Baltimore's Memorial Stadium - Last Days
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- เผยแพร่เมื่อ 21 ส.ค. 2024
- A word of warning NOW: if you grew up going to ball games in Baltimore in the 1950s through the 80s, you might want to keep a few tissues close by...because you're about to see a tearjerker.
Here it is-the one and only Memorial Stadium; close to the hearts of many in my age bracket. This video was shot on March 4 2001, just after demolition began. After driving around it a couple times I get close-ups of the stands and ball field. Can you picture Brooks Robinson at bat, or Johnny Unitas about to throw a pass? Does anyone remember the BALTIMORE Colts...at all? Maybe even Wild Bill Hagy? Miracles on 33rd Street!
Still...the sight of the demolition is very sad.
I uploaded this vid almost in its entirety again as my tribute to where major league baseball began in Baltimore. True, there were minor league Orioles once upon a time, playing at a stadium on Greenmount Ave (long gone), but my memories begin at Memorial (pronounced Mem-ORIOLE) Stadium.
Sorry about the background music if it's distracting. There are tidbits from The Cream, Steppenwolf, Procol Harum and others-all from the stadium's heyday.
Railfan note: Memorial Stadium once had streetcar service. A spur ran north from the Gorsuch Ave line up Loch Raven Road as far as 35th St to serve it. The streetcars then laid over in the MIDDLE of Loch Raven till the end of the game! Can you imagine the traffic jam that would result today if that happened??
Shot in Sony hi-8. Opening/closing photos (1954) courtesy of Baltimore County Public Library.
I was at the Greatest Colts game ever played ! 1977 Playoffs against the Oakland Raiders, I loved Bert Jones he was a hell of a passer and had grit and guts, to bad Roger Carr didn't play that day, because of an injury, I was 15 yrs old and was in awe of Memorial Stadium, My family drove fron South Carolina to Baltimore for the Christmas holidays in 77, Our Uncle got us tickets to that game and boy was it a game! I remember leaving the Stadium thinking this probably will be the last time I would see my beloved Colts! I miss the chant of C O L T S. Colts ! WOW ! what great memories !
I actually met Bert Jones!! When I worked at a photo store in Towson he'd be a semi-regular customer! But-he NEVER said much-just bought film, then left!! We'd try to strike up a conversation, but almost to no avail. We'd even compliment him! With all due respect, he didn't seem to have much of a personality back then-unless he had his next game on his mind or something. I really didn't get into football till the Ravens came to town, but I'm well-aware of the memories Memorial Stadium has for many. Most of my memories are of the Orioles. Still-we were promised the facade would remain, but we were lied to.
Between that game and the 79 series...not sure which was worse
Fantastic game and t-shirt weather.
Gus - I've seen this many times. It always brings a tear to my eyes. That venerable old place won't be forgotten.
Great video
Johnathan Lewis Thank You! Yes-one can't help getting sentimental about Memorial Stadium! I miss it too! Used to manage a Blockbuster down the street! Now just a bunch of junk there. I might make a vid just to show what's there now.
That area used to be a nice neighborhood my favorite game there was in 1975 when they played the dolphins.
This is the best "end of stadium life" ever.
Saw my first MLB game there in '87.
Os fan ever since. Miss ya Memorial.
Thank You! Saw my first MLB game back in the 60s as a kid. Was a Junior Oriole for a while, and got free tickets to games. Seeing the likes of Brooks, Frank and Boog was great! Hopefully time will not dim the glory of their deeds...
My first MLB game was in Sept. 87 at Memorial Stadium against Boston.
Thanks for posting this video. I think that that guy in the video speaks volumes when he didn't say a thing. You did a great job with this video.
Thank You very much! When I found out about the stadium being torn down I knew I had to make this video.
You did a great job. The only time I went to that stadium was when my dad took me to a Colt's game.
Never attended a Colts game myself, but been to many Orioles games there from my kid days through its last season. Thanx again!
I will never forget the day brooks retired wow! 1977 thats my favorite memory at the stadium, love oriole park but 33rd st field of dreams😉
I remember when good 'ol Brooks retired too! Even after retirement, he participated in the 'old timers' games, and STILL hit home runs!! He was one powerhouse! And, yes, 33rd Street was the 'field of dreams' for us Baltimoreans!
Even in the upper deck at Memorial Stadium you were right on top of the action. All of the modern stadiums in baseball and football have moved the fans farther away from the field in the middle and upper decks.
I was raised a block away from Memorial Stadium and remember the demolition. This has brought back awesome memories. Great video.
Thank You very much! Shame they didn't save the front façade as they "promised," upsetting a few people. I grew up in NE Baltimore and attended many a game as a Junior Oriole in the 60s like many other at-the-time kids. The irony is...now I live just up the road and could get there very easily by bus...that is, if it all still existed...
Great days, for sure! 👌👍
We moved from Cambridge to 1200 E. 33rd St (corner Ednor Rd) in 1948 so we saw Memorial Stadium being built in the early 50's. Had parking for six or seven cars and had season parking customers for the Colts games. Johnny Unitas once parked in our driveway I think for a Navy football game.
