Cards @ Baltimore in August -- What Should I Know about Camden, Baltimore, etc?

[Whammer]

And I plugged it earlier in the thread, as baseball fans, if you're in St. Louis, please go to our Cardinals HOF... We have some great Browns stuff in there. I think some of you diehards would enjoy enjoy seeing artifacts from the beginnings of your franchise.

I went to the game on Saturday. Went to the bars before the game and sat in a section with numerous Cards fans. Couldn't believe the number of folks, from St. Louis, who made the trip. Anyway, what great fans. Knowledgeable, fun, down-to-earth. Had a great time conversing and bantering. A lot different from Yankees and Red Sox fans to say the least.

I'm glad the O's won that series but I'll be quietly cheering for the Cards to make a P.O. run from this point forward!

[Great8]

We actually watched it on the TVs inside of Dempseys while chatting up a local couple at the bar. It was very nicely done and reminded me a lot of our Opening Day festivities when we bring out our Cardinals and Baseball HOFers... in fact, outside of playoff baseball, it's one of my favorite parts of the year.

Very cool! That's a nice tradition.

[Frobby]

And I plugged it earlier in the thread, as baseball fans, if you're in St. Louis, please go to our Cardinals HOF... We have some great Browns stuff in there. I think some of you diehards would enjoy enjoy seeing artifacts from the beginnings of your franchise.

I think most Oriole fans don't really think of the Browns as having been part of the Orioles franchise, though of course, they were. Paul Richards pretty much jettisoned all the incumbent Browns upon taking over as GM/Manager one year after the Browns moved to Baltimore. There were 15 Browns who got 100+ at bats in 1953, and only two of those got 100+ at bats for the 1955 Orioles. I'm sure if I get to the Cardinals HOF, I'd rather spend my time checking out the exhibits on the Gashouse Gang, Stan Musial, Lou Brock and Bob Gibson etc., instead of reminding myself of the Orioles' humble origins.

[McNulty]

Ladies and Gents, sorry I didn't get back to you all until now. We flew back late Sunday and yesterday was nuts trying to to re-assimilate to work life.

First and foremost, what a beautiful park... I've been to close to half of the MLB ballparks and Camden probably comes a very close second to ATT Park in San Francisco as my favorite. Love the brick facade... it almost had an orange tint with it. Loved the history and the statues. Loved hitting up Dempseys and getting a pit beef sandwich from Boogs, which was good, especially for park food.

Obviously... I didn't like the games. Hahaha. But that happens. It's baseball.

O's fans should be complimented. I didn't have a single negative barb or word thrown my way. A very pleasant experience.

We say three rows from homeplate the first night and in the rooftop bar seats on Saturday. Those rooftop bar seats are a must if you haven't sat there yet. It gives you a great perspective of the park.

We tried to hit up as many of the restaurants and bars as possible, but sadly, with this being our first get-away from our 5-month old, we spent almost every day sleeping until noon. It was much needed rest.

But the first night (Thursday) we walked all over Fells Point. Had a few drinks at Waterfront Kitchen then moved to Bond Street Social for a few apps and a few more drinks. Then had a few at The Horse You Rode in On, and we eventually stopped at Thames Oyster House for dinner... which was excellent. We topped off the evening with a few drinks at Cat's Eye Pub and the Admiral Fell Inn... By that point, we had to crash.

Friday, as mentioned, we snoozed until noon... I wish we could have done more site-seeing or even just taken the water taxi around, but no go. But we did get to the park around 2 ish for the 7 o'clock game. We walked around Camden and had a few drinks at Dempseys, which we loved the atmosphere.... and the bacon app!!! Then, we went to Pickles (and had pickles!), had a drink at that tiny bar next to it, and then had a few more at Sliders on the end.

No need for me to discuss the game! But we did end the evening at Blue Moon Cafe.... and WOW... The Capt N Crunch French Toast may be one of the greatest foods known to man! We went back on Saturday!

Regarding Saturday, we slept in again.... (Hey newborns zap you.) then, we walked to the park with a long stop at PowerPlant Live.... I had to see it... A nice place for a drink, but that's about it. Then, we spent the next two or three hours at Pratt Street Ale House -- what a great place. And we had some really good food.

Again... The game needs no mention, other than I'd like to reiterate my point... The Centerfield Bar seats are awesome!

We ended up nabbing dinner at Blue Moon and went back to the hotel by 9ish or so. We were just zapped by being in the sun all day... and well, we're just getting older. haha.

Left for the airport around 1ish on Sunday.

There was so much more I would have liked to see, but we really enjoyed our trip and the TONS of recommendations. I wish I could have went to all of the great places you suggested. And Lord knows I'm going to miss the crab dip!!!!

