The theme meandered by the years, from his stint as an 18-year-old in Major League Baseball to enjoying Cuba in 1957 after which to the Orioles clubhouse Saturday as an 85-year-old. Hall of Fame third baseman Brooks Robinson’s phrases all got here again to the identical thought, regardless of what number of twists it took to get there: He loves baseball
Even extra, he loves baseball in Baltimore, town he has referred to as dwelling full-time since 1960. As he watches the Orioles surge to ranges they haven’t reached since earlier than the newest rebuild started in 2018, that love swells.
That’s the crux of the message he delivered pregame Saturday to the present Orioles, invited into the clubhouse to shed his knowledge gained by a lifetime of baseball — with various tales interwoven.
On that offseason spent enjoying in Cuba: “I had a great time. It was a beautiful place. [Fidel] Castro was in the mountains. In fact, we had several bombs go off around the ballpark. Took my car over and I was glad to get home.”
On his first recreation as an 18-year-old Oriole: “I went 2-for-4, knocked in a couple big runs. Headed back to the Southern Hotel and called my mom and dad and said, ‘Mom, Dad, guess what? First game, 2-for-4 and knocked in a big run. Man, this is my cup of tea.’ Then I went 0-for-18 and struck out 10 times to end the season.”
And then most urgent of all, he advised the assembled clubhouse what watching this present iteration of the Orioles has been like: “You absolutely have been thrilling me. I watch all the games and you’ve been thrilling the people of Baltimore. They’ve been waiting for this for a while, and it really is something.”
It actually is one thing for one of the vital heralded Orioles in historical past to behold what this group is attaining, coming into Saturday’s recreation towards the Pittsburgh Pirates a season-high 4 video games above .500 and 1.5 video games again of the wild card.
The Orioles invited former gamers again to Camden Yards on Saturday for an on-field celebration of the park’s thirtieth anniversary. There was Robinson and Eddie Murray, Hall of Fame pitcher Mike Mussina and right-hander Rick Sutcliffe, amongst others. While invited, a scheduling battle saved Hall of Famer Cal Ripken Jr. from attending.
Robinson, attending a recreation at Camden Yards for the primary time since 2019, is aware of a factor or two about enthralling baseball. He received the World Series twice with the Orioles, and with fellow Hall of Famer Murray beside him, Robinson marveled at the moment and way forward for the group.
“I think the people really get turned on when the club is playing like they’re playing right now,” Robinson mentioned. “They’re really up for it. It excites me.”
In 1979, shortly after Murray grew to become a fixture at first base for the Orioles, a 102-win season culminated with a World Series loss to the Pirates. That started what grew to become often called Orioles Magic, beginning with a workforce that wasn’t predicted to excel in such a fashion reaching lofty heights.
While there was a touch of such fortune lifting Baltimore towards an surprising playoff spot this season, Murray stopped wanting saying it was the identical. It’s an thrilling product, however there’s extra to show.
“They have some guys here that you’ve seen take steps. They’re definitely getting better,” Murray mentioned. “And that’s what it takes, is to get better and for your teammates to know it. They get to see you work and go about your job — that’s what works.”
It appears to be like as if that’s been working in Baltimore this yr, and Robinson echoed what govt vice chairman and normal supervisor Mike Elias mentioned after the commerce deadline: “I think it’s liftoff time,” Robinson mentioned, “and I believe that.”
Robinson talked about his adventures enjoying winter baseball in Colombia and Cuba and his struggles towards Nolan Ryan. He talked about his journey as a child from Little Rock, Arkansas, to the large leagues in Baltimore.
But he was most expressive when his roundabout reply introduced him again to the enjoyment of watching the 2022 Orioles and all it represents for Baltimore.
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Source: www.bostonherald.com