A Classic Park Gets a Modern Twist, Part 2

With less than a month until Opening Day on April 6^th, we re-visited Camden Yards to see the improvements and modifications that have been made to the stadium. Over a month ago, we highlighted the renovations that were starting to take place this off season at Camden Yards to make Oriole Park more of a year-round facility. These improvements were designed to coincide with the celebration of 20 years at Camden Yards for the Orioles.

A Classic Park Gets a Modern Twist

As the Orioles prepare to celebrate 20 years at Oriole Park at Camden Yards this season, the stadium is getting a bit of a makeover.  It was announced back in December that renovations would start taking place this off season to make the stadium into more of a year-round facility.  Subtle improvements to the stadium started prior to the 2011 season on the lower concourse.

Mr. Oriole Immortalized in Bronze

We talked about the famed Brooks Robinson statue months ago, and this past weekend all was finally revealed.  The legendary Orioles third baseman (at least the bronze version of himself) has a permanent home on the plaza between Washington Boulevard and Russell Street, standing guard outside Camden Yards.  In fact, the plaza has now been renamed in his honor: Brooks Robinson Plaza.

The Ironman Needs Your Help!

It’s come down to the finals  for the Most Memorable All-Star Moment in History, and Maryland’s own Cal Ripken is a finalist!  Cal’s final All-Star Game appearance in 2001 is up against Stan Musial’s walk-off home run in 1955.

If you don’t remember Cal’s final curtain call at the All-Star game, let me refresh your memory. Cal was playing in his 19th and final All-Star game.  Selected by the fans to start at third base, it was decided before the game by American League manager Joe Torre and starting AL shortstop Alex Rodriguez that Cal would move to short for his final appearance. After some coaxing, Cal took his place as the starting shortstop. Later in the same game, Cal homered and was eventually named MVP.  The baseball gods couldn’t have written a better script for Cal’s final All-Star game appearance.

So in what we like to think of as Maryland vs. St. Louis, we’re asking all of our readers to step up to the plate and vote for Cal’s moment to be the Most Memorable All-Star Moment in History!

You can vote up to 25 times per email address, and voting ends this Saturday!

Tell everyone you know to get out there and vote!

Ready for Sho-time?

Buck wants to know — are we ready?

Ready??     OF COURSE WE’RE READY !!!!

The Merry Marketeers will be on site beginning at 5:30 AM tomorrow.  We’ll be tweeting, blogging, facing, flickering, tubing, elbowing, goosing, and whatever else it takes to capture the spirit of Opening Day at Camden Yards.

It is a going to be a beautiful day, with a dynamic crowd and high energy from the dugout to the upper decks.

Join us tomorrow as we capture it for you.  From the first whiff of Boog’s Barbecue to the last toast at Turn Ten, Terry and the Merry Marketeers will be here to remind you, in the immortal words of Thomas Boswell, Why Time Begins on Opening Day.

S’no Kidding

The daffodils are blooming at Camden Yards, but that nasty word is back in the forecast tonight.  It is supposed to stay in the northwest parts of the state if it happens.  However, we would be remiss if we didn’t note it was on this day in 1984 that a convoy of Mayflowers pulled out of Owings Mills, in the dead of night and a frigid flurry of flakes.

On Opening Day, March 31, 2003, Baltimore was treated to yet another freak of nature.  The snowfall during the early innings actually delayed the game against the Cleveland Indians.  For those willing to brave the elements, the O’s did slosh their way to a victory in the 13th inning.

So bundle up.  Spring is here, but sometimes in brings a surprise.

Keep your fingers crossed for clear skies and sunshine on Monday!