It’s the first time since 1997 that the Baltimore Orioles are playing meaningful games in September. The Orioles have not had a winning season since the days of the great Cal Ripken Jr. was still fielding ground balls at shortstop.

It has been a long 15 years for the Orioles and their fans. Since 1997, the most games the Orioles have won in a season was 79, which followed up their last playoff appearance. The highest they have finished in the AL East since 1997 was third place in 2004.

Since the Orioles last division title in 1997, the New York Yankees have won the division 11 times. The Boston Red Sox have won the division once, and the Tampa Bay Rays won the division twice in that time span.