Actor Tom Hanks proved Monday that going to Oriole Park at Camden Yards in Baltimore is “like a box of chocolates.” You never know what you?re going to get.
Hanks, along with “Da Vinci Code” director Ron Howard and comedian Dennis Miller, made Camden Yards the first stop on their tour of ballparks, part of Hanks? 50th birthday celebration.
The Oscar award-winning Hanks made sure there was “no crying” in the baseball game as he danced to “Thank God, I?m a Country Boy” and helped lead an O-R-I-O-L-E-S cheer during the seventh-inning stretch. The Orioles won the contest over the Oakland Athletics that night 5-3.
The trio ? who has visited Pittsburgh Pirates? PNC Park and Cincinnati Reds? Great American Ball Park in the days following their stop at Camden Yards has tried to keep a low profile during the trip and hasn?t provided details on future stops on the tour.
However, a two-hour rain delay during the Reds-New York Mets game provided a chance to snap photos with fans and offer their opinions of the game.
“I turned 50 10 days ago,” said Hanks on Wednesday in Cincinnati. “This is the dream you have all the way back.”
Hanks sold peanuts and soft drinks at Oakland?s ballpark as a youth, and the Athletics remain his favorite team. Howard is a Los Angeles Dodgers fan, while Miller prefers the Pirates.
Orioles spokeswoman Monica Pence said team officials knew in advance of Hanks? visit.
“The notice allowed us to alert ushers and police that there would be someone at the game who may attract some additional attention,” Pence said.
“Whenever someone [famous] sits in the stands, they attract attention. Most of the time, though, they are great and willing to sign autographs.”
Hanks, Howard and Miller all suggested Wednesday that former Reds player and manager Pete Rose should be in baseball?s Hall of Fame. The career hits leader accepted a lifetime ban for gambling in 1989 and has admitted to betting on baseball.
“Until they at least make him eligible, it?s not complete,” Howard said.
Asked what baseball should have done to settle the Rose scandal, Miller said, “They should let Ray Fosse crash into his blindside.”
Rose bowled over the former Cleveland catcher at home plate to score the winning run in the 1970 All-Star game at Riverfront Stadium.
The Associated Press contributed to this story.
