Sarasota County Government’s annual economic report has found that the Orioles have generated $600.5 million in economic impact for the state of Florida since 2015, the first year that comprehensive data became available.

The county’s analysis measures the total impact created by the Orioles’ year-round operations in Sarasota, highlighted by the team’s Spring Training efforts, a state-of-the-art minor league training facility, and numerous corporate events at Ed Smith Stadium and the Buck O'Neil Baseball Complex. The most recent reporting period, which ran from July 1, 2021, through June 30, 2022, found that the Orioles provided $45.6 million in economic benefits to Sarasota County and $55.3 million throughout the state of Florida, despite playing just nine home games at Ed Smith Stadium.

The Orioles have consistently over delivered in their economic impact in both Maryland and Sarasota. In 31 years at Oriole Park at Camden Yards, the Orioles have welcomed more than 75 million fans, deriving over $10 billion in economic impact for the City of Baltimore and State of Maryland. By making it a priority to have all four Minor League affiliates located within the region, the Orioles have furthered their reach and increased their total economic impact across the region.

“31 years ago, the Orioles made a commitment to the state of Maryland and in that time, we have tremendously over delivered on our promise, generating more than $10 billion in economic impact for the City of Baltimore and State of Maryland,” said JOHN ANGELOS, Orioles Chairman and CEO. “14 years ago, the Orioles made a commitment to the State of Florida, and once again, we immensely over delivered on our promise, generating more than $600 million in economic impact for the State of Florida and Sarasota community. The Orioles have proven themselves to under promise and over deliver, and we will continue to do that as we renew our partnership with the State of Maryland and the greater Baltimore metropolitan community.”

Just in Sarasota County, the Orioles have generated nearly $512.5 million for the local economy since 2015. This impact is delivered through the club’s continual efforts to promote tourism in the region, including $1 million annually in marketing opportunities for Visit Sarasota during broadcasts on the Orioles Radio Network and Mid-Atlantic Sports Network. In addition to Spring Training operations, the Orioles bring people to Sarasota County by hosting a myriad of special events at Ed Smith Stadium and the Buck O’Neil Baseball Complex throughout the entire year. Ed Smith Stadium hosted numerous events throughout 2022 including the U-18 Baseball World Cup and the All-American Women’s Baseball Classic, both events bringing the top baseball players from around the world to Sarasota. 

The Washington Nationals are back in West Palm Beach, Fla., for their seventh season of Spring Training at The Ballpark of the Palm Beaches. The Nationals open their spring schedule this week against the St. Louis Cardinals on Saturday, Feb. 25, in Jupiter, Fla., before returning to The Ballpark of the Palm Beaches one day later to face the defending World Series champion Houston Astros in a split-squad matchup. Tickets for all games are available now at nationals.com/Spring.

Fans not making the trip to Florida can catch the action on TV and radio, as Mid-Atlantic Sports Network (MASN), 106.7 The Fan, The Team 980 and nationals.com combine to present 15 games from Florida. The Nationals’ Spring Training schedule features three games televised by MASN and a combined 14 radio broadcasts airing on 106.7 The Fan, The Team 980 or streaming on nationals.com. MASN and 106.7 The Fan will also carry the Nationals final tune-up before the regular season, an exhibition vs. the New York Yankees on Tuesday, March 28, at Nationals Park.

In addition to game programming, 106.7 The Fan will host four editions of “Nats Spring Training Live!” from E.R. Bradley’s Saloon located at 104 S Clematis St. in downtown West Palm Beach. The 60-minute talk shows hosted by Nationals radio voices Dave Jageler and Charlie Slowes are live Sundays, Feb. 26, March 5, March 12 and March 19, from 6:00-7:00 p.m. “Nats Spring Training Live!” programs are free to attend in-person and feature special guest appearances by Nationals players, coaches and personalities.

Nationals 2023 Spring Training Broadcast Schedule*

We are grateful for the generous outpouring of love and support we have received since the passing of Ted Lerner – husband, father, grandfather, great-grandfather and Nationals founding managing principal owner.

So much has been said about his accomplishments as a businessman and philanthropist. He, of course, would have been the first to acknowledge that none of it was achieved alone, and that is certainly true when it comes to the story of the Washington Nationals. It was a team effort to bring our national pastime back to the Nation’s capital; a team that consisted of City officials, business leaders and, most importantly, devoted fans from around the District, Maryland and Virginia.

