Baltimore Babe Ruth Chapter meeting recap – 5/20/2017
On May 20, 2017, more than twenty members and guests of the Baltimore Babe Ruth SABR Chapter of SABR met in the Designated Hitters Lounge in the Warehouse at Oriole Park at Camden Yards for the second annual “SABR Day at the Orioles.”
SABR member and Orioles Alumni Director Bill Stetka addressed the group briefly and introduced Scott McGregor, the former pitcher and Orioles Hall of Famer. Scott spoke of his time in the Yankees minor league system, his trade to Baltimore and his complete game shutout win in Game 5 of the 1983 World Series at Veterans Stadium in Philadelphia. He took questions from the audience at the end of his talk.
Next up was longtime SABR member Ted Patterson who spoke of his days in broadcasting and meeting some interesting characters over the years. With an audio assist by David Stinson, a Babe Ruth Chapter board member, Ted was able to play old audio records of interviews from his personal archives.
The group was treated to a buffet provided by Delaware North Corporation that included pit beef, pulled pork, hot dogs, salad, deserts, fruit and soft drinks.
It just happened to be “Celebrate Maryland Pride” Day at the ballpark that afternoon with the Preakness going on just a few miles away. The crowds that evening were immense, with long lines appearing at the gates long before even opening. The hot giveaway item that evening was a Maryland flag script jersey which was given to all fans entering the ballpark.
The Orioles took on the Blue Jays that night and proved triumphant by the final score of 7-5. The difference in the game was a seventh-inning home run by catcher Welington Castillo. The group had excellent seats in Section 64, down the third-base line on the lower level.
The next event of the Baltimore Babe Ruth Chapter will be a minor-league game at the Aberdeen Ironbirds on July 29. The event is co-sponsored by Bob Davids Chapter. Click here for complete details.
— Peter Coolbaugh