Johnny Unitas once parked in your driveway?? Wish I had something to brag about like that, though I doubt I'll ever see Joe Flacco in my driveway! Then again, I don't live by the stadium! Still-that's really interesting!
I would of least had to get an autographed football from John U. !
@@bullfrog1954 We used to visit the 4100 Club in Brooklyn (I lived near by), and he would autograph plastic footballs and throw them off the roof into the parking lot. I have a couple of those in my collection of memorabilia.
After all the fun and excitement these places look creepy during demolition, abandoned and waiting for death.
Definitely a sad sight.
bullfrog1954 Thanks for that, I don't know how old that stadium was but it seems that in America they tear them down before they reach 40 years.
I grew up in that ball park. It was for sports fans only. No wine and cheese crowds. Unitas Robinson's Ripken Murray Donovan Marchetti Curtis Parker so many more.
I too am not big on the wine and cheese thing. Something about those old-fashioned ballparks. Not that there's anything wrong with Oriole Park, but they harp on the food too much (what's new this year etc). And there's "gourmet" dining at the Ravens stadium! I go for the game, not the food, which costs an arm and a leg ($5 for a Coke)! No, we won't forget Brooks and Frank, Boog, Eddie or the others! I have photos from the parade after the O's won the 1983 World Series. I think it was 1983.
Caught the late Wild Bill Hagy too that day.
@@bullfrog1954 First time seeing this, so I type with tears in my eyes. Ravens started there, took my son there for it. And don't forget the Stallions, first and only American team to win the Gray Cup. But '83, that was special. I worked out of town, so didn't do the parade, but was home the night they won it. Looked at my wife and said get in the car. So us and some of her family went to "the Stadium", as everybody in Md. knew it to wait for our O's to come in from Philly. Sure enough, here comes the busses. It was a good size crowd and they had a P.A. for the players to talk. As they went through all of our heroes, all I could think of was Eddie, Eddie, so I started chanting it loud as I could. Wasn't long before the whole crowd was chanting with me. Only time in my life I did such a thing. Thanks Bullfrog for doing this video.
That was great footage, thank you. Also, you listed Memorial Stadium held the 1966 and '83 World Series. It also was part of the O's 1969-70-71 and '79 WS...
Thank you so much for making this video. It brings back so many memories.
You're quite Welcome!
That was really neat. I really wish I could have seen the Colts or the O’s play. Thanks for putting that video together!
You're quite Welcome! Are you from Baltimore?
No, Chicago. But watching your video brought back memories of how I felt when they demolished Comiskey Park. It was hard to see it go. Thanks again!
@@Cfirob73 Sure!
Johnny Unitas a bad ass QB and so were the old colts I'm still a fan
Does anyone remember Gino's restaurant,Gino Marchetti owned a fast food franchise had a bunch of them in Maryland they used to sell Kentucky fried chicken
i cant believe they torn down that stadium
It was very sad moment to see the Memorial Stadium demolish, I'll never forget that place.
For those of us who grew up in Baltimore in the 50s thru the 70s, Memorial has a special place in out hearts! Same with Orioles of that era-Al Bumbry liked playing there too! Thanx for viewing. -Gus
I've been to Camden over 25 times, and only got to 4 games at Memorial Stadium...and I absolutely remember more details from those 4. She was a beaut.
Those were great days for sure! If it was still there-I'd almost be within walking distance where I live now!
I haven’t seen this in a long time. I really wish they did not tear it down. I wish they just renovated it and possibly make it into a soccer stadium for a new outdoor soccer team or something
I was hoping they'd have kept it for reuse too! The Ravens played there for a short while, but that was its last use. Now some kind of "community" sits on the grounds..
I can name some prominent Baltimore sports stars who made Memorial Stadium their home-Brooks Robinson,Johnny Unitas,Frank Robinson,Art Donovan,Alan Ameche,Boog Powell, Raymond Berry, Paul Blair,
Jim Palmer,Dave McNally,Lenny Moore,Tom Matte,Bubba Smith,
Cal Ripken,Jr.,Jim Gentile,Art Spinney,Lydell Mitchell,Bert Jones,
Joe Ehrmann,Jim Parker,Mike Cuellar,Eddie Murray,Vinnie Testaverde and Ray Lewis.
I'm sure the list goes on! Thanx for viewing!
I dont believe Ray Lewis played in that stadium
Ray Lewis was a rookie on the first Ravens team that played in Baltimore back in 1996.
This is actually historical documentation of that area. Especially with the way it looks now.
+bmorefunnyman1 The area has changed considerably since then, for sure! Wonder if that area's still called 'Babe Ruth Plaza.'
Red Sox and Cub fans heed my words: If you think for a minute that what happened here can't happen to Fenway Park and/or Wrigley Field, think again.
Sox ownership says Fenway Park is good until at least 2061, I'll be long dead by then, so I don't care.
