Tag: Babe Ruth

This morning we had a disappointing breakfast at the hotel and then decided to explore the city. Patrice usually does an amazing job finding us places to visit on our trips but for some reason she hadn’t found much for us to do in Baltimore. As I am sure you are aware Patrice is very, very smart. Unfortunately, one area that is not her strong point is American History. Our conversation about what to do today went something like this.

Patrice: Is there anything you would like to do?

Robert: How about go to see Fort McHenry?

Patrice: What’s that?

Robert: Where Francis Scott Key wrote our national anthem, “The Star Spangled Banner”?

Patrice: On, where is it?

Robert: Baltimore?

As I said, Patrice is incredbly smart but history is not her strong suit.

With that decided, we were on our way to see Fort McHenry and luckily it is located very close to our hotel. On arrival we were told that the gift shop is on the left, an orientation movie is on the right, and the entrance to the Fort is straight ahead.

We checked out the gift shop briefly and then headed to the film. It was your usual puff piece but then it had a spectacular finish. The movie ended and the screen lifted to reveal a panoramic view of Fort McHenry with Old Glory flying high and the “Star Spangled Banner” started playing. All the visitors stood up and one guy got very teary eyed. (Patrice here, Robert is such a cry baby. It was him of course).

After that, the tour of the Fort paled by comparison. I would give this a soft recommendation but only if you are a history buff. It is free if you have a National Park pass. If you don’t I would recommend you just go see the film and then go home.

After the Fort, Patrice asked if I would like to go to the Babe Ruth museum. I thought it odd that a museum dedicated to the “Bambino” would be located in Baltimore since he was a star in Boston and New York. As it turns out the Babe was born in Baltimore and the museum is located in the home where he was born. Yes, on February 6, 1895, George Herman “Babe” Ruth was delivered by a midwife at his family’s home in Baltimore.

I really liked the museum. There is lots of newsreel footage (I especially liked the induction into the Hall of Fame) and many artifacts. They also had a senior discount and like my father, I always love that.

When we got back to the hotel I realized I still had my Fort McHenry entrance bracelet on. See below.

I said to Patrice, “I just realized I still have my Fort McHenry entrance bracelet on, do you?” She said, “I never put mine on”. I really married a rebel, didn’t I?

We had an early dinner by the stadium at a sports bar called “Pickles Pub” [520 Washington Blvd, Baltimore, MD 21230]. It is located steps from the stadium. The food was good and prices reasonable. Nothing fancy worthy of a picture. We did meet two moms with their 12 year old sons visiting from Florida. They said that they are trying to take the boys to all 30 MLB parks. As they put it, “It’s a 12 year old boy kind of thing”. To which I replied, “We are here for a medical meeting, I am working on the cure to cancer”.

Then it was time for baseball. Before the game we saw several large number statues representing players who have had their numbers retired. We saw #5 for Brooks Robinson and #20 for Frank Robinson. Patrice asked if they were brothers.

Both great baseball players but in spite of the striking resemblance in their looks I don’t think they were brothers.

The stadium was beautiful and we had great seats. I assessed the location and told Patrice it was safe for her to read. But then I saw this sign and had to reconsider the situation. See below.

It was a great game and I really enjoyed stadium #25. There were 3 home runs and some wonderful plays in the field. After the 8th inning with the Orioles losing by 3 runs there was a mass exodus of fans. I felt like I was at Dodger Stadium. Actually not, at Dodger Stadium the fans leave after the 7th inning and the score is irrelevant. Another thing about Oriole Park, we didn’t see one beach ball. At Dodger Stadium you see about 6 beach balls bopping around the stands by the 4th inning. Doesn’t anyone come to watch the game any longer?

Tomorrow we leave for Philadelphia where we will see Stadium #26 and leave just 4 more until we reach the magic #30. I guess I am just 12 years old at heart.