Baseball heaven isn't in St. Louis...

[raveoned]

It's Baltimore. Plain and simple. I was at the game this past Saturday, and although the game itself was amazing to watch (that was old-school baseball action all the way!), I have to say that the pre-game unveiling was something that a baseball fan can only dream of.

To be there, at the ceremony, and to see, at very close range, Rachel Robinson, Jim Palmer, Earl Weaver, Eddie Murray, Frank Robinson and Hank Aaron was something that any serious baseball fan would be envious of.

I could write more, but most of you know about Saturday or were there. But I will say that to have my favorite place's fries (Gino's), beef sandwich (Boog's) and a cold Natty Boh on one tray completes the whole evening.

All of that in the best ballpark ever, and you have baseball heaven.

(sorry for the rant or whatever, but I had to share it)

[UMDTerrapins]

I had been boycotting Camden Yards since 2005 because of Angelos, but finally broke down and went to the game Sunday. It has never been lost on me how much I missed Camden Yards during my personal protest. What I had forgotten and was reminded of, is how much it means to me to see the Orioles doing well and bringing the house down with solid baseball. I didn't just see a fluke outcome, they played hard, made some beautiful plays in the field, and never gave up. It's been great to see them do well on tv this season.....it's a whole other feeling to share it with 32,000 on a perfect day. How great would it be if it were 45,000 in September....fighting for first place! That stadium deserves a winner. Oh yeah.....us too.

[ThisIsOurHouse]

I'm real excited to see an Orioles game at OPACY soon. The experience is much greater if we are winning ball games and being competitive. But you cannot deny that there is not a much enjoyable experience then seeing a baseball game at Camden.

[raveoned]

Sorry if my original post was a bit fragmented, but I was at work and thought I'd send that out to share my thoughts.

But overall, in visiting a number of ballparks, for the Major Leagues, IMO, nothing beats OPACY. For the unveiling ceremony on Saturday, the fans were able to be there and share in the experience. We were able to stand there and then be right near some larger than life people (my daughter is incredibly impressed that I was only a few feet away from Rachel Robinson when she passed by). No other ballpark I've been to, nor have I seen on TV, can I see an area that would allow such closeness between the fans and the people they've read about, idolized, seen in films or books.

Beyond that, the ballpark just works on all levels. I think Cal Ripken, Jr. once said that OPACY looks like it's been there for over 50 years, and he's right. It looks like it should be there, and just belongs in that area.

Also, the food choices are outstanding, the staff are all friendly (I live outside Philly, and the ushers and other staff are sometimes rude or just indifferent toward fans) and it just makes it more than just being hustled in to see a game, then rush out when its over.

It truly is an experience, and is head and shoulders above other parks for feel and looks. I can't wait until I'm down there again.

[Ven6]

If baseball heaven is Baltimore, well it came from St Louis in the form of the Browns.

[OregonBird]

I'll never forget 1997 the most recent year of relevance. There is nothing like Camden Yards and the surrounding area when the O's are in the thick of it.

It was my first year in the working world, working downtown. During the summer it seemed like there was a party everyday after work when the O's were in town. I'd walk from the Gallery offices, up Pratt Street, hitting the outdoor bars on the way to the stadium. Life was good!

[El Gordo]

I don't know where baseball heaven is, but baseball hell is in the Albert Speer Memorial Baseball Mausoleum in the Bronx.