If any of you ever find your way coming to St. Louis for a game, come visit me and my online buddies at tippingpitchers.com. It's an unofficial baseball and St. Louis sports and topics forum. Great board I've been a part of for almost 10 years.

We can give you plenty of places to go!

Cheers, O's fans!

If you substituted PP Live for Mama's on the Half Shell, that's pretty much what I would've done (except stay up later and be a drunk). Its a solid experience for the city in ~3 days. You did well, as Thames St Oyster House is my favorite.

[CardsFanBob]

I went to the game on Saturday. Went to the bars before the game and sat in a section with numerous Cards fans. Couldn't believe the number of folks, from St. Louis, who made the trip. Anyway, what great fans. Knowledgeable, fun, down-to-earth. Had a great time conversing and bantering. A lot different from Yankees and Red Sox fans to say the least.

I'm glad the O's won that series but I'll be quietly cheering for the Cards to make a P.O. run from this point forward!

Oh, yes... I'd be surprised if you had any issues from STL fans. There's always a bad apple here and there, but we do our best to behave and be hospitable to others visiting here.

Very cool! That's a nice tradition.

I really don't know how to compare our home opener to others, as ours is the only one I've seen.

But each year, the Budweiser Clydesdales do a lap around the stadium. Our living HOFers are then escorted into the stadium on Cardinal Red Mustangs where they're introduced at home plate. Then our current players are driven in on Ford Trucks and introduced.

This is a bit long, but you can jump around... Here's what we do every spring for our home opener... We were able to includes Tony LaRussa this year (not in this opener)... We do something similar for big playoff games...

[video=youtube;_KZHQzCFelo]

Of course, no homeopener will be the same after the winter of 2013 when we lost our greatest player in organizational history and one of the top 10 players in the history of the game (3,630 hits & .331 avg & .976 OPS) ... and one of the very best humans on the planet. And I mean that last bit... Stan Musial.

I believe this is his last drive around Busch. I still tear up thinking about him... I say that as a guy who doesn't do autographs nor would I even bother a player if I ran into him at a restaurant. But his charitable works and his willingness to give of himself to every person he met still chokes me up. (Sorry for blathering on... We're just very proud of our St. Louis legend and miss him.)

[video=youtube;ko-qafB5Am8]

Funny enough, I went to high school with his grandson, who was always seen by his side. On the Friday night game, I ended up with seats right next a group he was with. I hadn't talked to him in a few months, but we caught up. What are the odds?

I think most Oriole fans don't really think of the Browns as having been part of the Orioles franchise, though of course, they were. Paul Richards pretty much jettisoned all the incumbent Browns upon taking over as GM/Manager one year after the Browns moved to Baltimore. There were 15 Browns who got 100+ at bats in 1953, and only two of those got 100+ at bats for the 1955 Orioles. I'm sure if I get to the Cardinals HOF, I'd rather spend my time checking out the exhibits on the Gashouse Gang, Stan Musial, Lou Brock and Bob Gibson etc., instead of reminding myself of the Orioles' humble origins.

It is pretty darn cool. I need to go back. I rushed through it the first time in just 45 minutes and didn't get close to reading and watching everything.

If you substituted PP Live for Mama's on the Half Shell, that's pretty much what I would've done (except stay up later and be a drunk). Its a solid experience for the city in ~3 days. You did well, as Thames St Oyster House is my favorite.

Thank you!

The wife and I simply loved Thames! We hope to go back one of these days!

[Great8]

I think most Oriole fans don't really think of the Browns as having been part of the Orioles franchise, though of course, they were. Paul Richards pretty much jettisoned all the incumbent Browns upon taking over as GM/Manager one year after the Browns moved to Baltimore. There were 15 Browns who got 100+ at bats in 1953, and only two of those got 100+ at bats for the 1955 Orioles. I'm sure if I get to the Cardinals HOF, I'd rather spend my time checking out the exhibits on the Gashouse Gang, Stan Musial, Lou Brock and Bob Gibson etc., instead of reminding myself of the Orioles' humble origins.

I definitely don't consider the Browns part of our franchise, even though I know MLB does. I'm always surprised when a name from the 1920s comes up when talking about records. I think one came up the other day when talking about Caleb Joseph's homer streak.

[Palmoripken]

I definitely don't consider the Browns part of our franchise, even though I know MLB does. I'm always surprised when a name from the 1920s comes up when talking about records. I think one came up the other day when talking about Caleb Joseph's homer streak.

