If it seems to you that the Baltimore Orioles have accomplished historic things over the last two years, the numbers will prove you right.
After defeating the Tampa Bay Rays in overtime on Sunday, the Orioles lead the East with a 93-56 record for a .624 save percentage. Two years ago, they finished the season at 52-110 (.321). Only one other team has improved its winning rate to .300 or more in two seasons, according to Sportradar.
This is the New York Giants, at the very beginning of the modern era. They went from a record of 48-88 (.353) in 1902 to 106-47 (.693) in 1904. This improvement of .340 should remain the mark to beat for a little while longer, since it is mathematically impossible for the Orioles to reach it this season. But the Orioles, who guaranteed their playoff spot Sunday, could join the Giants with an improvement of .300 or more.
And there is a connection between the Orioles and these Giants. One of the trades that helped put the Giants on the move in the early 20th centurye century was the hiring of John McGraw, taken from the Orioles as player-manager in 1902. The Orioles organization then moved to New York, where it became the Highlanders. It will eventually be renamed the Yankees.
Some other groups have experienced prodigious leaps in two years.
— The Boston Braves, from 52-101 (.340) in 1912 to 94-59 (.614) in 1914. The 1914 “Miracle Braves” were 26-40 at one point before exploding to winning the league championship and the World Series;
— The Boston Braves again, from 38-115 (.248) in 1935 to 79-73 in 1937. The 1935 team was the last of Babe Ruth’s career. He hit .181 in 28 games that year. The franchise changed its name to the Bees for a short time and found itself above .500 after two years;
— The Cincinnati Reds, from 56-98 (.364) in 1937 to 97-57 (.630) in 1939. They crowned their rapid rise with a National title and a World Series in 1940;
— The New York Yankees, from 69-85 (.448) in 1925 to 110-44 (.714) in 1927. This 1925 season was an aberration: Ruth played only 98 games and the Yankees won the championship of the American the following three seasons.
A first since 1936?
It’s flying under the radar, but Los Angeles Dodgers first baseman Freddie Freeman could become the first player to hit 60 doubles in a season since 1936. He has 55 with two weeks left.
Joe Medwick had 64 and Charlie Gehringer 60 in 1936. The record belongs to Earl Webb, who reached the second bag 67 times in 1931.
Six players in MLB history have reached the mark of 60 doubles in a season. In recent history, Todd Helton (59 in 2000) and Nick Castellanos (58 in 2019) have come close without reaching it.
Five consecutive qualifications
Even though they lost to the Orioles on Sunday, the Rays earned their fifth straight playoff berth. They thus became only the eighth team to achieve this feat since the advent of the fourth ace and drafted teams.
The other seven? The Atlanta Yankees and Braves (twice each), as well as the Cleveland Indians, Houston Astros, St. Louis Cardinals, Philadelphia Phillies and Los Angeles Dodgers.