The days of cow bells and handkerchiefs,  in Baltimore,  appear to be a part of the past.  But I remember the days in Oriole baseball when thousands of Baltimoreans would bring their cow bells to Memorial Stadium for every baseball game.  The white handkerchiefs were used as a way to taunt opposing pitchers (waving a fond goodbye) as they left the pitching mound.

      I am really enjoying Baltimore Oriole baseball this year.  What a fabulous, multi-talented baseball team.  My favorite players are:  Matt Wieters,  Nick Markakis,  Chris Davis,  Nate McClouth,  J.J. Hardy,  and our 20 year old 3rd. baseman,  Manny Machado.  The Orioles also have a great pitching staff but at this point,  in mid-June, 2013,  Oriole pitching is not yet as efficient and consistent as it was last year.  Buck Showalter,  the manager,  is one of the best in baseball ... calm, focused, creative, and very supportive of each,  individual player,  and loyal to the City of Baltimore and Oriole Baseball fans.

      Baseball is still my favorite sport but there have been many changes since the days I sat in the leftfield bleachers at the "Grand Old Lady of 33rd. Street"  (Memorial Stadium),  during the 1950's and 60's.  I still miss that beautiful red clay dirt in the infield of Memorial Stadium.  And of course ticket prices were something everyone could afford.  General Admission tickets,  when I was a lad,  were $2.50.

       In early June one of my nephews took his wife and two young daughters to an Oriole game.  He told me that he spent nearly $300.00 for four seats in middle reserve, light snacks, drinks and parking.  Not many people can afford to pay this much for a baseball game.  As much as I like Nick Markakis - should he be making $15,350,000. a year?  Brian Roberts makes $10,000,000. a year, and Adam Jones is making nearly $9,000,000. a year (Jones has a 6 year contract worth $85,500,000.), J.J. Hardy at $7,500,000. a year and so on.  The Orioles play 162 games each season;  this means that Markakis makes nearly $95,000.00 for each game played during the regular season.  17 Oriole players are "multi-millionaires", several are millionaires ... and they get paid even when they are batting 6 for 81 attempts or they are on the disabled list.  *These salaries are as "out of control" as our 17 Trillion dollar National Debt ... and so are ticket prices.

      One of the major changes in baseball has occurred in "pitching".  I don't like having "designated hitters" for the pitching staff.  And today we have "closing pitchers" -- as very few pitchers can, or are allowed to,  complete more than 6 or 7 innings.  Back in the 1960's and 70's,  the Oriole pitching staff routinely completed 9 innings with 4, sometimes 5 -- 20 game winners.

      Camden Yards is a beautiful stadium - but all of the advertisements, which are posted all over the stadium, overwhelm the aesthetics.  Baseball,  is a wonderful sport,  an old American tradition.  American men have been playing baseball since the 1850's-60's.  By 1868 there were over 300 amateur clubs playing baseball in Maryland. The first professional team formed was the Cincinnati Red Stockings, in 1869.   Baseball doesn't need "tinsel",  electronic cheerleaders,  flashing lights,  and loud music.   ... I guess,  I am sounding like a "provincial old gentleman from Baltimore."  I don't apologize for that ... I wear it proudly!

      Wouldn't it be fun to go to a Yankee game in late summer with a bunch of our classmates from Patterson!  Yankees are in town from Monday,  September 9th thru the 12th.  Go Orioles!  Is there anyone,  still living in Baltimore,  who could coordinate such an event?

       Christopher Newman,    June 11,  2013     Eastern Shore of Virginia