So did the Astro fans too
Wrigley and Fenway are safe. Wrigley just underwent millions of dollars in renovations, and the Cubs 2016 World Series win exponentially increased fan attendance. All this money wouldn't have been spent if they were planning on tearing it down in the even distant future.
Old Tiger stadium also gone
@@chrischampagne4307 Sad, but true. I was there in '96 to watch the Tigers host the Angels. Two hours after the game, my tour party and I found out that Cecil Fielder had just been traded to my beloved Yankees.
Truly heartbreaking! I practically lived here as a kid...my dad would always rush home from work, to make sure I got there early for bp to catch balls and get autographs. Got plenty of both, and still have most of 'em. Caught a Cal Ripken foul ball on a Sunday afternoon down the right field line, just shy of the foul pole. People around me were all cheering, it was awesome. Then, I hear Rex say..."Give that fan a contract!" Miss the ol' girl on 33rd, miss my dad more. They were great times!
Hey, I'm pushing 60! I can't remember all that! I only remember the ones that went our way! When we lose I forget! I was at the parade after the 1983 one and will eventually have photos up! Thanx 4 viewing & commenting!
I remember times at the old stadium too. It is sad to see this, but I'm glad you recorded it. My husband was born in 54 too. We live in Cockeysville.
It was a sad sight for me too when I made this! I tried to get it at just the right time; demolition started but not totally progressed. So you're in Cockeysville? I did a video on the RR through there a few years ago, and rode the bike trail many times all the way to PA! Nice area! I'm around Loch Raven Blvd & Northern Pkwy. Thanx for viewing. -Gus
I will look for the RR video. We rode the bike trail to PA a few times too. Your videos bring back a lot of memories to us. Keep making them and we'll keep watching! All the best, Kathy and Steve
I know this sounds odd, but when I was a kid and even a bit older it gave me chills to be in a car approaching Memorial Stadium. Coming around the corner, from any direction, and seeing the stadium and the light towers was just a moving experience. I love Oriole Park, but never get that same feeling. Maybe it's because I'm older now.
Yes there certainly was awesome passing Memorial back in the day-or night. I was born same year it opened so it was kinda special to me! Great memories!!
1959 NFL Title Game, 1958 All Star Game, 1966,69,70,71,79,83 World Series,The Inaugural AFC Title Game and many,many memories in between, It wasn't called Memorial Stadium for nothing.
+Airsoftcleaner Great way to put it! Wish they kept the facade!
Don't forget the classic Raiders-Colts playoff game at Memorial Stadium in December of '77. The "Ghost to the Post" game. I know that Colts fans would rather forget about that game because they lost. But it's still one of the greatest football games ever played.
@@ter521fad I remember it, Christmas Eve 77 unseasonably warm day
This video has helped me recreate this stadium for mlb the show 21. Thank you!
Glad I could help!
My parents took me and my brother to our very first Orioles baseball game back in the 80's when my brother and I were really little. I had to have been four and my brother two years old at the time.
I used to be a Junior Oriole back in the 60s! Memorial Stadium was a fun place to catch a game! Thanx for viewing. -Gus
Dont forget Memorial Stadium was the home of the 1995 CFL Champion Baltimore Stallions also
Remember them very well! I used to work down the street when they played there! We tried calling them the Colts but NFL didn't approve.
The Ravens played there too.
The Bowie BaySox also played there their first year (I went to one of these games). The dimensions of the Bowie Stadiums' playing field were made exactly the same as those of Memorial Stadium: 309' down the lines and 405' in CF.
The Baltimore Stallions of the CFL also played there for a couple years before the Ravens came to town.
I remember the "Stallions." I managed the Blockbuster on 33rd Street when they played there, and Stallions banners lined the road for several blocks, I guess to generate interest in this team. They were referred to as the CFL Colts for a short time, out of nostalgia. The NFL didn't care for that.
@@bullfrog1954 And they won the Grey Cup one season! When the NFL didn't want Baltimore, Jim Speros and the Stallions gave Baltimore fans something good to cheer about.
@@petecapravos3044 At least for a while...
I just wanted to add a footnote to the BaySox lone (1992) season there: former Orioles pitcher Tippy Martinez owned a food stand called "Tippy's Tacos" in service at all BaySox games that year.
@@gregpaspatis9425 I went down to the stadium to buy Baysox tickets from the box office because Mike Mussina was pitching a rehab game there. A girl I worked with was absolutely in love with Moose, and I asked her "C'mon, why don't you drive down to the stadium with me to get the tickets???", she declined. I pulled into the front of the stadium lot, right in front of the box office, and up next to me pulls a Jeep Cherokee, and who jumps out, but Moose himself! He popped the hatch, grabbed his bag full of his equipment for his rehab start, I said "Hey Moose", he replied back, and that was that. I left him to do his business. The girl at work was ridiculously upset when I told her! LOL
Nice MEMORIAL to MEMORIAL... How ironic?
Great soundtrack by the way.
Despite that I grew up in Oakland California and followed the Raiders, I did know all about Johnny Unitas and I liked the Colts, especially when they beat the Cowboys...
