News & Community
O's Fans at the ALDS
Some of Birdland's most diehard fans tell us their stories.
As the Camden Yards concourse filled up before Game 1 of the ALDS against the Detroit Tigers, we interviewed some of the most spirited members of Birdland.
Father and daughter Amy and Gary Bittner said they’ve been Orioles fans for years. “Her hand looked like this when she was born, so she had to be an O’s fan,” Gary said laughing and motioning towards her plastic “hulk hand.” “I’m in the fire department,” Amy said. “And I was talking to a 90-year-old World War II vet the other day and he said, ‘If they don’t win this year, I won’t make it.’ “No pressure!” Gary interjected. “I certainly think it’s our time.”
“I’ve been here since ’92,” said beer vendor Joe Bezold as he held up two aluminum bottles in each hand. “In my extreme younger years, I worked at Memorial. I’ve lived a few other places, but always rooted for the Orioles. I don’t necessarily do any fancy tricks, maybe the double pour, but I leave the fancy stuff to the other guys.”
“We may be breaking up for nine innings,” said Kim Palmer. “Or longer, if it goes into extras,” added her boyfriend Tim, whose face is blocked because he skipped work and didn’t want a Ferris Bueller situation on his hands.
“I’ve got a lot of things I would say, but I’m working so they won’t let me. But I’ve seen a lot of things in this ballpark over the years,” said Frederick,
pictured, right, standing with his colleague Torey.
“He’s a Mets fan, but I’ve been an Orioles fan since I was born,” said Kim Harrington about her husband, John. “Our two-year-old Chase has been a good luck charm—the O’s have been good since he came along.”
“I made these jackets,” said Kay Smith,
pictured, left. “I’ve been an Orioles fan my entire life. I remember when we got the team and nobody liked us because we were the new kids in town. I like the team this year, but I’d like it better if we had Macahdo at third.”
“I’ve been into the team since about ninth grade,” said Devon Faison, clutching a game-day program. “My parents were fans. I remember Cal’s record-breaking game, and I loved when Eddie hit 500 home runs. I was so happy I could get off work today.”
“I’ve had season tickets for 22 years,” said Chris Kosman,
pictured, left, while holding a feather boa sign with her friend Gayle Hyland. “This took about two hours to make. Tomorrow we’re going to make the the G and the O so it will spell ‘Go O’s.’ This is all we could do in a pinch.”
“My favorite memories here?” replied Jade McArdle,
pictured right, standing with a group of friends. “How about when you got engaged?” her husband Chris, pictured, second from right, chimed in. “Oh yeah!” Jade remembered. “It was Leap Year 2011 and he proposed to me in our season-ticket seats, section 23, right before we were going down to Sarasota for spring training.”
“J.J. Hardy is my favorite player,” said 12-year-old Olivia Haller, holding up her handmade sign. “I’ve liked the Orioles a lot my entire life, so this is really exciting.”