Celebrate '83 Os with Rick Dempsey's take on his old team in his new weekly video blog only here on MASNsports.com
The O's 1983 World Champs will be honored here tonight. A pregame ceremony will begin at 6:40 so get to your seats early.
The first 25,000 fans through the gates get a 25th anniversary World Series pennant. During the game the current players will wear throwback jerseys from the 83 season.
Tonight's event will be fan friendly. Fans will get a chance to meet and interact with some of the 83 players and some members of that team will greet fans at the gate when they enter. Festivities will includes tickets available for $5.50, the same price as an uppper deck seat at Memorial Stadium in 1983.
The 1983 Orioles are the last O's team to win the World Series. That club won the AL East with 98 victories. They took 3 of 4 from the White Sox to win the ALCS (it was best of 5 then) and won the Series, 4 games to 1 over the Philadelphia Phillies.
One year after being named AL rookie of the year, Cal Ripken was named AL MVP in 1983 in a close vote over teammate Eddie Murray, who was second in the voting.
Among those scheduled to be here tonight are Cal Ripken, Eddie Murray, Mike Boddicker, Al Bumbry, Rick Dempsey, Tito Landrum, Ken Singleton, Gary Roenicke, Benny Ayala, Dan Ford, Jim Palmer and former GM Hank Peters.
I wish I was there yesterday to enjoy the celebration. I am a Baltimore native, and have been leaving in the state of Florida for 10 years now. I remember meeting you at Elrod's summer baseball camp at McDoungh's Fields years ago when I was a little leaguer. So, I want to make a comment to see if you caught the footage of the celebration parade after winning the World Series in '83? That was my grandfather, Al Ackerman that filmed the parade. I know they played it for everyone yesterday at the ballpark. Do you know if the filmed some of the opening festivies before the game on MASN? Hope you all enjoy the good times and bringing enthusiasm to the Orioles' fans. Thank you for your time.
Chad