It’s May 15, 1996, and we have a rare rainout in the Bay Area. As the Sun notes, the O’s could have really used a rainout a week ago when they were playing like shit. Now, they’ve won five of six and, with an off day tomorrow, will have two full days off to see if they can keep that momentum going.

“I want to play,” said O’s manager Davey Johnson. “I don’t want a rainout. We’ve got an off day, and we’re playing pretty good now, swinging the bats well. We don’t need two days off in a row. We could’ve used it a couple of days ago, but not now.”

But the days off could be good because the O’s have some injuries in the rotation. As mentioned yesterday, Scott Erickson has a sprained ankle and David Wells has a gouty toe. Wells is getting more optimistic. “It feel like I could pitch today with this thing,” he said.

The unexpected day off gave the O’s time to look back on their season so far. They have struggled since an 11-2 start, but seem to be righting the ship.

GM Pat Gillick is concerned: “This team hasn’t won since ‘83. I’m not so sure the nucleus here knows how to win.”

But Johnson knows how to win and he is more optimistic. “I’ve seen quite a bit,” he said. “There’s no pressure, because everywhere I’ve been, the teams have been expected to win. We’ve just made too many mistakes. We’re not hitting as we’re capable of, we’re not pitching as we’re capable of. They’re getting used to me, and me to the league. Sure we’ve got egos, but I’ve had the biggest egos in the world. I’m stubborn and relentless. The team still has to function as a unit, not as individuals. Losing situations are always filled with individuals. It’s not going to happen overnight, but I’ll win those battles.”

Are you fired up? I’m fired up.

Rainout means no homers.

Off day!

The number one song in America on May 15, 1996, is “Tha Crossroads” by Cleveland’s finest, Bone Thugs N’ Harmony. Unfortunately, we highlighted this last week as the top song on the R&B charts then, so let’s look at what is atop other charts. Oh here’s a good one, #1 on the country charts this week is “My Maria” by Brooks & Dunn.

Today was a slow news day, apparently, and the biggest story is about Bob – bootstraps and boners – Dole cutting back on his duties on Capitol Hill so he can focus on his presidential campaign. Neo-Confederate Sen. Trent Lott will be assuming more duties as Dole steps back as Senate Majority Leader. That’s about enough for this story. 

Spoiler alert: Dole ultimately announces on May 15 that he has decided to leave the Senate entirely to focus on his campaign. It ends a 35-year career dedicated to making millions of people’s lives worse on behalf the rich and powerful.

Welcome to a recurring segment where I find fun things in today’s (in 1996) Baltimore Sun!

Here’s a full-page ad reminding you that soon you’ll have to dial all 10 numbers — including the area code — even when making local calls.