Throwback Thursday- Father's Day- 2016

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. 

Throwback Thursday- Spring Training in Sarasota with the O's!

I have heard it said that the four sweetest words in the English Language are: "Pitchers and Catchers Report." Yes, the dawn of spring. New beginnings. A fresh start. New hope. New optimism. And in the world of Major League Baseball, and America's historically "favorite pastime", it ushers in the beginning stages of "spring training", where MLB teams flock south to Florida, (and west to Arizona), to begin the grind. Today is that day. 

Three years ago, I was able to take my family down to Sarasota (after a few days at Disney!), spring home of my Baltimore Orioles for my first experience of spring training. My wife, Tessa was pregnant with our girl, Evelyn so it was us and the boys. This was a bucket list event for me. And it did not disappoint. First, we got to escape from the typical snowy and icy Maryland weather, to the warm and delightful Sarasota weather. We went to beautiful Siesta Key beach, less than 10 miles from Ed Smith Stadium. And of course, we got to enjoy the Birds in action. An intimate, family stadium environment where you could easily hear the players throughout the game, easily meet them after the game, and enjoy the great game of baseball in a relaxed, paradise environment. 

JT taking it in. 

Cal Ripken was there signing autographs. 

Yes, O's and MLB legend Cal Ripken was also there, as he often is supporting his O's! Our last game there prior to leaving back home was a classic. The O's played the rival Blue Jays. Down by 3 in the ninth, the O's mounted a comeback. A classic, Orioles Magic comeback. Then Ryan Flaherty came to bat with the O's still down by 2 and 2 men on base, with 2 outs. I sensed something dramatic was about to happen and got my phone out to record. He worked the count full. And then, yes...a dramatic walk-off 3 run HR to win the game! 

A sweet moment, and a great way to cap off our first visit to Sarasota! Then after the game while we were down at the O's dugout, congratulating Ryan and the team as they came off the field, Buck Showalter took a moment to come over and sign a baseball for us! Not surprising at all. I love this man. (And BTW, a separate post coming on him soon!). 

After the game, we went over and saw Cal while he was mingling with fans and signing autographs. It was a sweet day. It was a sweet trip. We plan to go back next spring. And one day, (retirement) our hope is to escape the nasty local weather, and spend the entire month of March down w/the O's in Spring Training! 

Yes, the dawn of spring is here. Pitchers and Catchers Report today! Let's Go O's!

Throwback Thursday- The Day I met Peyton Manning

It was at this same time- yesterday was National signing day- back in 1994 that a young phenom named Peyton Manning committed to UT, further propelling what was already a dominant program, and taking the Vols to new heights in their storied tradition. And of course at this present time it is also Super Bowl week, where Peyton is preparing to play in his 4th Super Bowl. The oldest QB to ever start in the Super Bowl. And I might add, his 4th Super Bowl, with his 4th head coach (never done before)- with 2 different teams. I will refrain in this post from building my case for Peyton to be, what I believe is on the "Mt Rushmore" of greatest NFL QB's of all-time. That time will come soon! 

Peyton Manning announces commitment to UT

When Peyton came to the Vols, they were consistently a top 5-10 team, and competing for not only the SEC Championship, but the National Championship virtually every year during this glorious era. And now they would be led by Manning, one of the best QB prospects the sport had ever seen. In his first full season as QB at UT, the Vols finished 11-1, defeating Ohio St in the Citrus Bowl and were ranked #2 in the country after the season. 1996 was also a stellar year. Though the Vols started the season ranked #2 in the country with high hopes of a National Championship run, there were heartbreaking losses at home to Florida (I went to the game and almost witnessed a miraculous comeback) and then a fluke loss at Memphis. Led by Peyton, the Vols were still dominant and finished #8 in the country after dismantling a good Northwestern team in the Citrus Bowl, 48-28. After the season, rumors were swirling as to whether or not Peyton would forgo his senior year and head to the NFL, where he would likely be the #1 pick in the draft, or do something most players of his caliber wouldn't do- stay in school. The anticipation was so high. The Knoxville area was in a buzz with nervous excitement as the day, March 5, 1997 came. The announcement came while I was in between classes. I'll never forget the press conference, when Peyton announced, "I'm gonna stay at the University of Tennessee." The city and all of Vol Nation was elated. 

During the fall of 1996 when I was living in Tennessee, I spent a lot of time studying in the UT library while I was currently going to school at a community college in Knoxville. At the time, my plan was to transfer to UT the next year. And yes, I went to just about every Vols home game. 

It was a Sunday night, October 20th, 1996 to be exact. The Vols had just won on the road in Georgia the week before and it was their bye weekend, prior to facing Alabama at home the next weekend. I was in the UT library- per usual for a Sunday night at this time- and needed to find a couple books for a research project. Now of course at this time, resources were much harder to come by in this just-launched, brand-new, pre-explosion of the internet- "world wide web" age! In fact, it was only a few weeks earlier that I had gotten my very first access to this new world via my school account and had this new thing called email. Using the library computer, I was able to locate the books and then print off the library sheet for where to find them. The location of my needed books was on the 5th floor. I'll never forget it. I was walking on the far left of the room near the windows, and coming up to the row where my sheet was leading me. I arrived at the row and as I started turning right, I collided with someone who was coming out of that aisle at the same time. I said, "I'm sorry!", while looking up simultaneously, and said, "Oh, HEY PEYTON!!" Yes, I was stunned. In what was a very empty room (about 6PM on that Sunday night), the great Peyton Manning and I collided in a moment of fate. Of course, he was classy, polite, and kind. Though I remember exactly how I responded and what I said, I don't remember exactly what he said but I do remember we both laughed and he said something to the effect of "Hey! No big deal, that's ok!" I walked over with him to a corner table where he was studying with who he said was his girlfriend, I believe wife now. I didn't want to take a lot of his time but we talked for a minute or so. Among a few things, I told him: "great game last week" (GA), "looking forward to the Alabama game next weekend!", and "it's so great having you here at UT". Of course, this was also pre-selfie, iPhone age so I really wish I could have gotten an easy picture! The only thing I could think of to highlight the incredible moment was ask him if he could please sign the only thing I had on me at the moment- my library sheet! Though I was only 1 year older than him, of course I was in awe and honored to meet him face to face in that quiet setting. A moment I will forever savor. 

Peyton signs the only thing I had on me: the library print out sheet for books I was trying to find! 

And you better believe I will be cheering hard for this same guy to win his 2nd Super Bowl ring this weekend, and perhaps call it a career and ride off into the sunset. Thanks for the great memories, Peyton. On, and off the field!