Speaking of the Browns, I always wished that we had gotten Satchel Paige. I would

definitely wear a Paige throwback O's jersey. Would have also been cool to have Bill

Veeck as our owner at one point too. Anyhow, glad to see the OP enjoyed himself

despite the fact our O's nearly swept his team. Cards are a team I respect and with a

fanbase that despite they have the second most WS's doesn't always remind you

about it.

[CardsFanBob]

Speaking of the Browns, I always wished that we had gotten Satchel Paige. I would

definitely wear a Paige throwback O's jersey. Would have also been cool to have Bill

Veeck as our owner at one point too. Anyhow, glad to see the OP enjoyed himself

despite the fact our O's nearly swept his team. Cards are a team I respect and with a

fanbase that despite they have the second most WS's doesn't always remind you

about it.

Yup, had a great time... just not so much during the three-plus hour games... Haha. But that's baseball. I get irritated for about 10 minutes, and then I realize even the best teams lose over 50 games a year. Lotta ball left. And as you O's will see, you just gotta get in "the tournament"; then anything can and will happen. Hell, two of our arguably most average teams in the last 20 years are our two that have won World Series. Just gotta get hot!

But I'll definitely be pulling for the O's this postseason! Impressive young group of players. You should have plenty more post season appearances beyond this year. I"ve always loved Buck Showalter too... I know a lot of Cardinals fans hoped the organization would pursue him when Tony retired.

[Palmoripken]

Yup, had a great time... just not so much during the three-plus hour games... Haha. But that's baseball. I get irritated for about 10 minutes, and then I realize even the best teams lose over 50 games a year. Lotta ball left. And as you O's will see, you just gotta get in "the tournament"; then anything can and will happen. Hell, two of our arguably most average teams in the last 20 years are our two that have won World Series. Just gotta get hot!

But I'll definitely be pulling for the O's this postseason! Impressive young group of players. You should have plenty more post season appearances beyond this year. I"ve always loved Buck Showalter too... I know a lot of Cardinals fans hoped the organization would pursue him when Tony retired.

Yep all about getting there and then who knows what happens. Thanks though. I've definitely cheered for the Cards a few times over the years in the post season myself and that Game Six you guys had against Texas in 2011 was an epic. Really respect your club plus Stan the Man is one of my all time favorite players and my Dad's parents lived in STL a little while back in the 40's. Really want to see a game in STL one of these days. One of my friends gave me good tips.

[CardsFanBob]

Well, please, if you do come to STL, come visit us at tippingpitchers.com beforehand.

If you visit us now, we're talking more police shootings and lootings (unfortunately), but baseball is typically one of our biggest topics... and it's a very knowledgeable and passionate group.

[OFFNY]

And I plugged it earlier in the thread, as baseball fans, if you're in St. Louis, please go to our Cardinals HOF... We have some great Browns stuff in there. I think some of you diehards would enjoy enjoy seeing artifacts from the beginnings of your franchise.

We actually have 2 posters here that were fans of the Browns, and they both continued to root for the team after they moved to Baltimore, and they both continue to do so until this day:

If you all will indulge an old man for a moment. I waited 70 years, from the 1944 W.S. to beat the Cards. So I am saying my Browns/Orioles finally beat the Cards.

http://forum.orioleshangout.com/forums/showthread.php/142503-60th-Anniversary-Event-on-August-8?p=3580460#post3580460

Reply to OFFNY: I did grow up following the Browns, and have always been a big Oriole fan.

First M.L.B game that I ever attended was Browns vs Yanks in 1952.

http://forum.orioleshangout.com/forums/showthread.php/143020-Anybody-watching-the-Cardinals-broadcast/page3?highlight=St.+Louis+Browns

[CardsFanBob]

Very cool.

Sorry I missed your invite OFFNY... until now. I was at Friday and Saturday's games, and Sunday's, I was traveling.

[Going Underground]

Have to say of all the stadiums and towns I have been to,St. Louis seems the most dedicated baseball fans. So many people have the colors on. Boston is not even close with the traveling Red Sox Nation. Baltimore is more of a football town but is starting to really embrace the Orioles. It did not seem St. Louis is much of a football town like most cities.

[CardsFanBob]

Thanks, grime. Oh, there's not confusion on what type of city St. Louis is. 100% baseball town. 365 days a year baseball is discussed on sports talk and front-page news. It stirs our drink.

[Frobby]

Thanks, grime. Oh, there's not confusion on what type of city St. Louis is. 100% baseball town. 365 days a year baseball is discussed on sports talk and front-page news. It stirs our drink.

Sigh...here in Washington the main sports radio station is owned by the owner of the Redskins, Dan Snyder. You'd think we were in the middle of the NFL season right now if you heard how much attention the Redskins are getting. And honestly, it would be that bad even if the station wasn't owned by Snyder. It's a football town.