Team MVP: : Aubrey Huff, DH-1B. Booed in every at-bat on the Orioles' first homestand after his comments about the city in a radio interview, Huff rediscovered his stroke and established himself as the power-hitting cleanup hitter the Orioles have lacked. He finished with 32 homers and 108 RBIs and was near the top of most AL offensive rankings.
:
Best victory: : The Orioles had their share of comebacks early in the season, but one of them stood out, perhaps because it came against the New York Yankees. On May 27, the Orioles trailed the Yankees 4-0 and 8-4 at Camden Yards but roared back behind five home runs and then won the game, 10-9, in the 11th inning on Alex Cintron's hit.
:
Worst loss: : Just one strike away from ending a frustrating Sunday losing streak, closer George Sherrill hung an 0-2 slider to the Washington Nationals' Ronnie Belliard, who muscled it out of the park, dealing the Orioles a 3-2, 12-inning loss June 29.
:
Defining moment: : When Brian Burres came down with a stomach ailment and was unable to make the June 25 start against the Chicago Cubs, Matt Albers got only one out before leaving with a shoulder injury. It turned out to be a devastating blow for Albers, who suffered a torn labrum, and for the Orioles, who lost one of the most reliable and versatile members of the bullpen.
:
Best front-office decision: : Orioles president Andy MacPhail's offseason trades of Miguel Tejada and Erik Bedard netted 10 players, six of whom were in the big leagues this season. The Bedard deal, which brought in Adam Jones, Sherrill and top pitching prospect Chris Tillman, along with two other minor leaguers, was not a trade, but a heist. Luke Scott came over from Houston and helped offset the loss of Tejada's offense.
:
Worst front-office decision: : After jettisoning Tejada, the Orioles didn't sign a veteran shortstop, instead entrusting the position to career minor leaguer Luis Hernandez. He struggled before earning a demotion and setting off a revolving door at shortstop. The Orioles started six shortstops.
:
Best feel-good story: : Sherrill, a 31-year-old reliever who went undrafted and pitched in independent ball for four seasons, was the Orioles' lone All-Star at Yankee Stadium. He pitched 2 1/3 scoreless innings in the game and could have been the game's Most Valuable Player.
:
