Fans and players wept on an October afternoon in 1991 when the Orioles closed down the only home they'd known since they moved from St. Louis in 1954. I wrote the front-page story.
Well, John, you choked me up with this one! I was there with my son for that last game. He was 12 and we had been there together many times over those years, from before he could walk actually. It meant a lot to be able to share my love for baseball, the Orioles and Memorial Stadium with him. That last game and the ceremony that followed was handled incredibly well. Seeing Brooks at third, Boog at first, and all the others one more time on that field was truly moving. I also remember well your story (I may still have the paper) and it added so much color and perspective to the day. Thanks for the memories.
Thanks for the great memories, John! I was unable to attend that game but went the day before. After that game I stood looking at that beautiful green diamond I had known since Dad took me and brothers there in 1954. A stadium attendant interrupted my moment of contemplation asking fans to move toward the exits. My wife informed the attendant that I needed a few moments. I was able to control my emotions and stay just a few moments longer!
Went to many an Orioles and Colts game there, even a Tommy James and the Shondells concert on the first Earth Day. Your story brought a tear to my eye.
Great article John. I have watched the video several times and it always brings a tear to my eyes. I watched it recently and it was even more poignant,, now that we've lost Earl, Brooks,Frank,Flanny and others. But the memories of all those Orioles will never fade. ❤️⚾
I was sitting behind 3rd base in the mezzanine under the roof (thanks to my friends Drew and Donna Miller). I looked at the guy in front of me. "That's Bobby Grich." I looked around. "That's Tippy Martinez, that's Rick Dempsey, that's Ken Singleton." I was surrounded by former Orioles. I found a pen, and like the other lucky fans in that section, started walking up to players and asking them to sign my program (which I still have). I got 30 or 40 autographs. And I can still feel the spine tingles when Brooks took the field. A magical day.
I remember that game well. My 9-year old son Luke and I attended. When the Orioles beginning with Brooks took the field after the game there were not many dry eyes among the adult fans. Youngsters like Luke looked at their parents and thought, "I hardly ever see my mom or dad cry but look at them now."
I was born in Baltimore in 1954, on 35th Street, 6 weeks before the Orioles played their first game in Baltimore. As circumstances would have it, when the last game was being played, I was driving around looking at new houses, with the game on the radio. When the game was over, and the Field of Dreams music began, I was at a stoplight and was crying my eyes out. Before the light changed, I looked over at the man driving the car next to me, and I think he was listening to game as well.
That's for revisiting this John. One of my favorite memories. I just loved that Brooks came out with his glove looking like he was ready to play nine. And the just perfect "Field of Dreams" speech - "This field, this game; it's a part of our past, Ray. It reminds us of all that once was good, and that could be again."
I did think digging up home plate was tacky though.
Well, John, you choked me up with this one! I was there with my son for that last game. He was 12 and we had been there together many times over those years, from before he could walk actually. It meant a lot to be able to share my love for baseball, the Orioles and Memorial Stadium with him. That last game and the ceremony that followed was handled incredibly well. Seeing Brooks at third, Boog at first, and all the others one more time on that field was truly moving. I also remember well your story (I may still have the paper) and it added so much color and perspective to the day. Thanks for the memories.
Thanks for the great memories, John! I was unable to attend that game but went the day before. After that game I stood looking at that beautiful green diamond I had known since Dad took me and brothers there in 1954. A stadium attendant interrupted my moment of contemplation asking fans to move toward the exits. My wife informed the attendant that I needed a few moments. I was able to control my emotions and stay just a few moments longer!
Went to many an Orioles and Colts game there, even a Tommy James and the Shondells concert on the first Earth Day. Your story brought a tear to my eye.
Great article John. I have watched the video several times and it always brings a tear to my eyes. I watched it recently and it was even more poignant,, now that we've lost Earl, Brooks,Frank,Flanny and others. But the memories of all those Orioles will never fade. ❤️⚾
Great comment, all I can add is "me to"!
I was sitting behind 3rd base in the mezzanine under the roof (thanks to my friends Drew and Donna Miller). I looked at the guy in front of me. "That's Bobby Grich." I looked around. "That's Tippy Martinez, that's Rick Dempsey, that's Ken Singleton." I was surrounded by former Orioles. I found a pen, and like the other lucky fans in that section, started walking up to players and asking them to sign my program (which I still have). I got 30 or 40 autographs. And I can still feel the spine tingles when Brooks took the field. A magical day.
I remember that game well. My 9-year old son Luke and I attended. When the Orioles beginning with Brooks took the field after the game there were not many dry eyes among the adult fans. Youngsters like Luke looked at their parents and thought, "I hardly ever see my mom or dad cry but look at them now."
Mark Millikin
I was born in Baltimore in 1954, on 35th Street, 6 weeks before the Orioles played their first game in Baltimore. As circumstances would have it, when the last game was being played, I was driving around looking at new houses, with the game on the radio. When the game was over, and the Field of Dreams music began, I was at a stoplight and was crying my eyes out. Before the light changed, I looked over at the man driving the car next to me, and I think he was listening to game as well.
That's for revisiting this John. One of my favorite memories. I just loved that Brooks came out with his glove looking like he was ready to play nine. And the just perfect "Field of Dreams" speech - "This field, this game; it's a part of our past, Ray. It reminds us of all that once was good, and that could be again."
I did think digging up home plate was tacky though.