Orioles Magic: 1979 Baltimore Orioles: Orioles Magic is Born

[@drsauder1]

I was there for the Doug De Cinces home run, sitting in Section 13 in left field, not far from where the ball went over the fence. The weird thing about that night was that you just had a feeling it was going to happen. There was a big crowd at Memorial Stadium - but nobody left the stadium when they were down by 2 in the 9th. Everybody stayed and stood up and started cheering. The atmosphere was electric.

[@chrisnizer5702]

What a great season that was. One of the all-time BEST lineups in Orioles history. Going to a game at Memorial Stadium was like walking into a backyard party with 35,000 friends and neighbors. Wild Bill Hagy cheering on the crowd on top of the O's dugout, Rick Dempsey sliding around on the plastic field cover during rain delays, Eddie Murray, Lee May, "The Crow" Terry Crowley, and the great Earl Weaver at the helm. Thanks for all the wonderful summer time memories.

[@mschaff1095]

I have never seen a city so I love with a sports team as Baltimore was with the Orioles in 1979. The word 'magic' was an understatement that year.

[@scottsands1634]

The ultimate bitter-sweet year! The 83 championship took some of the sting out of it, but that We Are Family song still haunts me to this very day!

[@TheLeadSled]

Broke my heart as a young child seeing Willie Stargell and his Family dancing on 33rd, blast those darn pirates beating us in 7 in '71 and repeating in 7 in '79

[@dallasbrubaker6054]

Both times the Orioles blew a 2 game lead. It was 2-0 in 1971 and they lost 4 of the next 5. It was 3-1 in 1979 and lost the last 3.

[@TL2354]

Beat them, not us. You weren’t on the team

[@jimshifflettva9024]

Oh, look at the smartass reply.

[@Wadiyatalkinabeet_]

@@TL2354 Rooting for the team makes you apart of it, cope.

[@rontrivane]

That was a really a magical year but boy it was painful to lose that series to the Pirates. I took my niece and nephew to the game where it snowed in the day. I loved it when they played songs with magic in the title.

[@gregghudak6785]

I haven't listened to "We Are Family" ever since.

[@brucepappas8171]

+Mark Johnson Neither do I.

[@kennethlucas7473]

I'm a Tiger fan and I don't like the song either!

[@tyrehoward]

I hate that song

[@robertrock8778]

Was in college (VCU) and a buddy & I decided to head from Richmond to Balmer for game 1. Snuck in at 6:30 & hung out with a concessionaire (Reggie) in concession supply shed, then the game was called because of snow/cold. I despise "that song." And, I've never watched a replay of SB III.

[@terrytyler3139]

typical racists

[@b1battledroid962]

Let’s bring it back this year boys

[@brucepappas8171]

Had the pleasure of seeing the Orioles play live back in 1979. It was June 15 at Metropolitan Stadium in Minneapolis and the Orioles beat the Minnesota Twins 6-5 on a ninth inning 2 run triple by Al Bumbry. Prior to the game I got Jim Palmers autograph. Still have the game program which I scored the entire game. Also have the ticket stub, newspapers clipping and pictures my buddy took during the game. Will remember that night until I die.

[@ClassicRocker61]

nice to hear Chuck Thompson

[@chrispierce1739]

Along with Bill O'donnell and Charlie Eckman calling the Doug DeCencis homerun on the radio.

[@Jensuarezgonzalez]

This was a time when the Orioles were one of the American League's most successful teams during the 1970's and early 1980's. If not for that devastating game 7 loss to those Bucs at the '79 fall classic, the O's from that year would be another championship team.

[@BaltimoreOrioles1954]

Both these teams had such great charisma and character about them. Something that is greatly missed in baseball today. "We Are Family" was classic.

[@DateTwoRelate]

The dulcet tones of Mr Chuck Thompson. "The Orioles just got a visit from Dr Longball."

[@steveward8652]

And he liked to also say “ain’t the beer cold”

[@TIMMF65]

That comeback win on June 22 1979 against Detroit i recorded live and still have that recording.

[@cohena2]

This brings back so many memories. Thank you for posting this wonderful video.

[@Fairfaxcat]

"A bespecticled cabdriver of ample girth and zeal . . . . " Ho! Only our own Hall of Fame broadcaster could suitably bring home the talented telling of the tale to all the folks here in "The Land of Pleasant Living." We miss you Chuck!

[@lordsangone]

losing that series taught the O's some serious lessons. although losing sucks, it can also be a blessing. great players and teams learn from them and become who they are because of it. great void. brings back so many memories in Baltimore.

[@kevinevans5921]

This is part of a 90 minute video produced by the Orioles to celebrate the history of them at Memorial Stadium. The best video the Orioles ever made IMO. It’s titled.”Miracles on 33rd Street.”

[@patriciaschoedler8360]

I have that tape too..love it..

[@robertadams5107]

To this day a distinctly remember a lot of them games I also seen a lot of them games in person me and my father spent a lot of Summer Nights at that old ballpark I only wish they would have maintained it better but Life Goes On

[@SaundersE5]

Loved Memorial Stadium

[@scottmarston4829]

My favorite year

[@thomaswolf723]

In the game against Texas, John Miller, describing the action for the Rangers, got so excited about an Oriole rally he seemed to be auditioning for the lead announcer position that he got with the Orioles in 1983.

[@sammyvh11]

The Crow King of Swing!

