I attended many Orioles and on pre-seaon Colts (vs my Redskins) games at Memorial Stadium between 1980 and 1991. While I don't follow the Orioles much any more (Go Nats!), I have a lot of great memories here - most involving Cal Ripken, Jr.
Memorial Stadium opened in 1950 and was demolished in 2001. Over the years, it served as home to the Baltimore (MLB) Orioles (1954-91), Baltimore (NFL) Colts (1953-83), Baltimore (NASL) Bays (1967-8), Baltimore (CFL) Stallions (1994-5), and Baltimore (NFL) Ravens (1996-7). From 1922-1949, the site was home to Baltimore Stadium / Municipal Stadium / Venable Park Stadium, eventually hosting the minor league Baltimore Orioles of the International League. The 1944 Junior World Series here even boasted a greater attendance than the Major League World Series. The success of these Orioles, got the attention of Major League Baseball and ten years later the St. Louis Browns moved to Baltimore and started play at the new Memorial Stadium. It was briefly known as Babe Ruth Stadium after the death of the Baltimore native. Unofficially, it was also nicknamed both "The Old Grey Lady of 33rd Street" and "The World's Lagest Outdoor Insane Asylum".
The stadium served as a memorial to those killed in World War I & World War II. The main south side exterior wall that faced 33rd Street featured the following text.
DEDICATED BY
THE MAYOR AND THE CITY COUNCIL
AND THE PEOPLE OF BALTIMORE CITY
IN THE STATE OF MARYLAND
AS A MEMORIAL TO ALL
WHO SO VALIANTLY FOUGHT
AND SERVED IN THE WORLD
WARS WITH ETERNAL
GRATITUDE TO THOSE WHO
MADE THE SUPREME
SACRIFICE TO PRESERVE
EQUALITY AND FREEDOM
THROUGHOUT THE WORLD
TIME WILL NOT DIM THE GLORY OF THEIR DEEDS
The final line is a quote from General John J Pershing, commander of the American Expeditionary Forces of World War I.
In 2010, an area foundation dedicated the current field as a safe, clean, place for kids to play, learn and grow.
Logging Requirements:
1. Visit the site in person.
2. Post a photo of your and / or your GPS at the center of the labyrinth .
3. Log Password (ABCDEFG) will be made up from the following.
AB = According to the plaque at ground zero, Cal Ripken signed his first baseball contract in 19AB.
C = On the 7th line of the plaque immediately beind home plate, there is a single letter that is not part of another word. This will equal C.
DE = The bell tower and carillon was dedicated in November DE, 2007.
FG = There is a engraved plaque in the bricks near 33rd Street, FG = the first and last letter of that engraving.
While you are here, be sure to cap the virtual Munzees I set up in memory of the classic Orioles players I watched here. A couple people have also added others.
Symbol | Type | Coordinates | Description |
---|---|---|---|
Interesting place | --- | Bell Tower & Carillon (DE) | |
Interesting place | --- | Plaque in the bricks. (FG) |