On September 4th, 2012 the Baltimore sports scene has officially turned into bizarro world. You remember bizarro world from the Superman comics where everything was opposite and Superman was evil. Well today Baltimore officially turned into bizarro world. It all started as we were wrapping up “Catch the Buzz”. I was gathering my things together when Thyrl Nelson came by and said, “anyone know why Bryant McKinnie just tweeted Decision is made I’m gone? Soon after we all knew exactly what it meant as the Ravens had called McKinnie into the office and told him that he would either have to take a pay cut or be released by the team. Huh? Six days before the season and after the team had already made their final cuts the Ravens were telling their starting left tackle to either take a pay cut or take a hike? Ultimately the two sides would come to agreement on a restructured contract but what message does that send to your starting left tackle six days before the season and why aren’t you more concerned about the Cincinnati Bengals then saving money at this point? Were the Ravens going to sign another player? How would a successful negotiation actually help the team? Were they over the salary cap? Ultimately it seems like McKinnie will be able to recoup that money if he reaches certain incentives during this year. Ravens Head Coach John Harbaugh was vague about the Ravens intentions during his press conference today and only said that McKinnie never left and has always been a Raven. Quite frankly this is a move that I would have expected from the Orioles organization over the last 14 years.
Just hours later I got this from Orioles PR:
ORIOLES ENCOURAGE FANS TO “BUCKLE UP!” FOR SEPTEMBER,
OFFER THROWBACK TICKET PRICING FOR TAMPA BAY SERIES
The Orioles today announced a new ticket promotion to celebrate the team’s push for the postseason in this 20th Anniversary season of Oriole Park at Camden Yards. In an effort to encourage fans to “BUCKle Up!” and Back the Birds, the team will offer 1992 throwback pricing for select locations during the Orioles’ series against the Tampa Bay Rays September 11-13.
For all three games of the series, while supplies last, Eutaw Street Bleacher seats are $4.00 (regularly $19) and all Left Field Lower Box seats are just $8.00 (regularly $32). Fans can take advantage of this 75% discount online at www.orioles.com/buckleup or by stopping by the Oriole Park Box Office.
Fans who already purchased regularly priced seats in the Eutaw Street Bleachers or Left Field Lower Box will receive a refund for the difference in ticket value. A refund check will be automatically issued, and fans should allow up to four weeks for processing and delivery.
“We are looking forward to a September to remember and encourage all Orioles fans to ‘BUCKle Up!’ and support the club,” said Orioles Director of Communications, GREG BADER. “Orioles ticket prices are already the most affordable of any professional sports team in the region, and we hope this extra incentive will allow even more fans the opportunity to demonstrate that they ‘Back the Birds.’”
Orioles fans are encouraged to utilize the hashtag #BUCKleUp throughout the remainder of the season to promote the Orioles’ push for the postseason.
What? The Orioles are doing something for their fans and are reaching out to their fan base to come to the games. When I showed this to my wife and daughter do you know the first thing they said? Hey dad can we go to the games next week? I guarantee you a lot of other families around Baltimore were saying the same thing when they heard the news from the Orioles. To be honest something like this is what I would expect from the Baltimore Ravens over the last 14 years. They have done everything in their power to reach out to their fans. Instead today it was the Orioles. Oh and by the way the Orioles are now tied for first place in the A.L. East. What? Tell me this isn’t bizarro world. I just hope and pray that it’s just for one day because I would never wish what the Orioles have been through for the last 14 years on any organization.
September 5th, 2012 at 7:41 am
The fact that the Orioles haven’t thanked you, Nestor, and everyone else at WNST for being the obvious cause of the turnaround is insulting to you hard working folks. I think another walk out is in order because CLEARLY Angelos still doesn’t get it.
Its bad enough that your station has an operating range of 5 square miles and now this rich a-hole still won’t hand over the team to Nestor. Ridiculous.