Welcoming home the team isn't what it used to be.
by Stacey on Jun 8, 2009 5:07 PM EDT
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PrintYou know, I was just thinking about the story of Jon Miller's most memorable game. 50,000 fans coming out to support a 1-23 team and show that they're still loved in Baltimore. I know 1988 wasn't that far removed from the glory years and the fans hadn't been beaten down for decades at that point. But it still is such a sharp contrast to the way people are about the Orioles these days.
The O's are on a path back to respectability. They're calling up the rookies, they're cutting the dead weight, they're building up their teams in the minors. On May 29th Orioles fans were riding high from a week full of rookie pitchers getting wins, rookie outfielders hitting walk off home runs, and of course Matt Wieters Day. The blog was buzzing with activity, people in my office were talking about the Orioles, the weekend series vs Detroit had 108,000 people for crying out loud.
One week and one losing streak later, everyone is back to trashing the Orioles. Calling them losers and aholes and saying how they're such bad baseball players. And I've been one of them, at least part of the time.But they're the same team they were last week.
Now they're coming home. They left home on a high and they're coming home very low. In 1988, 50k people welcomed the losers home and showed them love and support. If I had to guess, I'd say there might be 20,000 in the stands tomorrow night. And it bums me out. Because I don't think these guys are losers. I think a full house and a loud supportive fanbase could only help them.
This team has good baseball players. It has Nolan Reimold who's been doing more than most of us hoped. Luke Scott, who's hitting like a man posessed. Adam Jones, who tells reporters in Seattle that he loves Baltimore and wants to stay here forever. Brian Roberts, who for years was our only source of pride. Brad Bergesen, who is coming off back-to-back great outings. Matt Wieters, who is our personal savior. The list goes on.
People say that these guys don't care about winning. I don't believe it. They care. They're frustrated with their play right now. But the good news for them is that they're coming home.
I'm not trying to be all ooey gooey emotional or anything. I'm not trying to say that we've been wrong to feel let down by the way they performed the last week. I'm just saying that this is our team, and I wish we could welcome them home from their awful trip with a packed stadium the way we did in 1988.
At the very least, I'll be at the game tomorrow.
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Yes.
Honestly this team will get back on their feet at some level. Basically even if Rich Hill went 9 innings and pitched a shutout we wouldnt have won last night. So our pitching seems to be fine, no complaints there. But we are being a little touchy with our hitters. All major league players go through slumps. But for the most part these are good hitters. Minus some of the bench players that have been forced to start lately. Once people like Markakis et al, begin to hit im sure people will go back to where we were a week ago.
Guys are getting pied Dave Trembley can't explain it
I wish I could be there tomorrow.
But if things break right and thunderstorms stay away, I’ll be there Thursday for Welcome Back, Koji day, as well as one of the final Baltimore stops on the Ken Griffey, Jr retirement tour.
" I'm happy to announce that we've made Adam Jones our 4th and 5th starting pitcher as well as bench coach and team chaplain" - peter_angelos 8:04 AM May 14th from digsby
"Matt Wieters Adopted Mark Texiera's Parents Because He Felt They Needed A Son To Be Proud Of."
Here Here!
I was thinking today about the Yankees and their fan base that provides them with all this money and how stupid they are to keep going no matter how high the ticket prices are. Then I realized i’d KILL to be able to go to more O’s games and maybe, just maybe, if the fans that CAN go (read: within maybe 45 minutes of the stadium) anytime they want actually DID go, well maybe this team would have some money and some pride too. Its all well and great to blame the front office for things like not spending the money to get Tex and things of that nature, but are the fans of Baltimore doing anything about it? We love to bash the players for “not caring”, but when they get 10,000 fans at the yard some nights, well that kinda shows them the fans don’t care.
All I know is my gf and I travelled down from NJ to go to the jersey unveiling before the season and we got apporached by various reporters because we were apparently 2 of the loudest people there. Quite honestly, it was quiet for most of the rally. It’s sad, and I really do wish the fans would actually be fans. Just because they have been horrible for 12 years doesn’t make you less of a fair weather fan if you only care when they are winning.