[@SaundersE5]

Great days they were

[@DerikSchneider]

I would argue that Orioles magic started in 1966 but 1979 was a magical year

[@hammerotruth1372]

I competed in sport my whole life, no personal loss ever compared to the heartbreak of losing that world series, with the TEAM we had, i will NEVER completely get over it

[@Stonecrow25]

Same, tell my buddies I'm still pissed about it

[@TL2354]

Ok Al Bundy

[@djquinn11]

Because no event you were ever involved in came remotely close to a game 7 in the WS.

[@hammerotruth1372]

@@djquinn11 , no i had a string of 3 straight final game 3 extra inning defeats, but i was 12 and just loved that season , that time of my life , no stress of jobs, relations etc , just my underdog baltimore team of mostly no namers krushing it , just 1 dang game short , it totally broke my heart

[@timward276]

I was at the game against the Rangers, as an 8-year-old kid with my Dad. That game also featured the Orioles turning a triple play and two home runs by Benny Ayala.

[@brennanshiflett8126]

I love this as a pirates fan.😂

[@mastshke]

44 years 😅

[@mastshke]

History repeats itself

[@BaltimoreOrioles1954]

Indeed. Losing the World Series to the Pirates in '79 really helped motivate the entire organization to get better and to fix their mistakes. Winning 100 games in '80, coming so close in '82 and finally winning it all in '83. It makes winning a championship much more special when you go through those trials and tribulations like the Orioles through '79-'83.

[@Wadiyatalkinabeet_]

Yeah, now the Orioles have been going through trials and tribulations since 1983, Lmfao. Hopefully Adley will lead us to a title.

[@richardeicholtz4868]

Had to stop the video while the Orioles were still up.

[@fryncyaryorvjink2140]

Hopefully we'll see some magic this year

[@bobtucker8705]

Next year bro. Orioles for life!!!

[@timharmon5978]

Mo

[@timharmon5978]

Thanks

[@timharmon5978]

It was the first

[@rockvilleraven]

I remember in 1979 owner Edward Bennett Wiilliams who used to own the Redskins put Baltimore "On Trial" when Orioles Magic started, Some DC baseball fans though when he bought the team that either they would play some games at RFK or the entire franchise would move here, instead he opened a clubhouse store in DC, got Washington, TV and Radio affiliates and marketed the team here. I accused the people of Washington that they were brainwashed into becoming O's fans, unlike Baltimore when the Colts left few started supporting the Redskins.

[@Mutlap]

Those were the days, enjoyed the games. I have not been to any games since the 90s. The owner doesn't run the team to win.

[@EwingOil]

Blowing a 3-1 series lead to Pops and "The Family" wasn't so magical

[@tad1980]

It kinda was though

[@Scott-nr2ji]

Agreed, gotta say the TOUGH TRUTH! Proudly abandoned the Peter Angeles Orioles since 2001, after I moved from my native DC NOVA suburb. Thank God my city got the NATs (even though I haven't been back there since)

[@williamdunphy352]

Narrated by Chuck Thompson.

[@lemmymoon582]

Tonight, let it be Lowenstein

[@BaltimoreOrioles1954]

I agree my friend. I forget exactly who said it, but after the O's went up 3 game to 1 over the Pirates, the entire team got very cocky and lost their mindset on the fact they had to win one more to become Champions. That is why in '83 when the Birds' went up 3-1 over the Phils, the team didn't get ahead of themselves and realized they had one more to win.

[@BASH953]

The 79 team didnt do that neither...Give the Pirates some credit...,Both teams were the best two that year...Unlike now when a team 2 games over 500 can get in and win it

[@RainNBlood]

Gone too soon!

[@ClassicRocker61]

Gotta have Wild Bill in this...........

[@mjm216]

Just like last night!

[@thegamingkitchen8429]

9 straight

[@GizmoBeach]

No-one outside of being an O’s fan wanted to see them win vs. the We Are Family Pirates. The O’s were even better in 1980, but thanks to a still-stupid Playoff format, had to settle for 2nd Place and 100 wins. The 1983 Orioles won it all vs. a gray-beard Phillies team, and that’s been it for some time. More awful years than good ones, since.

[@RealDaveTalk]

WTF, I live in Baltimore all of my life. I was born here, so don't talk bout my city like that jack. Go O's and Go Ravens

[@landrykkb]

This is the last World Series to date that the road team won Game 7.

[@adamdorgant9454]

Not until 2014, when the San Francisco Giants Beat the Kansas City Royals in Game 7 in Kansas City!!!

[@normanrust5910]

A perfect season...until the last three games. ...If Weaver bunts Lowenstein in the 8th inning of Game 2 as he should have, it may very well have ended as a 4 game Orioles' sweep. If...

[@djquinn11]

Earl Weaver called for a bunt?

[@TIMMF65]

I wouldnt say the right team won, It could have went either way, Murray just missed hitting a grand slam in game 7 which would have gave the O's the win.

[@SaundersE5]

Flanny.

[@ClassicRocker61]

Don "Full Pack" Stanhouse

[@timottes334]

Wonder what will be done with Oriole Park when the Orioles relocate?

[@victorialouden1912]

the reds Jim Kern in 82 from the Mets he was washed up at that time.

[@hongkongphooey6380]

Good team but Buccos were better.

[@TL2354]

Blowing a 3-1 series lead, losing games 6 and 7 at home and scoring 2 runs combined in the last 3 games of the World Series is “magic”? Hahahaha

[@jayseaborg3895]

You must not understand baseball-in a short series any team can win. Even a team that wins 100 games will have a 7 game streak somewhere in the season where they lose 4 games to inferior teams. '79 was a magical year because of the many late inning comebacks and close wins. (32 one run wins).