Schmucker: What about the day in July 2001 when the CSX chemical freight train derailed in the Howard Street Tunnel and fumes spilled up into the city? The Orioles game that night had to be canceled and I believe was eventually replayed in the opposing teams's stadium. I remember it being strange that, before 9/11, Cal Ripken was going to play his last game at NYY and not Baltimore and the Orioles requested that the game be rescheduled to the day after the regular season ended...so he could close at home. MLB declined this proposal.

The other one I can think of...though I wasn't around for it: didn't a small plane crash into Memorial Stadium on a Colts game-day? And no one was around because the Colts were getting blown out? Now that's strange.

Palmeiro getting suspended for steroids and the blaming it on Tejada's B-12 shot.

Does Palmeiro getting busted for 'roids count? That was certainly a shocker.

And how about the Ravens? Baltimore falling asleep without an NFL team and waking up with one on the doorstep

I ave 2
one is BALTIMORE Colts linebacker Mike Curtis tackling a fan who picked up the ball during a break in action

#2 is the lights going out at the stadium when Cal Ripken was supposidly not in the ballpark when the streak was alive--

How about Irsay calling plays on the sideline back in 1980 or 1981. First he yanked Bert Jones and then he called plays. Can't believe we lost that game.

I still have to go with the Lenn Sakata game back on Aug 24, 1983 when he was forced to catch and Tippy Martinez picked off 3 successive runners anxious to steal off him in the 10th inning...and then Sakata had the game winning walkoff homerun in the bottom of the 10th inning

Peter-
When that chick kissed ripken on the field.

How about that moron stepping into the path of a herd of charging racehorses coming down the stretch of the Preakness a few years ago?

1.) The idiot who crashed his plane in to the upper deck following the BALTIMORE Colts loss to the Steelers in the playoffs.

2.) The national televised Orioles game against the Red Sox the afternoon after someone had written/burned "SOX SUX" on the infield grass at Memorial Stadium.

3.) That punk kid Jeffrey Meier in NY.

Wednesday, August 22, 2007

Rangers 30, Orioles 3

The Orioles actually led the game 3-0 before the Rangers eked out a win with 30 unanswered runs.

That may have been the Orioles' low point, but we haven't got much better than that in the two subsequent years.

Earl sending out Elrod to pitch after the Jays scored 24 runs, in '78.

The day you were hired.

The first thing that came to mind was Tippy Martinez picking off three runners from first.

Marty Cordova getting fried in a tanning booth and having to miss games.

Irsay's press conference at the airport.

The Sun firing sports writers in the press box in the middle of an Orioles game.

30-3 Rangers v. Os

Irsay's disgusting sneaking out of town with our Colts.

How about Jack Cust tripping over third base against the Yankees?

Two from the ballpark statue department:

1) The idiots who stole Ripken's #8 statue

2) The realization that Babe Ruth was a lefty--and his statue has him right-handed.

Earl Weaver pulling the team off the field in the bottom of the fourth inning and forfeiting the game to the toronto Blue Jays September 15, 1977. The Umpire refused to have a rolled up tarp removed from the area where the Blue jays pitchers warmed up, Weaver claimed a player could get injured by running over or into it.

Willie Tasby playing centerfield barefoot for the Orioles in 1959, because there were thunderstorms in the area and he was afraid his metal cleats would attract lightning.

Does anyone remember the Orioles fog game at Memorial Stadium where Pat Kelly didn't know where a fly ball was until he heard it land about 10 feet behind him in left field?

What about Peter Angelos and Fidel Castro watching baseball together? That's pretty surreal.

And didn't the Queen of England come watch a baseball game in Baltimore once? Also surreal.

Weird and also the second darkest day in Cost history......

Back in the early 70's when Colts owner Carroll Rosenbloom swapped franchises with LA owner Robert Irsay

Spellcheck ----- Colts not Cost

It has snowed on opening day a time or two and also during the '79 WS. Weren't the O's in Chicago when the game had to be postponed due to Disco Demolition Night?
Having the CFL here was kinda strange too. As were the Stars of the USFL since they really weren't even here.

Not one current Oriole (current Oriole at that time) attending Elrod's funeral. Strange, sad and pathetic all rolled up in one. The Oriole Way - Angelos style....

Bert Jones tucking the ball underneath his jersey in a meaningless late season game with everyone hoping we would lose so we would get a higher draft pick.

Also John Elway, Art Schlister, Glenn Davis and Alan Wiggins shenanagans.

JACK CUST TRIPPING TWICE RUNNING THE BASES IN EXTRA INNINGS AGAINST THE YANKEES AND FALLING FOUR FEET SHORT OF SCORING!!!!!!!!

Also, Roberto Alomar spitting in the face of John Hirschbeck. May be normal in the Dominican but it certainly is strange in America.

Perhaps, the strangest part of the 30-3 game was some joker got a save because of the score after five and he pitched four innings of relief.

Didn't happen in Balto., but one night in Cleveland (I think), Earl Weaver argued a game to be resumed and the Orioles came back and won.

How about the City Coucil plotting to use eminent domain to condemn the Colts, and then coming up with the money for a new stadium after they left under the cloak of darkness?

How about winning Canada's Grey Cup?

How about winning the USFL championship without actually playing a game in Baltimore?

How about the 19th Century ploy of pouring concrete in front of home plate (and covering it with a thin layer of dirt) to help Keeler and the boys perfect the Baltimore Chop?

How about 21 penalties being called against the Ravens in Detroit, 2005?

