Yesterday, we began asking for your recollections of the moment when you became a fan. It might have happened on a day like Dec. 3, 1972, when Johnny Unitas played his last game for the Baltimore Colts. He came off the bench at Memorial Stadium, wearing those trademark black hightops, and threw an ugly pass toward Eddie Hinton. What took place next was a thing of beauty that seemed meant to be. Hinton wouldn't go down and went 63 yards for a touchdown. With the crowd still cheering No. 19, a small plane flew over the stadium, carrying a banner that read, UNITAS WE STAND!

The moment you became a fan might not have been as dramatic as that day at Memorial Stadium, but it's probably just as memorable. Let us know what that moment was for you. Each day, we'll list those remembrances here (take a look at yesterday's) ... and at the end of the week, give a modest prize.

We want to thank everyone who has contributed so far for their generosity.

From GH.

"Not to be denied, the Indians came back with one in the fifth and tied it
at 4-4 with another run in the sixth.

"The Orioles took the lead back in the bottom of the sixth on a home run by
Curt Blefary.

"Again the Indian battled back scratching out a run off Palmer in the top of
the seventh on a walk, a sac, and a single.

"In the Oriole seventh, Norm Siebern (PH for Palmer) and Louie Aparicio
flied out.

"Then, with two outs,  the magic hits -- Snyder and the Boog both get
singles.  With men on first and second Brooks hits a grounder to first for
the final out, but as required by Oriole Magic, the Indian first baseman
boots the ball, loading the bases for the hero of the last inning -- Curt
Blefary.

"AND HE DID IT AGAIN ? GRAND SLAM!  With two homers in two plate
appearances in two innings, Curt knocked in five runs and the Orioles take
a 9-5 lead.

"I was 9.  We lived in a shack in a little fishing village on the
Chesapeake.  No running water, wood stove in the main room for heat, dead
father, Mom was very sick with MS - not a whole lot was going good for me.
I remember listening to that game (Chuck Thompson, most likely) on a little
white transistor radio. 

"The Orioles, especially Curt Blefary, showed that no matter how many times
you get knocked down, you can always be a hero in the bottom of the inning;
twice in a row, if you need to.

"It's personal with me -- I've been a die-hard fan O's from that day
forward."

From Phil.

"I've lived in Rochester, NY my whole life. Up until recently Rochester was
the Orioles AAA farm team.  Saw a lot of Oriole greats pass through town,
but 1971 was when I really got hooked.  Rochester won the Junior World
Series that year. All seven games played in Rochester due to scheduling
conflicts with the Denver stadium. Bobby Grich was called up then and never
looked back. A lot of wonderful memories."

From Earl.

"Tommy Phoebus' no hitter in 1968."