25 things we want to see this Orioles season [Pictures]

After the Orioles won 93 games and advanced to the American League divisional round last season, expectations are much higher than a year ago. Even with the Ravens winning the Super Bowl in February, fans are still excited at the prospect of October baseball at Camden Yards. Will the Orioles make it to the playoffs again? And, fans wonder, will they go deeper into the postseason this year?  (Karl Merton Ferron / Baltimore Sun)

The Orioles already announced plans to honor legendary manager Earl Weaver, who died in January at age 82, with “A Celebration of Earl” at Camden Yards on April 20 at 2 p.m. The event is scheduled to include a video tribute and several guest speakers -- Brooks Robinson, Frank Robinson and Rick Dempsey, to name a few. If you’re an Orioles fan, you won’t want to miss it. Come back for the game against the Los Angeles Dodgers later that night, too. The team also plans to wear a patch on their uniforms in memory of their former manager for at least the 2013 season.  (Rob Carr / Getty Images)

Chris Davis, who was acquired along with right-hander Tommy Hunter at the trade deadline in 2011 in a deal with the Texas Rangers for right-hander Koji Uehara, led the Orioles in home runs (33) and RBIs (85) last season. Sure, he’ll strike out a lot -- he also led the team in that category with 169 -- but the Orioles need Davis to continue to mash the ball if they hope to make it back to the postseason this year.  (Karl Merton Ferron / Baltimore Sun)

As the consensus top two prospects in the Orioles’ minor league system, Dylan Bundy (above) and Kevin Gausman represent the future of the pitching staff. Bundy received a glimpse of the major leagues last season, pitching 1 2/3 scoreless innings in two appearances in September. If both players pitch well in the minor leagues at the beginning of the season, it won’t be long before they’re making an impact at Camden Yards.  (Greg Fiume / Getty Images)

As previously mentioned, Orioles shortstop J.J. Hardy won his first career Gold Glove last season. But he took a step back offensively. After batting .269 with 30 home runs and 80 RBIs in 129 games in his first season with the Orioles in 2011, Hardy declined in all three categories last year -- hitting .238 with 22 home runs and 68 RBIs -- despite playing in 158 games. For the Orioles to remain competitive in the American League East, they’ll need Hardy to bounce back at the plate in 2013.  (Christopher T. Assaf / Baltimore Sun)

Speaking of interactions between the two organizations, it’ll be interesting to see how many fans attend the Orioles’ game against the Chicago White Sox on Sept. 5. The date, of course, is significant because the Ravens are scheduled to begin their title defense on the road that night -- since an agreement couldn’t be reached that would have let the Ravens play at M&T Bank Stadium in the season opener. If the Orioles are still in contention for a playoff spot in early September, Baltimore sports fans will have to make an important decision -- go to Camden Yards to cheer for the Orioles or stay home and watch the Ravens.  (Gene Sweeney Jr. / Baltimore Sun)

For the first time since 2007, the Orioles welcomed more than two million fans to Camden Yards last year. The team’s attendance was 2,102,240 during the regular season, an increase of 19.8 percent from 2011. And 96,028 total fans attended the two playoff games against the New York Yankees. It’ll take a miracle for the team to cross the three-million mark in attendance this year -- which happened every year from 1992 to 2001, except the strike-shortened 1994 season -- but it’ll be fun to see if the Orioles surpass last season’s total.  (Gene Sweeney Jr. / Baltimore Sun)

The Orioles and Washington Nationals both made the playoffs last season, but the Nationals finished with five more wins in the regular season. In fact, it was the sixth time in eight seasons that the Orioles had fewer victories than Washington. The Orioles only had a better record than the Nationals in 2008 and 2009. And the Orioles couldn’t do much bragging during those two years, as they finished with 68 and 64 wins, respectively (the Nationals had 59 wins each season). Will this be the year the Orioles finally finish with a winning record -- and a higher winning percentage than the Nationals?  (Algerina Perna / Baltimore Sun)

How many people sat through the two-hour, 26-minute rain delay before Game 1 of the American League Division Series against the New York Yankees last October? As we all know, the game eventually started and the Orioles lost, 7-2. But no one enjoys sitting in the ballpark getting wet during a game. And it’s even worse if you’re ready to go to a game -- or already at the stadium -- and the weather forces a postponement. We can’t control Mother Nature, but let’s all hope the Orioles can play all 81 home games -- and possibly more in the playoffs -- without a single rainout.  (Gene Sweeney Jr. / Baltimore Sun)

MASN broadcaster Gary Thorne is one of the most entertaining baseball announcers on television today, for a variety of reasons. His enthusiasm for the game is evident in his play-by-play calls -- he’s even better on hockey broadcasts, by the way. But one thing that needs to change -- at least for one game this season -- is his constant mispronunciation of names. If you’ve watched an Orioles game on MASN with Thorne in the booth, you know what we mean. If you don’t know, search “Gary Thorne mispronunciation” on Google and there will be plenty of evidence.  (Gene Sweeney Jr. / Baltimore Sun)

The Orioles wore orange jerseys last season at Camden Yards for the first time since 1992. Along with black jerseys for Friday night games, the orange jerseys became a regular tradition for Saturdays at home. That’ll likely be the case again this season, but it would be nice to see the Orioles wear the uniforms more frequently. Sure, white jerseys are the typical attire for teams playing at home in baseball, but the Orioles should break from tradition and make orange more prevalent this season.  (Christopher T. Assaf / Baltimore Sun)

Another tradition that needs to be banished from ballparks everywhere is “The Wave.” There’s nothing worse than watching the baseball game at a crucial point and the tall guy in front of you stands up and blocks your view. Sure, most casual fans enjoy the excitement of watching the cheer roll around the stadium. And, obviously, there’s no chance that fans will ever stop doing it at Camden Yards. But it still belongs on the list of things we want to see (go away) this year.

P.S. This photo is actually of dog lovers doing “The Wave” at the 137th Westminster Kennel Club Dog Show. But you get the idea.   (John Moore / Getty Images)

Last season’s improvements to Camden Yards did a lot for fan experience -- and the competitive team on the field helped, too. For fans, the best upgrade at the ballpark is the rooftop bar in center field. There’s no better place to watch batting practice or the game. Who’s ready to grab a couple Natty Bohs and hang out as the Orioles take the field on Opening Day? Make sure you get there early, though, because the area fills up fast before each game.  (Barbara Haddock Taylor / Baltimore Sun)

It happens every game, but it still makes you feel good every time you go to Camden Yards. Since the 1970s, the Orioles have been playing John Denver’s iconic song. A tradition during the seventh-inning stretch at Camden Yards, it never gets old.

It’s even better when the Orioles are winning and the stadium is packed with thousands of fans cheering against the opposing team. And it’s pure joy when the opposing team is one of the Orioles’ hated American League East rivals. There’s nothing better than letting out that final “Yee Haw” as the Red Sox or Yankees fans sit in the seats around you with their team trailing.  (Gene Sweeney Jr. / Baltimore Sun)

With the New York Yankees struggling to stay healthy this spring, it’s time for the Orioles to give them a good, old-fashioned whipping this season. Yankees third baseman Alex Rodriguez, first baseman Mark Teixeira and outfielder Curtis Granderson will all start the year on the disabled list, and shortstop Derek Jeter is still recovering from a fractured ankle. It’s not looking pretty for the Bronx Bombers, so it’s a perfect time to bury them at the beginning of the season.   (Gene Sweeney Jr. / Baltimore Sun)