We know he was grateful for all of the hard work that made it possible for him to realize a lifelong dream. Today we want to express our gratitude as well, for the support from so many, for the enthusiasm of Nationals fans, for the love and sympathy we have felt over the past number of days, and for the incomparable life lived by Ted Lerner.

The Family of Theodore N. Lerner

The Orioles today announced the return of the “Athletes & Artists Play for Kids” charity event, which will take place at Ed Smith Stadium from March 10-12. The event, which combines song and sport to support creativity and music and arts education will feature the return of “Nashville’s Music Row Comes to the Ballpark” VIP charity event, as well as two Orioles home games.

Proceeds from the weekend’s events will benefit the Orioles Charitable Foundation’s Music & Arts Education Scholarship, which was created in 2019 to support deserving students and programs in Baltimore, Sarasota, and Nashville. The beneficiary for the 2023 event is Intersection of Change’s Jubilee Arts Program in Baltimore. Jubilee Arts provides comprehensive arts programs to children and adults, using art as a catalyst for social change, a tool for empowerment, and an alternative to drugs and violence in the community. To date, the “Athletes & Artists” series has raised more than $400,000 for various charities.

This year’s weekend-long series of events will begin Friday, March 10, when the Orioles host the Minnesota Twins at 6:05 p.m. ET. Charitable donors will return to Ed Smith Stadium Saturday evening for the sixth “Athletes & Artists” VIP charity event. This one-of-a-kind, all-access event, hosted by event founder and singer-songwriter MARGARET VALENTINE, brings baseball groups and Nashville artists together in support of music education.

The event will celebrate current country, rock, and pop hits, featuring an all-star line-up including SiriusXM “Highway Find” and “CMT Next Women of County” KALIE SHORR, lead guitarist of Matchbox Twenty KYLE COOK, and New York City-based singer-songwriter QUEEN V, as well as other special guests. More information about each performer can be found at Orioles.com/AthletesAndArtists.

The annual “Athletes & Artists Play for Kids” weekend fundraiser began in 2015 with the first “Nashville Comes to the Ballpark” charity event and has steadily grown to include more programming, including in 2019 when the ballpark hosted an on-field concert by country music rising superstar and 11-time No. 1 singer-songwriter COLE SWINDELL, to support selected charitable efforts. The Orioles also welcomed Billboard chart-topping and Platinum-certified country artist RAELYNN in 2020. In 2019, proceeds from the mid-summer “Athletes & Artists Play for Kids” fundraiser, held the evening before the historic BILLY JOEL concert at Oriole Park at Camden Yards, were used to fund community grants from the Orioles Charitable Foundation to JUBILEE ARTS and BALTIMORE SCHOOL FOR THE ARTS. Past beneficiaries include the MUSIC HEALTH ALLIANCE, SARASOTA YMCA, LIBRARY FOUNDATION FOR SARASOTA COUNTY, and GIRLS, INC.

The Orioles have agreed to terms on a 2023 minor league contract with INF Gilbert Lara.

The Washington Nationals announced their 2023 non-roster invitees on Wednesday. Nationals President of Baseball Operations and General Manager Mike Rizzo made the announcement.

Bruce Springsteen and the E Street Band have announced additional North American dates on their 2023 international tour in 18 cities, with newly-added shows beginning at Chicago's Wrigley Field on August 9 and running through December 8 at San Francisco's Chase Center. Multiple nights have been scheduled for Philadelphia's Citizens Bank Park (August 16 and 18), New Jersey's MetLife Stadium (August 30 and September 1), Toronto's Scotiabank Arena (November 14 and 16) and Los Angeles' Kia Forum (December 4 and 6). Tickets for the 22 added North American shows will go on sale over the course of the next two weeks, with the first onsale beginning this Friday February 19 at 10am local time (full details below). 

 “As a lifelong fan of Bruce Springsteen and of my hometown, it’s an honor to announce that on September 9, 2023, Bruce Springsteen and The E Street Band will play their first ever outdoor stadium show in Baltimore at Oriole Park at Camden Yards,” said Orioles Chairman and CEO, John Angelos. 

The 2023 international tour began February 1 in Tampa, Florida with Bruce Springsteen and The E Street Band's first North American show in seven years. Opening night featured a high-energy 28-song set which included rocking fan favorites like "Born To Run," "Prove It All Night," and "Wrecking Ball," with The E Street Band effortlessly shifting to soul and R&B while complemented by a horn section and backing vocalists. Rolling Stone called the band's return "ecstatic and emotional," and SPIN added it was a "must-see." USA Today said they "rocked like their lives depended on it" and the Associated Press noted the "energy was as high as ever...every song seemed epic.”

