Trevor DrummondIn September 2004, the Expos played their final game in Montreal. Since there was no way I was going to cheer for the Washington Nationals, I chose to hitch my fandom to the Expos star player, Vladimir Guerrero, who signed as a free agent with the Anaheim Angels. With no more baseball at the Big-O, my father and I began annual weekend voyages to see Guerrero and the Angels in action. This year our journey brought us to Baltimore, where Guerrero now plays for the Orioles.
One of the greatest aspects of baseball roadtrips are the different ballparks we get to experience. Unlike other sports, where the boundaries of the playing field are strictly defined, baseball stadiums are all very unique. Oriole Park at Camden Yards is one of baseball’s jewels. Opened in 1992, it was the first retro-classic style ballpark and has influenced the design of nearly every baseball stadium built since. Complete with all the modern amenities such as luxury boxes and automatically flushing toilets, these retro-classic ballparks have an old-school feel to them, with green seats and exposed brick and stone construction.
The old B&O Warehouse serves as a backdrop in the outfield, its red brick creating a warmer and more intimate atmosphere than you might expect from a facility that holds 45,480 people. Unfortunately, the Orioles don’t draw nearly that many fans on a regular basis anymore. Though the reported attendance for Sunday’s game was 27,471, only about half that many came through the turnstiles to watch the last place team. Fans like myself benefited, however, from the availability of tickets at a 25 per cent discount from face value on StubHub.
Though the Orioles’ current roster fails to attract large crowds, the stadium experience is one of the best around. Large posters of Cal Ripkin Jr., Mike Flanagan, and Jim Palmer adorn the walls of the stadium, reminding fans of a time when the Orioles used to contend for the pennant on an annual basis.
Entering through the centrefield gates, just in front of the warehouse, fans make their way along Eutaw Street, adorned by concession stands, souvenir outlets, and bronze baseball-shaped plaques marking the landing spots of some of the longest home runs ever hit at Camden Yards. My favourite feature, however, was the Beers of the World concession, offering Becks, Stella Artois, Hoegaarden, and Bass. Upon arrival, we were even offered a sample of each brew. Naturally we indulged, pleasantly surprised by the refreshing alternatives to Budweiser, which should be avoided at all costs.
Another charming feature of the ballpark was the warm and courteous staff. As my Angels enjoyed a 6-1 fifth inning lead on Sunday, Manny the beer vendor, kept us all updated on the Baltimore Ravens game, taking shots at a Titans fan sitting in front of us while they were ahead of Baltimore 23-13. The Orioles’ wives also got involved in the action, holding a charity silent auction of autographed Orioles memorabilia. I even got to shake hands with one of them as she congratulated me on my winning bid for an autographed Vladimir Guerrero bat.
All in all, Camden Yards is a must-see for baseball fanatics, and really for all sports fans. As one of the oldest teams in American professional sports, the Orioles have a very rich history that is presented well throughout the ballpark. The smaller crowds allow fans the opportunity to get very close to the action for an extremely reasonable price. Though my Halos lost two out of three, Camden Yards was an absolute pleasure and will be a tough standard to beat by whichever ballpark I visit next.
