Orioles to celebrate Jackie Robinson Day, honor Earl Weaver at Oriole Park
Moment of silence to be held tonight in honor of Boston victims and two longtime Orioles fans who recently passed away
In recognition of the 66th anniversary of Jackie Robinson becoming the first African-American player in Major League Baseball, the Orioles will honor a Jackie Robinson Foundation scholar in a special pre-game ceremony before their game this evening against the Tampa Bay Rays. Brittany Thomas, a sophomore at Johns Hopkins University majoring in Public Health Studies and Global Environmental Change and Sustainability, will be presented with a #42 jersey by Orioles OF ADAM JONES and will throw out the ceremonial first pitch. Thomas is one of over a thousand young men and women who were able to attend college thanks to the Jackie Robinson Foundation, Major League Baseball and the Orioles.
Jones is personally supporting a Jackie Robinson Foundation scholar, Alanah Grisham, a freshman studying neurobiology at Spelman College from San Diego, CA. Through this grant, Alanah will be supported for four years.
Also on Tuesday, all Orioles uniformed personnel will wear #42, Robinson's number, during the game against the Rays, joining all other major league teams in honoring Robinson's historic achievement. Each player's authenticated game-worn and autographed #42 jersey will be auctioned at www.orioles.com to benefit the Baltimore Orioles Charitable Foundation and the Jackie Robinson Foundation. The auction begins tonight at 7:00 p.m. and ends April 23 at midnight. To date the Orioles have raised $45,000 for the Jackie Robinson Foundation. In addition, MLB.com will be auctioning off a team autographed #42 jersey at www.mlb.com/42jersey to benefit the Jackie Robinson Foundation.
A CELEBRATION OF LIFE: EARL WEAVER
On Saturday, April 20, the Orioles will host a celebration of life for legendary manager EARL WEAVER. The program, "A Celebration of Earl," will begin at 6:00 p.m. and will include a video tribute and a collection of notable guest speakers to honor the memory of the greatest manager in Orioles history.
Guest speakers include BROOKS ROBINSON, FRANK ROBINSON, JIM PALMER, BUCK SHOWALTER, RICK DEMPSEY, National Baseball Hall of Fame President JEFF IDELSON and Earl's son, MIKE WEAVER.
One of six Orioles Legends to receive his own larger-than-life bronze sculpture at the ballpark last season, Weaver passed away in January at the age of 82. The Orioles are wearing a patch on their right uniform sleeve throughout the season in his honor. . Fans are encouraged to visit www.orioles.com/4earl to share their memories of Weaver.
SPECIAL CEREMONIES
MOMENT OF SILENCE TONIGHT
The Orioles will hold a moment of silence before tonight's game in honor of the victims of yesterday's tragedy in Boston and two longtime fans who recently passed away. Matt Hersl, who died when he was struck by a car on April 9, was a season plan holder and a frequent visitor for Orioles batting practice as well as events throughout the region. Tommy Conelius, who passed away from cancer on February 15, was a longtime Orioles season ticket holder who could be seen sitting in front of the press box at nearly every home game as well as at area events.
HONORING FALLEN HEROES OF MARYLAND
Maryland suffered a record-breaking number of military losses during the month of March, and on Sunday, April 21 the Orioles will honor these fallen heroes during a pre-game ceremony. The Orioles will present the families of Army Cpt. Sara M. Knutson of Eldersburg, Navy LTJG Valerie Cappelaere Delaney of Ellicott City, and Marine Lance Corporal William Taylor Wild IV of Severna Park with an honorary Orioles jersey on the field prior to the game. A moment of silence will be observed during the ceremony and the family members will be recognized as part of the Orioles Military Appreciation Program that day.
IN THE COMMUNITY
BRIAN MATUSZ TO VISIT PEDIATRIC PATIENTS AT SINAI HOSPITAL
On Friday, April 19, BRIAN MATUSZ will visit with pediatric patients at the Herman and Walter Samuelson Children's Hospital at Sinai on behalf of the Casey Cares Foundation. The Casey Cares Foundation is a charity that provides uplifting programs for critically ill children. This visit is not open to the public or to media coverage.
CHRIS DAVIS VISITS YOUTH ATHLETES
On Saturday, April 20, CHRIS DAVIS will visit with children from the Christian Youth Athletics program from 10:00 - 11:00 a.m. Davis will speak to the children and then will participate as the designated pitcher for the league's opening game. This event is not open to media coverage or to the public.
JIM JOHNSON AND THE BALTIMORE CITY FIRE DEPARTMENT
On Saturday, April 20, JIM JOHNSON will accompany Baltimore City Firefighters on their Safety Saturday program, a door-to-door home inspection that focuses on eliminating hazards and educating people about fire safety. Safety Saturday is conducted by all fire suppression units each Saturday with the goal of making contact with every home in the City of Baltimore. The intent of the initiative is safety education and smoke alarm installations. All smoke alarms and installations are provided at no charge.
NICK AND CHRISTINA MARKAKIS BOYS AND GIRLS CLUB PHILANTHROPY AWARD
On Thursday April 11 NICK and CHRISTINA MARKAKIS were recognized by the Boys and Girls Club of Metropolitan Baltimore for their community service at their second annual "Be Great Champions for Youth" Gala. Christina was on hand to receive the Philanthropy Award which is given to individuals who strive to make a positive difference in children's lives. Nick and Christina, through contributions from the Right Side foundation, donated 21 winter coats for needy children of the Boys and Girls Club this Christmas in addition to being the titled player in inviting 150 members of the Boys and Girls Club to last Saturday's game against the Twins at Camden Yards through the OriolesREACH Gameday Experience Program.
