During the brutal cold of late January and early February neighbors approached me, eagerly wanting to know when I’d be heading to Florida. Every year, I spend six weeks in Sarasota covering the Orioles for BaltimoreBaseball.com, and I’ve found that our neighborhood is full of Orioles fans.
Some approach Susan and me on our Bolton Hill walks to introduce themselves. One newish neighbor recognized me after we handed out biscuits to his dog, and wanted to know my opinion of the Orioles’ new manager, Craig Albernaz.
This year’s Orioles are different. While there are many familiar names, fans were excited in December when the team unexpectedly signed slugger Pete Alonso, though some were disappointed when there was no frontline starter added.
Last year was a long one for the Orioles. Manager Brandon Hyde was surprisingly fired on Preakness Day, and interim manager Tony Mansolino soldiered through the rest of the season. Now, we have Albernaz, whom I think will fit nicely in Baltimore. I’ve told everyone that they shouldn’t make any judgements on him until he manages at least a month of the season.
Alonso has already bought a house here and brings with him a reputation as a player who involves himself in the community.
It’s a big year for the Orioles. Gunnar Henderson, Adley Rutschman, Colton Cowser, Jordan Westburg and Jackson Holliday need to have big years for the team to play in October.
In Sarasota, the Orioles began spring training by showing off a dazzling new $23 million training facility that was built in less than a year. I know plenty of neighbors who’d like to hire the Orioles’ contractors.
Many people are envious of the time I spend in Florida, and while it’s great to escape the cold, there’s plenty of work here for the players, and for me. I get up at 5 a.m. most days to get my walking in. If you’ve seen us around the neighborhood, you know that Susan and I are dedicated walkers.
The clubhouse opens at 8, and that’s important work time. Games begin at 1, and Ed Smith Stadium is a fun environment for watching baseball. There are about 8,500 seats in the ballpark. When I walk during the games for interviews, it’s not a surprise when I see a familiar face from Bolton Hill. More and more fans have discovered that spring training is a wonderful time of year, and it’s a sneak preview of what may lie ahead.
Baltimore has only two teams. We don’t have the NBA or the NHL or any big-time college sports. When the Orioles and Ravens have bad seasons, and last year was bad for both, there’s no escaping. Even though I don’t cover the Ravens, neighbors occasionally stop me to talk about them, too.
I’m not sure how the Orioles will fare this year. Hopefully, they’ll be competitive because a winning team is more fun to cover than a losing one. It’s also fun to cover games that matter, and instead of people stopping me during our walks to complain about the losses, it would be a lot more fun to have something enjoyable to share.
— Rich Dubroff
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