How about Boller beating Favre, 48-3, on Monday night?

How about 0-21? Or my favorite, the sellout win when the Orioles returned from a road trip at 1-23?

How about a Cowboy winning the MVP for Super Bowl V?

How about the Baltimore Arena/Civic Center? That dump was outdated ten minutes after it opened. How about singer Ethel Ennis helping in its design?

How about the Baltimore Mariners? Does anyone know there's an indoor football team here?

How about the 3-13-1 Baltimore Blades (WHA) of 1974-75?

The craziest moment that I've been a part of was Opening Day at the Yard in 2003 with the snow. Much like the fog game, Jay Gibbons lost a fly ball in the weather. My wife (who was pregnant at the time), daughter and I gutted it out for some of the extra innings, but my brother and his girlfriend made it all the way to the end to see the O's win.

Speaking of CFL, how 'bout the Stallions game when we blocked a punt, after a wild scramble the punter picked it up and kicked it again, then our return guy ran it back for a TD?

One play, two punts, one blocked, one returned for a TD. That's strange.

Not sure if this qualifies as strange, but there was an Orioles game back in 2003 (Not sure) that had to be called due to a light bulb missing from one of the light tiers atop the stadium. (Hardly Noticable) The Orioles were hosting the Mariners that night, and rumour had it that Cal & his wife had a heated argument, and that Cal wasn't at the park in time for the game. Thus breaking his consecutive game streak. Anyways, The O's kept the fans waiting until 9pm before calling the game. They blamed BGE!! I remember it was very strange that the Orioles players were standing outside the dugout in uniform, playing long-toss. While the Mariners players were sitting in the dugout, many of them in street clothes.

I had seats near the visitors on deck circle and I was asking some of the Mariners players if they knew what was going on. They didn't have a clue.

Stan White going to court (or threatening to) to have his daughter named high school valedictorian. Talk about your helicopter parents.

Brady Anderson hitting 50 homeruns in a season.

Jim Palmer as a tighty-whitey underwear model.

Sid Fernandez.

Some suggestions: The weekend Terrell Owens went from heralded acquistion to the biggest heel in Baltimore Sports when he nixed a trade here. Sammy Stewart trying to pitch with both hands. Ray Leonard's "retirement" and Marvin Hagler's reaction. Albert Belle's injury after being the leading RBI guy of the last 10 years prior.

Other the the obvious ones already mentioned...

Ripken getting his nose broken at the All-Star game during the team photo during the streak?

Cal Sr. getting the ax while Jr. and Billy were in the starting line-up?

The continued resurgence of indoor soccer teams at the Civic Center/Arena. I mean how many times can leagues fold and the Blast/Spirit/Blast keep going and going.

The day that Moose decided that the Evil Empire was where he wanted to go?

The Bowie Baysox playing a season at Memorial Stadium and the fans basically haivng the run of that once former beautiful palace. And, while there, having Fernando Valenzuala and Jeffrey Hammonds play in games.

Some odd off-field happenings...Billy Ripken's infamous baseball card & Ray Lewis knifing someone.

The Escalator Accident at Memorial Stadium - May 2, 1964 - Safety Patrol Day - 47 kids injuried and 1 died. (My sister and friends were part of the 47.)

Earl Weaver's profanity laced tirade on "The Manager's Corner" radio show. Unbelievable. Trembley should go back and listen to it for some pointers.

Pete, We were playing The Royals at Memorial Stadium and Bo Jackson climbed the outfield wall like Spiderman to make a catch. No one could believe it.

Pete,

CSX train is my number two vote in the "weird" category, right after Art Modell continuously not getting elected to the HOF (but that's more of a collection of moments):

Some others for consideration:

--The day Baltimore go passed over for an expansion team in favor of Carolina and Jacksonville.

--Pete Harnish "mysteriously" stepping on a nail before the 1989 showdown at Skydome (leading to a great game by Dave Johnson).

--or even the entire 1989 season, especially after the disaster of 1988 (which season was more weird?)

--Jeff Mantos, on Oriole no one knew of, hitting a record-tying 4 consecutive Home Runs in 4 consecutive at bats (maybe too obscure?)

The stupid guy that climbed the foul pole during an Orioles game.

My choices, in order:

1. Bob the Red Faced Owner's (thank you Phil Jackman) drunken airport press conference

2. Airplane in the seats - MY SEATS!! I missed the game :) A playoff game against the Steelers, as I recall

3. Cal's victory lap during 2131

4. Tippy's "perfect" relief inning

By the way, Elrod's blowout-finishing stint, as I recall, actually happened in Toronto. And I think he threw like 1 perfect inning, giving him a lifetime era of 0.00

On April 30, 1967, Steve Barber (8 2/3 innings, 10 walks, 2 wild pitches, 3 strikeouts, 0 hits) and Stu Miller (1/3 inning) combined to allow 2 runs and 0 hits, but allowed the Tigers to win 2 - 1 with 2 runs in the ninth courtesy of 3 walks, a wild pitch and an error. My Dad was a frontrunner and he had purchased a 13 game plan the year following the '66 World Series. Suffice it to say, we didn't stay for the 2nd game of the doubleheader, also a loss.

There were a lot of strange things. Here's one that was strange and entertaining: John Lowenstein crashing in the outfield, being carried out on a stretcher and popping up to say thumbs up and hi to everyone. You have to love him.

Rich - I was at that game and we couldn't believe our eyes at what was happening.and how fast he was climbing. He got mauled by security when they pulled him down.

