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For the second day in a row, a chunk concerning the Ravens goes to start by speaking concerning the Orioles (shoutout to my man Nikhil for yesterday’s Out to Lunch, go learn it for those who haven’t already). Final month, baseball followers have been eagerly awaiting the official reveal of the Baltimore Orioles’ Metropolis Join jerseys. Earlier than their official launch, some pictures have been leaked early of what the jerseys would appear like, and the reception was… properly, you possibly can learn the commentary on that Tweet.
Leaked – Orioles metropolis join jerseys 💤 pic.twitter.com/bu2mqyhJOu
— Beckett🔋 (@410Beck) Might 8, 2023
Full and full honesty: I used to be among the many followers that have been lower than happy. I’ve frolicked in Baltimore since earlier than I can keep in mind, and I knew what number of issues there have been to like concerning the metropolis. “What precisely is that this connecting to town?” I stored asking myself. I considered how I might’ve dealt with the execution of the jersey with inclusions of straightforward issues just like the Maryland flag shade sample, maybe utilizing the typeface from the well-known Domino Sugars signal throughout the Internal Harbor, and the plain outward look actually felt like a letdown.
It wasn’t till the workforce and the artists behind the design broke down the jersey’s that means that I began to come back round. The intent wasn’t concerning the apparent, surface-level appearances; like town itself, you needed to look nearer to embrace its magnificence.
That is what it means to put on Baltimore in your chest. pic.twitter.com/42jXwRT9PV
— Baltimore Orioles (@Orioles) Might 22, 2023
We’re Baltimore. You possibly can’t clip these wings. pic.twitter.com/4eQAdPtmjy
— Baltimore Orioles (@Orioles) Might 22, 2023
Positive, this was an inventive take, and one which lots of followers nonetheless haven’t come round on, however I get it. Admittedly, town of Baltimore has tough edges and tough points to embrace. Even so, and even having lived in Virginia for an extended portion of my life than I lived in Maryland, I nonetheless really feel a particular connection to town of Baltimore. There’s no different place prefer it, and it’s one thing that’s onerous to grasp till you expertise it for your self.
Embrace The Metropolis
Shortly following the draft, Zay Flowers bought to satisfy former Raven Steve Smith, Sr. on a video name, and amongst different encouragement that Agent 89 gave to Zay, he mentioned, “I’ve bought one requirement for you, man: embrace that metropolis, as a result of whenever you win, that metropolis will handle you, they give the impression of being out for you.”
“I bought one requirement for you man.”
The legend @SteveSmithSr89 needed to meet up with @ZayFlowers 💜 pic.twitter.com/LlvAkQwgih
— Baltimore Ravens (@Ravens) June 7, 2023
Possibly a few of it’s as a result of the Ravens are one of many solely two video games on the town. Possibly it’s as a result of Baltimore is a small sports activities market with a agency maintain on the locals. A few of it might return to the times when the Colts left city in the course of the night time, and the arrival of the Ravens meant {that a} fan base ravenous for soccer had a workforce to assist once more. No matter it’s, there’s one thing totally different about fandom in Baltimore, and the gamers comprehend it. Town embraces them, and it does the center good as a fan to see the gamers embrace us proper again.
— Baltimore Ravens (@Ravens) June 24, 2023
“Baltimore and the Ravens are one.” @marlon_humphrey pic.twitter.com/qXiMuCJKLU
— Baltimore Ravens (@Ravens) June 15, 2023
.@obj‘s absolutely embracing Baltimore: pic.twitter.com/ya1rzHnu7c
— Baltimore Ravens (@Ravens) June 13, 2023
Aspect word: somebody has to let Kyu know that Baltimore doesn’t rely because the DMV.
Rookies… what are you gonna do?
It’s nice to see how a lot pleasure the gamers expertise by acknowledging that they, as Ravens, have turn out to be a part of the material of Baltimore itself. Gamers elsewhere turn out to be beloved figures, particularly after they carry out at a excessive degree, however contemplate how welcomed gamers have been after they left and got here again. Brent City and Michael Pierce every landed again at The Fort after stints elsewhere, and you may hear of their voices how a lot it meant for them to be again right here. That feeling isn’t reserved for lively gamers, both; even within the face of roster cutdowns, Tony Jefferson acknowledged that he felt that he was a Raven for all times…
.@_tonyjefferson in his final Baltimore presser: “Raven for all times.” pic.twitter.com/CxbHpWD4yN
— Sarah Ellison (@sgellison) August 31, 2022
…earlier than lately returning to the teaching workers as a scout and being welcomed again with open arms.
This previous summer time, I bought the prospect to speak with Zach Orr, whose tenure with the Ravens was sadly shortened by damage, however he’s discovered a house as a linebackers’ coach on the workforce workers. Even in about 90-degree warmth and overseeing a troublesome place battle, he appeared happier than I’d ever seen him in any other case, and I credit score that to the tradition round Baltimore’s workforce.
Ed Reed mentioned it himself in his Corridor of Fame enshrinement speech: “There’s no place like BALTIMORE!”
The success loved by the Ravens as a comparatively younger workforce in comparison with the remainder of the league has established Baltimore as a spot that gamers actually need to be. It doesn’t simply turn out to be a office, however your private home. Donning that black and purple makes you greater than a soccer participant; it makes you a member of The Flock.
Right here’s hoping that the new-look Flock can fly far this season.
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