Be sure to update this article to let everyone know how high Hollander's sonorous voice becomes when he gets into the icy water!

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Pete's reply: I was pretty sure Hollander would squeal like a little girl, but he was okay.

Hey All,

Just wanted to give a brief recap of my experience of the FanFest as it was my first one believe it or not.

1.) Everyone had a good time. You're right Peter the mood was sunny. I hope it continues through spring training and onward through the season.

2.) The silent action was sort of interesting. It was fun to see some old school names as well current in the bidding room. I would have liked to have bought a black and orange jersey. However, coughing up a 120 bucks for a Jake Fox Jersey would have been a bit much.

3.) This point is funny or at least it is to me is. All of us went to the information booth on the second floor in order to get, well information. The two people in the booth told us they really didn't know anything, because everything was still up in the air. So we had to refer back to the brochure that was handed to us when we first entered the convention center. Then realized the big Q & A session with MacPhail & Showalter was happening in about 20 minutes and we went back to the information booth and asked where it was taking place and they said that we do have the answer to and it's in the basement. So we sashayed down the escalator/steps and caught the tail end of the starting pitcher forum.

4.) The Q & A session was actually pretty informative. I have to admit Andy MacPhail is very well spoken and Buck Showalter had his homespun quotes as usual. The biggest thing I was happiest with is that Showalter kept up with the players during the offseason to make sure they stayed in shape. From what he said everyone did and that makes me happy to hear that, it really does.

5.) Peter, my brother and I tried looking for you, Dan C and Jeff Z, but unfortunately we could not find any of you. Oh well, maybe next time. We did stop by the Baltimore Sun tent and my brother got some sort of pennant/fan looking thingy so we have that going for us.

In summary, it was a good time. We had a picture taken at the photo place next to the Oriole Bingo and it was nice to be walking around the inner harbor. It's been awhile since that happened. The only problem was parking. The B & C lot filled quickly and we had to search around, but we found one what I think was the D parking lot at Raven Stadium and there was a very nice lady who helped us out. But all in all it was a very nice day! So there you have it in a "Nut" shell =P

After the Ravens letdown, I'm not even thinking about a guaranteed, as money in the bank, let down by the Orioles.

The mood was sunny you say? Delusional much?! The O's are still "rebuilding" ....cough .... buying time ... cough. What's there to be excited about? Breaking .500 for a change? Is that what we have to look forward to? As if they could accomplish that.

Other teams e.g the Redesox, are making serious moves, and rebuilding with their young home grown talent, and contending year in and year out. So are the Rays. What are the O's doing? Acquiring mediocre players? Chasing Vlad?! For realz?!

This is depressing. We have to wait 8 long months before the Ravens can take the field again.

Dear Mr. Angelos - Why won't you go away? Is there a God? Can you hear me? I doubt there is!

Reading the news from fanfest, after 13 years fo abysmal failure, the fans of Baltimore just don't get it when Z reports that Andy McFail was applauded when introduced. I can only hope it was just a show of courtesy, because rewarding his results with genuine applaus would be reinforcing the wrong behavior!

Very, very sad!

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Pete's reply: Hoyt, saying the fans don't get it is akin to politicians saying that people disagree with a bill because they don't understand it. You're actually the one out of touch here. Every real fan knows exactly what's going on here, but they are fans and they're going to enjoy their team the best they can. If you hate the team and think it is hopeless, yet come here and comment on it every day and wallow in that misery, I think the case can be made that you're the one who is out of touch, because you should be in touch with yourself enough to move on to something that gives you hope and entertainment.

Pete,

That must be it, I'm out of touch with the objective, winning! All excuses aside, your right, the ownership should be very happy, they make Millions and feed the fans that love this team crumbs. And the media defends them no matter what they feed their starving fans.

But your right, I guess I just can't fit in with the Baltimore mentality of at least we have whats called a major league team, then again you lost the Bullets and the Colts........................ you fill in the blank. So with your good advice, I too will take my hope and entertainment along with what Lebron James said "my talent to Red Sox Nation" at least their ownership is committed to more than making money!

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Pete's reply: I lost the Bullets? Damn. Sorry.