We had the opportunity to do what a lot of Yankee fans do who cannot get out to Yankee Stadium in the Bronx. We overnighted to Baltimore to see the Yankees play the Orioles in Camden Yards. Yankee fans certainly gave Oriole fans a run for biggest presence. Orange and blue co-mingled for America's past time. And Camden Yards is an AMAZING experience for a baseball game.
Yet, as attractive as the stadium was, it was the faces of the people who provided direction, services, and escort that truly made Camden Yards stand out. A special shout out to Tim, who worked the 200 section where we were, for making the experience truly excellent.
Eutaw Street (not Utah) is a pedestrian walkway beyond the right field wall of the ballpark. It is where we sampled the delights of Boog's BBQ. Had the pulled pork, a personal favorite, and it was delicious. Not sure how it was seasoned, but the flavoring reminded me of Old Bay (which could have been because Old Bay is a big advertiser in the park). The walkway also has bronze baseball plaque in the concrete, and on the wall of the building beyond, where home runs have been hit "out of the park". Doing my own rough calculations based on minutes of research, it seems to me that Ken Griffey Jr had the longest home run.
The other thing that was recommended to us was the Chesapeake Waffle Fries, waffle fries and crab topping. Oh my... I did challenge a few of the staff as to where to find this tasty treat. You can find them at the Old Bay Seafood place up on the fourth level (I got there via the elevators by home plate).
We finished our Baltimore and Baseball junket the next day with a visit to the Babe Ruth Museum, a couple blocks from the Stadium. It is built into the home of his grandparents, where he was born. It is not a huge place, but it does 'the Babe' proud. The highlights for me included the display on the goodwill baseball tour to Japan in 1934 and the 'shot heard 'round the world', when he "apparently" called his Home Run during the 1932 World Series.
The trip to Japan started baseball in Japan, which, if anything, may be bigger there then it is here. It also led to Babe Ruth's name being used in an insulting way by Japanese soldiers during the Second World War to anger and aggravate US soldiers.
We stayed at the Hampton Inn-Convention Center in Baltimore, right across the street from the ballpark, so we could walk in and walk back.
The day after the Yankees game, which was the last of their series in Baltimore, we ran into a number of Toronto fans who were down for the next series the Orioles had against the Blue Jays. Seems like Baltimore is a popular destination for away games.
Oh, and the Yankees won, 5-3. Only thing I really missed was seeing the pinstripes.