For many cities, the tour will be using Verified Fan via Ticketmaster. Verified Fan requires pre-registration at https://verifiedfan.ticketmaster.com/springsteen and is open through Sunday February 19 at 11:59pm ET. Verified Fan is intended to make it easier for fans to get tickets, and harder for resellers and bots.

For more information about Verified Fan visit: https://blog.ticketmaster.com/bruce-springsteen-e-street-band-2023/.

On behalf of the Baltimore Orioles Partnership Group, I extend my deepest sympathies to the family of Ted Lerner on the loss of their patriarch.

Mr. Lerner was a successful businessman, developer, sports team steward, and a pillar in the world of Washington real estate.

My condolences are with the Nationals and the Lerner family.

Commissioner of Baseball Robert D. Manfred, Jr. issued the following statement today regarding the passing of Washington Nationals Founding Principal Owner Ted Lerner, who was 97:

“Ted Lerner was a proud product of Washington, DC, an avid baseball fan, and an extraordinary American success story. In 2006, this onetime usher at Griffith Stadium took ownership in the nation’s capital and, in 2008, made Nationals Park a first-class destination. The Nationals’ era of winning baseball culminated in the 2019 World Series Championship, the first for baseball fans in the District since 1924. Most importantly, the Nationals have always remained loyal to Ted’s vision of unity, philanthropy and civic pride in Washington.

“I have great appreciation for Ted’s impact on his hometown and the game he loved. On behalf of Major League Baseball, I extend my deepest condolences to Ted’s entire family, including Annette Lerner, Mark Lerner and Judy Lenkin Lerner, Marla Lerner Tanenbaum and Robert Tanenbaum, and Debra Lerner Cohen and Edward Cohen.”

It is with great sadness that the Washington Nationals today announce the passing of Founding Managing Principal Owner, Theodore N. Lerner.

Mr. Lerner is survived by his beloved wife of 71 years, Annette Morris Lerner; his children Mark D. Lerner (Judy) and Debra Lerner Cohen (Edward) of Washington, D.C., and Marla Lerner Tanenbaum (Robert) of Bethesda, Maryland; his nine grandchildren and 11 great-grandchildren.

From his humble beginnings as an usher in Washington D.C.’s old Griffith Stadium, to the ushering in of a new era of championship baseball in his hometown, Mr. Lerner literally and figuratively built a legacy through his signature mix of tenacity and humility. Guided by love for his family and passion for his hometown, Mr. Lerner dedicated his life to the creation of a better city and a winning ball club.

Born and raised in Washington, D.C., Lerner was a graduate of the George Washington University and had a law degree from the George Washington University National Law Center. In 1952, he founded Lerner Enterprises, which went on to become one of the largest private real estate development companies in the D.C. area. Mr. Lerner was named Managing Principal Owner of the Washington Nationals on May 3, 2006, and worked tirelessly from that day forward to build a world-class baseball team in his beloved Washington, D.C. He created the framework that brought the 2019 World Series to the nation’s capital, and the championship ball club he helped create stands as a reminder of the love he had for this great game and the passion he had for giving back to his hometown.

In addition to his many accomplishments in business and in sports, Mr. Lerner championed the creation of opportunities for all residents of the region and was instrumental in the foundation of the Washington Nationals Youth Baseball Academy, which provides year-round programming and resources in one of the city’s most underserved neighborhoods. Mr. Lerner led by example through his family’s own private philanthropy and set the tone for the ball club’s company-wide culture of giving, which still extends into the clubhouse, front office and in the stands. He was honored with the Washington Nationals Philanthropies “Power of Baseball Award” in 2022 in recognition of the many ways he’s improved the city of Washington, D.C. and the lives of its residents. 

The Orioles today announced the club’s minor league coaching staffs and player development assignments for the 2023 season. The coaching staffs of Triple-A Norfolk, Double-A Bowie, High-A Aberdeen, and Low-A Delmarva are listed below, along with the Florida Complex League and Dominican Summer League Orioles.

The Orioles return the following managers to their same posts from the 2022 season: BUCK BRITTON (Norfolk), KYLE MOORE (Bowie), ROBERTO MERCADO (Aberdeen), FELIPE ROJAS ALOU, JR. (Delmarva), CHRISTIAN FRIAS (FCL Orioles), and ELBIS MOREL and CHRIS MADERA (DSL Orioles).