Our teams created history together in 1977 with a first 6-quarter game ended by a post pattern pass by "The Snake" to "The Ghost"
It sucks to see an old building, with so many ghosts and memories all wrapped up in it, be demolished.
I suppose the saving grace is that even long after the building is wiped away... it will live on in the hearts of men like the brother and his family in the photo and like you my friend, although a stranger to me... your soulful remembrance and heart-felt compassion for the building make you as familiar to me as the Cream and Simon and Garfunkel playin' in the background of your video.
ROCK/CARRY ON!
+arsalmonar Whenever I drive by the site it kinda hurts to see what's there now (apartments!) and think about what once was. The facade said '...time will not dim the glory of their deeds' but apparently time dimmed something-or doomed something. I attended some Orioles games there as a kid, as well as one of the last games of the last season there. The soundtrack was incidental; I play music in my vehicle when I'm out, and this vid predates TH-cam who are normally against background music, and occasionally warn me of a 'content match.' Surprised that didn't happen here! These days I have to be careful with whatever music I use thanx to TH-cam's over-zeal about warning users who use 'copyrighted' material, though I ain't profiting from it!
Thank You for viewing and commenting. Always great making friends with someone on my wavelength. -Gus
I wish i had a seat from the old stadium. Nice video bullfrog!!!!
Ralph Denk I debated in getting a seat when they were being sold off-but I didn't know what to do with it! Thanx for viewing!
Legendary place…every time the Stadium would appear in on the horizon in the city as a kid on the way to games…shot was magical
I thought it was great when you could still see the lights from a distance! You can barely tell Camden Yards is there!
Man the memories. I watched many baseball games there.
So have I! In the 60s, I was a Junior Oriole! Got to attend some free games!
Thanks for sharing...history here
My pleasure! Glad you enjoyed!
it will be impossible for any new stadium to have the same atmosphere that the old classic stadiums had
My sister & I were at the game on August 13 1969 , when Jim Palmer pitched a no hitter against the Oakland A’s. It was are very first Major League game that my Dad took us to. 😥
I have many fond memories of Memorial myself! Great seeing Jim, Boog, the Robinsons (Frannk just passed) and many other classic players too numerous to mention. Met Al Bumbry in 2017. Great guy-and still powerful!
loved memorial stadium...remember when jim palmer used to pitch using that white house behind center field for the hitters back round,talk about a home field advantage,lol..gotta love it,the good old day's
Tearing down history
+Charles Rinehart That's all they ever seem to do!
My aunt bought me Disraeli Gears for my 13th birthday, and it changed my life. That's actually about the time I quit trying to be athletic, and started playing guitar. haha. Stay cool my friend. You are one tasteful individual.
Yes, those days were great for sure! Jim, Eddie, the late Wild Bill...all wonderful! I attended the parade in 1983 when the Orioles won their last Series, and have photos of all three I shot there that I'll have in a future slide show if you're interested. Memorial was a short drive for me then-but, as a railfan, I don't mind riding light rail to Camden! Still, I grew up at Memorial which was a great neighborhood park! Everything's too commercial now! Thanx 4 viewing!
I grew up just outside of Waverly and was there for the stadiums demolition.
I remember thinking that I was sad to see it go, but I intuitively knew that it had worn out it's welcome. The stadium was an old eyesore, which sat right in the middle of a neighborhood that was changing.
I'm just glad that I had the chance to witness the event:)
...good times!
Never really heard it referred to as an eyesore before, but I guess when compared to the more "modern" stadiums it might appear to be. Not that I don't like Camden Yards, but I grew up with Memorial. Camden is very easy for me to reach with the light rail, while parking/exiting at Memorial could be very time consuming, but I guess it's the memories that keep me sentimental about it! Grew up as a Junior Oriole! Loved it!
I grew up across the street brings back so many memories of how the neighborhood would come alive during the games & my neighbor would be a street vendor cooking for the fans out his house
dchamp55 Those were great days, weren't they! We won our first Series there and maybe the Os can do it again this year!
I lived on old York rd.accross from the church 3400 from 69 to 76 I remember those games and the ice skating rink I lived close to the stadium lounge. I miss baltimore. I could see the stadium lights at night and hear the games and I went to a lot of the games to
Well done sir sad to see it go
Thank You!
Came back again to say this video helped me make this in mlb the show 22.
Glad I could help!
@@bullfrog1954 youre the best. Do you have anymore of this?
@@thegamingkitchen8429 Thank You very much! I don't have anything else on Memorial Stadium but do have video posted of the light rail to Camden Yards before the yard opened. Is that what you meant? Thanx again. 👍👌
A friend of mine and I would sometimes take in a Summer evening baseball game at Memorial Stadium back in the mid-1960s. We lived over in the Irvington area of SW Baltimore and had to take two buses (#8 to Charles St. and #3 to E. 33rd)to get to and from the stadium. You could travel all the way across the city on a transit bus at night back then with little fear of being attacked or even killed. That was the Baltimore I loved and grew up in. Still remember seeing Frank Robinson hit a home run out of the ball park in 1966. One of the young fans retrieved it from the parking lot and returned the ball to him after the game. Fun times...
