The fog machine and strobe lights were working at full strength, turning the Orioles clubhouse Friday into a misty room of celebration. Baltimore had just scored 15 runs against the Boston Red Sox, providing ample reasons for a festive atmosphere.But through that smoke and blaring music, outfielder Ryan McKenna called for attention. In his hands he held a bright orange belt, overly large in the style professional wrestlers earn for titles. On the metal midsection, two Orioles logos were emblazoned with the message: “Player of the game.”McKenna held the prize up. The outfielder could’ve chosen from a host of players, given the offensive output, but he singled out Anthony Santander’s four-RBI performance and called his fellow outfielder to the center of the clubhouse to say a few words of his own.And with that, the latest Orioles tradition was born.“I had an idea I would be in the mix to be chosen,” Santander said the next day, with the large orange belt sitting atop his locker as a badge of honor. “With another win, I will have to pass it. Or maybe I keep it! We’ll see.”As so many of Baltimore’s clubhouse and dugout antics have begun, catcher Robinson Chirinos and…
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With a bright orange championship belt, the latest Orioles tradition decides the player of the game
