Purple Haze

As we all know, the Indianapolis Colts and Baltimore Ravens played today at M&T Bank Stadium in Baltimore. Being that I am close to Washington D.C. and grew up with the Redskins, I had no connection to the Colts at all & this week much of the Baltimore media has focused on the events of 1984 and the Irsay family.

It was a long day, but an amazing one to behold.

Out of curiosity, I asked a few of my fellow tailgaters why so many Baltimore citizens were still upset at the Indianapolis Colts organization.

I learned something new. The issues for many go beyond the move of the team.

In recent days, Baltimore Sun reporters Roch Kutbako, Rick Mease, and Dan Rodricks have tapped into their own anger as well as the residents of Baltimore and the outlying area towards the Irsay family.

In the Pro Football Hall of Hame in Canton, Ohio, I learned that the records and accomplishments of what happened in Baltimore are credited to Indianapolis. Much of records involving Johnny Unitas and other Colts are attributed to Indianapolis. The Super Bowl Trophy, etc. are held with the Colts.

That’s ridiculous.

When I visited the Sports Legends museum a while back, I wondered why there were not more Baltimore Colt items. I guess my question was answered today.

My typical response until today was Baltimore in way needs to get over the events of 23 years ago, but learning about the passion Baltimore had for its Colts and the deeds of Irsay, I would be pissed and I would not blame anyone for their disdain.

I saw numerous people touch Johnny Unitas’ statue in front of M&T Stadium and realized ever after 23 years, Baltimore’s love of its sports heroes and the past have never died. Even though Baltimore has a fine team with the Ravens, a lot of people still have a very, very soft spot for Unitas and the Colts.

To be blunt, the records and history of the Baltimore Colts should be with the city of Baltimore. When the two Washington Senator teams moved from the 60’s and 70’s, those teams started their own tradition and renamed their teams. When Art Modell moved the Cleveland Browns to Baltimore, he left the Browns history back in Cleveland and started anew with Baltimore.

Well, enough of the negative, let’s move onto the positive.

I took in the ambiance of Baltimore and saw a sea of purple, which was all over the downtown area. For me to see that and take it in is a beautiful thing. Baltimore is a proud city of people, and that is evident more than ever with the Ravens playoff run and the outpouring of support from the city.

With the Orioles being down and out right now, most of the Baltimore sports scene was focused on the game. Hanging out my tailgate buddies, sports is beautiful and bring people from all walks of life together to root for a common cause and if it makes everyone happy for one day, then we are all better for it.

Too bad the Ravens lost. I pretty much predicted a victory, but the Colts had very good ball movement and the kicker, Adam Viniateri was money. The Ravens showed flashes of brilliance, but the offense was just inefficient and they got stunned by Indianapolis.

A fine season by the Ravens, but it will be a long off-season for everyone considering the way the season ended.

Quick Hits: Rodrigo and the Ravens

Rodrigo: The erstwhile pitcher for the O's is gone from the beautiful state of Maryland and now in the Rocky Mountains. All in all, he was a fairy decent pitcher, considering where he was signed from. He won 15 game a a few times and was counted on being a fairly, consistent pitcher most of the time.

Then came 2006. He sucked it up - badly. I always figure it was a bad year, but his attitude due to his failures in 2006 didn't exactly endear him to anyone. Since baseball is a business, rather than a game anymore, he needed to go and a 4 million dollar reliever doesn't appeal to the O's, although we've got Baez.

Rodrigo, you were cool and did your job here the best you could. Happy trails, live long and prosper in Colorado. I'm not going to diss him, as he once stood out for 30-45 minutes and signed for fans, and I got his John Hancock.

Since I need to reach out and touch with my fellow bloggers, here's a roll call of the Rodrigo coverage.

* Camden Chat made me laugh so hard with their post on Rodrigo. Perhaps a little mean, but most O's fans can relate to the sentiment in the post. The proof is in the pictures - Link

* Oriole Central gives their say, but without the blatant humor, though they get their shots - Link

* The Baltimore Sun story - Link

The Ravens: Today will be big day here in Maryland. I live outside of Washington D.C. and no one really cares them here. It was a sea of purple at my job on Friday, but I'm on the wagon and I'm going to support the Purple and Black. Since I live in Maryland, we all might as well support the Ravens, you know.

I say the Ravens beat the Colts if they sport the "D" and don't let Peyton run up the score. If the Ravens can score 20, Indy is done.

