Birdland Pride: Behind Enemy Lines

My dad bought a sailboat, and had to go pick it up in New Jersey. Being an awesome son, I volunteered to go help him pick it up. I am pretty excited about this boat, but you don’t care about that. Instead, let me share with you the exchange that took place between us and the guy who sold it to him. It started when Boat Guy noted that my dad and I rolled up wearing Orioles gear.

Boat Guy: Wow, you guys show up wearing Orioles stuff?

Dad: Well, we’re from Baltimore.

Boat Guy: Yeah, but this is Yankees territory.

Me: I can’t think of a better reason to do it. 

Boat Guy: Actually, that’s a fair point.

It was all said with a smile, and the guy was incredibly nice. That aside, it served as a welcome reminder of how times have changed. In 2011, I probably would have been more circumspect with my wardrobe – just not worth getting hassled. I remember wearing an O’s hat in Newark, NJ one evening while on a business trip in 2008. The locals were not kind. I did not have a good time.

Yet here we are. It’s 2014, and the Orioles are in first place. During our “three hour tour,” two dudes from Baltimore wore their orange proudly.

The beer, Orioles fans, is decidedly cold.