Growing up in Charm City, I’ve always thought of it as a pretty good sports town.
The Orioles offer a storied history and, while they may not be the most competitive of franchises anymore, they make the summers worthwhile. Also, the Ravens instill championship hopes in the hearts of every Baltimorean once fall rolls around.
However, there’s always that two-three month period at the beginning of every calendar year in which Baltimore sports fans find themselves at a lacking. With the 45-year-old, 11,000 capacity-holding chunk of cement named the 1st Mariner Arena still standing in the heart of downtown Baltimore (I really have no idea why this is; nothing would make me happier than to see it torn to shreds and replaced), it’s 100% out of the question for fans to expect an NBA or NHL (what’s hockey?) team to fill the winter-spring seasonal void anytime soon.
Sure, we have the Blast of the Major Indoor Soccer League, who play from November to April yearly, and provide loads of family entertainment and even wins (3 of the last 4 MISL championships belong to Baltimore)! But, honestly, while soccer may be a prevalent topic in sports amongst other countries, it just hasn’t clicked with Americans.
Which is why I was elated to learn that beginning this year Baltimore has its very own indoor football team, the Blackbirds of the American Indoor Football Association (not to be confused with the high-profile Arena Football League which consists of teams owned by really, really rich people like Jon Bon Jovi). So, like any die-hard Baltimore sports fan, I had to check out the new team (part-owned by Orioles outfielder Nick Markakis) at its inaugural home game on March 31st. Here’s how it went, and boy, was it great or what?!
The Baltimore Blackbirds have arrived in Charm City, giving fans something to root for in the time between Ravens and Orioles seasons.
Disregarding the fact that the Blackbirds were 0-3 entering the game, having been outscored by a combined score of 227-40, the anticipation of the 3,000 or so fans at the arena was evident. Everybody stood up and cheered like crazy as the home ‘Birds were each individually introduced prior to the kickoff, most of the applause for former Ravens long-snapper Joe Maese who is a lineman on both sides of the ball for the Blackbirds. 1983 World Series MVP Rick Dempsey was the honorary coin-toss technician while Ravens tight end Daniel Wilcox also made an appearance making the night an all-around Baltimore sports fest.
From the sports aspect of things, well let’s just say the ‘Birds need work. The team is struggling to find its identity – and a quarterback – clearly leading to poor performance on the field. While it is excusable that the players may be having trouble adjusting to the rules of indoor football, and to each other, it’s hard to believe that other teams in the upstart AIFA are so much better. It should definitely be interesting to see if the team can get on a winning track as the season, which goes on until June, progresses.
Regardless, the atmosphere was worth every penny of the $20 admission price. Seeing fans sporting the attire of the Orioles, Ravens, and Terps while rooting for the upstart Blackbirds was refreshing. And, even though some of them got restless as the opposing Carolina Speed kept racking up points en route to a blowout victory, one couldn’t help but smile when fans – and even players – danced to songs, such as YMCA, during intermissions and timeouts.
I also witnessed the first (and second, and third, and fourth…) ever Baltimore Blackbirds fan ejections! It was pretty awesome seeing two guys in the section ahead of me fighting over how one guy jumped in front of the other guy’s kid, preventing the little ankle-biter from grabbing a souvenir football (anything that goes into the stands – except players, of course – fans can take home). Anyway, the debacle ended with the father dousing the other guy with beer and both being kicked out. Gotta love Baltimore sports fans, the best in the country!
Which is why I’m happy to see that the two month early year void is being handled by the new Baltimore Blackbirds. And even though the AIFA isn’t of enormous status in the sports world, what’s to say this isn’t an indication of larger things to come to Baltimore (such as NBA, NHL, or even just an AFL team). Whatever it may be that comes about in the future is a story for another day. But for now: GO BLACKBIRDS!
Orioles fans came into this off-season with high expectations of signing big free agents that could help turn around their inept ball club. These were the same expectations after nearly every single season in the past decade in which the O’s have finished dead last in the AL East (the Devil Rays don’t count).
