Two days ago I threw out a radical idea about staging a symbolic one-game protest of the Orioles sometime this spring.
I’m still here, 48 hours later, and more convinced than ever that it’s an idea worth considering.
I’ve thought a lot about this over the last week or so.
The time has come for people in this town to get serious about mandating that the Orioles get themselves back on track. I’m very aware that lots of folks who matter in this town — politicians, media members and even fans — are afraid to take a stand against the baseball team. I’m not saying we need to be mean to the club. But I do think we need to be heard, even if the volume that’s produced is generated by empty seats.
I tried to “be heard” last year by purchasing two season tickets. I did it the conventional way. And I made that move hoping my money would be used to improve the roster. But instead of using my money – from tickets and my monthly MASN contribution – for guys like Buerhle or Kuroda or Fielder or Cuddyer, they used it for Eveland, Fossum, Johnson and Chavez.
It’s not getting any better. It’s just not. You know that. The question of whether or not you’re willing to do something is the pressing issue.
Who’s in? Are you willing to get behind something like a “Don’t Go Game” and spread the word to people you know?
Or are you like a lot of folks…just convinced that Baltimore baseball is never going to get better and, therefore, more suited to watching others try and make a statement while you sit back and say, “This won’t work”.
Is that you?
If so, that’s too bad.
I’m always amazed at how many lazy people there are in the world. And I’m equally surprised by people who talk the talk but then don’t want to walk the walk. Gobs and gobs of people in Baltimore are fed up with the Orioles and they’re willing to say so under their breath.
The time has come for the whispering to stop.
If you’re willing to stand up and be heard by NOT being seen, then maybe we can make some music together.
I wonder if anyone else in the media is willing to join in and promote this community effort?
I’ve said this a lot when it comes to the things we do at WNST like the annual coat and canned food drive or any of the other charitable endeavors we’ve involved ourselves in over the years: If you’re in the media and not doing something positive for your community, what good are you REALLY doing?
And that’s the truth.
Anyone can get on the radio and “talk” about sports. You don’t even need to be an expert, as we’ve seen up close and personal over the last few years right here in Baltimore, where guys (and gals, too…let’s not forget that example) work in radio and talk about the local sports scene even though they couldn’t find Homewood Field, the RAC or Johnny Unitas Stadium with a Garmin.
Talking about sports on the radio is easy. Standing in front of a TV camera is simple. Making a difference isn’t.
Every December when we drop off those coats and pieces of winter apparel to Helping Up Mission, that’s not WNST doing it. It’s Baltimore doing it. We just had the microphone and the web site. You’re the ones who went into your closet, picked out the items, put them in your car and drove them to the station. We dropped YOUR stuff off to those men in December. You did it the hard work. We just helped out a little bit.
And if you’re a radio station – or a TV station – and you can’t pull off those kind of civic efforts where your community wins, then what are you REALLY doing with yourself?
Further, if you’re one of those people in town drawing a paycheck from Baltimore and you’re not willing to fight for Baltimore then what are you REALLY worth? You’d be better off somewhere else – say, Boston perhaps, or Des Moines – where you can once again join the ranks of “celebrity media star” (if you can actually get a job) and not have to worry about putting up a fight for something in your community that really matters.
Any goof can go to the internet and talk about the career of Mike Mussina or Joe Montana or Kobe Bryant.
I say we should get together and do something that matters, even if it’s for only one night and even if it’s largely symbolic.
I’m not telling you to NEVER go to another game or buy another ticket. I’d never urge something like that. I’m simply saying, for one night, become baseball’s version of a conscientious objector.
“Tonight — I’m NOT going. And I’m going to urge others to not go as well.”
This garbage with the baseball team has gone on for too long. Too many broken promises. Far too much losing. And the most unprofessional treatment you can possibly imagine. Oh, and how about that $37 a year we all fork over for the privilege of watching the team’s games on TV? You remember…the money the club pledged to use to “compete with the Yankees and Red Sox”.
I thought about this on Tuesday and the “Don’t Go Game” fell into clear focus for me.
If the NHL or NBA held a press conference tomorrow and announced that Baltimore was being considered for an expansion franchise in 2013-2014, what would the reaction be from city politicians, the media, corporate Baltimore and fans of the sport(s)? Remember “Give Baltimore The Ball?”, the pre-season game between the Saints and Dolphins in 1992? EVERYONE in town got behind that game and turned it into an event of enormous civic pride. My guess is the same basic reaction would be felt in Baltimore if the above scenario with the NBA or NHL played out here. Everyone would go out of their way to put a bow tie on Baltimore and reinforce how capable “we” are of being the home to a new franchise.
(Please see next page)
February 22nd, 2012 at 8:40 am
You know what Drew 3 years ago I would have backed you on this idea but my anger has been replaced by complete apathy. As long as the Angelos family owns the team they can move the Orioles to Alabama as far as I am concerned. That’s what 14 years of losing does to you. (DF: Fair enough, Joe.)
