Orioles: Avoiding the water main mess
If you were on your way to work downtown today, you might still be in your car after a huge water main break near Lombard and Gay Streets snarled traffic all morning. Don't know how long it's going to take to get things cleared up, but you might want to consider an alternate route into town if you're planning on attending tonight's game between the Orioles and Los Angeles Angels.
Obviously, it's going to be easier to come in from the south than northwest of the city, so if you're west of town you might want to come around the beltway and take 95 North to 395, which has an offramp right into Camden Yards. There's also 295 North, which turns into Russell Street and takes you straight to the ballpark lots (and nearby downtown lots).
The Orioles are monitoring the situation and expect the water main break to impact traffic well into the evening. The team advises fans coming down I-83 to exit at Fayette Street and come across downtown, Pratt Street will be open after the game, so fans will be able to get to I-83 when they head home, though traffic could be heavy.
We'll have updates on the situation on the Web site, and I'll forward any advice from the Orioles when there's a better idea of the impact on rush hour traffic.
Instant update: Also, if you were headed down to ESPN Zone for the Orioles Q&A with relief pitcher Chris Ray, that has been postponed because of the break. Many of the buildings in the area are without water and have had to remain closed until the water main is repaired.
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Comments
Didn't know you did traffic as well. Am trying to come up with something witty to say about a water main leak and the Orioles... and I just keep thinking about sewage. Sorry, that was undeservedly harsh and not true.
On another note entirely...I sent an email to Dave Trembley on Monday morning following Sunday night's win against the Rangers. I brought my 6 year old daughter to that game and afterwards we stood outside the player's lot to see if we could get her hat signed. While a number of players just got in their cars and drove off with a nod to the handful of fans, I had faith in the man of the day, Brian Roberts.
We stood outside the lot and waiting, and sure enough, as Brian Roberts pulled out of the lot in his pickup he saw me standing there with my little girl and pulled over and signed her hat. He thanked me for my positive comment about his performance and I thanked him for taking the time to sign. He doesn't smile or have any big conversations, but he does something that not a lot of All Stars do, he takes his own time to show a little appreciation to those of us who buy the tickets and sit in the seats (as opposed to those who buy the tickets and don't show up). I told Dave that in Yiddish, B-Rob is what we call a "mensch".
The next day my little girl went to school as happy as she could be now that as she said "Brian Roberts signed my hat!"
I related this to the Skipper who responded that Brian is a first class act on and off the field.
Just to give these guys credit, we've had similar experiences with
Jamie Walker, Jeremy Guthrie (who stopped last year w/wife and kid in the car), Chris Ray as well as announcers Jim Palmer, Rick Dempsey, Fred Manfra and Joe Angel and I even got Erik Bedard to shake my hand.
Unlike a former pitcher who while distinguishing himself by apparently "mastering the art of the walk", never even cracked a smile and ignored the fans. Now look at his great "success".
I think it's all indicative of a general attitude about the game and how it's played both on and off the field. It says a lot about which players are the ones with "heart" and who personify the values of this country and baseball.
Still nothing witty to say about the water main leak, so I'm gone.
Posted by: Jeff from Roch-ville | April 28, 2009 12:20 PM
Pete, you say this like there will be more than 15 fans there tonight...
Posted by: JTK | April 28, 2009 12:57 PM