It happens to me every single year around this time.
I’ll spend the better part of the past 9-10 months, tweeting from the top of my lungs, arguing with anybody willing to go toe-to-toe, and using every bit of logic and reason I can find to defend my position.
BALTIMORE IS A FOOTBALL TOWN, NOT A BASEBALL TOWN.
And yet, here we are, one day before the Orioles Opening Day festivities and you can already feel the anticipation of the first National Anthem.
“Oooooooo!” is in the air!
This Thursday defines the beginning of Spring in Baltimore- not a marked date on the calendar, or some lame event featuring a precognitive Pennsyltucky rodent. You’ll know Spring has arrived when they flip off the sign at Pickles from ‘Closed’ to ‘Open’ early that morning. You’ll feel that sense of Springtime rejuvenation upon the ‘pop’ of the catchers mitt from Dylan Bundy’s first pitch of the season, and you’ll know for sure it has arrived once the first Orioles save is recorded on the season (I tend to become an apologetic, sentimental optimist as the season draws closer).
The best part about the O’s Opener? It’s a day long celebration that goes well beyond the boundaries of OPACY, that is shared by men, women, and children alike.
If you head down to Canton, Fells Point, or Federal Hill on Thursday, you’ll find yourself lost in a sea of orange. Stop on by the ‘Dena, and you may hear a boisterous group of O’s fans mimicking Buck’s tag line “I like our guys!” Head over to Perry Hall, and you’ll find O’s fans piled into Lib’s Grill, boisterously cheering on every time the O’s go yard. Swing on by Catonsville, and they’ll be cracking bright orange Natty Boh cans, one after another.
For on this one day, WE ARE ALL O’s FANS, HON!
Sure, there will be some spattering of opposition among the sea of orange and black, but we don’t bat an eye, or throw verbal barbs; we simply welcome you to ‘The Yard’ and buy you a drink.
Of course there will be naysayers, and that’s fair. After all, it’s not all glamorous to be an O’s fan. We do have our issues with the franchise — drafting quality starting pitchers, retaining our best prospects in lieu of rental trades, the front office adamancy to turn a blind eye to spending on both homegrown future Hall of Famers, as well as adding the right pieces to keep our O’s in contention…
But on this one day?
None of that matters!
On this one day, we all become the eternal optimists that believe Chris Davis will turn it around this year, and that Manny will have an All-Star year that will convince Peter Angelos to reconsider. We want to believe in a Chris Tillman turnaround, and Tim Beckham becoming a legitimate 3rd baseman.
For this one, particular day?
WE FULLY SUCCUMB TO THE WHIMS OF ORIOLES MAGIC.
And honestly? Why the hell not?!
There’s no place for negativity on Eutaw Street during Opening Day!
Indeed, my annual August thru March attempt at convincing others that the Orioles front office is no match for the Ravens front office; or that the 2 Super Bowl victories in the past 18 years mean far more to this city than what the Orioles did several decades ago; or that the Ravens have the ears and eyes of fans far more than the O’s… it’s all for naught once this week arrives.
On this week? I find myself trying to convince myself that Baltimore is truly a football town…
Whether you believe Baltimore is truly a baseball town or a football town, I think we can all agree on one thing:
Orioles Opening Day is hands down, the most spectacular day of the year for Baltimore sports fans.
See y’all at The Yard!
