BALTIMORE -- Though traffic prevented him from arriving in time to throw out the ceremonial first pitch Monday, Olympic gold medalist and Maryland native Matthew Centrowitz Jr. was in attendance at Camden Yards for the Orioles' series opener against the Blue Jays. Baltimore lost, 5-1.
Centrowitz, who became the first American runner to win the 1,500-meter at the Olympics since 1908, said he was raised a Yankees fan because his parents grew up in New York. Even though the Orioles also reside in the American League East, Centrowitz called the O's his second-favorite team, and he was clad in an O's jersey Monday.
"I was born and raised in Maryland, so I tried taking that path that way, but my dad didn't really allow it in the household," Centrowitz said. "But I've been to so many games over the years here at Camden Yards."
The 26-year-old joked that the rumor he's slept with the gold medal every night since he won it Aug. 20 isn't true, but he did have it with him at Camden Yards.
"Every day when I take it out and show people, it doesn't get old," Centrowitz said.