With the recent call up of David Price to the Tampa Bay Rays, the league and its fans got to see the future first hand. Price could and should be a perennial all star for years to come and it is an exciting team for Rays fans. Well now the excitement has shifted towards another potential future all star as the Baltimore Orioles have called up rookie catcher Matt Wieters. Wieters was predicted by many experts to be the rookie of the year this year, and possibly the best catcher in the league, but he didn’t make it out of spring training. There was a new found excitement in the air at Camden Yards as Wieters was announced as a part of the starting lineup. An excitement that hasn’t been seen in Baltimore for years, but it looks like Wieters is ready to carry them onto a whole new stage.
While Wieters had a disappointing night in his first game, going 0 for 4, the fans still stood behind him and gave him a few standing ovations throughout the game. The Orioles came away with a 7 to 2 victory and Wieters poor offensive showing did not slow down any of the anticipation or thrill for the fans. Wieters managed to ground out twice, strike out once and line a fly ball out into left field. Not the day he had hoped for but it did not deter any of the fans from appreciating his ability.
A few Orioles players are extremely excited about Wieters finally being on the team as well. Many have been hounded for autographs from fans all season, and not for their signatures but instead for Matt Wieters. He is handling all the pressure very well and seems very happy to be in the center of the media's attention. The media has taken a very likeable stance towards him which is what all potential superstars need.
With that said there are many that are worried about the pressure getting to him. He seems to be carrying the weight of the entire organization on his shoulders, which can turn a potential all star into a disappointment in no time. But anyone who has spoke with Wieters or played with him will directly tell you that he can handle it. If anyone can, Wieters can and that is why he brings so much hope to an organization that has been in a downward spiral for close to a decade.
It remains to be seen whether or not the young catcher can turn his team's season around, but he sure is glad to get this major league debut out of the way. He can now move on, take each day one at a time and put that first big game pressure behind him. As long as he can remain calm, collected and focused, all major league baseball fans could be in for a real treat. It is finally time to get exciting for baseball again in Baltimore. Welcome to the MLB Matt Wieters.
Drill Down:
David Price,
Tampa Bay Rays,
Matt Wieters,
MLB
