A couple of weeks ago, I featured the crazy people over at the Baltimorons Podcast. After a great conversation with those guys, I decided I needed to talk to another GREAT Baltimore Orioles podcast, the Birds Eye View.
These guys are a shining example of what it means to be an Orioles fan, nowadays: skeptically optimistic. I found them, dropped them a line, and here are their responses.
Does your fan “character” have a name?
JAKE: We don’t really have characters, per se, but we tend to fall into set roles for the podcast. Because I tend to have a “rosier disposition” in my fandom, I often take the role of the ‘Orioles Apologist’ when we discuss issues on the podcast. Scott tends to be the ‘Orioles Cynic.’ These aren’t hard-fast rules – we’re not good with that.
SCOTT: We also tend to be a bit grandiose in our personalities, taking them to the extreme for entertainment purposes. We truly aren’t that divided on topics or viewpoints in most cases. Well, maybe that’s a bad example.
Tell me a little about yourself:
JAKE: I try not to take life too seriously – myself included. I have two beautiful children (5 and 2), and a very tolerant wife. I love music (particularly the Beatles), and will go to just about any length for a pun.
SCOTT: I’m pre-thirties and have seen three playoff teams in my life. I approach life trying to come to a conclusion with facts and statistics rather than gut feelings. It’s something that comes out in the podcast as well when Jake and I argue. Of course when he gets a bit uppity, I just tell him “Back off man, I’m a scientist.”
Scott with Jim Hunter
How many games do you plan on attending this year?
JAKE: As many as I can get to, and remain married. I’m hoping for somewhere around 20. I got a partial season ticket plan for the first time this year, when you add Opening Day, a couple of games we attend on a whim, and PLAYOFF GAMES, it starts to add up.
SCOTT: I’ve had a tendency to just pick up tickets when there is a giveaway or through business. However as Jake mentioned, we bit the bullet this year and became partial season ticket plan holders. So far this has been a great decision and I’ve enjoyed the option to purchase Opening Day tickets through the Orioles and be able to have the option to trade out my seats for other games or purchase more. It’s the obvious choice for any Orioles fan that is planning to attend more than ten or so games in a season to avoid ticket fees and pay the cheaper price for seats.
Where do you normally hang out at games?
JAKE: Our seats are in Section 336. I love the seats in Section 8, so I usually try to head down there for an “extended visit,” as attendance allows. It’s a lot harder to do now than it used to be –I miss the elbow room, but love seeing the Yard filled with O’s fans. Other than that, we like heading to Dempsey’s before games. I’ve been very pleasantly surprised by that place.
SCOTT: I’m surprised to see that Jake fails to make mention of where we normally are hanging out prior to getting in the stadiums. Just like the rest of Birdland, we normally head to establishments of a certain quality that serves liquid refreshment including Pickles and Camden Pub. I also like this area as it allows me to pick up food from the vendors outside the stadium before heading in. I don’t like to get up and move around during games. I didn’t pay money to wander. I paid money to watch baseball.
What inspired you to be a crazy Orioles fan?
JAKE: I’d like to think this is normal, thankyouverymuch. I never left being 8 years old, when it comes to the Orioles. Baseball is a safe place to be a kid again, and I take that kind of silliness very seriously.
SCOTT: How can you grow up in Maryland and not be a crazy Orioles fan? If your parent didn’t raise you with an intense love for the color orange and hatred for pinstripes, then you should call Social Services to request an investigation. Not to mention, we grew up in the generation without a football team. This was a one team sports town for a long time and a boy has to have a hometown team to cheer.
What is your craziest experience from when you were dressed up?
JAKE: I am well known for having an unfortunate amount of orange in my wardrobe, but I can’t say that I’ve had that many interesting things related to how I dress. I had a very unpleasant time wearing an Orioles hat on a business trip to Newark, NJ, but I think those guys were just bitter about being Newark residents.
SCOTT: I don’t have any good stories of being dressed up at an Orioles game. I do have a good Orioles costume moment though from my childhood. When I was six, Ben McDonald was being heralded like Dylan Bundy is now. He became a player that I watched closely because he was one of the youngest Orioles and because I got his “Upper Deck” rookie card when collecting. So for Halloween, I dressed up as Ben McDonald’s rookie cardboard cut-out and all with the picture on the front and stats on the back.
Who is your favorite Oriole (current or all time)?
JAKE: Wow. That’s a tough question. Do we have that kind of time? My favorite player growing up was Brady Anderson. Does that mean he has to be my favorite executive?
SCOTT: Jim Palmer. The Best Cocky, Arrogant, “Underwear Model” Pitcher ever. Any Questions?
How many Orioles wins do you predict for THIS season?
JAKE: I should point out that I’m not very good at this. I was convinced the Orioles would lose 100 games in 2012 before the season started. This year, my preseason prediction was 89.
SCOTT: And I thought I was the Orioles cynic. I predicted 90 games and an AL East Pennant with it.
Why a podcast?
JAKE: Scott gets the credit on this one. I asked him if he knew of any O’s podcasts, because I was looking to fill time on my commute. He came back and suggested we give it a go – and well, how can you argue with that? The podcast is a great outlet for fandom. When you’re excited or frustrated, you have an outlet. And occasionally, you come up with that little nugget of insight that you’re not hearing anywhere else. The insight usually happens by accident.
SCOTT: And once again Jake admits that I’m right. In the echo of the ’89 season, why not? You get to talk Orioles baseball and drink while doing it. Sure it requires a bit of work, but it’s a lot less than you would think. It’s more about developing chemistry and feel for the show. Fortunately, I have a great partner that has helped me get through it…that came off a little weird didn’t it?
You can find the Birds Eye View in our Podcasts section of EutawStreetReport.com, on their website, http://birdseyeviewbaltimore.com, on facebook at www.facebook.com/bevcast, on twitter at @birdseyeviewbal.
If you know anyone who should be featured on our website, don’t hesitate to email me at
ca***@ca*********.com
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