the Orioles beat the Yankees at Camden Yards on Memorial Day by the final score of 6-1. Garrett Olson pitched 7 strong inning with 7 strikeouts, the Orioles had some timely hitting with men on base, Nick Markakis and Aubrey Huff both hit home runs and Markakis threw out Johnny Damon at home. Other than the fact that Hideki Matsui single-handedly represented the bulk of the Yankee attack (he had three of the five Yankee hits and it appeared to be near-impossible to get him out), it was a perfect game for the Orioles.
As I approached the baseball cathedral known as Oriole Park at Camden Yards, I replayed in my mind the many sights that I had only seen on TV. We had terrace box seats down the right field line, just beyond first base, and thankfully, for my wife, in shade the entire afternoon. There were a sea of Yankee fans all over the Eutaw Street plaza prior to the game, walking around like they owned the place. However, during the game they were reminded that this is “Birdland,” not Yankee Stadium south. Every Yankee chant or cheer was shouted down by proud Oriole fans (at least in my section; it apparently was a Yankee-free zone (except for my wife’s best friend). Even my stepdaughter enjoyed it, saying that baseball was boring on TV, but it was more fun being there at the park.
My friend from Sixteen Gold Gloves (or is it Enchanting Sunshine/Nomadic Traveler) would be proud to know that I was not provoked by any Yankee fans. Everyone was on their best behavior, and the verbal jousts during the game were all in good fun. Mostly, I spent the afternoon just being happy to have finally arrived at what seemed like home for so long, but only seen from a TV screen. As far as “celebrity” sightings, alas, I could only see Amber Theoharis from afar, at the end of the game interviewing Markakis. I did see Michael Kay and Ken Singleton from the YES network prior to the game standing near Boog’s Barbecue stand (and yes, I had a sandwich-it was great).
Perhaps this notion that I am an Oriole jinx is over.
