Orioles Fans Celebrate 60 Years Of Baseball In Baltimore
BALTIMORE (WJZ) -- For six decades, Baltimore baseball fans have been cheering on the Orioles. In that time, there has been plenty to celebrate.
Jessica Kartalija takes a look back at some fans' fondest memories.
For Orioles fans, it's a walk down memory lane.
"I was at the Orioles first game ever, 1954, and I was seven-years-old," Mike Gibbons said.
Gibbons is executive director of Sports Legends Museum at Camden Yards. Like other Marylanders, he has fond memories of the team over the past six decades.
Fans fondly recall watching Brooks Robinson play third base in the '60s and '70s, like the guys from 105.7 The Fan.
"I was taken to a box and met one of my favorite all-time players from childhood," Ed Norris said. "I was still stunned and awestruck and I will never forget it. That is my favorite moment."
"July 15, 1989. Go to the ninth inning, the Orioles are down 9-7. Larry Sheets comes up as pinch hitter and ties the game," Steve Davis said. "And then Mike Devereaux on a 1-1 count whacks one to left. It goes out, it's walkoff, game-winning home run. No one knows whether it's fair or foul, probably even to this day, but 47,000 fans went nuts. Now that was Oriole Magic."
Magic like the 2012 season, when the team went to the playoffs for the first time in 15 years.
"Getting to go with my dad and brother, sitting there and taking it in the crowd. Just the energy at the stadium is always fun to be at," Molly Crisp said.
"I was 11-years-old. My mom took me to my first baseball game and it just so happened that was Opening Day," Rob Long said.
That was at Memorial Stadium, where the team played from 1954 until the early 90s.
"October 6, 1991. After the game, all of the old Orioles came out on the field, made a circle and we took a 360-degree picture of them to use as an exhibit later on," Gibbons said. "This is the last-out ball at Memorial Stadium, and it's very special to our collection."
On September 6, 1995, when Cal Ripken broke Lou Gherig's record. Twelve seasons before that, when the Orioles won the '83 World Series.
Six decades of memories that make us proud to be Orioles fans.
The Orioles are planning special events and promotions throughout the year to celebrate the team's 60th anniversary.
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