I too have fond memories of the old ballyard! Was a Junior Oriole for a couple years, and digging the freebees that came with it (game tickets, free Gino's "Giants" etc). Back in the day one was relatively safe riding the buses! These days-I don't know! Fun watching the Robinsons, Boog, and all the other classic Orioles!
Oh you are SO right about that! Especially if you grew up going there!
I grew up on an off Street right behind the old memorial stadium in Waverly . When I was a kid you could watch games from the bleachers for 50 cents . The 4th of July fire works use to be there too , use to watch'em from the alley way in front my house ,lol . Those were the days . They use to have an ice skating rink at the stadium parking lot that I use to skate at . Never really got why they moved the stadium downtown with all that congestion . They should've just left it where it was .
I remember the days of going to an Orioles game for around $1.50! Was a Junior Oriole for a while too! I too recall that ice rink! I suppose the move to downtown was to facilitate transportation; there's light rail and train service that one couldn't run to 33rd Street, although streetcars once ran north from Gorsuch Ave to around 34th Street to serve the stadium.
Thanks for the video. I used to ride my bike to games in the late 80's early 90's. I went to the second to last O's game against the tigers. I miss the piss/beer smell walking up the ramps. Thanks to Mr. Walt the usher who let me and my buddy in after the 5th inning. In the why not year of 89 I probably went to 50+ games. I would listen until the 4th inning hop on my bike and head on over to the stadium. I miss it so. 😞
Interesting about that usher who'd let you in after the 5th! I don't remember any particular stink in the ramps, but the place did have that "old" smell/sense to it. Opened the year I was born, but now gone...hopefully I'll be around a bit longer.
The Ghost to the Post game
I have a huge railing from Memorial Stadium that my Pops and I tore out of the ground at the last Ravens game…it’s bolted into the wall in my basement with all my Colts, Ravens, and O’s memorabilia
Diggin' on the Cream Jam. You forgot '69 and '79 WS. I've been to all of the old stadiums before they started closing in the 90's and what I remember most about this one was the serious lack of leg room....and I;m only 5'8. Always sorry to see the old stadiums go down.
Didn't have leg room trouble myself, and I'm a bit taller! Also '83 Series, I believe...took photos at the Oriole parade the next day. Cream's Disraeli Gears...one of the best of all-time!
I still remember the last time my team (Green Bay Packers) played in this stadium. It was 1982 and we played the Colts to a 10-10 tie. It was a great game. Later that year my other team, the Milwaukee Brewers would clinch a berth in the playoffs in this very same stadium.
Packers and Colts played to a 20 to 20 tie on December 19th 1982. Brewers clinched division title in October of that year.
Glad I was around to see Colts and Orioles games there when I was a kid.
I never saw the Colts there, but have many memories of those O's baseball games! As kids we'd take gloves in hopes of catching a foul ball!
bullfrog1954 I was also at the Canadian football game when they tried it.
I remember that too! I was managing the Blockbuster on 33rd Street at the time. I believe the team was referred to as the "CFL" Colts! In those pre-Ravens days we Baltimoreans just couldn't let go!
Awesome video, have a lot of memories from many colt and O's games there growing up..the crazy thing I remember is the parking, the way they would box all the cars in, I can remember many times being boxed in having to wait for someone to show up and move they're car before we could leave, haha
+tjocus43 I've had that experience with parking there too, back in the day! Now I get to ride the light rail to O's/Ravens games! As a railfan I like the locations of the current stadiums, but Memorial once had rail service too-a little-known fact.
But, yeah, I miss names like Robinson & Unitas...I used to be a Junior Oriole as a kid!
I salute you for being an Orioles fan, and for including a deep track from the Cream in your vid. I went to Memorial once when I was three or four. been to quite a few games at camden Yards. I love the yard, but Memorial will always hold a special place in my heart for being our home during our three World Series wins. It's time for the series to come to camden though!
NO-the Orioles were the St. Louis Browns before coming to Baltimore in 1954. The Ravens were the Cleveland Browns before coming to Baltimore in 1995. Coincidence that Baltimore got two teams originally called Browns? Anybody else out there notice that? We got two former Brown teams!!
I live in the Detroit area and have gone through the same with our Tiger Stadium that was torn down. It was time. Always wondered in Detroit when seeing games from Baltimore how the surrounding neighborhood was and it certainly was not as urban as in Detroit. The area looks good however it 20 years ago since this video was shot. Crtainly we in Detroit remember the stadium and the epic battles between the Lions and Colts there and the Tigers and Orioles.
It's always sad to see something torn down that one grew up with! The Camden Yards area might "sparkle" now but in the pre-Yards days it was a very different-looking industrial area like a desolate no-man's area. Actually I have a slide show of classic B&O/CSX RR photos posted with a photo of the pre-Yards days. Here's the link:
th-cam.com/video/PsPnmfb39uw/w-d-xo.html
It's at the 2:58 mark. Looking north on Eutaw Street, smack dab where the stadium is now!! What a difference!! ✌👍👌
Thanks for preserving the history bullfrog.
