The Baltimore Orioles had a fantastic 2023 Major League baseball regular season. After being cellar dwellers for what seemed like decades, the Orioles have flip flopped the standings to become the beast of the American League East – quite possibly for years to come. The talent is at every position – on the mound, behind the plate, infielders, outfielders, home run hitters, strike out kings. The Orioles were the #1 seed going into the 2023 American League playoff season. What did all that talent and all those wins mean once playoff season started – not a heck of a lot. Baltimore was swept in the first round by the eventual World Series Champions, the Texas Rangers.
I mention all of this, not because I am a sour Red Sox fan (we finished freaking last, again) but because timing is everything. There is that phrase again. Now, work with me on this next paragraph…If the Orioles had won out and made it through the playoffs as many predicted, my work schedule last week with ABF Freight (trip to Baltimore) would have lined up with the Orioles facing someone in the ALCS (American League Championship Series). And, because I was working mostly mornings into early afternoons, there was a pretty good chance I was going to one of the ALCS games, if they actually happened. But, as I reported earlier, the Orioles never made it out of the second round (Divisional Series), thus I was denied an opportunity to experience an Orioles playoff game. My timing was right, the Rangers were just too good for this year’s Orioles. As we say in Boston, “better luck next year.”
I decided to take the drive to Camden Yards anyway. Maybe the gates would be open for a quick walk around the park, a stroll down Eutaw Street so I could revisit an awesome trip I had with my son, Harrison, for his 10th birthday. I parked across from the baseball stadium, next to the convention center, and hoped for the best and was ready to accept the reality. The first thing I noticed was the statue of Babe Ruth, ok I remember this area very well.
The next thing I noticed was the number 8, Hall of Famer Cal Ripken’s number for the Baltimore Orioles. The 8 is significant because I snapped a photo of Harry posing in front of it before we went into see the Red Sox play the Orioles back in 2015. Here are the two photos side by side. Time flies, it is not a trivial saying, in most cases it is a harsh reality. Side note, enjoy every moment you can with your kids for as long as you can.
Being that it was 8 years since I visited Camden Yards, I didn’t remember all of the other numbered statues outside of the Eutaw Street Gate. I took a moment and walked to each one, reading the inscription on the statue, and recalling how awesome a baseball player they were. Jim Palmer, Frank Robinson, Manager Earl Weaver, Brooks Robinson, Eddie Murray, and of course Jackie Robinson. Here are the other number statues outside of the famous Eutaw Street entrance.
It was a gorgeous weather day in Baltimore, so I wasn’t really that bummed that the stadium was locked. I took a walk around the perimeter of the stadium, down past bars and souvenir shoppes that would typically be booming during an Orioles game. And mostly likely overflowing if there was a playoff game. As I walked the perimeter, I searched the drains and bushes and parking lot areas for a stray baseball, but unfortunately I came up empty. See, I don’t always get a baseball, just most of the time. I made my way around the stadium twice before I spotted the Babe Ruth historical marker.
Having just visited the Babe Ruth Birthplace and Museum on that previous Sunday, I was excited to read about the Babe’s place in Baltimore history, yet again. And then, across the street, I spotted another huge statue.
Brooks Robinson was an elite defensive third baseman who played nearly 23 seasons in the Major Leagues, all with the Baltimore Orioles. This impressive statue had Robinson’s stats and career accomplishments on the base, which included his years of defensive wizardry winning Gold Glove awards, winning the Roberto Clemente award, and being elected into Cooperstown’s Baseball Hall of Fame in 1983. Interesting fact, 1983 was a big year in Baltimore, with the Orioles capturing the World Series trophy. I don’t like to place bets but I will make a small prediction – The Orioles will get to another World Series within the next 5 years, maybe multiple ones, maybe even win one. Brooks Robinson lived long enough to see his Orioles rise back to the top of the American League, but sadly passed away this past September. He was 86.
I had a great trip around (several times) Camden Yards on my last trip to Baltimore. Sure, the stadium gates were locked, no baseball games were being played, no loud fan noises could be heard, but that was just fine with me. I got to learn more about Hall of Famer Brooks Robinson, read up on some Orioles greats like Murray, Weaver, and Frank Robinson, and spend a nice afternoon in the Baltimore sun. And take a wonderful walk down memory lane remembering the awesome trip to Baltimore I took with then 10 year old son, Harrison, who is now 18 and in college in Rhode Island. That was absolutely worth the trip and what an amazing experience on so many levels!
The Rhiter 
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