My final recap for the Hangout

[PaulFolk]

The Orioles couldn't have provided a more thrilling game for me to end my Orioles Hangout career on. This was one of the most incredible nights of baseball I've ever seen, not just in Baltimore but also in Tampa. And it all ended with the Red Sox completing an epic September choke and missing the playoffs on the final day.

Tonight's long but awesome Hangout game recap is jam-packed with all the details of the extremely memorable O's season finale.

And after one of the most unbelievable evenings in Orioles history, unfortunately I must say my goodbyes. This is my final recap for the Orioles Hangout. I’ve had an absolute blast writing about the Orioles for this site, even if the team wasn’t always-- what’s the word-- watchable. I’ve been writing for the Hangout for 11 years-- over one-third of my life-- and covering the team from the press box since 2004, and I wouldn’t trade this experience for anything. As a die-hard Orioles fan, it’s been a wonderful opportunity to get the best seat in the house for every game and talk to players and managers in the locker room, and all the other perks that go along with this gig. I’m immensely fortunate to be able to do this, especially on a night like tonight.

I owe a tremendous debt of gratitude to Tony Pente for hiring me as a dorky high-school student and allowing me to keep writing for 11 years as a dorky adult. Many thanks go to Tony and everyone else who has contributed to making the Hangout a can’t-miss destination for O’s fans.

Above all, thanks to all the readers who have indulged my ramblings about the Orioles over the years. Whether you’ve been reading every day or just checking in every so often, I can’t express my appreciation enough. It’s very gratifying to get such positive feedback and to realize that-- even when I find it difficult to write about one loss after another-- so many people are still paying attention and still live and die with this team. I’m happy to be able to help people, in some small way, enjoy following the Orioles a little more.

I’ll still be around, posting on this board. Maybe I’ll even take up recapping again at some point, somewhere on the wide world of the internets. Or maybe I’ll take a much-needed break and enjoy just being a fan again for a while.

Thanks again for reading and for all your support. As always...let’s go O’s!

[The Rick]

Say it ain't so!

I can't blame you Paul, we are lucky to have had your service for so many years.

This will be greatly missed. Thanks so much for all you've done.

[canonfaz]

Thanks for the dedication and hard work. Always enjoyed reading your recaps!

[scOtt]

I can't say any more than this...

[El Gordo]

I hope you are going on to bigger and better things Paul, I have really enjoyed your writing. Almost as much as I enjoyed tonight.

[Frobby]

Paul, you truly deserved to have this be the last game you'd recap. I have no idea what you do when you aren't writing up these games, but I am absolutely serious in saying you would make a fantastic beat reporter for the Sun if they are looking to replace Zrebiec. I love your humor and your obscure stats, and your sense for the flow of the game. I hope you'll still be sharing your insights on the board.

[1966]

Paul -
I don't post on here often at all - but I've lurked on here for years - and frankly your recaps are the main reason I come here as you truly bring the games to life and you always do a great job of bringing humor, decent analysis, and entertaining, articulate and clear writing - far better than any other sports writer I've seen.
THANK YOU for a consistently excellent job and best wishes in whatever you choose to do in the future!!!

Best regards,
Steve B.

[scOtt]

^the video^

[Cricket]

Paul,
If I'm lucky, I get to maybe see one game a year, maybe once every two years. However, your recaps are often far better than seeing the game live. Your humor is amazing, your analysis spot on, and your frankness sometimes being almost too honest for a hardcore fan to hear. Your recaps were always the first stop for me on the board, and I will miss them dearly. I wish you the best for whatever you move onto.

Matt

[glenn__davis]

A big tip o' the cap to you, Paul.

Your recaps were fantastic, filled with legitimately funny stuff. IMO, your most impressive ability was being able to clearly demonstrate your rooting interest while at the same time being completely objective.

Job well done.

[clapdiddy]

Paul, thanks for all the work you've done on these recaps. Your wit and vivid descriptions will be missed.

[tennOsfan]

As a former sportswriter myself, I think you've done a heck of a job over the years.

[StottyByNature]

As a Baltimore native who has since moved away, my favorite part of the recaps was always your clear understanding of the city and the history of this team. Reading them always gave me a little bit of a sense of home. Thank you.

[RevOlution]

Paul, thank you for all of your hard work over the years. I miss very few games, but when I do, I always looked forward to your recaps. They made me feel like I was at the game and didn't miss a pitch. And just how did you pull it off, for your last recap, to be a doozy of a game.

Well done, sir. Thank you, thank you, thank you!!!

[Skywalker76]

Thank you Paul for all the hard work!