Recently in Baltimore Orioles Category

Here is a list of firsts from Baltimore's opening day at Camden Yards where gametime temperature was 56 degrees.

First batter: Derek Jeter, New York, SS
First pitch: Called strike at 4:25 p.m.
First hit: Jeter, single up the middle on 3-2 pitch in first inning.
First baserunner: Jeter.
First out: Johnny Damon, fly out center field, second batter, first inning.
First Oriole batter: Brian Roberts, 2B
First Oriole hit: Roberts, single up the middle on 1-0 pitch in first
First strikeout: Xavier Nady, New York, second inning, swinging
First run scored: Brett Gardner, New York, on Johnny Damon's third-inning sacrifice fly
First Baltimore run: Cesar Izturis (and Brian Roberts) scored on Adam Jones' two run triple in third.
First home run: New York's Jorge Posada, a 402-foot shot to center leading off the sixth.

A 20-minute delay in the pregame ceremonies did nothing to dampen the spirits of the Oriole fans in attendance.

Normally accused of being a passive home crowd, at least in recent years, the Baltimore fans let the throng of Yankee rooters and New York players at Camden Yards know exactly how they felt as the visitors were being introduced.

Certainly reactions were mixed with the number of people cheering for the Bronx Bombers. A couple located directly in front of the press box exemplified the day. The male dressed in an O's jersey booed vehemently. His date, yelled her loudest for the Yanks.

The passionate boos drowned out the most of the cheers from the visiting fans, but nothing represented the day like the "greeting" for New York first baseman Mark Teixeira, who per the fans spurned Baltimore for the big contract.

It was the loudest, longest boo I personally have heard at Camden Yards and of the fan's comments for Teixeira, none could be written on thelineupcard for fear of losing my job.

Other observations .... the new public address system, cut out a couple of times on O's broadcaster Jim Hunter as he conducted the opening ceremony then again during the national anthem before the 56th opener in team history, the 40th to take place in Baltimore.

However, the new HD video board was impressive to say the least, with a brilliant picture spanning the width of the centerfield scoreboard.

3:15 p.m.
If the weather is any indication, the game between the Orioles and Yankees, scheduled to begin at 4:05 p.m. will be unpredictable.

Just when the sun came out and it got really nice for the fans that came early to Camden Yards, the clouds regrouped and a heavy rain is now pelting the stadium.

With the opening day ceremonies slated to start at 3:30, expect a rain delayed season opener.

Of course, hang in there baseball fans, the weather will likely change again and soon.

Like most season-openers there is plenty of media attention at Camden Yards and with the Yankees in town at the beginning of a season with high expectations for the Bronx Bombers, New York coverage is out in full force.

However, most of the attention is outside the Orioles' dugout where a large contingent of Japanese media is waiting for glimpses of Baltimore's Koji Uehara, the Tokyo native who is a projected top of the rotation starting pitcher.

Because of Uehara and the group that covers the Yankees and outfielder Hideki Matsui, media game notes from both teams were also available in Japanese.

2:30 p.m.
The sun is out in Baltimore. In fact, it is beautiful right now. (Sorry for the second straight weather-related posting, however, it is opening day, so things are always subject to change.

Anyway, the teams will not be taking batting practice because of the showers that hit the area in the late morning, but several players are on the field playing catch as the fans file into Camden Yards.

Ironically, when the gates opened at 1 p.m., of the first estimated (by me) 200 or so people in the ballpark, at least 2/3 wore Yankees gear.

Fan-wise, as of now, this looks likely to be a unique opening day.

1:15 p.m.,
Nearly three hours before game time, the first fans filed into Camden Yards for an early glimpse of the Orioles and Yankees.

The steady rain that fell in Baltimore is gone - for now - which is a good thing considering that the forecast for Tuesday is even worse with rain (possible snow) and colder temperatures.

Plus, ESPN would certainly like to get the game in. Two early games have already been postponed Kansas City at Chicago and Tampa at Boston. Plus, the Mets at Cincinnati game is in a weather delay, so the 4 p.m. start in Baltimore might be the only game available.

After seven spending seven seasons in the MLB, in the farthest possible places from York County (Toronto, L.A., Florida) adoptive son Mark Hendrickson is now just a hop, skip and jump down I83 from many of his friends and supporters.

Baltimore signed the lefty to a one-year, $1.5 million deal, and as Hendrickson told Daily Record reporter Dave Sottile, he is very happy to be able "to live a normal life for a change."

But, the big question here is will Hendrickson get the call from Cal?