Was also at the Colts/Steelers game the day of the plane crash that Pete mentioned. We were in the next section over in the upper deck but we left in the third quarter because the Steelers were blowing us out. Remember hearing about it while stuck in that god-awful parking lot of the stadium waiting to get out.

Hee are a few in no particular order:

1. The opening day a fews years back that the umpires delayed because it was snowing so hard that outfielders were losing fly ball in the snow.

2. Jackie Brandt at the plate calls time because a flying insect is annoying him. He then kills the bug, buries it at home and conducts a mini service for it.

3. Jack Cust's stumble-crawl from third to home.

For some good reading about Brandt and other Oriole flakes, check out this article:

http://www.dailypress.com/bal-sp.os5031aug31,0,3576289.story?page=1

Wayne, Melvin Mora attended Elrod's funeral.

Well, seeing and hearing the name "Indianapolis Colts" certainly felt strange for 4-5 years. The sight of Johnny U wearing a SD Chargers lightning bolt was strange, too.

But if we're to focus on the more 'off-the-wall', I'd vote:

#1: 12/19/76 plane crash (forgotten is the fact that it was one of four plane crashes in the state of Maryland that day!)

#2: Irsay's airport press conference in January '84 -- or maybe any other of his public statements.

Another one worth mentioning - the streaker at a 1974 O's game (even though streaking was The Fad at the time).

The time John Lowenstein was struck by a thrown ball while running the bases and had to be stretchered off. Just before the stretcher reached the dugout, Lo suddenly sat up straight and pumped his fists, to the raucous approval of the Memorial Stadium faithful. He definitely knew how to make an exit.

In the "might have been" category...
In one 1977 game against Detroit Sammy Stewart switched his glove to his right hand and actually started to deliver left-handed to Dave Revering. Unfortunately Revering called time and stepped out of the box.

Deion Sanders getting called from the announcers booth to suit up for a game. With his first tackle, he took his helmet off and did a dance which resulted in a penalty. He claimed he "forgot" the new rule.

anytime the orioles take the field

How about the entire brief history of the ABA's 1975 Baltimore Claws, especially the fact they were originally named the Baltimore Hustlers? They played three exhibition games before being disbanded and their players were awarded to other ABA franchises in a dispersal draft.

Hoyt Wilhelm on the mound at Comiskey Park being attacked by nats. The game was stopped and the grounds crew set off bug bombs on the mound

How about Hoyt Wilhelm being attacked by a flock? of gnats and the groundskeepers eventually having to set off fireworks to get rid of the annoying pests? Just about anytime Gus Triandos had to really run.

Pretty much everything I can think of has already been said.

For the strangest though, I'm going to go with the Maier catch, as I think it's well beyond strange that only one person in the entire world, arguably the person with the best view of the play couldn't tell that the kid had his entire arm hanging into the field of play.

Ugh... http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y32/Orioles/untitled.jpg

The MASN deal. Where is the money?

One more third baseman down, as the Astros just signed Pedro Feliz:

http://www.mlbtraderumors.com/2009/12/pedro-feliz-close-to-signing-with-astros.html

Hoyt Willhelm on the mound and swarms of gnats invaded. Delayed the game for some time. Ground crew was spraying cans all around the mound. Kinda like watching Joba in the playoffs a couple of years ago.

Rick Dempsey entertaining during the rain delay was hilarious.

Earl Weaver's various tirades. Taking 3rd base into the clubhouse, putting dirt on the umpires shoes, ....

Tippy's 3 pick offs at first game.

Mike Curtis enforcing the no fans on the field rule. No fan tried it again. I can only imagine Ray Lewis playing with a cast on his arm.

Brady Anderson taking his shirt off at the Pam Shriver Tennis Event and having his back covered with some of the nastiest looking acne you've ever seen.

And then a few years later learning that one of the side effects of steroids is violent body acne

THE O's CHEER DURING THE STAR SPANGLED BANNER.....

Not only is it strange, but it's crude and embarrassing!

Men and woman are dying for our country as we speak, yet in the middle of America's most patriotic song, thousand upon thousands of ignorant morons scream O.

When you do it, it embarrasses you, the organization you're rooting for, the city of Baltimore and America.

When Wild Bill starting his cheer, his intent was never for it to become what Baltimore has done with it.

And this has nothing to do with how awful the O's are as an organization.

Sad thing is, if the Orioles ever won again, the O's cheer will be even louder. A classy organization would ask people to refrain from such, but they are what they are.....

There's nothing wrong with an O's cheer people...... Just keep it away from something sacred and meaningful.

Stop it Baltimore! Have some class!

When the O's hired Andy and adopted losing as a PLAN.

I remember the Baltimore Clippers' AHL playoff game at the Civic Center that the refs had to stop because the fans were using the silver-foil reflective covers of the programs as mirrors and blinding the players on the ice.

Or the Colts game at Memorial Stadium in '77 that they lost in the final seconds because ted Marchibroda thought it was unsportsmanlike to take a safety and instead elected to punt with the ball on the Colts' 2 yard line. It was blocked and recovered in the end zone for a Lions TD and they won it 13-10.

Or Chuck Diering catching a fly ball in center field at Memorial in '54 and crashing through the hedge that served as the fence that year.

Ravens vs. Browns. Players on both sides leave the field thinking game is won by Ravens. Fans leave the stadium and come rushing back in to witness Phil Dawson kick a field goal that hits back of portion of field goal for the Browns win.

