I don't have bad Orioles memories. Seriously. Whether it's just that I'm a jaded cynic, I still treasure all of the keen memories of meltdowns and tragedies in my time as an Oriole fan. Of course, I don't treasure the negative on the same level as the positive; but all of it has combined to make me the doggedly devoted, orange-and-black till death do us part fan that I am. Sure, I'd love to back a winner. But I love the team I've got, and a string of WS championships couldn't make me love 'em more than I do.
Could not agree with you more Newbie. It is just a good thing to think back at all the good times at the ballpark sometimes. Like going down after church on a sunday after noon and being able to get tickets at the gate, or Wild Bill leading a Orioles chant. Shoot, I think that ORIOLES was the first word I could spell due to the O's and Wild Bill.
You have to remember, then, the lame TV ditty the team came up with after that awesome "father and a son" jingle.......
"Take your shoes off.......
Put your feet up!"
Weak.................................
Byrdman......I'm gonna test your knOwledge. Do you remember when the Orioles used to broadcast their games on Channel 2, and Chuck and Brooks were doing the commentary? I'm sure you do. Brooks used to pronounce "Wan Beneekwezz" into the game, and told the listening audience that Paul Richards didn't want him lifting weights during the off-season.....he wanted Brooks to "pound that Budweiser!"
Channel 2 used to have the Home Run Inning during televised games back in the late '70s, and if an Oriole hit a tater during that inning, the lucky contestant would win a "thowzin' dollers" as Brooks explained it. During a Sunday game against the Yankees in New York, the Home Run Inning took on a new twist. If the contestant chosen for that inning was lucky enough to have his or her name picked, and the Orioles hit a grand slam, the contestant would win a MILLION DOLLARS!.
Baltimore Byrd....I swear..............Brooks announced that a Mrs. Anne Sumner was the Equitable Bank Home Run Inning contestant, and the Orioles proceeded to load the bases. Gary Roenicke promptly golfed one into the left field bleachers, and Chuck and Brooks were beside themselves, yelling "Hey, Anne Sumner......you just won a million dollars! You won a million dollars!" A bizarre cartoon Oriole Bird came on the screen, sitting on a pile of money, tossing up bills screeching "You won! You won! You won!" over and over again. I'm pretty certain that this was in 1978, but could have been the '79 World Series season.
Do you remember their old broadcasts? And I still say nothing beats radio back then, with Charlie Eckman teaming up with Bill O'Donnell and Chuck, listening to the game with my father and brothers in the kitchen on a Thursday night.
The 1982 final series against the Brewers. I was there for all 4 games. The Friday night doubleheader was awesome. Singleton hit the hardest ball I ever seen, (of course I had 3rd row behind the screen seats) On Saturday I saw Paul Moliter just hanging his head, I knew we was gonna sweep, but alas come sunday, Palmer vs Sutton. Robin Yount hit 2 dingers and we was finished 1 game out. But the aftergame adoration for Earl was all worth it. Truely my Favorite. I was at game 3 of the 66 series, Wally Bunker pitched a shutout and Paul Blair hit a Homer,,, that was 2nd. GO O'S
Who remembers Goose Gossage throwing close to Decinces, and the next pitch Decinces let the bat go up the middle? Gossage struck him out,, but a few weeks later Doug boomed him in Yankee Stadium for a 450 foot dinger
I too was there for the last game in 1982. I was sitting in the mezzanine section on the first base side. I remember the crowd was on its feet for what seemed to be hours afterwards calling for Earl to come out.
Speaking of Earl. I recall a season when he got suspended I believe for a few games and there was talk about him hiding behind the tomatoe patch and calling the dougout.
I remember channel 2 broadcasting the games as well. God, I forgot about the money inning. I still prefer Brooks and Chuck calling a game over anyone.
This is a great thread, and all the memories are fun to reprise (although it's shocking to me how many people mentioned 1979. I want to forget 1979).
But what about that 1970 WS? The Brooksie Series? I remember the manager of the Big Red Machine, Sparky Anderson, saying afterward that Brooks Robinson "belongs in a higher league."