Just to be clear, I am definitely NOT talking about anybody on here. You guys tend to be the exception. I just think that if the team is going to hand you 2 free tickets this year for giving them your birthdate and voting for your favorite players to be all stars, maybe a few more fans could shell out the 8-15 bucks for a ticket once in a while and enjoy the best ball park in baseball. Who knows, maybe it’ll be inspirational to the young guys.
"I’m sure glad he didn’t try to bunt." - DD on Melmo's game winning double, 6/17
The people on here can do their part in some ways
I work full time, 5 days of 8 hours each. Literally anytime I’m off by 5:00 and there’s a game in Baltimore at 7:00, I’m going. And if the Orioles are in town on a day off, I’ll spend an extra hour in Baltimore to chill, drink, whatever. From ANnapolis, if you can nagivate 97 and the beltway alright, you can stay at 80 mph at least, and get there in 20-35 minutes. Parking is only 10 dollars, and you almost NEVER have to go as far as M&T Bank.
Ever since last year, I’ve just loved baseball. I only went to about 10 games last year though, and the time in between, I was generally getting blank stares from friends when I tried to talk about baseball. I even got a warning from one friend at one point “you really have to stop talking about baseball. Everyone hates you”
A year later, I’ve already been to 9 games a quarter way through. And I have to say, everyone can love baseball, in different ways. On Opening Day I treated my whole family to the game. I have a friend who HATED the idea of baseball a year ago, but after playing catch with him and taking him to like 4 games, he is starting to fall in love. I took him to Adam Eaton’s first start, and that delayed everything, but for Wieter’s first hit, he had some of the most fun I’ve seen him have.
There’s a family friend with an awesome dad down the street. A Mets fan, and hasn’t watched or been to a game in about a decade. One day he was visiting my house, and unknown to me, he was shown my scorebook. Now he’s going to the bobblehead night on the 17th, and it’s turning into an epic, two-family, 10 people night.
I don’t know what my point is. But next time you go to a game with someone, grab someone else. Chip in for their ticket if they’re reluctant. Introduce them to this great game and the Baltimore Orioles.
Remember. This is NOT bad time to be a fan.
The stock market will never recover, our armies will never again be #1, and our children will drink filthy water for the rest of their lives - HST
by the fix is in on Jun 9, 2009 12:02 AM EDT up reply actions
The atmosphere was very different
In 1988 the team was a topic of national discussion. The president called Frank Robinson to offer sympathy. The team was the butt of jokes on light night TV. All kinds of quacks were offering to come break the curse of the losing streak. Bob Rivers was on the air 24 hour a day until the team won. It became sort of festive the way a college will celebrate their lame football’s team losing streak that borders on some national record. The O’s were in decline, but only a handful of years from a World Series victory.
Now? Years of suck with an owner fueling disdain for the team isn’t going to lead to much sympathy and large crowds. They have to earn it back. It’s a very different time.
they're not only bad baseball players
they’re bad PEOPLE
they are clearly trying to lose. Trembley calls those hit and runs for a reason! Wieters is dogging it so he can be traded already! Melvin Mora Hates Babies! The pitchers don’t want wins because wins for a pitcher are meaningless stats! instead they want Higher ERAs because bigger is better!! The batters don’t know what a baseball even looks like anymore! Bring back Davey Johnson. Bring back Earl Weaver. Bring back Mike Hargrove
ok, but seriously, how stupid do some people (cough cough) think these players are that they don’t care about winning? who thinks that way? Obviously they’re not as bad as they were last week nor as good as they were the week before. I came into this season dreading it and then the team goes and shows that it has heart and moxy and all that and then they all hit a slump at the same time. It’s ridiculously frustrating but it’s the past eleven years of Orioles Baseball. I’m used to it by now and it breaks my heart every time but anyone who says the players don’t care isn’t thinking at all.