Better Explanation of Phil Dawson Field Goal:

On November 18, 2007, Dawson attempted a 51-yard field goal in the closing seconds of the fourth quarter to tie the game against the Baltimore Ravens. The kick carried through the air, and bounced off the left upright, back onto the rear curved post (stanchion), which bounced the football back out over the crossbar and into the end zone. The kick was originally ruled no good. Under NFL rules, the play was not reviewable.[1] Officials discussed the play among themselves for several minutes and decided that, since the ball had indeed crossed the crossbar within the goal, whatever happened afterward to the ball didn't matter. The kick was considered good, as announced by referee Pete Morelli. However, as the play is not technically reviewable, referee Pete Morelli announced that the play was reversed "after discussion," as opposed to "after further review," as is usually stated. At this point the Ravens, already celebrating in the locker room, were called back out onto the field to proceed to an overtime period. The Browns went on to win the game, 33-30 in overtime, as Dawson came through again with a more visible 33-yard field goal.

Billy Martin vs Ed Whitson.

ABC123,

The Os have adopted losing as a PLAN for over 10 years, way before Andy got here. Your comment makes no sense. The Os are headed in the right direction ask any professional baseball executive out there. Idiot!
Robby B

Here's another: Glenn Davis -- after coming off the disabled list from one of his ailments -- goes the Rochester farm club for a rehab assignment and breaks his hand in a bar brawl after an away game in Norfolk. Then after that injury heals, he returns to Camden Yards and, on the bench his first night back, he gets nailed in the head by a line drive foul ball and knocked out cold.

1. Bob Irsay’s drunken press conference with Mayor Schaefer, 1984
2. Mayflower vans pull out of Owings Mills complex in the snowy night, 1984
3. Mike Curtis clubs a fan who had run onto field at Memorial Stadium, 1971
4. Lee Chang Ferrell hops onto track during the seventh race, Preakness Day 1999, and tries to punch Artax
5. Donald Kroner crashes his plane into Memorial Stadium just after the Steelers game, 1976
6. Jeffery Maier reaches over the Yankee Stadium fence to steal a catch from Tony Tarrasco in the ALCS, 1996
7. Governor Parris Glendening stood in the parking lot of Camden Yards waiving documents over his head proclaiming how fun it was to steal the Browns, 1995
8. Robbie Alomar spits in the face of umpire John Hirshbeck, 1996
9. 0-21 Orioles land on the cover of Sports Illustrated, 1988
10. Barbaro shatters leg and overshadows Bernardini wining Preakness, 2007
11. With Lenn Sakata in as emergency catcher, Tippy Martinez picks off three Blue Jays, 1983

How about Marty Cordova going on DL after frying himself in a tanning booth or Bo Jackson running along the wall after making a catch at memorial stadium. On a positive note, Shannon Sharpes' touchdown reception that bounced off Jamal Lewis' shoulder in the wild card game of our super bowl run.

Mike Deveraeux fair or foul homerun

Alan Wiggins getting "picked off" at first by the ball in the glove trick.

The Ravens / Terrell Owens fiasco was pretty odd

I have three that stick out in my mind

3. President Bush, in 2001, getting booed on Opening Day

2. Gregg Olson, the last pitcher to bat in an AL game, when a substition error (putting the DH in the field) caused the pitcher to be in the lineup in 1991.

1. Stickgate in the NCAA Mens Lacrosse Quarterfinals, 2005.

No doubt in my mind it was at the Stadium on 33rd St. Colts vs. Steelers and over head nutcase Donald Kroner was buzzing the stadium in a light plane. Fortunately the Colts were hopelessly out of the game at this time sonething like 44-10 and most of the people had exited the stadium. I was there in Section 11 Row 22 Seat 11 and saw him crash into the upper deck. Had the game been close and the stadium full who knows how many people would have been injured. The second and saddest moment was watching the Mayflower vans leave the complex and head to Indy I will never forgive Irsay or Mayor Willie Don for this travesty.

I remember Lee May stealing a base once in 1978. The catcher was so surprised that there was no throw to 2nd.

The Earl Weaver tirade on "Manager's Corner" was never broadcasted. It was an in-house joke with Weaver and Tom Marr that somehow got leaked. Thanks to the Internet and places like YouTube, it continues to exist. And like the War of the Worlds, there are those who are duped into thinking it was actually broadcasted over the air.

Ray Lewis didn't knife anybody.

One I should have added was Jimmy Connors signing on to play for the Baltimore Banners, our one-year entry (1974) in World Team Tennis. He was banned from the French Open that year because the French thought WTT conflicted with their tournament too much, and banned all players that year who had signed with a team. Connors won the other three majors and lost a chance to win a proper Grand Slam.

The Clipper game recall reminded me of something similar during a Skipjack game. The San Diego Chicken -- then known as The Famous Chicken for some legal reason -- was at a game for the kiddies at the Arena.

The Jacks got off to a slow start and was muddling behind for most of the game. The Chicken was almost all of the entertainment.

With about five minutes to go, the Jacks scored a fluke goal to pull within 5-2. Two minutes later with some inspired play the score became 5-3. Then, it was 5-4. The cinder-blocked albatross was going nuts.

With less than a minute remaining, who the Skipjacks were playing was called for a penalty. The Jacks pulled the goalie and had effectively a two-man advantage for the last 45 seconds.

There was crisp passing. Two shots cracked off of the glass but the Jacks were able to keep the puck in their end of the ice.

