Davis and Machado: We Are Witnessing Something Special

Baseball more so than any other sport is one where individual numbers matter and individual accolades often overshadow team achievements. Almost anyone can tell you who is the all-time home run leader, but how many people can tell you how many World Series the Cardinals have won off the top of their head? I am one of those people and I consider myself to be a rabid baseball fan.

Last season the Giants won their second World Series in three years, which is a great accomplishment, but 20 years from now nobody outside of San Francisco will remember that they won the World Series. What they will remember is Miguel Cabrera becoming just the 14^th player in Major League Baseball history to win the Triple Crown.

Last season was a special season for the Orioles as they came out of nowhere to win and make the playoffs for the first time in 15 years. However, what we are witnessing thus far this season likely will be something people outside of Baltimore will remember for years to come.

The Orioles will likely contend for the playoffs all season and, if they make it, the season will be a great one. However, what Chris Davis and Manny Machado are doing currently might even be more memorable. Davis currently sits at 19 home runs, 50 RBI and a batting average of .353 which puts him on pace for more than 50 home runs, more than 150 RBI and a .340+ batting average, all of which are currently the Orioles single season records. In addition to Davis there is another Oriole that is garnering national attention and that player is 20-year-old Manny Machado who has yet to play 162 games in his Major League career but his play has every baseball fan singing his praises.

53 games into the season Machado is third in the league in batting average (.336), first in doubles (25), tied for first in hits with Miguel Cabrera (79) and first in Wins Above Replacement or WAR as it’s referred at 3.5. WAR is a stat that is used to show how many wins a player contributes to their team that a replacement player would not – it led a lot of people to think that Mike Trout was more deserving of the MVP than Miguel Cabrera. These numbers are staggering and if they keep up Machado will shatter the Orioles single season record for doubles which is 54 and hits which is 214. These numbers alone are amazing, but couple that with the fact that he may also win a Gold Glove and you have one of the best all-around seasons in Orioles history.

If you ask Chris Davis and Manny Machado what is more important to them – team or individual success – they will answer team success 100 times out of 100. Certainly teams are judged on wins and losses and I and every O’s fan would rather see a World Series win over anything but the majority of baseball fans remember stats and right now they are all talking about Davis and Machado.

It certainly has been a fun 54 games for Orioles fans to watch this season and hopefully come game 162 it is just as special for the team and Chris Davis and Manny Machado.

Does anyone know what Koji Uehara is up to these days?  No, but everyone knows who Chris Davis is.

Follow Marco on twitter @mromanell and southbmore.com @southbmore1

About the Author: Marco Romanell

I have spent my entire 30 years living in Maryland and I love everything about this city. Despite the bad reputation the city has, Baltimore will always be a special place to me and I love living here. There is nothing better then Sunday afternoons at M&T Bank Stadium and summer nights at Camden Yards when the Yard is packed. You can find me all over the city so don't hesitate to share your opinion of me good or bad. Who knows, if you see me out maybe I will buy you a Natty Boh. Lets go Ravens and Lets go O's!!! Follow me on Twitter at @MRomanell.