February 22nd, 2012 at 8:54 am
Good luck getting anyone else in Baltimore media to tell it like it is like you guys at WNST. For all my beefs with Nestor his holding the Orioles feet to the fire until they start to win again is why I like this station so much. However, only time will remove this scurge from our town and for some folks that means never seeing a winner here ever again in their lives. Come on Scott,Bruce,Stan lets all get involved!
February 22nd, 2012 at 8:58 am
Drew, I kind of feel like Joe of Bel Air except I do have about a half an ounce of Faith left in me to think we should try something. I have not been to Camden Yards in 3 years an do not plan on it this year either. One other suggestion though, even though Nielsen ratings don,t count on Sporting Events (Hell if they did The O,s would have been cancelled 5 years ago) I think on the night of “Don’t Go To the Game everyone who would attempt to tune in, DON’T. I mean no one goes to the game and no one watches on TV. Lets see that story in the Sun. “Massive boycott at Camden Yards and MASN TV”. If thats the case . I’m in.
February 22nd, 2012 at 9:25 am
Drew, great idea! I do not think you will get any support from the other media outlets , they are so afraid of the Angelos regime it is crazy! Good Luck with your effort,I stopped going 15 years ago to the games.
February 22nd, 2012 at 9:47 am
I understand where you are coming from, but picking a game for nobody to go to is disrespectful to the players and coaches who give their all and don’t have much of a say as to what goes on upstairs.
February 22nd, 2012 at 9:54 am
Why not just do “Free The Birds” again? Why is Nestor / WNST so against repeating it? It was very effective in getting people (both locally and nationally) to notice that we have a baseball (owner) problem in Baltimore. Of the 6000 fans still attending Orioles games, I’d guess only a couple hundred are WNST listeners. I really doubt your “Don’t Go To The Game” idea will make any noticeable change in attendance. On the other hand, 1000+ people showing up at a game, chanting encouragingly to the players, then peacefully walking out IS VERY NOTICEABLE (even in the MASN announcers ignore it). Please do “Free The Birds” again!
February 22nd, 2012 at 10:13 am
If free the birds worked, then why is it 6 years after and we still have a (expletive deleted) team?
February 22nd, 2012 at 10:38 am
Drew, I admire your and WNSTs enthusiasm for all things Baltimore – especially getting the O’s back to respectability and doing the right thing by the city…however to quote Sonny from A Bronx Tale, “No one cares”.
Over 14 years of utter futility, the Orioles have lost an entire generation of fans, who frankly, aren’t that invested. I’m in my early 30s and the Orioles haven’t had a winning season since I was in high school, so imagine how anyone under the age of 25 (who purchase tickets) feels. For anyone who DOES remember, they’re most likely like Joe above who are just totally apathetic and tired of complaining and fighting. Even if the O’s continued to lose, but at least put a worthy hand out to the community/alums/etc., maybe there would be some support, but they barely do that. What’s the use? The Orioles are making money and going to do what they want. The work they’ve got to do to repair their reputation seems insurmountable, and frankly, at this point, its out of our hands.
February 22nd, 2012 at 10:48 am
I hope this plan falls into place, however, I doubt it’ll be effective. I still contend that the only way in which the O’s brass will change their ways is a relentless, hard attack to their wallets, specifically the monthly MASN money. If Comcast heard enough grief from their paying subscribers, Comcast might make MASN optional. Cheers.
February 22nd, 2012 at 11:22 am
The only constructive ideas I can think of would be to print some kind of bumper sticker with the theme something like “Orange-Out night XXXX” that we as frustrated fans could display around town. Or even a billboard poster with the theme “Missing fans XXXX night”.
I would talk to people who go to Oriole games and get them to observe ‘Don’t Go XXXX’ game, — but they don’t go anyway (lol). — Except, this one in-law. A couple of years ago the Orioles swept Boston in a weekend series and he was talking about the Orioles like they were the ’27 Yankees. — If I can talk him into observing a “don’t go XXXXX” game, maybe there will be light at the end of the tunnel (lol).
February 22nd, 2012 at 11:28 am
I don’t think the “don’t go to the game tactic” is effective enough, because I think the players and the coaches get thrown under the bus when it isn’t their fault. It would be the players who would have to answer questions about how it feels to not have the fans support you. I think the message that the problem the fans have is with ownership would be lost and undermined. I think something more in the way of a protest or march in front of the warehouse or the stadium would be more effective. It needs to be something to embarrass the front office and not the players. It needs to be something more attention grabbing, something lasting that would at least draw a response. That being said, you aren’t going to draw people to your cause by being insulting and hostile which your article is towards other fans (“lazy?”). You draw more flies with honey as they say…
February 22nd, 2012 at 12:04 pm
I’ll absolutely go along with you on this; I’d be in favor of ANYTHING that could force them to win. However, I’m also inclined to agree with Robert. They say that the way to ovwerthrow a dictator is to cut off his resources. Angelos is in the unique position of being able to make the same amount of money whether the team wins or loses because of the MASN deal. A concentrated, relentless drumbeat of complaints to Comcast, MLB, and anybody else who might listen about his misappropriation of those dollars could yield the results we want.
