So, the bar was buzzing Wednesday night with the Maryland's men basketball team on the big screen. And, of course, the anticipation of Saturday's Ravens playoff game was in the air. You could cut it with a bottle opener.
But, let's face it: Connolly's is a baseball joint. Even in January. We know who we are.
As part of our New Year's coverage, Sun reporters were asked to write about the "athlete to watch" on their beat in 2015.
For me, it was an easy answer. I don't think there is any Oriole who has more to gain or lose this season than first baseman Chris Davis.
Baseball is a team game – one player doesn't control the fate of the team -- but how Davis does will go a long way in determining the Orioles' success.
Will he be the Davis that hit 53 home runs and finished third in the American League MVP race like in 2013? Or will he be the 2014 Davis that batted under .200 in a disastrous season that ended with a failed drug test for amphetamines?
If his production is even in the middle of those two years it would be a big boost to the Orioles offense.
So Davis is my Oriole to keep a close eye on for 2015. But, in talking to others, there are plenty of options, plenty of key players heading into important seasons for their careers.
There's right-hander Kevin Gausman, who is expected to be in the rotation all year and could become the club's first homegrown ace since Mike Mussina. That's who my baseball colleague, Ed Encina, chose as his 2015 player to watch.
There's also starter Ubaldo Jimenez – who signed a lucrative deal last winter and struggled most of the season. There's catcher Matt Wieters, who like Davis, is a pending free agent and needs to show he is healthy and productive before breaking the bank somewhere.
There's Zach Britton, who emerged as a quality closer in 2014. The Orioles desperately need him to do it again. There's Manny Machado, who will be attempting to play a full season after knee injuries and subsequent surgeries ended his previous two years.
You can make a case for Steve Pearce and Jonathan Schoop and Chris Tillman. And, obviously, Adam Jones, J.J. Hardy and Wei-Yin Chen are important components of the club, though they've been fairly steady over the past few years. You kind of know what you are getting there.
I want to know your pick. Which Oriole will you be watching particularly closely in 2015?
Daily Think Special: Who is your Oriole to watch in 2015 – good or bad?