You're quite welcome! When I heard they were tearing it down, I had to do something!
what a shame that they never preserved part of the facade of the stadium. The site today is occupied by an ugly YMCA building, rest is mostly vacant.
I never caught any foul balls, but I do remember someone shouting "give that fan a contract" on many occasions! Yeah, many of us had heavy hearts when the place was torn down! I too miss it-and miss my Dad as well! Thanx 4 viewing!
I only went to one game there, in 1980, while I was visiting my uncle in Virginia. I caught a batting practice home run, hit by Ben Oglivie of the Brewers. A few years later, when I lived in Seattle, Ben and the Brewers played the Mariners in the old Kingdome (also demolished). I got Ben to sign the ball during batting practice there. I told him the ball was a home run he hit in Baltimore in 1980 (I didn't tell him it was during bp). He said "Wow!"
Thanx a lot! Yes, it WOULD be great to get a Series at the Yard as we almost did in 2012! Memorial will always hold a special place in the hearts of those in my generation, and others as well!! I grew up with the Orioles-and The Cream as well (Disraeli Gears-GREAT album-Wheels of Fire too)!
You're right, Bullfrog - needed my tissues.... Far too many memories from games in the Earl Weaver era and then later in her last years. Loved her as she had so much of the spirit of real Baltimore rather than what has happened in the new stadiums where the common folks can't afford to go - whole 'nother issue, but will miss her just the same...
Thhose were really great days for sure! Thanx 4 vireing!
Thanx! Actually, I used to, at my high school's radio station-in 1971!
Yeah-those were the days, weren't they! I attended one of the last Os games there in 1991-very sad! General admission-$2.50!!
Sorry to be Mr. Correction. But there were three World series won there 66, 70, 83. Six all together played 69,71, and 79 were losses. I might be wrong, but I believe Palmer was in all six.
That's OK-it's all good. Jim Palmer probably was in all, as he didn't retire until the mid-80s. He tried coming back, but it didn't work out!
Yes he was. But was only a reliever in 83. I think he pitched 3-4 innings in the 5 games.
Anyone else remember the “ Hit and Run “ club restaurant kinda hidden under the backstop area......great food, great Baltimore memorabilia with all of the bats, the large picture of Brooks jumping into the air after the last out in the 66 world series.....think about all of the icons that stood in the batters box, Mickey Mantle, Roger Maris etc.......great times, we all miss the “worlds largest outdoor insane asylum”.......how about the classic City/Poly games on thanksgiving day......such fun.....
I never looked at Memorial Stadium as the "world's largest outdoor insane asylum" but it's quite possible, especially during the Wild Bill Hagy era. And, having gone to Poly (in its all-boy days), I did keep up with those City games. Yes, those were the days...
Oh wow! The Hit and Run Club! I had forgotten about it, but now I remember it as a dark, seedy 70's type of lounge.
Lots of great times at Memorial. I was lucky enough to be there for all three games of the final series. I lost it when Brooks took third after the final out. I didn't want my friends to know that I was crying, but I peeked up and saw them crying too.
I recall all that stuff too! The Christmas trees, the ice rink, and above all, the Poly-City games! I went to Poly but never attended one of their games there, though. Those were great days, weren't they!
I missed looking at the old ballpark.
I kinda do too.
I watched the 8th to last Orioles game there. I remember Randy Milligan and Cal ripken both hit home runs. Then I watch the Ravens preseason game against the Buffalo bills I think it was 97
Whatever game that was where they gave out flop hats-that's the last game I attended that season! They referred to it as "a season to remember." Didn't see the Ravens till their current stadium. I think we got Ravens in 1995, and before that we had a Canadian football team for a short time.
when some of us were born they were already the Indianapolis colts
I sat up in the top on the first base line for Wilson Alvarez's no-hitter in 1991. I was 9 years old.
Sniff Sniff !!
Agreed!
Gus, during that time, my family & I were still living in Alaska. I was 2. But anyway, are you still celebrating the 4th of July later tonight?
Again sorry I didn't answer right away, Danny! At my age couldn't really "celebrate" in the sense of the word. Also-most displays cancelled, but managed to get a few things in the neighborhood. And, of course-had to get back to work on my next videos; one of a rock band performance and another of a Sunday drive. Editing is quite job-really! I don't rush through things; want to make sure I get it right. I'm not perfect, but I try. People ask why so long between videos sometimes...well, there you go! Hope you had a great 4th!
Alaska? Not sure if I'll ever get out there...
I've been informed of that-but thanx 4 viewing! Please forgive my old-age forgetfulness!
We also had Canadian football for a season in 1994-the "Stallions."
2 years. 1994 was the Baltimore CFLers. 1995 was the Stallions. 1995 Grey Cup Champions.
@@Ghostrider6A I worked at the Blockbuster on 33rd Street in 1994. My commute took me past Memorial Stadium, and all up and down 33rd on the light posts would be banners with the Stallions logo. Did that for 5 days a week, seeing those banners the whole time, and I'm relatively sure they were Stallions banners. I recall acquiring the Ravens in 1995.
