Actually I blame free agency and Angelos for O's failures. Back when I lived close enough to trek up to a game whenever I wanted, the O's had a farm system that rivaled the Twins and Montreal (er Washington). Then Angelos tries to compete with Steinbrenner and we have your "Owned" condition.
The Yankees have a simple plan. They look at what free agents do well against them during the season. Those are the ones they go after in the off-season. It kills 2 birds with one stone. 1) they now are doing good for you and 2) they aren't the ones that kill you anymore. Over time the Yankees have the team to beat.
Now look at the Red Sox. They are using the Yankee model. I heard one of the announcers the other night say that Trot Nixon was the only original Red Sox on the team.
I believe when Rochester starts kicking butt again, then Baltimore should be doing well in a couple of years after that. Until they become free agents... It will take a new owner, because the tobacco settlement money has run out, and Angelos hasn't got a clue how to build a team.
I love the Orioles. Shonda Schilling's family are Orioles fans and they forbid Curt to sign with the Yankees!
I like the O's by virtue of coming into a few Orioles items, jackets, caps, etc.
At one point, in the early '80s, I beleive the Orioles were among the most winning sports franchises ever, of all time.
Since, maybe like the Raiders who were on that list as well; they have fallen on the list.
I think, this is all so.