Then, there was another pass or two and then, WHAM, a shot rifled off of the crossbar almost tying the game.

The rebound miraculously found its way onto a Jacks' stick when play was suddenly whistled dead and 22 seconds showing on the clock.

The Famous Chicken became the Infamous Chicken. During all of the excitement, the celebrity mascot had grabbed a bucket of popcorn from who knows where. When the shot kerplunked off of the crossbar, the poulty in motion threw the bucket into the air perhaps thinking the tying goal had been scored.

The popcorn, bucket and all, ended up on the ice. After a five-minute clean-up, the Visitors won the face-off and the game.

The Chicken was long gone by the final horn, and for good reason.

I don't mean to get all new age on everyone here but seriously, has anyone looked at Kouzmanoff's OBP for his career? He is an out machine. I I understand that he would just be holding the position for Bell but I was hopeful that we were done with these Tony Batista clones.

Wayne-

I did two tours of Iraq. I don't see a problem with someone yelling "O" in the anthem. Get off your soapbox.

Also, yelling "O" isn't what bothers me. What bothers me is some primadonna who tears up the anthem with his/her own randition, especially when it's some kind of pop-acappella style.

1969 . . . No way we lose to the Mets and Jets both

An NFL Band Marching in a city that didn't have an NFL team.

Hearing that Baltimore Colts fight song when the Baltimore Colts no longer existed.

Having the CFL in Baltimore...

An NFL Band Marching in a city that didn't have an NFL team.

Hearing that Baltimore Colts fight song when the Baltimore Colts no longer existed.

Having the CFL in Baltimore...

The Ravens-Browns game in Baltimore when everyone thought the game was over on a missed field goal but the refs illegally reviewed it and gave the W to Cleveland.

How about the game when Tippy Martinez picked off 3 runners and the catcher was Lenn Sakata!

What about the Ravens not scoring a touchdown in five consecutive games and still winning the Super Bowl. Kinda odd, i'd say.

Random comments:

* Weaver's "interview" with Tom Marr was a classic. I also like his battle with ump Bill Haller after a balk called on Mike Flanagan wcich ended up in a discussion about whether or not Earl would get into the Hall, depending upon whether the electors counted series won or series games won. Earl claimed it never happened. I have the tape.

* the word is "broadcast", not "broadcasted"

* yelling "O" during the Anthem is obnoxious and disrespectful, as I am constantly reminded by out of town friends and relatives. Personal renditions such as those by Jimi Hendrix at Woodstock and Marvin Gaye at the NBA All-Star game are classics should not be confused with the one by Roseanne Barr Arnold

Dave,

First of all, thank you for your service.

I respectfully disagree, as do many who have served. My father for example, a retired marine officer with 2 purple hearts, takes great offense to it at each Ravens game.

Each time the part of O approaches I cringe, knowing how it hurts him and so many like him.

It's disrespectful and crude beyond words. It also shows how disrespectful fans can be.

My father fought so people can be free to do such nonsense. It doesn't make it any less embarrassing however.

Nevertheless, it's now a Baltimore tradition. An embarrassing one at that.

Orioles OF'er Tito Francona leaping up to make a HR saving catch and then being impaled and hung up on the OF fence.

My father told me about that one because I am way too young to have known anything about the Orioles in '56 and '57

1. Brady Anderson getting hurt roller blading to work. He actually got knocked down by the Orioles employee shuttle bus.

2. Larry Bigbie befriending that local guy to get him steroids and into clubs. Very bizarre.

3. John Kruk/Randy Johnson AS Game. Same game- Mussina warms up, doesn't go in.

4. Calvin Maduro telling a party-girl he left tickets for her at Will Call, when Calvin Maduro in fact did not leave tickets for party girl at Will Call (I was working a window that day). I am pretty sure his career ending trying to snag a HR ball in BP one day. He went on the DL shortly after.

Wayne- Get over yourself already. I will be sure to let out an even louder and impassioned patriotic "OH!" just for you this weekend before the Lions game.

Would you look at Wayne finally being "respectful," well sort of...

I am a veteran, the son of a veteran and the grandson of a veteran, all proud US Army. I am also a proud Baltimore and Maryland expatriate and you know what Wayne, I think the O's cheer is great. Lighten up and if your Dad takes "great offense" to it and it "hurts him," he should lighten up too. As a veteran who counts many, many veterans among my friends and family, I feel perfectly entitled to state the obvious-- just because someone is a veteran doesn't mean they can't be plain wrong and ridiculous about something, even flags and anthems. Your attempt to freeze out debate by waving your father's medals in the air is cheap and tawdry.

It's such a harmless tradition, the "O" cheer. It's actually funny to imagine that people are sitting in the stands "hurting" when it occurs. You and yours sound like a real fun bunch to be around, mad at the team, mad at the owner, mad at the GM, mad at the fans, mad at the world and so easily offended and hurt-- burying bitterness beneath some kind of patriotic facade. That's some American dream you've got...sterile, uniform, humorless.

You know Wayne, what's disrespectful and crude is calling Orioles fans "losers" because they disagree with you. What's embarrassing is watching you use your father's service to make those with whom you disagree too uncomfortable to make a counterpoint. Here's some news Wayne, veterans can be wrong. I'm a vet and I can admit I'm wrong sometimes and so are many of my veteran and active duty friends. Maybe, just maybe, your Dad is a little sensitive on this one.

Please don't co-opt someone else's service to make a point. It's unseemly.