AT THE BALLPARK
LITTLE LEAGUE DAY
On Sunday, April 21, the Orioles will host their first Little League Day at Oriole Park. Approximately 8,500 pre-registered youth baseball participants will take part in a pre-game parade around the warning track and meet Orioles players as they walk by the dugout. Teams dressed in their uniforms will carry banners and wave to their family members as they round the field. The parade begins at noon, with first pitch against the Los Angeles Dodgers set for 1:35 p.m.
ORIOLES MILITARY APPRECIATION PROGRAM
On Sunday, April 21, as part of the Orioles' Military Appreciation Program, presented by GEICO, the families of the fallen Maryland servicemen and servicewomen honored in the pre-game ceremony will share a suite for that day's game vs. the Los Angeles Dodgers, have a meet-and-greet with JAKE ARRIETA and NICK MARKAKIS, be recognized during the Orioles' Military Recognition announcement in the 7th inning, and receive an Under Armour Player t-shirt.
STEAL SECOND BASE PRESENTED BY ESSKAY
The Orioles will again feature the Steal Second Base contest for every Sunday home game this season. Presented by ESSKAY, the Steal Second Base contest allows a young fan to participate in a timed race from the grounds crew area in center field to retrieve second base. Fans can sign up for the opportunity at the ballpark at any Fan Assistance Center. The lucky winner will receive four tickets to that day's game, gift certificates to use inside the park, an Orioles jersey and an Orioles prize pack. This year, the contestants will also get to keep the authentic base that they steal. This Sunday's winner is Cole Grady, a 7-year old from York, PA.
CITI TEACH CHILDREN TO SAVE CEREMONY/CHECK PRESENTATION
On Monday, April 22, Citi, which has made a $10,000 donation to the Orioles Charitable Foundation, will be at Oriole Park to explain the importance of saving to students from The Living Classrooms. Tickets, concession vouchers, hats, t-shirts and transportation to the game will be provided for the students. This program, part of the ABA Education Foundation's Teach Children to Save Program, helps kids learn the basics of saving money and how to distinguish wants from needs.
ORIOLES REACH COMMUNITY BOOTH
During each home game the Orioles provide a community booth for charitable, non-profit organizations to distribute information, sell raffle tickets, register participants or conduct health care screenings for Orioles fans. The following groups will be at the community booth, located near Gate D, during this homestand:
DATE ORGANIZATION
Tue, April 16 Dog Rescue of Maryland
Wed, April 17 No Kill Harford
Thu, April 18 Promise for Parkinson's
Fri, April 19 Mid-Atlantic German Shepherd Rescue; MLBPAA Silent Auction (Gate E)
Sat, April 20 Thankful Paws; MLBPAA Silent Auction (Gate E)
Sun, April 21 Babe Ruth Foundation; MLBPAA Silent Auction (Gate E)
Mon, April 22 University of Maryland - 2013 Diabetes Run
Tue, April 23 Thankful Paws
Wed, April 24 Black Dogs and Company Rescue
ORIOLES REACH GAMEDAY EXPERIENCE PROGRAM
This season, OriolesREACH will again host thousands of underprivileged youth as part of the Gameday Experience Program. Group members receive game tickets, concessions vouchers, an Orioles t-shirt, a cap and transportation to and from the game. Tickets are provided courtesy of Orioles players. Players participating in the program this year include JAKE ARRIETA, WILSON BETEMIT, ALEXI CASILLA, WEI-YIN CHEN, JASON HAMMEL, J.J. HARDY, TOMMY HUNTER, ADAM JONES, NICK MARKAKIS, BRIAN MATUSZ, NATE MCLOUTH, CHRIS TILLMAN, TSUYOSHI WADA and MATT WIETERS. The following organizations will attend games at Oriole Park during this homestand, courtesy of these Orioles players:
DATE ORGANIZATION SIZE PLAYER SPONSOR
Tue, April 16 Christian Youth Athletics 150 J.J. Hardy
Wed, April 17 Morgan State University Head Start Program 150 Adam Jones
Thu, April 18 Mars Estates Elementary School 150 Brian Matusz
Fri, April 19 Westside Elementary School 150 Jason Hammel
Sat, April 20 Arbutus Elementary School 150 Wei-Yin Chen
Sun, April 21 Highlandtown Elementary School 150 J.J. Hardy
Mon, April 22 Living Classroom 150 Tommy Hunter
Tues, April 23 James McHenry Elementary/Middle School 150 Matt Wieters
Wed, April 24 Curtis Bay Elementary School 150 Nick Markakis
GIVEAWAYS AND TICKET OFFERS
DATE ITEM/OFFER SPONSOR ELIGIBILITY
Tue, April 16 Ollie's Bargain Night Ollie's Bargain Outlet All Upper Reserve seats are $9
Wed, April 17 MLB Drawstring Bag MLB Network First 10,000 fans
Thu, April 18 Alumni Autograph Series All fans
Fri, April 19 AT&T Student Night AT&T All students (LF Upper Reserve for $6)
Sat, April 20 Junior Orioles Dugout Club Day Pre-registered Dugout Club Members
Sun, April 21 High's Redemption Date High's Fill up 5 times at High's for 2 O's tix
Little League Day #1 Pre-registered Little Leaguers
Mon, April 22 Alumni Autograph Series All fans
Tue, April 23 Ollie's Bargain Night Ollie's Bargain Outlet All Upper Reserve seats are $9