The Orioles announced on Wednesday that Hall of Fame manager Earl Weaver will throw out the ceremonial first first at Baltimore’s Opening Day on April 4 to Buck Showalter.
Weaver and Showalter “bonded” in Spring Training this year according to Dan Connolly of Orioles Insider.
The Earl of Baltimore and Showalter bonded some this spring when Weaver spoke to the coaching staff in Sarasota. And we all know how much Buck looks like Earl in the dugout.
Ceremonial pitches are pretty insignificant, but this is a pretty cool choice, at least in this Baltimoron’s opinion.
Great choice. Another reason to be excited for Opening Day.
Ahh, The Earl of Baltimore. A reminder of what was in Baltimore Orioles history. I like that Buck has called upon iconic Orioles like Frank and Earl to help instill in this team a sense of history and legacy. All in all I love what this guy is trying to do.
I love me some Earl Weaver.
Hope he tries to toss it from 60′ 6″!
Funny story about him. Back when he was fired (was it 85?) he put his house up on the market.
My Aunt ended up buying it. IIRC it was somewhere off Harford Road. I thought it was the coolest thing in the world. I’ve seen it more recently and it really showed just how things have changed. Back then the O’s manager lived like everyone else.
Not anymore!
Mark,
Actually, Earl was never “fired”. He came out of retirement at the urging of then owner Edward Bennett Williams (and the need for a few extra “retirement dollars”)in the 1985 season, then also managed the 1986 season before hanging it up for good at the end of ’86.
I do remember him being coaxed back and it not really working out.
So I guess it was 86 or 87 when the house was sold.
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