One of the funniest was Raphael Palmerio doing those commercials of Viagara, then years later he tests positive for steriods. And what is one of the side effects of steriod use it? E.D. No wagging the finger (or any appendage) this time, Raffy.

my first odd sports experience was the fogged out, colts vs. green bay in '56. fog began at the north end of the stadium,33rd st, during the first quarter. by the 4th, fog covered the entire field.
nobody saw nontin,including the players.
the second experience was lenny moore's running backwards into the end zone , after catching a pass. moore was hit and turned completely around,his back facing the 49er's end zone.leny didn't miss a step, running backwards into the end zone. that raised a general"did you see that through-out the stands.

next was the plane flying into the upper deck at 33rd st. luckily, no one was injured. watching the plane circle the stadium and than fly into it was,well,like watching something in slow motion.

lastly,watching brother lo slide head first into second, and than being carried off on a stretcher,only to see him arise at third base. now that was odd but oh so entertaining. lowenstein was a real showman

Was it Luis Mercedes found in the clubhouse eating a sandwich when it was his turn at the plate during a spring training game in '91 or '92?

speaking of fog... in the why not 89 season when the umps wouldnt stop a game against the yankees (I think) and phil bradley lost the ball in the fog. O's end up losing

How about the snow storm that caused Gibbons to lose the ball in the corner?

wayne-

My dad is a Navy vet, my brother is a Marine vet, and my grandfathers were both in the Navy and Coast Guard. And I'm an Army vet. I just don't see it.

I get a bit heated at an able-bodied person who doesn't stand up. And I take notice at people who won't take off their hat.

Or maybe I'm so used to hearing people in Baltimore yell "O" that I'm immune to it. But as far as veterans being disrepected, people that I know don't take it too personally. I don't see it as an issue.

Back in the early 60's my friend and I attended Colts-Lions game at Memorial Stadium. With about a minute left and Colts kicking off we left a little early to catch a bus. In the parking lot we heard a loud groan from the stands. Asked a parking lot attendant who was listening to the game on radio. He said the Lions had scored and were kicking off. got to bus parked on 33rd St. Heard another loud groan from stadium. Bus driver who was also listening on radio said Lions onside kicked, scored and won game. All in about a minute.
Never again left a game early.
Also, glove that Triandos used to catch Wilhelm knuckleball.

Back in the early 60's my friend and I attended Colts-Lions game at Memorial Stadium. With about a minute left and Colts kicking off we left a little early to catch a bus. In the parking lot we heard a loud groan from the stands. Asked a parking lot attendant who was listening to the game on radio. He said the Lions had scored and were kicking off. got to bus parked on 33rd St. Heard another loud groan from stadium. Bus driver who was also listening on radio said Lions onside kicked, scored and won game. All in about a minute.
Never again left a game early.
Also, glove that Triandos used to catch Wilhelm knuckleball.

Great story you posted Ken Francis.

Definitely agree that the game where Lowenstein was hit in the head running the bases (by Jeff Newman of the A's if I rememeber correctly) and then raising from the stretcher to the cheers of the crowd, was a strange but classic moment in Baltimore sports history.

The Orioles had a free seat cushion day. When the announcer asked everyone to wave their seat cushions, they sailed them down to the field...some great long sailings from the upper deck too, spectacular actually. The game was delayed for at least twenty minutes while they picked them up. And, then, fans kept sailing them down after they got the field cleared. I thought it was a bad idea at first, but I went home with four extra cushions. I made sure I was there when they actually had another free cushion day and (surpise) the cushions sailed again. More for me. yay!

Earl Weaver: the only manager to get thrown out of both a spring training game and a World Series game. That's a classic!

The O's 24-10 loss in Toronto in June '78 in which Weaver relieved with CF Larry Harlow (1/3 5 6 6 0 1), then Bullpen Coach Ellie Hendricks (2 2/3 shutout innings). I covered the game for UPI. Jays GM Peter Bavasi: "Weaver is making a mockery of the game!"; Weaver later responds: "What's HE talking about: look at that ** team he's putting on the field: HE'S the one making a mockery!" Harlow after the game: "Shot my ERA all to Hell!"

One more that I just remembered. It was a Ravens pre-season game against the Packers while the purple brids played on 33rd. During the early part of the game it started to rain. No terribly uncommon for their to be rain in Baltimore in August. After the game, and speaking to relatives, I was told that the only place that it had rianed in Baltimore that day was over the Stadium.

Snow on opening day a few years ago. Jay Gibbons lost a fly ball in the sky...

O's fan and Vet,

We'll just have to disagree!

No need to dishonor my father however, as he's a true hero from the America's greatest generation.

Sure, we're old school in this respect, but excuse us for being against things like flag burning or blemishing America anthems.

My dad and others fought so people can have such rights. It doesn't mean we have to be proud to witness such antics.

Enjoy your O's cheer if you must. When you do however, remember those who have sacrificed so much for this country.

I have a very soft place in my heart for this one:

Linda Warehime smacking the third base umpires in the butt with her broom after she finished sweeping dirt off the bases in the middle of every game.

And I just remembered the name of the woman someone mentioned earlier who kissed Cal during a game -- it was Morgana, the Kissing Bandit.

