BALTIMORE ORIOLES
Even though we lived in Montgomery County and were closer to D.C., there was of course, no baseball team in the district. The Orioles were the "local" team that most in our region considered their "home" team, and would naturally become our team. On May 3, 1983 at the age of 7, my Dad took me and my brother, Jonathan to our first Orioles game at Memorial Stadium in Baltimore. I remember where we parked that night. I remember Dad buying us batting helmets outside while on the way in. I remember sitting near section 34 and Wild Bill Hagy's crew, Cal Ripken hitting a HR, and Mike Flanagan pitching to get the win. And while I went to a few more games that glorious summer, my defining moment was in September vs. the Brewers. The O's were in the middle of their hot, late season surge towards the AL pennant. In the bottom of the 8th inning, Eddie Murray batted with the bases loaded, 2 outs and the O's down by 2. The loud chants of "EDD-ie, EDD-ie" filled the air. And then, as if on cue, Murray crushes a Grand Slam. I will never forget how loud the roar was at the crack of the bat as the fans went nuts and the O's went on to win the dramatic game. I was smitten. My lifelong love for the Birds took flight.
I currently have a 29 game season ticket plan (go to roughly 15 or so games per year) and figure I have been to over 400 games over these several years. Looking forward to our next World Series Championship!
Oct 1, 1983, vs the Yankees. And yes, this is me: pointing to the game, while others wanted a picture!
Ticket stub from game above