I live in Indianapolis and I have always felt it was a damn shame for Baltimore to lose the Colts.
It really was a shame the day the Colts left (or were removed...more to the point), but here in Baltimore, with the way the Ravens are now going, it doesn't feel so bad. Still strange seeing those 1984 film clips of that Colts truck departing town!
@@bullfrog1954 oh, it still hurts, even with the Ravens here. Every time I see that White and Blue, and the clean crisp horseshoe, it rips my heart out. I was 13 when they left town.
They should’ve saved it for concerts .
Actually, back in the the 60s, I do recall one concert there. Might have been 1968. It was the Fifth Dimension who performed there one summer night. Too young myself to attend concerts at the time, but I do recall radio ads running for the concert.
Your attention please....Thank yooooooou, still echos in my head. Sad video.
Those were great days, weren't they!
understand your sadness, but I was a Red Sox fan back in the day and I hated the Orioles. That damn Boog Powell killed us every time.
That's why we hired Boog! Along with the Robinsons, and so on.
Boog, and the Robinsons, all former AL MVPS
This guy sounds like a radio announcer !!! Sounds to professional.
Thanx! Been doing this since 1978 so it kinda grew on me...
oh thanks
You have a good voice for broadcasting
Time will not dim the glory of their (Colts, O's pre-Angelos) deeds.
Nice video, love the old ballparks. Shut off your radio!
Glad you enjoyed the video, and sorry about that background music. Video dates back to before TH-cam and my thinking this video might one day be up for all to see. I'm just glad I got this. Now one wouldn't know a ball park was ever there.
I remember that epic struggle between the Colts and the Oakland Raiders in 1977. One of the greatest playoff games ever.
Kent Goodfellow Those were great days-and years!
The "Ghost to the Post" game. That one didn't end well for the Colts. But it's still one of the greatest playoff games in NFL history.
I was their at age 15, my family drove from South Carolina to Baltimore for Christmas holiday, I witnessed the greatest Colts game ever, To bad Roger Carr didnt play in that game, Oakland Raiders had the Snake and Dave Casper, I hated Coach Madden after that game, and will never forget the silence of the fans leaving Memorial stadium that day, I thought that would be the last time I would see my beloved Colts in Baltimore, then Irsay moved the team to Indy ! Broken but not bent. Missing the chant C O L T S !
I was never very athletic either! I went on to play guitar, bass and keyboards and play in various bands (samples of which included in my TH-cam #100 vid). I hike and ride a bike now-as athletic as I get! Thank You for yor comments!!
I remember when a small plane crashed into the upper deck
I remember something like that happening too but can't remember when!
This stadium at least help build two of the greatest stadiums to come in Camden Yards and M&T Bank Stadium...I'll always hold my slim memories (Miami Dolphins vs Baltimore Ravens 1997) and past Stallions games close at heart. One of the best stadiums of all time!!!
I was at the Dolphin game also. And if I recall, didn't they hold a Saint game there as well? Or was it the Saints vs. Dolphins, just to see how many fans would support the NFL game?
My favorite place in the whole world.😀🤠⚾ I met so many players from the 1990 club outsife before the game. Randy Milligan was the most friendly. Also I got in the passenger side of Bradys car, as a child. Leo Gomez Joe Orsulak, gregg Olson, Sam Horn, and newly acquired ron Kittle who talked a ling time. Mqny others signed as well. I recall Schiling claiming he would be back as he was late.
I.think my final pro game was the Stallions playoff game against Toronto. That was also my first football.game. Buy my love was baseball. Now they force us to watch it behind a net, and not even allowed to take cash totheball.park. Sad to see how the Orioles have changed, its all Agenda 2039 business since the Angelos sons took.over.
Well Ilove Memorial.Stadium. I love it so much.
That's interesting! I remember most those names being in Baltimore all my life! Got to meet Al Bumbry back in 2017 (vid posted-th-cam.com/video/DCfjic6CPS4/w-d-xo.html at 17.22). I also remember the brief Stallions stint here; worked at the Blockbuster on 33rd Street at the time. Hope the Orioles can reclaim their former glory once more...
Didn't the Orioles win in 1970 as well? I'm not from Baltimore but always loved the Memorial on the stadium. That typeface/font is beautiful. I'm sure it has a name, but I don't know it.
The Orioles may have won in 1970 as well but I really can't remember! Guess I'm getting rusty in my old age! As far as the font goes I tried looking through the fonts I have. A few come close but still don't quite match up. Best I can describe it is some kind of art deco (which I've always been a fan of).
@@bullfrog1954 Thank you for your reply. They did win it in 1970; they beat the Reds in 5 games. I agree with your describing that beautiful font as "art deco" as that was the first style that came to my mind. Am I right that the memorial was demolished with the rest of the stadium? If so, that is shameful.
@@anrun Unfortunately, you're right...the facade was demolished despite "promises" to keep it intact. Best of my knowledge the only thing "saved" was home plate which was installed at Camden Yards at its original opening but something tells me it's been long replaced. The seats at Memorial Stadium were sold off; assuming the buyers still have them that's all that's left from Memorial. Thanx for viewing and commenting.
