With a boisterous “O” in the middle of the national anthem, it was apparent that Opening Day had arrived in Baltimore.
It was also clear that fans were willing to brave cold weather and dismiss the increasing pessimism surrounding the club to come out and support the Orioles in their first home game of the 2007 season.
“I?ve got strong hopes for the O?s this year,” Parkville resident Neil Meiser, 21, said shortly after catching a batting practice home run from his perch in right-center field. “At least they put up some money on the bullpen. I?ve got to give it to [club owner Peter Angelos], at least he made an effort to do something about it.”
Meiser said he would be in attendance again tonight for Nick Markakis T-shirt Night. Meiser was one of a number of fans with big hopes for the sophomore right fielder.
“It?s nice to have somebody that we developed,” said Chuck Cook, 33, of Owings Mills, who sat behind the Orioles dugout in a Melvin Mora T-shirt.
A handful of fans behind home plate chanted “Nick the Stick” whenever the 23-year-old right fielder came to bat.
“I like Markakis,” Pasadena resident Dave Miller said before the first pitch. “I think he?s going to be a good ballplayer.”
Miller, his wife Holly, and son, Dave Jr., were situated on the right field flag court during batting practice. The family had differing opinions in terms of their expectations.
“I?d be happy if we?re over .500,” Miller said.
His son, Dave Jr., disagreed: “I figure they?re going to the World Series. You never know.”
It felt like late October baseball Monday, as most fans tossed aside their summer baseball garb in favor of coats, hats, and even scarves. Despite the 44-degree game-time temperature, a sellout crowd of 48,159 turned out to see the Orioles defeat the defending American League champion Detroit Tigers, 6-2.
“I?ve missed one Opening Day since I was 13,” said Cook, who caught the 2001 opener on a New York sports bar television. “I take all the extra money I have, stash it away, and try to get the best seat I can for 15 or 20 games.”
The largest ovation may have been saved for Cal Ripken Jr., who threw out the ceremonial first pitch after a video montage was played on the scoreboard to document his Hall of Fame career in Baltimore.
But until Ripken is inducted in late July, fans will keep their hopes that the O?s can somehow stop the losing that has engulfed the club for the past nine seasons.
“I think they?re going to be much improved,” Cook said. “Probably not a playoff team, but they?ll keep it more interesting this year.”
