Baltimore Orioles Soundoff

Imagine that.

I seem to remember saying earlier in the season that if Walter Young were brought up instead of Midre Cummings, it would be of greater benefit to the Orioles.

Was I right? Or was I right!

Walter Young has been inspiring for an Orioles team that has long since resided in the fact that they will, once again, miss the playoff, and, once again, probably finish in 4th place.

Since being called up, he has appeared in seven games and has 15 at bats. He is hitting .400 and has managed to belt a mammoth, jaw-dropping blast of a home run.

In fact, it has been the baby birds who, through the painful end of this dismal season, have played with the most inspiration. They give the future of the birds hope.

Melvin Mora and Miguel Tejada have been less than spectacular down the stretch, but we all know they will come back to form in the coming years.

But it is the core of young players that excites Baltimore the most about the upcoming seasons. Whether it be the gargantuan frame of Walter Young, the speed of Bernie Castro, the all-around ability of Nick Markakis, or the fireball abilities of Daniel Cabrera, Aaron Rakers, John Maine and Chris Ray, the O's youngin's have plenty of ability and plenty of excitement.

Imagine a lineup of Brian Roberts, Melvin Mora, Miguel Tejada, Walter Young, Nick Markakis, Javy Lopez, Jay Gibbons, Luis Matos and Bernie Castro, with Eric Byrnes, David Newhan and Chris Gomez coming off the bench.

Imagine a rotation of Daniel Cabrera, John Maine, Erik Bedard, Bruce Chen and Rodrigo Lopez--still think Peter Angelos should spend money on some front-line pitching.

These lineups and rotations are solid. In fact, I would take that lineup any day of the week. The most important factor: Youth. When you take away B.J. Surhoff--not that Surhoff hasn't been the ultimate Oriole--Raphael Palmeiro and Sammy Sosa, you are taking away old bodies who slump easily.

Youthful exuberance, that is what can turn a team around. Case in point, Atlanta Braves.

So look to the future O's fans, although you really have no choice in the matter. Look to the future because it may be bright. The young Orioles have much talent and all have a thirst for the game.

Look to the future because for half a year the Orioles were in first place in the AL East. That could signal things to come. Maybe next year they will last longer atop the eastern division. Maybe not. But maybe.

Maybe.