When my wife asked me what I would like to do on Father's Day this year, one thing I knew is that I wanted there to be a family Orioles game in the mix. And then when my brother, Jonathan and his family planned to come in town during this time, there would absolutely be nothing else that we would want more on Father's Day than to bring our wives and kids to Camden Yards.
I had my ideal plan for the day all mapped out. The first thing we would do is take the kids to get their most favorite special occasion breakfast treat: donuts. While there, they would each present me with special Father's Day cards. One of them certainly foreshadowed the kind of day we were about to have!
From top to bottom: Bennett, JT, Evelyn.
After donuts, the next thing we would do is bring the kids to the old Memorial Stadium grounds where the Orioles used to play and take a trip down memory lane. Not only do I see it as a fun way to involve my kids in a significant part of my childhood memories, but also use it as a way to educate and influence them in Orioles history. And let me just say that for all you Orioles fans out there who have memories of this sweet place and haven't been back yet to see what it looks like now, you absolutely have to go.
Right beyond the left field bleachers in the parking lot, is approximately the area where we parked on Sunday.
What was once "The Old Grey Lady" is now a youth park, YMCA, and nursing facility with long-term care.
It was May 3, 1983 when my Dad took my brother and I to our first game. I remember we parked across the street at the Eastern HS parking lot, he bought us O's batting helmets on the way into the game, the O's won 2-0, and my lifelong love for the Birds began. In my 9 years ('83-'91) of going to games at Memorial Stadium, my guess is that I went to approximately 100 or so games. I'll never forget walking out of that stadium on Oct 6, '91 on the last Orioles game ever at Memorial Stadium and realizing we wouldn't see baseball games anymore.
In 2001, Memorial Stadium was sadly demolished and new plans were set in motion for what would become of this historic and symbolic fixture of Baltimore pride and history. Thanks to the Cal Ripken foundation, in 2010 a $1.5 million project for a youth development park was completed. And the best thing about the field? Home plate is at the exact spot it was back in the day at Memorial Stadium.
And now, here we were 24 years after the O's last game there, driving to the old spot on 33rd street again. It's amazing to ponder so many childhood memories there, have recollection of so many exact spots, and then now to see what it looks like at present.
Home plate view when O's played at Memorial Stadium.
Me with my kids at exact spot of Memorial Stadium home plate.
At one point, while my wife and kids walked around the field and explored both player dugouts, I just stood at home plate, gazed out towards the outfield, and took it all in. A flood of memories ran through my mind. I even shed a couple of tears. Not so much tears of sadness that a childhood memory and staple of this proud city was no more, but tears of fond childhood memories and joy associated with this great place. Tears of gratefulness and love for my dad and brother, and many other friends, with whom I had spent many summer nights with in these early years of my life while going to games here and falling in love with the Orioles, this city and the many loyal fans in Birdland.
And something else I really love about how the field is now that I didn't know? There is still an orange "Here" flag in left field, around the same spot of Frank Robinson's historic blast out of Memorial Stadium on May 8, 1966.
Frank Robinson HR out of Memorial Stadium- May 8, 1966.
Present day "HERE" flag at field.
Where iconic "HERE" flag flew at Memorial Stadium, showing where Robinson's HR ball went out.
Yes, it was a very satisfying and sweet experience to take my wife and kids to this historic and special place where I have so many memories. I look forward to many more trips down memory lane- 33rd street- here in the years to come.
We then headed back into the city to go eat lunch at The Cheesecake Factory at the Inner Harbor and meet up with my brother and his family before the game. There are few treats I love more than their cheesecakes! To no surprise, my kids were very excited to have their first taste of this dessert.
Evelyn had the best ride.
Probably my favorite- Reese's PB!
With stomach's satisfied, and plenty of food left over to go, we headed out with our kids to Camden Yards and some fun Orioles baseball!
With my little love, Evelyn. Bennett in background taking it all in.
The O's won going away, 11-6 to beat the rival Blue Jays, and take the series. The kids absolutely loved it. And after the game, our kids got to run the bases!
JT- taking it all in.
JT & Bennett
Evelyn was a little more difficult for the helpers to keep on the bases, but she loved it!
Our family, with Jonathan & his family.
A great time all around. After all the years of Jonathan and I going to games, both with Dad and friends, and just the 2 of us sometimes, it's a sweet thing to be able to bring our wives and kids for a memorable and fun experience. We cherish these memories and look forward to many more.
After the game we headed up I-95 to Cape May for family vacation. It was certainly about as close to a perfect and ideal Father's Day that I could have imagined.