Photo TR: Jason's One-Time Sports Venue Thread

[printersdevil78]

Hello, friends. Following the current trend of posting professional sports venues on TPR, I myself visited two stadiums this weekend--M&T Bank Stadium (where the Baltimore Ravens play) and Oriole Park at Camden Yards--so I thought I'd post the photogenic results. Enjoy!

This is what would be known as an "action shot." I figured since I was at a ballpark, watching a ballgame, I might as well include a photo in this TR of someone actually playing baseball.

And this would be the outfield. The Hilton in the background is new since last year. The Bromo-Seltzer Tower used to be prominent over the bullpen and added to the faux-historic feel of the field. Now it can only be seen in memories--and the movie "Major League II," which was filmed predominately at Oriole Park while Cleveland was between closing Municipal Stadium (where the first "Major League" movie was filmed) and building Jacobs Field. If you decide to go out and rent it, look for me--I was an extra in the stands!

And finally, some shots of the field for posterity. This would be the infield.

Fraternizing with the enemy!

A few player shots before the game...

The pitchers make their way to the bullpen. The march back that evening would be a walk of shame.

But most of all, THIS is for Josh Linn! (For those who aren't familiar, Josh has a magazine autographed by this player, Nick Markakis, as his avatar--Orioles solidarity on TPR!)

This is also for Josh Linn.

This is for Josh Linn.

That wall in the background is actually the back side of Eutaw Street and was once a series of warehouses for the B&O Railroad. At the time Oriole Park was built in 1992, using existing infrastructure and trying to make a modern ballpark look historic was a novel idea. Today, nearly every new Major League stadium takes this approach.

True story: I used to know the guy who owned Big Mario's (it's a Maryland franchise). He died a few years ago, but they kept his name on the restaurants. Guess they figured "Big Mario's" sounded better than "Dead Mario's."

The Orioles have won several championships, all more than a quarter century ago. To celebrate, they painted them on an HVAC duct on the lower concourse.

Speaking of Boog, there's the man himself. He sits in front of the stand prior to just about every home game and signs autographs for people in line. It's hard to tell from this photo, but Boog is a BIG man. I read an old Baltimore News-American article once where he was quoted as saying he always tried to hit home runs so he didn't have to run so fast around the bases!

Also on Eutaw Street: Boog's Barbecue, a food franchise owned and operated by baseball Hall-of-Famer and former Orioles first baseman John "Boog" Powell.

Eutaw Street is the main outdoor concourse at Oriole Park. In the distance is Baltimore's signature Bromoseltzer Tower, the clock on which advertises Bromo-Seltzer, an archaic bicarbonate of soda (think 19th century Alka-Seltzer) once manufactured in Baltimore.

...which, coincidentally, is where this TR is headed next. Getting to go to the Ravens' Spring Football Festival actually was a bonus when we found out our ticket to that night's Orioles/Texas Rangers game got us in to both events.

M&T Bank Stadium and Oriole Park at Camden Yards are located directly across from one another, linked by a small esplanade similar to Disneyland and Disney's California Adventure (only much dirtier). The Baltimore Ravens Marching Pep Band welcomed guests outside the baseball stadium...

Of course, some of them are still around. That's Art Donovan, whom you may recognize from the photos below. They held a special autograph session with the remaining superstars of the old Colts, though we didn't arrive anywhere near early enough to get tickets.

Most of these guys were there at the time. Though they were football legends, most of them (probably all of them, actually) worked in the city's factories during the week and in the off season. Wal-Mart greeters today probably make more than they ever did in the NFL.

Inside the executive level is a permanent display of the history of football in Baltimore, including the "Greatest Game Ever Played," the 1958 championship game between the Baltimore Colts and New York Giants at Yankee Stadium. This was the first NFL championship broadcast coast-to-coast and the first to go into overtime. It's credited with popularizing the sport nationwide... and we all know how that turned out.

I myself opted for the giant Vince Lombardi Trophy.

They had a giant replica of the Ravens' 2000 Super Bowl ring set up as a photo op.

