the Ravens opener next Monday against the Cincinnati Bengals. I have enough love and time and energy for both teams.
I watch the Orioles play every night. And even though I’ve watched 125 games from my couch this summer, I’m only giving my money to the Ravens.
But I was in the backseat of my sister in law’s car in Manchester, New Hampshire four nights ago sitting alone with the car off and getting gnawed by mosquitoes listening to WBAL on her car radio while Nate McLouth walked with the bases loaded and following every pitch on mobile via WNST.net’s scoreboard.
I’m all in — in spirit.
But I will not be giving Mr. Angelos any money this month or in October.
Major League Baseball says I’m credentialed for all postseason games. If I have a press seat in the playoffs, I’ll be there. If not, I’ll watch from television and see what Joe Buck thinks of Camden Yards if they get that far.
I hope the Baltimore Orioles do.
I’m pulling for you, Adam Jones and Buck Showalter and anyone else who is wearing orange and black. And if people come and fill Oriole Park at Camden Yards, then good for them and good for you. If they feel you’re worth their money – not just their time — they will.
But, Adam, you’re battling long odds and you should think before you tweet. And if you want people back in the stadium that’s going to be on you because Mr. Angelos doesn’t really care and it doesn’t affect his ability to write your $650,000 check every other Friday.
The owner has screwed virtually everyone in the city for 15 years. All of the businesses are gone because they were mistreated. The fans have stayed away because the team has consistently stunk. The community outreach of the franchise is a joke. The owner still doesn’t even greet the men he built statues for so how disingenuous is that?
And, Adam, if you’re a just a touch jealous of the relationship that Steve Bisciotti has with his players – sitting courtside with Ray Lewis and Joe Flacco at Maryland games – then you should’ve spoken up before you took his money.
All the fans who want to see a packed Camden Yards will get their wish next Thursday. The team already has 40,000 seats sold to get Cal Ripken statues and honor the King of Tufton Road and Aberdeen. Some Orioles Magic vs. the Yankees at a packed house next week will do wonders for what could be for the rest of September and beyond.
For some, all nights with memories of 2131 or the glory days of 1979 or 1983 or 1996-97 does is make them remember when they DID come to the ballpark regularly and help support the team with their wallets and their hearts.
And the fans felt a collective “thank you” from people like Cal Ripken and Brooks Robinson.
Baltimore sports fans have been taken for granted for three generations by franchise owners on all sides.
Here’s a memo to Adam Jones and anyone else who thinks Camden Yards should be full: the citizens of Baltimore owe you NOTHING in regard to giving you, the Orioles or Peter Angelos more money or disposable income.
Everyone knows Angelos is stealing $3 per month from their cable bill via MASN. All of us already PAY to watch Adam Jones play…even if we’re not watching the Orioles. Onto itself, that’s a freaking civic joke of biblical proportions and should be offensive to anyone with a brain.
Now that I truly examine the empty stadium situation, there isn’t any ONE reason people who