February 22nd, 2012 at 12:33 pm
Had trouble getting through page 4. The ad for Tiled Kilt poped up on the left, HAD to click it. Lets go there and watch a game one night.
It’s admirable, your concept, but you can’t seriously think there is any chance of the “REAL”?????? Baltimore media having anything to do with your developing concept. Nationally it would make a very small story as the Orioles are so insignificant they don’t even mention them on MLB network when talking to or about up and coming Rays, Yanks, Sox and Jays players.
Maybe focus more on Towson, UMBC, the community colleges, anything non- Orioles. Pass the time with fantasy baseball gurus, girls softball, etc.
The Orioles are just an entity in place to make Angelos rich, and give a closer up look to the Yankee and SOX fans.
It would be KOOL if at a yankee game there was NO ORANGE to be seen ANYWHERE, but it’s all a waste of time.
February 22nd, 2012 at 1:05 pm
That is what I have been saying all along…the focus should be on Comcast and their MASN deal. What possible leverage can Angelos have on Comcast if he doesn’t allow them to brodcast MASN…they might lose customers…Ha, go ahead. Yhey may lose 8 customaers but then gain 1000 once they reduce our subscription by $3.
It’s about time Comcast come to this realization.
February 22nd, 2012 at 3:57 pm
Drew, I must say this is an interesting concept. I like that you want to kick the Orioles front office where it hurts–in the bank account. My question is how else, besides an empty stadium, are you going to convince Angelos to sell the team? Since that is what we REALLY want, since that has been the one constant these past 14 years. As long as he’s printing $100M a year off MASN, he’ll never give it up.
At this point, I might as well cancel my cable subscription, just to say “screw your business techniques” to PGA. I don’t watch much TV, anyway, and any program I like can be viewed on hulu. Any videobites from CNN or ESPN, I can get online. It’ll be my way of saying, “want my money? Then spend it on a better team!”
February 22nd, 2012 at 4:14 pm
Actually, I just thought of something. Keep your idea of “don’t go to the game,” and instead sit outside the warehouse, refusing to buy tickets. You could get a lot of people to do this (including me), just loiter outside the stadium, not go in, drink beer in the parking lot. Plus the WNST crew can persuade O’s fans going to the game to not go in. Think of it as a prototype to “Occupy Camden Yards.”
February 22nd, 2012 at 5:19 pm
Count me in for skipping the whole year.
February 22nd, 2012 at 9:56 pm
Wow ! 4 pages , who wrote this , fess up , Nestor , right ? .
I’ll do my part . I haven’t been to a game in 20 years ,
( I watch them all on TV ) cause I pay for them there.
and I wont go to any this year either , Ever since they left the “House that Unitas , Robinson , Palmer, Berry , Marchetti , Powell,
Weaver , built” , they haven’t been worth a Tinkers Damn.
You can have these imposters.
“The Camden Orioles ” I calls em ‘
February 22nd, 2012 at 10:04 pm
You ought to plan “Don’t Go To The Game” for Opening Day. Otherwise completely turn over the stadium 100% to the Yankees or Red Sox fans for a series.
February 22nd, 2012 at 11:17 pm
Really like the idea.The only thing I would add is each person should call the Orioles(or some other media outlet,but all calling the same one) and stating “I am not coming to the game tonite.”
February 23rd, 2012 at 6:02 am
I’m in. With that said…no chance any other media mention it let alone join in. They’ve all been bought and paid for. I think you should continue to think about ways to refine this idea so that it is somehow measurable. They have had ridiculously low crowds before how are we going to know this one was due to the “Fan-Out” (there’s your title for it instead of walkout). Kind of like proving a negative. Only negative to anything like this is that it does hurt the players to a degree and they have been mistreated and lied to as much as the fans when you think about it. You have my permission to use”Fan-Out” by the way could apply to the game and to your idea of everyone going downtown on that night and “fanning out” to all the bars and restaurants…so may work for you.
