Fill in the blank: The last time the Orioles had a winning season, I was...

[Spy Fox]

The most accomplished kindergartner in the nation, having recently climbed Mt. McKinley in one day with no equipment, published an honors thesis on the Northeast bias in national sports media, and set the new World Record by balancing 33 boxes of Cheez-Its on top of my head while dribbling a soccer ball.

[O's fan from NC]

I was 7 years old. Now I am 22, a recent graduate of the University of North Carolina teaching English in Italy (still watching every game via mlb.tv).

[incubus]

Was 37, Program Director for Md State Gov. Married 18 years at that time to a woman who also loved the O's. 52 YO now, retired and living in Kentucky. Still married to the same woman and both still die-hard O's fans.

Retired at 52? What's your secret?

I was 17, just starting College, and single. Passing up the opportunity to go to post season O's games to instead work. Thinking I would have more chances the next year.

Now, I'm 32, newly married, Good career, live closer to Camden Yards now (living in Canton) so I have Good amount of opportunities to go to games.

[OrangeJerseys]

I was 21 years old... preparing for life on the west coast, having just been accepted to Whittier College. I remember looking at my car and thinking, "There's no way in hell that thing is going to get me there." 1992 Honda Civic 5 speed with 280K+ miles on it.

It got me there and back 4 times before I crashed it into a statue.

Which statue?

[$Greatness$]

Ten, starting fifth grade, a Little League ball player.

Twenty five, College degree, looking for a job writing or with the government. Hard to believe it was fifteen years ago. I'm glad it's finally over.

All exactly the same here except I have a full time job, but looking into getting a government gig. Haha

And definitely glad the torment is finally over!

[Art Wing]

I was 21 attending UNC Asheville with none other than our ol' fav Ty Wigginton.

[OFFNY]

I was 21 attending UNC Asheville with none other than our ol' fav Ty Wigginton.

Hey, did you attend a game at OPACY against the Cleveland Indians on a rainy night in 2009 ???

And, were you in the field level on the first baseline ???

And, during the rain delay that night, did you call out Wigginton, yell "UNC-Asheville," and did he give you a fist pump back ???

If so, I was right in front of you.

[SoBo]

Wow, a lot of young'uns in here.

I want this to become the new normal, instead of what it has been for the past 15 years.

Absolutely. And frankly I'm most happy for those young'uns. I was lucky to grow up with Cal and Eddie and stories of Brooks and Frank and Earl. To grow up with this sad sack organization over the past 15 years you all deserve this more than anyone. Enjoy!

[Art Wing]

Hey, did you attend a game at OPACY against the Cleveland Indians on a rainy night in 2009 ???

And, were you in the field level on the first baseline ???

And, during the rain delay that night, did you call out Wigginton, yell "UNC-Asheville," and did he give you a fist pump back ???

If so, I was right in front of you.

It wasn't me. I'm always too cheap to pay for field level seats.

[Big Al]

Boycotting baseball because of the '94 strike and didn't care. So for me it's been 23 not 14 years since we had a winning team that I cared about. WHY NOT?!!

[OrioleParkatWrigley]

I turned 8 in October of 1997; 3rd grade in Reston, VA. Graduated UVA in 2011 and got a job out here in Chicago right out of school working with sports statistics all day. Couldn't be happier right now! (well, until we make the playoffs)

[OrioleMagic79]

I was a 27-year old Army Warrant Officer at Fort Bragg, NC traveling the world and jumping out of airplanes for "fun." The Hangout was two seasons into it's existence and probable still one page with a very limited "message board" community.

So I assume you've heard of Iron Mike...my grand uncle posed for that statue in 1960...Command Sergeant Major James L. Runyon...he dropped in Normandy on D-Day...

<a href=" ">Iron Mike statue</a>

Here is my Uncle Jim posing for the statue:

<img src="http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/e/e2/RunyonPose.gif">

and

<img src="http://images.mycapture.com/30793812.jpg?function=resize&mode=SCALE&width=600&maxheight=430">

Coverage from the day my family went to see the statue and the officers at Fort Bragg all gave us personalized mini Iron Mike statues to take home...

<a href="http://www.wral.com/news/local/story/1871778/">the article</a>

and a video...

<a href="http://www.wral.com/news/local/video/1875133/#/vid1076424">the video from the local news broadcast</a>

Thank you for your service Tony...

[brianod]

I was 37. Had an 11 yr old boy a 8 yr old boy and a 5 yr old boy. Proud to say they are all Oriole fans despite the last 14 years and despite living in NVa! Today those guys are 26, 22 and 20. Still have two in college (ouch). I've kept my season tickets throughout this time and went from the upper deck to directly behind home plate. Seems the corporations that used to own those seats gave up on the O's but I never did! When they want their tickets back, they can go pound sand!

[bsebllfan4life]

I was selling lemonade at the stadium, figuring it was the only way I was going to see a playoff game. And, it worked.......got to see every home playoff game.

[OFFNY]

It wasn't me. I'm always too cheap to pay for field level seats.

OK thanks, Art.

I don't pay for field level seats either, but I always sit there. :laughlol: