40 years ago the Baltimore Orioles won the World Series after two unsuccessful tries against the Pirates in the 70’s. Yesterday the ’83 team was properly feted at Camden Yards. I don’t know what percentage of the 44,000 in attendance were alive in 1983, but I’m sure everyone knows Cal Jr.

They said there were 20+ members of the team, on the field before the game. Since they haven’t sniffed the World Series, it must have been a highly charged day at the park. It’s pretty cool that the current team is playing so well and that they have already taken the first two from the hated Mets (the team that surprised them and the Cubs back in 1969).

Baseball is a game of memories and fans with incredibly long memories. We think it’s part of the job to share the past with those who weren’t there to witness it. Championships and lost championships are popular topics. Even though I was rooting for the Pirates in ’71 and ’79, I grew up with a fierce respect for the O’s and Orioles way. Time passes by so quickly that I’m trying to imagine a 20th reunion of the 2016 Cubs.

As the summer of 1983 was drawing to a close, I remember finishing up my summer gig as I got ready for my freshman year of college, but I don’t recall specific Cub games that I attended. I know they were all weekend day games though and that the team had a handful of intriguing young players, and that Dale Murphy was on his way to winning his second consecutive NL MVP-after a couple Mike Schmidt mvp’s.

As much as I loved the Cubs, I also enjoyed seeing the better opposing players come to Wrigley and since they weren’t a playoff team yet-good seats were easy to come by. And if one was broadminded enough and willing to make the trip south, one could see the greats of the AL when they came to Comiskey Park.

Hopefully, some of the younger Orioles fans in attendance enjoyed the stories of 1983 as much as the win over the 2023 Mets.

I’d love to see the Orioles in the ALCS in person in a couple months.