 1988 season. Keplinger argues that the franchise's rise was based upon adherence to a program of fundamental baseball skills and know-how called "the Oriole way" that was taught throughout the organization. He blames owner Edward Bennett Williams and others for losing touch with the Oriole way after 1983 and bringing about the tragedy of the 1988 season.

Most of the book is devoted to telling the story of the dramatic turnaround that occurred in the 1988-89 offseason and the 1989 season itself. The franchise hired Frank Robinson as manager, unloaded most of their older free agent players, hired or promoted several young players, and tried to make a fresh start. It worked better than anyone could have expected. Not only did the Orioles avoid finishing last in the American League East. They competed for the division title for most of the season. Although they eventually finished second to the Toronto Blue Jays, they brought hope back to Baltimore fans everywhere.

Even though it has been ten years since I have read this book, some of the personal stories remain etched in my memory. One curious anecdote that the author shares relates to slugger Mickey Tettleton, whom the Orioles acquired in the middle of the season (I think). After he started hitting well for the O's, word got out that Tettleton was eating Froot Loops cereal before every game. It did not take long for Tettleton to earn the nickname "the Looper" and for boxes of Froot Loops to fly off of Baltimore grocery store shelves. Keplinger shares many stories like this one that make the book more than just an amplification of each game's box score.

"The Comeback Kids" would make great reading for any Orioles fan anytime of the year. It would be especially helpful, though, to read it in January, just before spring training begins, so that you might start out the new season with the optimism that "maybe this will be the beginning of something big again, like in 1989." Only time will tell if something this "amazing" ever happens again in Baltimore.