February 23rd, 2012 at 7:59 am
Drew F, It seems you & Nestor are the only guys that want to carry the coals to Newcastle for the fans of the O’s. Like yourself, I’m sick of the “Dwarf / Troll” cheapskate Angelos. There should be a massive boycott & until the fans take back the control of the team, remember, the fans actually can control this situation but it takes unity & resolve. One wouldn’t buy rotten produce & pay a premium price from Wegmans, tip generously for a bad over / undercooked neal @ a restaurant then why should they put up with the lousy product Angelos has put on the field. Personally I don’t think it’s even about more money. I mean he has as much as Warren Buffet & is still a cranky old prick. No, I think he is angry because he knows his time is short & soon he will depart this earth. WTF, I’m 71, survived cancer, heart bypass, lost millions in business & I am a happy man. It’s about how you want to see life & through what kind of glasses. His sons are either incapable or too stupid to take the team over so it would be best if he just sold it along with that juicy MASN cable deal & just trust fund it to the family. Until Peter sue me-Angelos makes a decision or better yet, we the people who can force his hand, we will suffer right up until the day he dies. Thank God we have an owner who cares in Steve B. of the Ravens. Bischotti (spelling) gives a sh*t about this town, the team & it’s citizens.
February 23rd, 2012 at 10:21 am
I vote to go the pansy route. There is nothing we can do to change things. If you want to beat your chest and make yourself a martyr and believe you’re changing things go ahead but you’re dreaming. You are going to still be on the air whining 5 years from now when the new GM signs 36 yr old Teixeira to be our DH. (DF: Honestly…I expected more from you. Disappointing.)
February 23rd, 2012 at 12:08 pm
Great idea; I’m in. Unfortunatly I don’t think any of the other media will join in because it’s WNST’s idea. You know they would want the credit if it happened. I also don’t think any of them have the stones to stand up to the old man. It’s a shame that during the celebration of 20 years at Camden Yards we have had a losing season 15[counting this year] years. Here we are celebrating a ballpark instead of a team. ENOUGH IS ENOUGH!
February 23rd, 2012 at 12:18 pm
@Barnyard Cancer survivor here too Rock on my man!
February 23rd, 2012 at 2:51 pm
I’m in. Pick a game. You should pick it now so we can start planning. Don’t just write a blog about this one and not follow through, Drewski. If you’re going to run this, pick a date and let’s do this.
My suggestion would be though that to be fair to the restaurant and bar community that you, Nestor and the rest of us hold so dear, is that we meet at the bar and watch the game.
So what night are we doing this? Let’s get rollin!! (DF: First of all, I’m following through on it…but I can’t control the masses. If I keep getting some reasonable momentum on this concept, I’ll continue with it. But there’s no way I’m picking a date and publicizing it so you can go to your bosses in the Warehouse and you guys can plan for a way to artificially sweeten the crowd for that game. You must think I was born last night. Say hi to Greg Bader for me the next time you see him at the water cooler.)
February 23rd, 2012 at 3:59 pm
Why not get 5,000 Orioles fans to go to a Nationals game instead? Have them all wear their colors. At least the Nationals seem to be trying.
The problem with your idea is most if not all of the people who feel like you, including me, already don’t go to the games. I haven’t been to a game in years and even then I only went because of free beer in a skybox. Our not showing up has done nothing. All that is left showing up are the die hards, the opposing teams fans, and the business types taking a client to the game. Good luck getting getting that crowd to NOT come to a game.
I think it would be a great message to sell out a whole section or two or three at a Nationals game. One of the sections that you can see on TV and have everybody wear orange. Look here are all of the people who are willing to spend money on games all concentrated in one spot on one night. And not only are they willing to spend money but they will take their money down the road to what you view as your biggest threat.
February 23rd, 2012 at 4:04 pm
Drew-
Please count me in to the “DON’T GO GAME” since the football gods have sent down a message from the heavens that until I switch my fandom to the Orioles, the Ravens will never win the Lombardi trophy again.
I am no longer a Yankee fan but will now root for my BALTIMORE Orioles.
Regards,
Lombardi for Birds
February 24th, 2012 at 1:48 am
If you don’t pick a date this will never happen. You’re suppossed to lead the masses and you can’t even make a decision. My prediction is this will fizzle out in a week. I’m actually for this, to be honest. But just like Nestor’s last FTB try, it will be similar to this:
who’s with me?
only 5 responses?
looks like it won’t happen because i can’t get y’all to support it. apologists.
Just man up and do it. Be a leader and don’t make excuses. (DF: I’m leading, “Tom”. But I’m not giving you the information you want so you can give it to your people in the office at The Warehouse. Be patient. We’ll get it together.)
February 25th, 2012 at 12:52 pm
I like Alex P.’s idea for “Occupy Camden Yards”…I think you have to physically make a statement b/c just not showing up allows the protest to be ignored. Not saying I don’t support your idea, it’s just an alternative that could make the point more dramatically.
I would also support a “Sell the Orioles” campaign against Angelos…b/c until he and his family are out of the business, the Orioles will continue to stink. Can we raise money for a billboard on the way out of town for this? Can we get bumper stickers, car magnets, etc.? Can we encourage someone that cares about improving the team to buy it?
Getting rid of Angelos is the first step in a 12 Step Program.