This is the Ravens' lesser-known mascot, Harvey Dent.

TPR, meet Captain Defense (he's the one on the right).

Because cheerleaders make every TR better.

At the exit from the locker room onto the field, the raven's eyes glow. Just like in real life.

Because even football players get lost sometimes.

In other words, lose.

Not sure how many Ravens fans we have around here, but for anyone who is, here's a screensaver for you.

This would be what my dad looks like sitting in a Ravens locker. Sharp-eyed readers will also recognize him from the 50-yard-line photo several pictures back. It's kind of like TPR's version of "Where's Waldo?"

Probably.

Locker room? Do you think they'll let us in?

This is the Ravens' mascot, Poe. Some people think he's named in honor of "The Raven" author Edgar Allan Poe, who is buried in Baltimore. His identical mascot brothers, Edgar and Allan (no, really) would lend credence to this theory. Some of us, however, know better. "Poe" is actually short for the much-uttered sentence, "I just bought two seats from a scalper to see the Ravens, and now I'm po'."

Take that, every other team that hasn't won a Super Bowl since 2000!

The scoreboards provided live coverage of the NFL draft all afternoon.

...this is what their end caps look like. Because I know you were wondering.

And this is what it looked like STANDING on the field! Notice all those empty purple seats in the background...

This is what the activity looked like on the field.

At any rate, the reason we were here today, in the off season, was the Ravens' Spring Football Festival.

For all American football fans under 35, the reason there is so much emphasis on the Colts (as much as the current NFL will allow, anyway) in Baltimore is that the now-Indianapolis Colts actually were originated in Baltimore in 1953 and played there for three decades. Now the Cleveland Browns play there and call themselves the Baltimore Ravens.

Fun fact: When the tell the story of the Nativity in Baltimore, it's Johnny Unitas, Brooks Robinson and Cal Ripken Jr. who come to visit Baby Jesus.

That would be M&T Bank Stadium, nee PSInet Stadium, nee Ravens Stadium. If this were a TV show, movie or other similar entertainment production, this would be called an "establishing shot."

Unfortunately, there was no joy in Mudville (AKA Baltimore) that night, as the Orioles ultimately lost 6-5. On another note, I can't help but wonder what they're going to do with the top of the scoreboard when The Sun finally folds for good. They've already declared bankruptcy. I used to do some writing for one of their affiliated websites, and now not a month goes by when I don't get something from their bankruptcy lawyers telling me how to file a claim if I think they still owe me money (they don't).

 

Anyway, that's my report. Thanks for reading!

[Josh Linn]

LOL...I randomly looked into this thread just because it mentioned OPACY, and when I saw my name I had to double take. Nice picks, and go O's.

[Meteornotes]

Go O's!

 

Of the two stadiums, I like the baseball one a lot more. Probably because the Raven's stadium is usually full of drunken idiots!

 

I have a ticket plan (have nad one for years) with seats in the club level. I always forget to take my camera to a game, but I'll have to try and do it some time this year. The O's usually lose, but I still have fun at the games.

 

Thanks for the pics!

 

dt

[BeemerBoy]

I love the title.

 

Camden is definitely on the must do list. I've driven by it so many times, yet could never get the dates and times to match up. One day though.

 

"Captain Defense" = Bless his heart.

 

That was a pretty cool event the Baltimore Hurricanes put on to coincide with Draft Day/ Orioles home game. Seems like a really good day out!

 

Even dating back to his Miami days, Ray Lewis is the only human being I'm scared to look in the eyes.

[TheRapidsNerd]

This brings back some good memories of O's ballgames with my Dad. Good stuff and thanks!

[CoasterEricHP]

Great Pictures!

 

You had some great seats for the O's game! I've been an Oriole's fan forever.. (yes.. its rough) and OPACY is a great ballpark! It's finally getting some nice upgrades too.

 

But still, Oriole Park has nothing on PNC Park! Except maybe a better baseball team... (but not by much)

 

And even though the I love Baltimore or baseball.. the Steelers rock!