Britton returns for his second season as Manager of the Tides. In his Triple-A managerial debut season last year, two No. 1 overall prospects – ADLEY RUTSCHMAN and GUNNAR HENDERSON – were promoted from the Tides to the Orioles to make their Major League debuts. In total, 35 players appeared on both the Tides’ and Orioles’ active rosters during the 2022 season. Britton will be joined once again by Pitching Coach JUSTIN RAMSEY, who enters his fifth season in the organization and second with Norfolk. Ramsey will continue to serve as Upper-Level Pitching Coordinator in addition to his position with the Tides. BRINK AMBLER joins Norfolk as the Tides’ Hitting Coach after serving in the same role with the Shorebirds in 2022. Fundamentals Coach RAMÓN SAMBO and Development Coach JOSHUA RODRIGUES each return in their roles, with Sambo entering his fourth season in Norfolk and 17^th in the Orioles’ system, and Rodrigues entering his second season in the organization. Athletic Trainer ALAN RAIL, ATC and Strength and Conditioning Coach JON MEDICI also return to Norfolk. GRIFFIN PYOTT, ATC has been named Assistant Athletic Trainer after serving in the same role with Delmarva in 2022, his first season in the organization. ADAM SEHLMEYER returns as Norfolk’s Clubhouse Manager.

Moore returns to Bowie for the second season and his sixth as a manager in Baltimore’s farm system. In Moore’s first season skippering the Baysox, Bowie went 68-70, including posting a 41-28 record in the second half. Pitching Coach FORREST HERRMANN makes the jump to Double-A for his second season in the organization, having most recently served in the same role with Aberdeen in 2022. SHERMAN JOHNSON makes his coaching debut as Bowie’s Hitting Coach. A former infielder, Johnson appeared in 10 games for the Los Angeles Angels in 2018 and played in parts of nine minor league seasons in the Angels, Cincinnati Reds, and Minnesota Twins organizations, as well as a stint with the independent league Kane County Cougars in 2022. He played two seasons at Florida State University. TIM DeJOHN returns for his second season as Fundamentals Coach with the Baysox. In addition to his role with Bowie, DeJohn has also been promoted to Minor League Infield Coordinator for all affiliate levels. Development Coach RYAN GOLL and Athletic Trainer ALLYSE KRAMER, ATC have been promoted from Aberdeen. Goll has also been promoted to Offseason Camp Coordinator. JON WEINBERG returns as Bowie’s Clubhouse Manager.

After making his professional coaching debut last year, Mercado returns as the Manager of the IronBirds. He led Aberdeen to a 78-54 record and a South Atlantic League championship appearance in his first season. Pitching Coach AUSTIN MEINE joins the Orioles from the University of North Carolina at Charlotte, where he had served as Pitching Coordinator since 2021. Hitting Coach ZACH COLE enters his second season with the IronBirds and third in the organization. CHASE SEBBY, a former all-conference catcher at Ball State (IN), has been promoted to serve as Aberdeen’s Fundamentals Coach after joining the Orioles in 2022 as FCL Development Coach. BILLY FACTEAU will serve as Aberdeen’s Development Coach, a role he held with the Baysox last season. Athletic Trainer TORI ATENCIO, ATC joins the organization after serving as Athletic Trainer for the Pioneer League Billings Mustangs and as an Assistant Athletic Trainer at Montana State University Billings. SAM SAUER will serve as the Strength and Conditioning Coach for the IronBirds, moving up from the FCL. ROSS STOVALL returns as Aberdeen’s Clubhouse Manager.

With Major League Spring Training just a couple weeks away and the regular season right around the corner, the Washington Nationals today announced several of the team’s 2023 special ticket events. The schedule includes fan-favorites like Pups in the Park, Cat-urday, Night OUT and Ladies Night, plus season-long series like College Days and military appreciation games.

The Nationals will celebrate the team’s furry fans on multiple occasions, including six Pups in the Park dates courtesy of Pedigree Foundation, and the return of Cat-urday presented by Temptations. Fans who select special tickets in the outfield reserved section for Pups in the Park dates are invited to bring their canine companions to Nationals Park with the purchase of a separate dog ticket, which benefits the Humane Rescue Alliance. Feline aficionados purchasing the special Cat-urday ticket for on Saturday, Aug. 19, will receive a special themed item.

Night OUT, the longest-running Pride event in MLB, will take place on Tuesday, June 6, celebrating the LGBTQ+ community during Pride month. Fans who purchase a special Night OUT ticket will receive an exclusive t-shirt with five dollars of each special ticket sold donated to Team DC, an LGBTQ non-profit focused on building community through sports. The first 20,000 fans through the gates will also receive a Screech Night OUT bobblehead.

