As his teammates celebrated their AL East championship last week, Baltimore outfielder Austin Hays took a moment to reflect on the Orioles' journey from 110-loss doormat to top seed in the American League playoffs.
“It's as satisfying as it could ever be," he said. "When you're going through those rough days, those hundred-loss seasons, it's like you almost can't see the light at the end of the tunnel. But we've reached the light at the end of the tunnel, and all that dark stuff is behind us now.”
Now the Orioles enter the postseason in an unusual position.