Uh
Mora may very well hate babies. I find myself questioning all that is right in the world when I have to get up in the middle of the night. And he has like 58 kids.
Don't let the sunshine fool ya. - Townes Van Zandt
Let's be honest, though
The Baltimore Orioles don’t deserve 50,000 screaming fans.
My best game plan is to sit on the bench and call out specific instructions like 'C'mon Boog,' 'Get ahold of one, Frank,' or 'Let's go, Brooks.' -Earl Weaver
I don't know
I grew up in NJ, which meant for some reason I had to be a Yankees or Mets fan. Pretty sure I’ve never lived in NY, so I don’t know what thats all about. Anyway, all I’m saying is having a home team you can watch and cheer for and hate and love and whatever is something people shouldn’t take for granted (especially the people of Baltimore, lest we forget the Colts). Yea, they suck. Would 50,000 fans make it worse? No, but it just might make it better and, if nothing else, maybe it’d make the fans less of a laughing stock to the rest of the sports world. I’m not saying it needs to be a sell out every night, but a little support and pride couldnt hurt.
"I’m sure glad he didn’t try to bunt." - DD on Melmo's game winning double, 6/17
I think they do
I know that they’re not good…yet. I know that they’re not contenders. But this isn’t Tony Batista and Brook Fordyce and Deivi Cruz. This is a team that, in the big picture, has promise. It’s a front office that is willing to say, “It’s broken, but we’re going to fix it. And this is how.” I think this team does deserve support.
I will lead these Peoples to the promised land, also known as "Slightly Ahead of the Blue Jays." ~WietersRunDry
In response to both of you
I agree that fans should support their teams, but after twelve years of not even coming close to contention and/or excitement for the fans, why should we reward them with a packed stadium?
I think the O’s are worth 25,000 fans as that’s probably around the number who will stay true regardless, but 50,000 is reserved for quality organizations.
My best game plan is to sit on the bench and call out specific instructions like 'C'mon Boog,' 'Get ahold of one, Frank,' or 'Let's go, Brooks.' -Earl Weaver
Fair enough
But they don’t even usually get that many, at least not on weekdays.
Don’t get me wrong. I’m not saying that Camden Yards should sell out every single game just because we should support the team at all costs (I know I said they deserve 50k fans, but I am prone to exaggeration from time to time). I was really just making an observation about the difference in the times. Although I do think it’s a shame that the park is a ghost town on a lot of nights. I do think they deserve more than they get.
Let me know if you go to the game.
I will lead these Peoples to the promised land, also known as "Slightly Ahead of the Blue Jays." ~WietersRunDry
If I'm here I'm going
But my boss might not want to come to DC and I’ll have to meet him in Cleveland. But yeah, I’ll definitely let you know by tomorrow if I am able to stay.
Anyway, I think we agree that the O’s deserve more than the 15,000 that now show up on weeknights.
My best game plan is to sit on the bench and call out specific instructions like 'C'mon Boog,' 'Get ahold of one, Frank,' or 'Let's go, Brooks.' -Earl Weaver
I think we all agree that the organization has made some major changes for the beter over the last few years. Even if the results aren’t there yet, I think the organization has been run with quality of late. That’s worth rewarding.
If you don’t want to reward Angelos too much: Buy the cheapest ticket in the house, bring your own food, and cheer on Markakis, Jones, Wieters, Reimold, and all of the other guys who will hopefully be part of a good Orioles team in the near future.
Of course that’s easy for me to say since I live hundreds of miles away.
It's not about keeping money from Angelos
Rather I just don’t like when people criticize fans for not showing up at OPaCY in force; the franchise hasn’t done anything to attract fans for the vast majority of the past 12 years.
