If you want to count a game played in Japan at 6:05 EST as Opening Day... well you must live in Oakland or Boston. I live in Baltimore and our Opening Day starts Monday... like normal baseball teams. Question: How many people believe that Opening Day Monday should be a Holiday?
I want to share two memories from Oriole Opening Day past. I would love to see comments about a memory of your own.
Opening Day 1989: Cal Ripken hits a three-run bomb in the sixth inning off Clemens to put the Birds up by one and we win in extra innings on a Craig Worthington single. The year of “Why Not?” You felt Memorial Stadium rock that day. I bet you heard the crowd as far as Federal Hill when Rip put that Clemens fastball in the bullpen. I was on a bus trip from a pub in Baltimore. I was the youngest by ten years at least. My Uncle Vernon always made sure I went Opening Day. Yet, he never did that for his own son. Weird? Every one should have an Uncle like him. I am lucky to have remembered that afternoon. Where were the people checking for I.D.? Good thing it was a bus trip.
Interesting fact; the first four hitters in the line up that Opening Day; Brady Anderson, Phil Bradley, Steve Finley and Cal Ripken.
Opening Day 1982: Murray hits a granny, Cal put one over the fence for his first ever, Gary Roenicke, and “Disco” Dan Ford hit bombs that great afternoon as we destroy KC and Dennis Leonard 13-5. I sat in the right field bleachers with my sixth grade classmates. I was lucky enough to be on the cover of the News American the next morning! Remember Dempsey tried switch-hitting that year. Funny season. Weaver’s last one before that ill attempt at a comeback. Cal wins ROY. We take Milwaukee to the final game… and “Cakes “gives up two ####s to future HOF’er himself Robin Yount. We lose 10-2. Weaver cries as Howard Cossell sings praise to the “Earl of Baltimore.” We win the World Series the next season with Joe Altobelli and have not been to the big dance since.
Opening Day line up; Bumbry, Dempsey, Ford, Singleton, Murray, Ripken, Roenicke, Sakata and Dauer. Yes… in that order.
I've attended a lot of ball games over the years but never an opening day. It must have really been something!
I've gone to mid April games in Seattle at Safeco... Luckily they built the stadium so that the prevaling wind is usually blocked off if you're in the main grandstand. It can be cold there almost any time of the year but especially in the Spring...
Here's hoping the 2008 version of your Orioles are in the race all year!
Going to opening day on Monday! I grew up in Baltimore and only spent 5 years away from here in my early 20s. I LOVE THE ORIOLES. Through thick and very, very thin, I have remained a fan. 10 straight years of losing seasons is tough, but every spring is another year of crossed fingers for me. This will be my 4th opening day since moving back home. I never got to experience it growing up and yes, this should be a national holiday. O-R-I-O-L-E-S! Magic, magic, magic!!!
I'm with you donoriole. In fact I'm going to a few games this week. Thursday night... Nasty Nestor is getting a few people together to hang in the upper deck and do Wild Bill Hagy stuff. Try to bring back to good times. Plus we get to act like jerks. When Huff comes to the plate I'm spelling out H O R S E S H * T!! that bum.
Sunday afternoon... my son and I are going. He is nine and loves the O's.
My name is Chip and I reside in Baltimore, Maryland. I have lived in Baltimore all my life and really love the city. I am the biggest Oriole and Maryland Terrapin fan I know. I'm also a huge Ravens fan but I miss my Baltimore Colts. Some of my favorite players I enjoyed watching as a child include Rickey Henderson, Cal Ripken Jr, Bert Jones, Dr. J, Ken Singleton, Roger Carr, Len Bias, Sugar Ray Leonard and Earl Campbell. Though we do not have a NBA or NHL team, I still follow both sports just as much as the others.
Currently you can find me at www.wnst.net and www.thomasgeo rgebaseball.c om and www.thebirdso fprey2.com
Fantasy sports manager sine 1991.
Pleasures include my family and Italian cuisine.
My son, Matthew, is nine and thinks Duke, NYY , Redsox and the Steelers stink!