Wayne,get over yourself.My dad fought in a basically forgotten war in Korea on the front lines and still has nightmares about it to this day,he's 79.He doesn't have nightmares about anyone hollering O's though during the national anthem,and has done it himself.He would probably have nightmares about your self righteousness and must be right at all costs attitude,as I'm sure most others on here do as well.Get a life.My most bizzare moment would be a more than out of shape Tony Armas playing outfield for the Red Sox late in his career,and me and some friends chanting "too many Taco's Tony",and he turned around to give us the finger behind his glove and Jim Dwyer hit a triple over his head for either the game tying or game winning run.You can imagine the chant got much louder after that.

Burt,

Essex?

Right!

Burt,

PS: Thanks to your dad for his service. No war is truly forgotten as each has helped the next generation to live in freedom.

While my view of 'O' is hardly self righteous, many like me are simply embarrassed by the antics of so many during what is suppose to be a most patriotic song.

Both my father and yours have earned the right to act however they see fit. I can't say the same for everyone.....

When the CFL Team first arrived and we wanted to call them the Colts but were blocked. Technically they didn't have an official name for a while, and the first game that was televised had their name as '???' in the TV scorebox.

Also - if you read the "Four Corners" that Peter actually partook in a week or so ago...I believe 1 reporter and maybe more mentioned that the Star Spangled Banner being sung before every game is a tradition that needs to be done away with.

I disagree with that completely, but keep in mind we are singing it at a baseball game. A game. I would be horrified if that O was sang at, say, and Army/Navy Contest, or a funeral, or during an event representing true patriotism. No one is drawing "O's" on any ones medals, no one is waving flags at Orioles flags at Arlington, no one is disregarding American freedom. People are just happy to be a part of this nation and sing their anthem in front of the team they love and show it.

I am just mean spirited today I guess, but the first thing to pop in my head was the horrible rambling long winded speech that Angelos made the night Ripken broke Lou Gehrig's Iron Man record. It was so long and so rambling that fans began to boo. Of course, as usual Peter didn't get the message. Anyone who was there can tell ya, Uncle Peter nearly ruined the night that belonged to Cal.
Then there is Angelos sitting with Fidel Castro. If that isn't surreal, I don't know what is.
And Rick Dempsey's "water slide show" during a rain delay reminded us that baseball is not just a business.

How about the football game where Cleveland kicked the field goal and it bounced back onto the field? The Ravens thought they had won and went to the locker room celebrating only to be called back on to the field to continue playing. That was pretty strange.

wITHOUT QUESTION THE strangest event was the dy the "SCHMUCK" was hired into the Baltimore Sun Sports Staff!!!!

1. The night the dude (a Navy guy in his dress whites, I believe) climbed the left field foul pole at Camden Yards and watched an inning or two from atop it. Glad he made it back down.

2. This is a personal one, but it's good seque into better one. The night my buddies and I met Ben McDonald and some reliever named Curt Schilling. They were standing outside HOOTERS...WAITING FOR A TABLE. Is that odd enough to qualify? Well, Curt proceeded to tell us that Ben was taking him out as an impromptu farewell send-off; Curt had just been traded to the Astros. My buddies got their autographs on Hooters napkins, although we only really wanted Ben's at the time. Curt quipped about how none of us seemed to care that he was even standing there.

Tony,

The thing is, it is done at the Army/Navy game....when played in Baltimore.

It's even done at all Navy home games in Annapolis. Not by all mind you, but by enough.

And it doesn't matter if it's a true patriotic event anyway. The song is an anthem. It's not some jingle or even 'twist and shout'.

I suppose some would say I'm being politically correct, which is fine. But to just get angry because its become a baltimore tradition misses the whole point.

When the O tradition started, America was not at war. Now we are though, with many paying the ultimate sacrifice.

Just seems Oriole fans could/should adjust.

Guess not!

I craziest game I remember going to was back when I was still in college in '96. Seattle and the Birds had a classic American league battle. In 8 1/2 innings the two had combined for almost 40 hits and the Mariners were ahead 13-10 going into the bottom of the ninth. Alomar, Bonilla, and Ripken (C. not B.) managed to get on base and with2 outs and a 3-2 count Holies hit the game ending granny.

I remember watching Cal, who was the tieing run, on the decisive pitch. Because it was two outs and a 3-2 count, all the base-runners took off on the pitch. But the pitcher (can't remember who) never even looked at Cal. Even though he was already pretty slow he was just about to second base when Holies made contact. I was thinking, he going to score on any hit. Then, it didn't matter because it was a no doubter- A lazer to the left-center field power alley.

That's only game I've ever been to that had the "movie script" finish: Hit a homer down 3, bases loaded, with a 3-2 count, and 2 outs.

There was one other thing, outside of the homers and run scored, that was classically American League about that game: A 9 inning game that was more then 4 hours long. Blah.

No list is complete without at least 1 Clint Courtney story. And not the one where ol' Scrap Iron threw away his mask on a popup and then stepped in it, then made the catch after staggering around half the infield with the mask attached firmly to his foot.

Clint was a contact hitter, almost never striking out - just 7 times in 152 games in 1954, when Im pretty sure this event happened. Bottom of the ninth, we trailed by a run and had 2 on, 2 out and 2 strikes on Courtney, when the heavens opened up. After about a 3-hour rain delay, then removing the tarp, etc., etc, and with about 12 fans (including yours truly) left in the stands, Clint stood back in the box and saw just 1 pitch - a called 3rd strike.

Wayne- You aren't being politically correct, you are being self-righteous. Anthem or not, the song was meant to be fun and encite civic pride. I think you can take the song how ever you want.

Key's poem was popularized after being set to the tune of a british drinking song and sang in bars in the 1800's. It then began to be played before sports events and was adopted as the "National Anthem" 120 years later in the 1930's.

