Recall the image of the Mayflower moving vans leaving town with the Baltimore Colts on March 29, 1984, because that image is the impetus for Nestor Aparicio?s planned fan protest during the Orioles? game against Kansas City Monday.
“Staying away cost us our football team,” Aparicio said. “I?m trying to keep the Orioles in the front page of the sports section, even now when people don?t care about them, because they?re a significant part of the city.”
Aparicio owns WNST 1570 AM and WNST.net, the Web site sponsoring Monday?s protest. It?s tabbed “Free the Birds 2” or the “Free-Pete” of last year?s “Free the Birds,” during which about 2,000 people left Camden Yards in unison during the middle of a game.
But there isn?t expected to be a walk out on Monday. Aparicio said the goal is for his followers to cheer for the Orioles. However, he is urging fans to spend money at nearby restaurants and bars that he claims have been affected by the Orioles? woeful performance ? not for concessions at Camden Yards.
On Sept. 21, 2006, Nestor organized a protest in which fans walked out during a game against the Detroit Tigers to protest the team?s ownership and on-field disappointment.
The Orioles had no comment on Monday?s planned event.
The Orioles entered Wednesday?s game 64-86, floundering in fourth place in the American League East amid a 10th consecutive losing season. The team is averaging 27,022 fans per home game, up slightly from last year?s 26,582 per-game average.
“The team is as dreadful as it?s ever been,” Aparicio said. “This year has been as big an embarrassment as there has ever been.”
Still, Aparicio is behind the team he claims drove him into the sports media business and still fuels his passion for sports.
“I?m the Orioles? biggest fan. I?m such a big fan that I?m not going to allow this to happen,” Aparicio said. “I grew up loving the Orioles and loving baseball. And that hasn?t changed.”
Last season, Aparicio?s black T-shirt-clad group exited Oriole Park at Camden Yards at 5:08 p.m. ? a symbol of their love for Orioles? legends Brooks Robinson (No. 5) and Cal Ripken (No. 8).
However, Aparicio is uncertain how many will join him Monday.
“Its not over until the Mayflower vans come,” Aparicio said. “And I don?t want to see the Mayflower vans come.”
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