My best game plan is to sit on the bench and call out specific instructions like 'C'mon Boog,' 'Get ahold of one, Frank,' or 'Let's go, Brooks.' -Earl Weaver
by Baltimo on Jun 8, 2009 7:48 PM EDT up reply actions 1 recs
I agree
but they have begun to make right, and there is product on the field worth watching. I just don’t understand how people can stay away if they are really fans when seats sell for 8 bucks. I’d kill to go to more games, and as it is I travel down from NJ around 6-8 times a year. I guess I just can’t understand how some people are so callous with a privelege that i’d love to have.
"I’m sure glad he didn’t try to bunt." - DD on Melmo's game winning double, 6/17
This is in no way meant as an insult
But the people advocating for higher attendance, at least in this post, do not live in the DC/Baltimore area.
It’s not fun going to your own ballpark and being outnumbered by assholes from Boston. It’s not fun going to your own ballpark in August when there are very few storylines being played out as the games have been meaningless since May. The bottom line is that when making the trip to OPaCY, the odds favor your team losing, and that’s not enjoyable, especially when you’re dishing out $100.
Don’t get me wrong, I probably attend 10ish games per year, but the “experience” just isn’t enough for the people in the area.
Making baby steps in the right direction isn’t going to attract more fans, and rightly so. We’ve been cheated for years, and placing any responsibility on the fans is wrong in my opinion.
My best game plan is to sit on the bench and call out specific instructions like 'C'mon Boog,' 'Get ahold of one, Frank,' or 'Let's go, Brooks.' -Earl Weaver
Baby steps is selling Andy short
But we still suck ass, and people aren’t going to come back in force until a winning product is actually put in front of them.
My best game plan is to sit on the bench and call out specific instructions like 'C'mon Boog,' 'Get ahold of one, Frank,' or 'Let's go, Brooks.' -Earl Weaver
+1
First let me be clear that when I wrote this post it wasn’t about the attendance. Not even close. I just thought it was interesting that just a few days after the article about Jon Miller came out, the present day O’s are also coming home under awful circumstances. I didn’t even proofread this post because it was more just letting out what I was thinking. Normally I proofread like crazy, and even go back and edit once I’ve posted something. That’s why it takes me so long to write postgames. Anyway, I digress.
Anyway, regarding out of town fans. When you drive four or more hours to see a baseball game, every game is an event. And rightly so. And I think it’s awesome that people come from out of town to see games. It’s a testament to the fans who are willing to give up their time and money for this team.
However, when you are a local fan, the experience is totally different. I have the luxury of going to as many games as I want, when I want. And maybe that makes me complacent, maybe not. I live .25 miles from Oriole Park and going to the game isn’t an event. It’s something I do when I feel like it. And I feel like it a lot. That being said, it is MISERABLE to go to a game late in the season when Victor Santos is pitching and you can hear the conversations of people three sections over because the place is so empty (I’ve done it). And it’s pretty much torture to go to a game and be one of only a dozen Oriole fans in your section, surrounded by Red Sox or Yankee fans. Not to mention that before you even go to that game you know that in addition to being the minority, you’ll also be paying more money to see a game that the O’s are more likely to lose.
If I ever move out of town, I’ll probably feel the same way as Dave. I’ll wonder how can people NOT go to the games when they’re right there, when I would kill to go and can’t. But as someone who can go whenever I want, it’s just not always that fun.
And finally, regarding that team in 1988. It’s not like they got that support all the time. Yeah, there were 50K fans there. But the next night? 11,000. And the next? 12,000. In fact, they only cracked 30K 9 more times that season, and they never topped 40K for the rest of the year. Like I said, this wasn’t really about the attendance.
I will lead these Peoples to the promised land, also known as "Slightly Ahead of the Blue Jays." ~WietersRunDry
This is pretty much how I feel
You’re left to choose between either going to a game and hearing “LET’S GO RED SOX” for three hours, or attending a contest featuring Minnesota where there are 9,000 other people in the stands.
My best game plan is to sit on the bench and call out specific instructions like 'C'mon Boog,' 'Get ahold of one, Frank,' or 'Let's go, Brooks.' -Earl Weaver
Sorry
I forgot to let you know, but I’m in Cleveland right now. We really should do a big CC meet-up at some point.