@@bullfrog1954 Thank you as well. I'm not sure any memorial should be demolished unless there really is no other option. Surely, some place in the greater Baltimore area could have been found to house and display such a beautiful memorial. Again, shameful.
Really? I for some reason don't recall! Guess my memory's fading in my old age. Thanx 4 the info!
Yes-a real shame.
The Baltimore Colts moving to Indianapolis, The worst relocation EVER, And that includes the Dodgers moving from Brooklyn to LA
I wasn't really watching football back in the 80s-didn't get into it till the Ravens arrived, but I appreciate the BALTIMORE Colts' legacy! Johnny Unitas, Artie Donovan etc. The Dodgers move to LA was really a big move-clear to the other coast!! How'd that happen??
@@bullfrog1954 Money.
I kinda figured as much. Dodgers got their name from people dodging streetcars to get to their games (or something like that).
@@bullfrog1954 Yeah that's correct, They were originally called the Trolley Dodgers then they just shortned it to Dodgers, But getting back to relocation, There are several reasons teams move but really it comes down to money and a new stadium, That's pretty much how Baltimore got NFL football again in '96 with the Ravens, The city of Baltimore told Art Modell that if he moved the Browns there he would get a new stadium, Don't get me wrong I like the Ravens, But the Colts should still be in Baltimore.
The last team to play baseball at Memorial Stadium was not the Orioles, but the AA Bowie Baysox who played there the year that the O's moved to Camden Yards in 1993. They closed the upper deck that year, and drew about 7000 fan a game. While Oriole Park had Boog's Barbecue, the old place had Tippy's Cantina run by former Oriole pitcher and then Towson Baseball Coach Tippy Martinez who signed autographs when it didn't conflict with his teams schedule.
That year Major League II was filmed in both stadiums, Camden Yards was the Indians home field and the road stadium was Memorial, I could tell that outfield wall with the bleachers anywhere.
In 1994, the stadium in Bowie was still not ready and they played home games in Frederick, College Park, Naval Academy and Wilmington before moving to the new location later in the year, because the CFL team had to take out the fence to fit a field there..
rockvilleraven I remember Tippy and the gang-but never knew he had a stand at Memorial! I know Boog has a stand at Oriole Park though I Haven't patronized it yet. And apparently others have fond memories of those bleachers as well! And, of course, there was the CFL Stallions team (which we first tried calling the Colts) before our Ravens came to town! At the time I managed the (now-defunct) Blockbuster on 33rd Street and when I went to work on Sundays I had to allow enough time in case of traffic tie-ups on 33rd. I remember the Stallions flags lining 33rd. I never saw Major League II but I was in the video rental business-and heard nothing about that movie being shot there. I figured that would've been a major topic of conversation around these parts! Thanx for the info! -Gus
Here's is the events and tenants for Memorial Stadium after the O's left.
1992- The 'Give Baltimore the Ball" preseason game between the Dolphins and the Saints.
1993-Bowie Baysox AA Minor League affiliate of the Orioles.
1994-95 Baltimore Stallions of the CFL
1996-97 Baltimore Ravens
Not to mention the annual Loyola-Calvert Hall High School football game played on Thanksgiving morning as well as a couple of Maryland Terps football games.
rockvilleraven I remember everything except that preseason game. Also, the Poly-City games were held there for a while too. The Stallions were originally called the CFL Colts, out of nostalgia.
The tickets went on sale for that preseason game in late January of that year at the area Ticketmaster outlets and sold out in 2 and half to three hours, didn't get one but saw the game on ESPN. They are selling the buttons on EBay for $30. I was a member of a Ravens Roost in Bowie starting in 1998, we switch to the Nests in 2000, drove from Silver Spring, then later Rockville. Folded in 2010 because we violated our charters as far as minimum memberships and quorums at meetings. when I go to the games I still tailgate with then in Lot H. I always park in downtown at the Park Under Garage on Lombard St. for $15 and walk down around 9am on gameday to hang out with them.
bullfrog1954 I thought the CFL Colts were originally called that because longtime Baltimore football writer John Steadman, told owner Jim Speros, "unless you call your team the Colts, nobody in Baltimore will take you seriously!"
You just put down 1966 and 1983 as the worls series there, when infact there was 6 world series played there 66,69,70,71,79,83
PS 1979 Too!
I remember going to opening day of the 1983 season it was against the KC Royals I was 11 going on 12 yrs old! #1983WorldChampions
I'll bet that was memorable for you! Those were great days!
@@bullfrog1954 Yes sir definitely & Thanks for the vid!
You're quite Welcome!!
I was there when the colts beat came from behind and beat New England, I believe that was the same year and but we lost it to the raiders Dave Casper caught that touchdown over-the-shoulder while in the endzone right and base in the game was over
Felt the same way when Cleveland municipal stadium went down.
There's always some sentimental value to this sort-of thing...especially if someone's close to my age.