Fans are encouraged to arrive early on Saturday, August 19, as the Orioles celebrate the 25th anniversary season of Oriole Park at Camden Yards. Prior to the 7:05 p.m. game against the Los Angeles Angels, the Orioles will honor the first team to play at The Ballpark That Forever Changed Baseball™ when 20 members of the 1992 Orioles return for special reunion festivities.
Among those expected to attend are Orioles Legend and National Baseball Hall of Famer CAL RIPKEN, JR., Orioles Hall of Famers BRADY ANDERSON, RICK DEMPSEY, CHRIS HOILES, MIKE MUSSINA, and GREGG OLSON, as well as former Orioles DICK BOSMAN, GLENN DAVIS, MIKE DEVEREAUX, LEO GOMEZ, SAM HORN, TIM HULETT, BEN McDONALD, MARK McLEMORE, JOE ORSULAK, JIM POOLE, BILL RIPKEN, RICK SUTCLIFFE, MARK WILLIAMSON and Orioles Bullpen Coach and former Orioles reliever ALAN MILLS.
As part of the celebration, Anderson, Devereaux, Hoiles, Horn, and Orsulak will participate in a Home Run Derby beginning at 6:00 p.m. at Oriole Park. In the first round, each contestant will have 10 swings to hit as many home runs as possible beyond a 300-foot barrier. Two bonus points will be awarded for each home run that also clears the outfield wall at Oriole Park. The top two finishers will advance to the championship round, where they will compete head-to-head.
Anderson, who currently serves as Vice President of Baseball Operations, ranks eighth on the Orioles all-time home run list with 209 home runs over 14 seasons with the O's. Hoiles slugged 151 homers over his 10-year Orioles career. Devereaux hit 94 home runs as an Oriole over seven seasons and 105 in his 12-year Major League career, while Horn hit 62 in the majors including 42 in three seasons with Baltimore. Orsulak hit 35 homers with the O's over five seasons and 57 over 14 years in the majors.
Following the Derby, the returning 1992 Orioles will be introduced on the field at approximately 6:40 p.m. as part of a special ceremony. The returning alumni will also participate in a sold-out 25th season anniversary luncheon presented by MECU, Baltimore's Credit Union, and hosted by the Oriole Advocates on Friday afternoon at the Warehouse at Oriole Park.
Prior to Friday's game, all fans will receive an Oriole Park 25th anniversary poster presented by MECU. Following the game, all fans can enjoy a spectacular fireworks display, presented by Baltimore Area Credit Unions, which will feature popular music from 1992. On Saturday, August 19, all fans entering the ballpark will receive a 25th anniversary Oriole Park at Camden Yards replica ballpark.
During Saturday's game, Orioles uniformed personnel will wear 1992 replica throwback jerseys and caps that will later be authenticated, autographed, and auctioned off at www.orioles.com/auctions to benefit the Baltimore Orioles Charitable Foundation. Additionally, replica jerseys of the returning members of the 1992 Orioles will also be autographed, authenticated, and auctioned off at www.orioles.com/auctions with proceeds also benefitting the Baltimore Orioles Charitable Foundation.
Tickets for the August 18 and 19 games vs. the Los Angeles Angels are available at www.orioles.com/tickets or by calling 1-888-848-BIRD.
When Oriole Park at Camden Yards opened on April 6, 1992, a new era of Major League Baseball began. Oriole Park inspired a generation of ballpark construction and captured the nation's attention from day one. In the 25 seasons that followed, it has served as the standard by which all new ballparks are measured as The Ballpark That Forever Changed Baseball™. The Orioles are honoring the 25th anniversary throughout the 2017 season with promotions, special events, and a commemorative logo displayed on the right sleeve of all Orioles game jerseys and on official Rawlings® Major League Baseballs used in home games. More information about Oriole Park at Camden Yards can be found at www.orioles.com/ballpark.