O's players participate in #PhoneCallFriday

“Birdland” is a community. It doesn’t just exist at Camden Yards. It isn’t just the group of players on the field. Birdland is a feeling. A sense of unity. Birdland lives anywhere there is Orioles pride.

In a year unlike any other, the Orioles have found a way to emanate the Birdland experience beyond the confines of the Yard. While everyone in our Birdland family has been adhering to proper social-distancing guidelines, Orioles players have been making the effort to virtually connect with fans and alumni on a personal level. As a result, the club has been rolling out weekly “Phone Call Friday” videos that feature clips from these one-on-one Zoom calls.

This Friday, we take a look at four special #PhoneCallFriday videos as we get ready for the start of the 2020 season.

Chance Sisco chats with former Orioles catcher Vic Roznovsky

Vic Roznovsky was traded to the Orioles from the Cubs prior to the 1966 season, and he then ended up winning the World Series championship with Baltimore that year. He played 86 games over two seasons with the O's.

Recently, Roznovsky sat down to chat with current Orioles catcher Chance Sisco, who is entering his fourth season in Baltimore, to provide advice and to get to know the young player who is now sporting the same uniform that he wore decades ago.

Despite having played in different generations, the two catchers bonded over their experiences with the club. The two catchers are hopeful they will get the chance to meet in person the next time the Orioles play the Angels in Anaheim, where Roznovsky currently resides.

“Get me a good seat, me and my wife,” Roznovsky joked. “You can get me dinner after the game. I’ll buy the beer, and you get the food, OK?”

Shawn Armstrong chats with Birdland member Dr. Kline

A few weeks ago, Orioles pitcher Shawn Armstrong checked in with longtime Birdland member Dr. Richard Kline with a personalized video call. Armstrong thanked him for his continued support of the O’s, and the two engaged in a lighthearted conversation about Kline’s favorite memories as a lifelong Orioles fan.

During the call, Armstrong spoke to the significance of fan loyalty and told Kline, “People like you, the season-ticket holders that love the game -- the old-school way of the game -- you’re there to support the Orioles no matter who we’re playing; that’s what makes it special to us.”

During these difficult times, Armstrong is one of many Orioles players who have taken time to personally reach out and thank fans around Birdland for their unwavering support of the team, despite being away from the ballpark. While the Orioles have strived to create a fun, family-friendly experience at the Yard, it is more important than ever for players to show their appreciation for fans by connecting with them virtually as we continue to stay safe at home.

Dwight Smith, Jr. chats with RBI graduate William Hoes

As the spread of COVID-19 led to school closures across the country, many graduates were away from friends and teachers for the latter part of their final semesters and could not participate in well-deserved commencement ceremonies. In this call, outfielder Dwight Smith Jr. sat down to congratulate William Hoes, a player in the Orioles RBI Program, on his recent graduation from Frederick Douglass High School in Baltimore. Smith, whose sister recently graduated from high school, shared a positive message with Hoes, telling him, “Everything will turn out good.”

The two have developed a friendship over the years, which is why Smith wanted to personally congratulate Hoes on achieving this significant milestone. Smith went on to encourage Hoes to reach out whenever he wants and reminded Hoes that he will always be there for him and his family. The Class of 2020 has faced a unique set of challenges this year, and Smith and the entire Orioles organization want to ensure that graduates across the community know they have a strong support system in Birdland.

David Hess chats with former Orioles pitcher Jerry Walker

In this call, a pair of right-handed hurlers came together to swap stories and reflect on their individual careers with the Orioles. Jerry Walker spent the first four seasons of his career with the Orioles from 1957-60, and represented the team in the 1959 All-Star Game. Following his playing career, Walker's love of the game never dulled, and he held positions as a Minor League manager, coach, scout and front-office executive, including one season as general manager of the Tigers in 1993.

Walker bestowed some wisdom upon David Hess, who is entering his third season with the Orioles, telling him that whenever he is asked which of all his baseball jobs he enjoyed the most, he always replies, “Whatever job I was doing [at that time] was the one that was most exciting to me. I was thoroughly happy in whatever job I did in baseball.” The two pitchers had the opportunity to get to know each other, bond over their passion for the sport and discuss life after playing.

While both players and fans alike are craving some Orioles Magic during these unprecedented times, #PhoneCallFridays have created a platform for all members of the Birdland community to connect and fight this battle together. Players have utilized this time as an opportunity to virtually reach out to former players and dedicated fans, forging a stronger sense of unity throughout the entire Orioles family. While in life there are plenty of unforeseen circumstances and challenges, there is one thing that will forever ring true: Birdland has your back.