I'll be tailgating up there and I'll see if I can get a ticket. If worse comes to worse, I'll just to go a bar and make some new friends.

Ravens and the Colts...

Wow.

I was just reading the Baltimore Sun this morning and caught an article on the Indianapolis Colts owner Jim Irsay and his thoughts of coming back to Baltimore for the AFC playoff game. As you may know, Irsays left Baltimore left with the Colts team in 1984 and moved into Indiana.

Basically Mr. Irsay wants the ‘past to be the past’ and all should be let go, as this happened a generation ago.

Some fans understandably are still upset by the act the Irsay family committed. I am not a Colts fan nor grew up one, and I grew up near Washington D.C., but if one of my sports teams was taken away, only to go to another city, I’d be upset too.

Later on in the morning, I read Roch Kutbako’s blog and he gave his view of the Irsay family, especially on the owner, Jim's deceased father, Robert.

Wow.

The elder Irsay did not sound like a nice man. Well, based on Roch’s opinion and what he wrote in the article, Irsay being not a caring man would be an understatement.

I guess now the Ravens and Colts game will take on a new dimension for some, especially those who lived through that era.

The elder Mr. Irsay is dead and buried, but the son in a sad and twisted way will probably have to atone for the sins of the father on Sunday.

I would say that the Irsay’s did what they did for business and the bottom line; however, for a lot of people, sports are an emotional thing and an identity that ties one to a city and a community. When a sport, especially football, which is highly charged and emotional, is taken away from your life, you feel kind of empty.

Not that I could ever relate, but I now have a deeper understanding.

Fanfest Tidbits...

Well, I found a little bit more about why the upcoming Orioles' Fanfest has not been promoted at all...

I called the Baltimore Orioles this morning because as a season ticket holder (which I am), you were supposed to get a Christmas card with some complimentary tickets to the event which I have not recieved. My good friend who is a season ticket holder recieved his tickets and promotion for the event, so I decided to give the Baltimore Orioles' office a call.

According to the Baltimore Sun's Roch Kubatko, the event is to be held on Sunday, January 14th.

However, there's a reason why there has not been any advance promotion or any mention of it on the website. The reason is that since the Baltimore Ravens have secured a playoff spot, a playoff home game on the date of the Orioles' Fanfest could (let's say would) adversely affect attendance.

In the conversation I had with the representative for the Orioles on the phone, the date may be not be set in stone and possibly could change depending on the Ravens' playoff run.

Perhaps not promoting the FanFest may have been the smart thing to do right now, but still wouldn't some promotion might be warranted?

Quick Hits...

• The Baltimore Ravens clinched a playoff spot yesterday by beating the Cleveland Browns 27-17. Ok, even though I am a Redskins fan (we won by the way against the Saints), it's cool to see one of the local area teams get into the playoffs.
• I was at the Ravens' tailgate yesterday with some very good friends, almost like family and met the Sun's Roch Kubatko. He's a very cool guy, down to earth and has the same vibe in person as he does on his blog. He took the time to chat with us and even chugged a cold one down! I have met a few sportswriters, sportscasters, pseudo-celebs, celebs and it was very nice of the man to take a few minutes to talk with some readers.
• J.D. Drew, not fast?: According to ESPN, the Red Sox are looking at a second opinion concerning J.D. Drew's shoulder based on results from his first physical. At this time, we don't know if there's a legitmate problem, or his contract status might be in danger, but Drew has had a history of injuries in his career.
• Are the Jays looking to trade Alex Rios? Now that Vernon Wells has signed for big money, Rios could be moved for starting pitching, which right now is at a premium.
• Looks like the Padres are going to get Marcus Giles. Remember he was a part of a rumored trade for Brian Roberts, but got non-tendered due to Atlanta's money issues.
• Melky possibly no longer a Yank? According to ESPN, A three-team trade reportedly is in the works that would send outfielder Melky Cabrers from the Yankees to the Braves.
  The deal, an unnamed baseball official told The New York Times, also would send left-handed reliever Mike Gonzalez from the Pirates to the Yankees, and first baseman Adam LaRoche from the Braves to the Pirates. I am not suprised that Melky is being moved, as he's a 4th outfielder right now, plus, the Yankees have a DH in Jason Giambi and are currently looking a first baseman, which would render Melky to the bench and looking for playing time.