Twenty games by four were won and there were Blair and Buford, Kenny and Eddie switching, Scotty, Mike and Tippy and Brooksie robs another one. Those were my Orioles.
Those names will echo through my house this Opening Day.
Some 20-plus years ago, we took those memories, packed them with home plate and drove them downtown for Opening Day traditions to continue. And they have continued.
We've added a few names for the memories. Three Ripkens in the mix, some managers including one named Joe who he took us where we wanted to go. A Sam, Dave and Davey. Now, the Buck stops here.
We are always atop the standings.
Some things didn't change. There were new parking woes. Downtown is crowded on a work day. Figure how to get there — let's do the shuttle — only to have it stopped. Let's do Light Rail. Which end? I've tried them both. It works. But I won't tell you how it works.
Opening Day is a day for celebration, reflection and reunion. A celebration for a new springtime, green grass and optimism that this just might be season we have waited so long to enjoy. And a time to reflect on the good old days of Palmer and Weaver. Let's play ball. A time to reflect on all those big and little names that passed but ones we will remember like Shelby, Rhino and a Sheets. And a time for reunion when we gather together with our friends in orange and black. Maybe some we hadn't seen since last Opening Day.
Opening Day is carefully planned. It does not just happen. Will it rain? Will it be sunny? Will it snow? Is it a black over orange or an orange over black? Which hat? The cartoon bird or ornithologically correct? Black bill or orange? These things don't just happen.
This Opening Day will be a bit different. It's not just the opening of a season. We will have a record. Yes, Jim Hunter will welcome our Orioles as did the legendary Chuck "Ain't the beer cold" Thompson.
It will also be different because I'm "just" a small plan holder since the other stadium and I don't really make a difference. Hmm, 25 years of parking, tickets, souvenirs (yes, adults buy them) food and drinks. I don't want to know what I've spent.
I won't be there because we missed our four-hour window to get Opening Day tickets. I just hope all the new fans can produce those thunderous roars like those that came from Section 34. I imagine there might be a tear at 3:05 p.m. when Chris Tillman looks in at Caleb Joseph.
Oh, well. See you soon, Orioles.
Brian Lewis, Gaithersburg