Celebrating the '83 season

By Roch Kubatko

Jul 07, 2008 1:04 PM

Still no word on Adam Loewen’s CT scan, and I’ve stopped holding my breath. My face was beginning to turn purple, which is fine if you’re attending a Ravens game. Not so much if you’re working at your laptop.

The Orioles are celebrating the 25^th anniversary of their 1983 world championship on Wednesday, July 23, with more than 20 players and coaches from that team returning to Baltimore to take part in festivities.

The list, though subject to change, includes Cal Ripken Jr., Eddie Murray, Al Bumbry, Mike Flanagan, Jim Palmer, Dennis Martinez, Tippy Martinez, Rick Dempsey, Scott McGregor, Gary Roenicke, John Shelby, Ken Singleton, Mike Boddicker, Benny Ayala, Todd Cruz, Jim Dwyer, Dan Ford, Glenn Gulliver, Tito Landrum, John Stefero, Bill Swaggerty, Dan Morogiello, former general manager Hank Peters and coach Jimmy Williams.

All upper deck seats will be discounted to $5.50, matching the Memorial Stadium prices. Maybe the Orioles can make the toilets overflow, too, and park all the cars in long lines so fans get boxed in afterward and have to wait.

I loved Memorial Stadium, but it wasn’t all about comfort and convenience.

The ballpark seating bowl will open at 5:30 p.m., 30 minutes after Eutaw St. opens. Members of the ’83 team will greet fans at the entry gates until 6 p.m. The first 25,000 fans will receive a 25^th anniversary pennant, and 500 of the pennants will be autographed by a member of the ‘83 team.

As if that isn’t enough, ’83 team members will participate in a press conference in the bullpen picnic area at 6 p.m., which is open to all fans, and will take part in pre-game ceremonies at 6:30 p.m. Walk around the lower concourse once the game begins and you might get an autograph. Fans also will have the chance to pose for photos with the World Series trophy, though you can’t drink out of it like the Stanley Cup.

Believe me, I’ve tried.

Also, current Orioles and Toronto Blue Jays players and coaches will wear jerseys from the ’83 season – as long as the hats aren’t blue, we’re cool – and after the game, Orioles jerseys from that year and this season will be auctioned online at www.orioles.com. Proceeds will benefit Shannon’s Fund, which you read about yesterday in this blog.

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