Additional highlights of the 2023 special ticket event schedule include Ladies Night, multiple heritage nights, College Days, HBCU/Divine 9 Day and more. The Patriotic Series presented by PenFed and Branch Days continue the Nationals’ commitment to celebrating and serving military families. 

The latest schedule of special ticket events and theme nights can be found below. The latest promotions schedule, including previously released items like bobbleheads the already popular City Connect fedora, can be viewed at nationals.com/Promotions.

The Orioles today announced that single game tickets for the 2023 season at Oriole Park at Camden Yards will go on sale to the general public on Wednesday, February 8, beginning at 10:00 a.m. ET at Orioles.com/Tickets. Fans who subscribe to the free Orioles email newsletter will receive an invitation to participate in a pre-sale opportunity beginning on Monday, February 6, at 10:00 a.m. Fans can subscribe online at Orioles.com/Newsletter.

This year as part of the on sale, a limited number of tickets will be available to purchase for Opening Day on Thursday, April 6, when the Orioles host the New York Yankees at 3:05 p.m.

Birdland Reserved and Flex Members can guarantee access to the best inventory for Opening Day by calling the Orioles at 888-848-BIRD or purchasing through Orioles.com/Memberships.

Major League Baseball’s new balanced schedule will see all 30 teams play each other for at least one series during the season. For the complete schedule, visit Orioles.com/Schedule. A complete list of current 2023 promotions and special events can also be found online at Orioles.com/Promotions. Additional initiatives will be announced at a later date.

The Orioles today announced that they have invited 30 non-roster players to Major League Spring Training in Sarasota, Fla. The list includes one left-handed pitcher, 10 right-handed pitchers, four catchers, 10 infielders, and five outfielders. As of today, a complete list of the Orioles’ 30 non-roster players for 2023 Spring Training is below:

PITCHERS (11)

RHP Eduard Bazardo

RHP Wandisson Charles

RHP Kyle Dowdy

Today, Governor Wes Moore and the Baltimore Orioles announced their joint commitment to creating a long-term, multi-decade, public-private partnership that both develops and revitalizes the Camden Yards complex as a magnet for sports tourism and leverages Maryland taxpayers’ investment in the property. Governor Moore and the Orioles look forward to continuing the conversation about the next evolution of this critical partnership for Maryland and the City of Baltimore.

Since 1992, Oriole Park has hosted more than 2,500 events, generating nearly $75 million in ticket sales and more than $10 billion in economic impact for the benefit of both the City of Baltimore and the State of Maryland. Under legislation passed by the General Assembly last year, a new lease agreement will unlock $600 million in funding for upgrades and improvements to Oriole Park at Camden Yards. The entire Orioles organization will continue to dedicate the necessary time and resources to ensure a shared vision for a reimagined Camden Yards site and revitalized surrounding downtown Baltimore area.

“When Camden Yards opened thirty years ago, the Baltimore Orioles revolutionized baseball and set the bar for the fan experience,” said GOVERNOR WES MOORE. “We share the commitment of the Orioles organization to ensuring that the team is playing in a world-class facility at Camden Yards for decades to come and are excited to advance our public-private partnership. We look forward to writing the next chapter of major league baseball in Maryland as we continue to make magic for fans and meaningful investment for communities across our state.”

“I am looking forward to continuing to collaborate with Governor Moore, his administration, and the Maryland Stadium Authority in order to bring to Baltimore the modern, sustainable, and electrifying sports and entertainment destination the State of Maryland deserves,” said JOHN ANGELOS, Orioles Chairman & CEO. “We greatly appreciate Governor Moore’s vision and commitment as we seize the tremendous opportunity to redefine the paradigm of what a Major League Baseball venue represents and thereby revitalize downtown Baltimore. It is my hope and expectation that, together with Governor Moore and the new members and new chairman of the MSA Board, we can again fully realize the potential of Camden Yards to serve as a catalyst for Baltimore’s second renaissance.”

The Orioles, the Moore administration, and the Maryland Stadium Authority look forward to reimagining Camden Yards to deliver a live, work, play theme that will bring residents, businesses, and tourists to downtown Baltimore year-round.

The Washington Nationals announced their 2023 Minor League player development staff on Wednesday. Nationals President of Baseball Operations and General Manager Mike Rizzo and Director of Player Development De Jon Watson made the joint announcement.