My best game plan is to sit on the bench and call out specific instructions like 'C'mon Boog,' 'Get ahold of one, Frank,' or 'Let's go, Brooks.' -Earl Weaver
ha
I figured as much. Enjoy the midwest!
I will lead these Peoples to the promised land, also known as "Slightly Ahead of the Blue Jays." ~WietersRunDry
My question is this:
Do we watch the sport because we love it, or because we only want to see a winner? Sure, having a winner makes it easier to watch, but ideally you should be watching because you love the team and the sport, or at least that’s my take on it.
There’s been plenty of times where I’ve questioned why I follow a team from a city that I have no ties with, but I figure that it was fun to watch when Ripken was there, and it will be fun to watch again. There are some exciting kids up now, and it should only get better.
"Take on Me" - a-ha
A little bit of both
I can’t say that I love baseball more than the O’s, or vice versa. I devote the vast majority of my baseball time to the O’s, but I have been around baseball for much of my life, and any live play is entertaining to me.
My best game plan is to sit on the bench and call out specific instructions like 'C'mon Boog,' 'Get ahold of one, Frank,' or 'Let's go, Brooks.' -Earl Weaver
And so now when they’re finally getting closer and closer to winning again, when they need fans more than ever, you’re saying to not go?
by NewYorkOriole on Jun 8, 2009 11:37 PM EDT up reply actions
Eh I take that last comment back...
sorry, wrote that one off real quick and then posted it without thinking…..
by NewYorkOriole on Jun 8, 2009 11:42 PM EDT up reply actions
I'm just saying
That a stadium doesn’t fill up without the casuals, and they’re going to return when results are actually posted, not when the team finishes 25 games under .500 yet has a few nice prospects.
My best game plan is to sit on the bench and call out specific instructions like 'C'mon Boog,' 'Get ahold of one, Frank,' or 'Let's go, Brooks.' -Earl Weaver
by Baltimo on Jun 9, 2009 12:42 AM EDT up reply actions 1 recs
Yeah...
I mean, it’s a business, and you’re paying for a product. When the product is poor, can you blame people?
by NewYorkOriole on Jun 9, 2009 11:58 AM EDT up reply actions 1 recs
Well
Some people keep on whining that this team doesnt care about winning. But im 100% sure that if they at least had 30+ k each night that would be an added impetus to winning. Just having that force behind you every night is a strong motivation for a baseball team. Its awful going out there and thinking that no one could give a shit about how you play.
Guys are getting pied Dave Trembley can't explain it
by WestcoastO'sFan on Jun 8, 2009 8:15 PM EDT up reply actions
And now it looks like I'm not going to be able to go to the game
After my little declaration. People I was supposed to go with pulled out due to possibility of rain. BOO!
I will lead these Peoples to the promised land, also known as "Slightly Ahead of the Blue Jays." ~WietersRunDry
I may be going tomorrow
No promises, though, as I may get deported to Cleveland for a few days.
My best game plan is to sit on the bench and call out specific instructions like 'C'mon Boog,' 'Get ahold of one, Frank,' or 'Let's go, Brooks.' -Earl Weaver
Caramel hopefully
My best game plan is to sit on the bench and call out specific instructions like 'C'mon Boog,' 'Get ahold of one, Frank,' or 'Let's go, Brooks.' -Earl Weaver
http://sports.espn.go.com/travel/columns/story?columnist=caple_jim&id=4167238
Guys are getting pied Dave Trembley can't explain it
Hey great read, thanks for that!
"We're so bad right now that for us back-to-back home runs means one today and another one tomorrow." ~ Earl Weaver
Gah
The link reloads the page. Next time, can you put the link in the text?
Matt Wieters broke a bat last night. Nobody knows what happened to the ball.
