The Orioles and the Opiates
Orioles
I’ve been an Orioles fan for most of my young life and so I feel like by this point I should be used to the losing seasons, but no. No, no, no, no, no somehow I am still just as furious now as I was when Ubaldo started walking in from the bullpen in Toronto just 2 years ago. And then when I get sad, I just turn on highlights from the 2014 season and try to ease my mind. But then it just makes me think: will we ever see the city like this again? Or the team? Yeah, it’s only been 4 years but I think I speak for most fans when I say I’m tired of the mediocrity.
It’s become more than common, almost expected, to hear someone say “wow the Orioles make me want to hurt myself”, because at this point, it is 100% true. When I watch an Orioles game, I become a bitter, cynical, and mostly unpleasant person compared to my usual bitter, cynical, and slightly unpleasant self. They have on multiple occasions started to bring on headaches with how much they irritate me. But I wouldn’t have it any other way, and that’s the problem. I’m addicted to this team and damn it there is no way out of here. This got me thinking about who else is affected by Orioles addiction, and then it made me realize something else.
Opiates
According to a report from the Behavioral Health Administration in the Maryland Department of Health, heroin overdoses in Maryland since 2014, when the Orioles peaked, and gave the state something to look forward to have not only nearly doubled since then, but only recently have started to go down.
So it’s not just me.
The City of Baltimore and the State of Maryland need the Orioles to be better. Maybe not even 2014 Orioles type, but at least better than the flaming bag of shit on the AL East (and MLB) doorstep that they are right now. Because right now they are actually hurting the citizens in the state. Like actually, look at the graph. For the sake of your fans, please front office do something because this is absolutely insane.
We’ve seen this city when the O’s are good, and we need that. Flacco can only be so elite before the Ravens get knocked out of the playoffs. So let’s get some Orioles magic and please for the love of god save this State.
If you or anyone you know is struggling with addiction, the number for the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration national 24/7 helpline is 1-800-662-HELP (4357). Addiction and mental health are very serious, and a phone call isn’t a grand solution but it’s the first step on the right path.
