The team had won 90 games and drawn 1.05 million fans in 1978, maintaining a very low attendance level that hadn't changed in 25 years.
The lawyer said he would move to Washington only if attendance continued to disappoint, although crowds had already begun to swell earlier in the season, before Williams laid down his challenge.
An amalgam of All-Stars and role players who jelled under Weaver's forceful hand, they pitched well, made key plays, hit in the clutch, came from behind, and won games in unusual ways.
Weaver's idea of platooning veteran John Lowenstein and rookie Gary Roenicke in left field was surprisingly successful.
The staff was led by Mike Flanagan, whose 23–9 record, 3.08 ERA, and 16 complete games earned him the AL Cy Young Award.
The bullpen, with Don Stanhouse, left-hander Tippy Martinez, and right-handers Tim Stoddard and Sammy Stewart, had 28 wins and 30 saves.
In section 34 in the upper deck down the right-field line, a bearded cab driver named "Wild" Bill Hagy became a symbol for the team and fellow attendees of the games.
He would rise from his seat, stand in front of his section, and spell out O-R-I-O-L-E-S with his body, twisting his arms and legs into recognizable facsimiles of the letters.