Here ya go...
http://sports.espn.go.com/travel/columns/story?columnist=caple_jim&id=4167238
"I don't have a hit-and-run sign, and I believe it's the worst play in baseball." - Earl Weaver
like most O’s fans who have been dragged through the mud, i watch the tv with one eye and check box scores at a glance. but when they blow a 9th inning lead i still bang my fist. the passion is there but the desire to navigate traffic around b-more at 6pm is not. lot parking should be free. the whole deal is our tax money anyway. we pay twice.
Name another MLB club with free parking...
I thought so.
And it’s NOT our tax money, it’s our LOTTERY money. You only pay for that stadium if you pay MD Lottery games or buy tickets to see the O’s.
A little research always helps before making wild claims…
"I don't have a hit-and-run sign, and I believe it's the worst play in baseball." - Earl Weaver
I wish i could go more often,but..
For me Camden yards is 66 miles away.
I really wish I could go more often to O’s games since Camden Yards is my favorite out of all the parks and I love to support the O’s in person, I get to one or 2 games a year.but there are a few reasons why I can’t
First the two boys 3 and 1 make it hard:)
Second, Because of those horrible tolls($15!!! Round Trip) And yes parking is expensive, but it is everywhere.
For me with as many minor league teams are near by( I have 4 teams within an hour) ,its just easier and cheaper for me to take the boys the or to the phils where I don’t have to pay any tolls.
That being said I listen or watch almost every game and read the sun electronic edition
almost every day to follow the o’s and ravens, so I do try very much to support the O’s and very much look forward to seeing them next time I go down.
Wieters is HERE and The Phils are in First, doesn't get much better:)
I just tend to be around more when the O's are doing well
Since I get my day’s worth of negativity for RR lately….
"Do they have people that tall in Mexico?"
team support
I just want to say to Stacy I agree 100%. I have often said to my friends and family that if this town stood behind our Orioles the way the stand behind our Ravens we would have a better team. I mean, look at the Red Sox and the h*ll they put there fans through for all those years and that stadium stayed pack through it all.
No, Fenway Park DIDN'T stay packed through it all.
That’s a myth. Even in the early 1980s, they were just another team:
Check out those Attend/Game numbers. I know they have a small stadium, but they didn’t come CLOSE to selling out in the early 1980s. Boston fans HAVE NOT always been behind their team – the majority are a bunch of bandwagon jumpers.
"I don't have a hit-and-run sign, and I believe it's the worst play in baseball." - Earl Weaver
by duck on Jun 12, 2009 1:22 PM EDT up reply actions 1 recs
Word. And if I remember correctly (but dimly) from childhood, being a Sawx fen wasn't cool in Boston in the 60's-- til the '67
bandwagon-jumpers year (of Yaz and Lonborg).
"Now this is not the end. It is not even the beginning of the end. But it is, perhaps, the end of the beginning." Churchill,1942-- a rebuilding year.
hey duck, where did you get this?
It's 4 in the morning. Too much to drink. All the girls look hot. So, the Nationals are Jennifer Lopez to me. —Julian Tavarez
Dumped the stats from b-r.com
and did a little magic with Excel to make it easier to read as a graphic.
http://www.baseball-reference.com/teams/BOS/attend.shtml
"I don't have a hit-and-run sign, and I believe it's the worst play in baseball." - Earl Weaver
ok. you got me. I didn’t know that. It sure felt like it though.
by #1Rickydfan on Jun 26, 2009 10:45 AM EDT up reply actions
GIVE THIS DOUCHE-NOZZLE THE BOOT!
"We're so bad right now that for us back-to-back home runs means one today and another one tomorrow." ~ Earl Weaver
I'd like to apologize for my previous personal attack but
I know I am not a major contributer to CC but I don’t understand and/or take kindly to someone coming to a place dedicated to a team I and all of us truly love and berate them. It just pisses me off to no extent. I hope there are others that feel the same way I do.
"We're so bad right now that for us back-to-back home runs means one today and another one tomorrow." ~ Earl Weaver
by Graham71681 on Jun 19, 2009 10:09 AM EDT up reply actions
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