When Dan Duquette was hired as the Orioles' executive vice president of baseball operations in November 2011, the team was in need of stability at the top of the organization.
From 1998-2011, the Orioles endured one of the most trying times in franchise history, cycling through seven managers, six executives and a franchise-worst 14 consecutive losing seasons.
Since then, however, Baltimore has reached the postseason two times and finished at or better than .500 during all four seasons Duquette has held his current post. This season, the Orioles are in contention for their second American League East division title in three years, leading the Red Sox, Duquette's former employer, by .003 percentage points for first place in the standings, entering play June 6.
The Boston Globe MLB and Red Sox reporter Nick Cafardo, appearing on "The Bat Around" with Stan "The Fan" Charles and Adam Gladstone June 4, said it's no coincidence the Orioles' resurgence has coincided with Duquette's arrival.
