- Hall of Famer
The pilgrimage to Florida has begun and I'm excited about heading to
In 2000, I was 23 years old, and the Orioles were king to my friends and me. Our fantasy island was migrating to Florida for a week to watch another season unfold. Taking photos with several of the players was definitely one of the trip highlights.
In Port Charlotte, we taunted
We grew up at
The
I'm brought back to Florida mostly for the weather and to spend time with friends. I'm also here to find out how badly the Orioles want to win. I've been down here for 1 1/2 days and I've already hit the dog tracks, watched a jai alai game and taken in the sites and sounds of Daytona Beach's
Now it's time to get down to business and watch the O's for three straight days. The outfield grass, cold beers and tranquility of baseball have always brought me back. But this time I feel the Orioles owe me something. I've stayed loyal to the team while others haven't, and with good reason. I actually attended the fan protest last year and walked out on my team. It was one of the most unsettling and awkward experiences of my life. But I'm back in Florida with a chip on my shoulder.
The Orioles need attitude and the organization needs to find a way to reconnect with its city. I'm doing my part. The next three days mean a lot to me and should mean a lot to the team. Oh, I'm serious. About as serious as Albert Belle glaring at me when I asked him for a foul ball seven years ago in Fort Myers.
It's almost time to head south to Viera for the Orioles-Nationals (March 2) game and then to Fort Lauderdale for two games. I'm ready, locked and loaded, and focused to see what the 2007 Orioles are all about and if they want it. I know I'll have a fabulous weekend regardless of what happens on the field. I want that Magic feeling again -- they need to finally come through. I'm tired of watching "Orioles Classics" on MASN and feeling depressed. I'll always have my friends, but the Orioles and their new bullpen need to show me something. After all, isn't that what it's all about?
Throughout spring training, baltimoresun.com will publish reports by Orioles fans that made the trip to Florida for baseball's