However, just like the previous years, in which the Orioles couldn’t land big names such as Vladimir Guerrero, AJ Burnett, Carl Pavano, Paul Konerko and others (a lot of others…), the O’s found themselves whiffing on their two main targets of this year’s market: Outfielders Carlos Lee and Alfonso Soriano.
After news broke that Lee had signed with the Houston Astros and Soriano had signed with the Chicago Cubs, it seemed as though general manager Mike Flanagan would turn to his Plan “B,” be really indecisive, and not sign anybody. I mean, what more could fans expect? He (and owner Peter Angelos – don’t even get me started on him; that’s a story for another day) expects really good players to want to play in loser-town Baltimore for the same amount of money that contending teams offer.
In order to get these hotshots to come to Baltimore, the Orioles need to dig themselves out of the cellar of the division and at least establish some sort of respectability. It took the front office about seven or eight years to realize this, but finally, they do.
Therefore, despite missing out on Lee and Soriano, Flanagan has been able to bolster the team by filling glaring holes on the roster with under-the-radar signings of cheaper guys who can actually produce. Over the past week, the O’s have given themselves a complete makeover in one of its largest weaknesses: the bullpen, which ranked 29th in MLB in Earned Run Average.
By signing lefty Jamie Walker and right-handers Scott Williamson, Chad Bradford, and Danys Baez, it is quite possible that the Orioles will not have any players from the 2006 bullpen on the 2007 opening day roster except for up-and-coming closer Chris Ray (33 saves, 2.73 ERA). Suddenly, O’s fans will not have to cringe during the 6th, 7th, and 8th innings as they possess what could arguably be one of the best bullpen units in the league.
Now that one of their past weaknesses should be a future strength, the Orioles need to start looking at what else could cause problems in the upcoming season.
They acquired starting pitcher Jaret Wright via trade to upgrade a rotation that already consists of soon-to-be ace Erik Bedard, Daniel Cabrera and Adam Loewen, both of whom are young and loaded with potential, and veteran Kris Benson. If these guys can consistently get the team into the 6th and 7th innings, then hand the ball over to the aforementioned monster that is now the O’s bullpen, Baltimoreans could be seeing a lot more W’s.
With the pitching staff fairly set already, the question that remains is whether or not the bats will come alive and light up the scoreboard at Camden Yards. There’s a reason why Flanagan had his eyes on Lee and Soriano. Shortstop Miguel Tejada and Third baseman Melvin Mora could use some help driving in runs and the team has had an evident hole in left field for some time now.
Recently re-signed First baseman Kevin Millar and returning catcher Ramon Hernandez are good bats to have at the bottom of the order, creating a much-needed balance in the order. Regardless, the signing of a left fielder is pertinent. The rumor mill is saying there may be mutual interest with former Diamondback Luis Gonzalez, as well as other free agents such as Cliff Floyd and Jay Payton.
But, after that, it feels good saying that the O’s have placed themselves in a good position to win more games next year. And although they probably will not make it to the playoffs, the fact that they are showing the league they are trying to improve may end up helping them sign big free agents in the years to come and maybe, just maybe, giving them a chance to compete the with the Yankees and Red Sox. Then again, I think they have a chance every year…
My name is Carlos Olazagasti and I am currently a sophomore Journalism major at the University of Maryland - College Park.
With a love for Journalism and sports, I will use this blog space to analyze, examine and discuss events occurring in today's world of sports.
Background Information:
I was born and raised in suburban Baltimore, MD and am an avid fan of the Baltimore Orioles, the Baltimore Ravens, and the Maryland Terrapins.
I'm doing a lot of things to experience all facets of journalism; this blog is just one of the many. For some of my other work, check out www.community times.com weekly for a variety of works. Also, during the school year you can catch me on Tuesday evenings from 6-7pm on my school radio show on www.wmucsport s.com. Thanks.