Now this isn't reason to disrespect it by having Roseanne scream it off-key, or Christina Aguliera jazz-blues rip-it-to-shreds, but I will be darned if you are going to tell be I can't scream OH and beging to whistle and cheer through the last two lines. The song gets me juiced up. Plus, you're at a sports event. We aren't laying a soldier to rest, having a college graduation, or inuaguraing a president...

Next topic for ya- Screaming, You Suck during Rock and Roll Anthem II- Is this disrespectful to Gary Glitter's legacy and musical brilliance? Discuss.

Lenn Sakata and Tippy Martinez.

Sham,

You really think screaming during a Rock and Roll anthem is the same? Really?

If you think changing any part of our national anthem to suit a sports team and its fans is in the spirit of the anthem itself, then you are of a different make up than most people I know.

You can justify your actions all you want by doing research that makes you feel better about yourself.

Me, I'd rather look at the old timers holding the flags down on the field during a Ravens game, watching how they would 'never' act the way you're suggesting, especially during current times.

You can justify pretty much anything you want in this country. That's the good news. The bad news is.... you can't easily teach a person how to display class. When you try, you're usually called self righteous...

Haha I love everyone who is arguing with Wayne.

Lighten up Wayne, it's not a big deal. It's a fun tradition and it's unique to Maryland, so we should be proud.

More like 'we should be embarrassed' Mike,

Baltimore doesn't get alot of respect around the country anyway. If you traveled like me, you'd know that's true.

Traditions like this are simply impossible to justify. Fans all over the country can be jerks in many ways (see philly). None though, disrespect our anthem the way Baltimore does.

A fine tradition indeed!

Opening Day postponed due to wind on an otherwise sunny day.

Wayne why do you think you are the only person qualified to have an opinion on this subject? First it was because your Dad is a veteran and now because you travel? That doesn't give you any more weight on this issue than any other person on this blog. I have a feeling that yelling "O" is not the reason Baltimore has a bad reputation. It doesn't take a world explorer such as yourself to figure that one out.

The point is that yelling "O" just is not a big enough deal for you or your Dad to be so offended. There are way more important things to worry about so just lighten up.

To all those who yell 'O' during the anthem, it IS tacky (which does define Baltimore a bit.) And yes, I too would like to see it stop.

But Wayne, you are are being self-righteous, condescending ("If you traveled like me, you'd know that's true."), authoritative ("you can't easily teach a person how to display class."), and self-promoting ("I suppose some would say I'm being politically correct, which is fine.")

You're acting like one of the old men in the Muppets balcony. Enough!

Wierdest thing at the stadium was watching the Dolphins play the Broncos in the "Give Baltimore the Ball" campaign. They were testing out potental new vendors, and the beer vendors were selling entire cases for $72 and then asking the buyers to return the empties when they were done drinking....

Summer of (I think) 1974, Paul Blair hits the only inside-the-park grand slam homer in Oriole history when the Kansas City right fielder and left fielder collide when they dive for the ball; it was a 3-2 pitch with 2 outs, if I remember right. I was there!

I didn't get time to read every post 'cause there's a hundred jillion of them, but did anybody mention the Orioles coming back from nine runs down to beat the Red Sox last summer? (I was there...it was cool!) Or the Colts game against the Packers where Green Bay missed a game winning field goal in a snow storm but Jim Tunney called it good anyway? Also, I seem to remember Anthony Wright converting a fourth-and-forever in that comeback against Seattle.

On the topic of the national anthem, how come every "recording artist" in America can "personalize" the Star Spangled Banner in any way they please and it's always acceptable, but it's tacky for Baltimoreans to show pride in their town (where the song was written, mind you) by shouting one note?

lemme guess wayne, you also dont like when players excessively celebrate because old timers like Vince Lombardi's players or Johnny Unitas would never celebrate... am I in the ballpark?

I was being sarcastic about Gary Glitter...

PeteyPablo,

Fair enough!

I have to admit, you got me with the 'old man in the muppets balcony. Now that's funny!

You don't have to like my style, but you obviously get the meaning of our great anthem.

And ravenczar - if you can't see the difference between someone singing notes in a different key to that of changing the meaning of a part of the anthem altogether, then you're not really worth responding to.

Sorry Petey... I guess I just did it again.

Has anyone mentioned Aruba's own Dr. Strangelove--the round, mound of DWI--Dr.
Sidney Ponson?

The "snowy picture" and what surrounded Irsay and the Colts leaving town.

The "snowy picture" and what surrounded Irsay and the Colts leaving town.

Those two or three weeks Earl had to do interviews with these little rug-burn/rashes on his forehead, nose and chin... come on Earl, what happened?

Tippy's three

Jackass on the plane

The missing bank of lights at Oriole Park (another mystery)

black shoe-polish on a wild pitch that ended up in the Mets dugout - the Mets put the polish on the ball and then argued successfully the batter was hit.

Elrod's tag of a Reds player with his glove but with the ball in his other hand (runner out) in the '70 series.

Moe Drabowski's hot-foot he gave Commissioner Bowie Kuhn

The drunk in the airport and the subsequent snowy night in March

Johnny U flipping off Joe Thomas after throwing his last TD as a Baltimore Colt.

I yell the "O" loud and baltimore proud.

I have read through all of these and im surprised not to see the Ravens vs Seahawks. The best comeback with Anthony Wright of all QB's to toss 4 TD passes and come back and beat the seahawks in Overtime.