Leading Off We’re back! Before we move into off-season mode, we review the Orioles’ 2023 season, the painful offseason departure, and MLB awards season. Drink of the Week Join us for the Drink of the Week, and let us know how you’re consoling yourself as you watch the O’s. Find us on Untappd * magn8606 * jakee4025 This Week on the Twitters #orioles closer Felix Bautista received 3 fifth place votes— Roch Kubatko (@masnRoch) November 15, 2023 A 1914 Babe Ruth card, from Ruth’s days with the International League #Orioles, is being auctioned off.It could end up as the most expensive piece of sports memorabilia ever. https://t.co/XRsSIfNlss— Paul Mancano (@PaulMancano) November 16, 2023 Big news: Major League Baseball's competition committee has proposed reducing the pitch clock with runners on base from 20 seconds to 18 seconds, sources tell ESPN. The new rule could be implemented in time for the 2024 season. Details free at ESPN: https://t.co/Hx3VknVPYw— Jeff Passan (@JeffPassan) November 15, 2023 .@carmeloanthony and @cedmull30 in the 🏠🎟: https://t.co/U8SJjOKq2i pic.twitter.com/av57s61IvL— Baltimore Ravens (@Ravens) November 15, 2023 Around the Bases First Base: What was it all about? * The playoff format is jut fine (for now). The fact that it “didn’t work for us” is not a reason to support a change to the format. * We didn’t give the regular season enough credit – go buy that merch. * The loss sucked on o many levels. * But there are some silver linings in this dark cloud… Second Base: Awards Season The Orioles took home some serious hardware, and had some notable “honorable mentions” in major MLB awards. Third Base: Real Needs We’ll talk about specific players when (if?) the Hot Stove warms up, but we can at least identify where the Orioles’ leaky spots are. The team is stacked in so many ways, but it has real needs. Home Plate: A Wonderful 2023 did not paper over… A tremendous 2023 does not mean that everything is fine. The Orioles have yet to sign a lease (says the podcast that said that an MOU is “not nothing). Additionally, we have no reason to give ownership the benefit of the doubt that they are going to try to try.