Wednesday’s Bird Droppings: Where the Orioles did something cool

Morning, Birdland!

There is a lot to complain about with this batch of Orioles. But you cannot deny that the marketing and promotions team is pulling out all the stops when it comes to attracting fans to Camden Yards despite a sub-par on-field product. How many theme nights have there been? There sure feel like a lot more giveaways this season than in any year prior.

This effort is not reflected in the attendance numbers. According to last night’s box score, only 9,096 people showed up to watch the O’s 6-4 loss to the Blue Jays (h/t Harrison Jozwiak for the recap). But analyzing success based only on the number of people in the ballpark is a bit antiquated, especially for a last-place team. Do a Google search of “orioles” this morning. You will be inundated with stories from The Washington Post, Yahoo!, Forbes, MLB.com, Sports Illustrated and others. For once, the focus was not (entirely) on how poorly the team has played.

The Orioles made history on Tuesday night by being the first professional sports team with Braille on their uniforms. Sports are an inherently visual form of entertainment, which is likely why no other team has done something similar to this before. The O’s went out on a limb and tried to connect directly to a community in their backyard (the National Federation for the Blind’s national HQ is in Baltimore).

I don’t have a “bigger” point here. The Orioles did this for two reasons, most likely. One, they knew it would result in some much needed positive PR. Two, it is a genuinely unique promotion that caters to an audience that is underserved in the professional sports industry. To me, that’s pretty cool, and it made me proud of the club for the first time this season.

Links

Baltimore Orioles set team record for losses in a season - USA Today
It was an historic night all around.

Orioles Rookie’s First Career Base Hit Turns Into Ridiculous Clown Show - Deadspin
D.J., I know you’re new around here, but that’s not how every hit works out. Usually you have to hit it over the fence to get all the way around the bases. You’ll get the hang of it.

Adam Jones Discusses Vetoed Trade, Free Agency - MLB Trade Rumors
The O’s current right fielder confirmed what we all pretty much knew. He had the chance to accept a trade to the Phillies prior to the trade deadline. He turned it down and detailed why in an interview with MASN’s Sara Pearlman.

Orioles birthdays and history

Is it your birthday? Happy Birthday!

Former member of the legendary 2018 Orioles, and current unemployed crusher of left-handed pitchers, Danny Valencia is 34 years old today. Nick Johnson played in 38 games for the 2012 Orioles that returned to the players for the first time in 14 season; he is 40. And Left-handed pitcher Randy Myers turns 55; he pitched for the Birds in 1996 and ‘97.

1963 - The Orioles lose 7-2 to the Angels at Chavez Ravine. The crowd in attendance is a measly 476.