It's time to put a bow on the 2013 regular season. Congratulations to the Orioles, who weathered a September swoon to finished tied for third in the American League East with an 85-77 record. For the first time since 1996 and 1997, the O's posted consecutive winning years. They set a major league record for the fewest total errors, with 54. They were also MLB's runaway home run leader with 212, thanks in large part to a record-setting effort by 2013's Most Valuable Oriole, first baseman Chris Davis.
"Crush" hit a Baltimore-record 53 home runs and added 42 doubles and a league-leading 138 RBI. His 96 total extra-base hits were also a Birds' team record and were sufficient to lead the majors. The only other players to ever tally at least 50 homers and 40 doubles in a single season are a pair of guys with their own Charm City ties: Babe Ruth and Albert Belle.
I would like to personally thank Chris Davis for bringing a little bit of excitement to each and every one of his 673 plate appearances this season. You can't put a price tag on the feeling of anticipation that comes from knowing that a player could create instant offense with every powerful swing of the bat. It'll be a tough act to follow in 2014, but I look forward to watching Chris try.
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