The Orioles today announced plans for a luncheon to celebrate the 30th Anniversary of one of the most beloved teams in franchise history, the 1989 “Why Not?” Orioles, to be held Friday, August 9, at noon ET in the Warehouse at Oriole Park. The event, which will honor members of the team that went from last to almost-first, will be hosted in partnership with the Oriole Advocates.

More than a dozen members of the 1989 Orioles have already confirmed their attendance, including Orioles Legend and National Baseball Hall of Famer CAL RIPKEN, JR., JEFF BALLARD, PHIL BRADLEY, MIKE DEVEREAUX, RENE GONZALES, TIM HULETT, DAVE JOHNSON, BOB MILACKI, JOE ORSULAK, JAMIE QUIRK, BILL RIPKEN, DAVE SCHMIDT, LARRY SHEETS, MIKE SMITH, MARK WILLIAMSON, and CRAIG WORTHINGTON. Additional players are expected to confirm in the coming weeks. The luncheon will include a question and answer session with the players and coaches, a silent auction, raffles, and door prizes. For more information about the luncheon, fans can visit Orioles.com/community.

Tickets for the luncheon are $90, with a limited number of VIP tickets to the luncheon available for $135, which includes a pre-luncheon reception and photo with returning members of the 1989 team. Tables of 10 are also available. Tickets may be purchased by contacting Ann Serio of the Oriole Advocates at (410) 247-2703 or by email at [email protected].

Later that evening, prior to the 7:05 p.m. game against the Houston Astros, the Orioles will hold a special pregame ceremony honoring the members of the 1989 team. The first 20,000 fans 15 and over attending the game will receive an ’89 “Why Not?” T-shirt. Orioles players, coaches, and uniformed personal will also wear throwback 1989 jerseys and caps, which will be autographed, authenticated, and auctioned online at Orioles.com/auctions to benefit the Orioles Charitable Foundation.

All fans can enjoy the continuation of the Friday Fireworks & Women of Country Music Series, featuring up-and-coming singer/songwriter CARTER FAITH performing immediately following the game and prior to a spectacular fireworks display. Friday Fireworks & Women of Country Music is in partnership with Change the Conversation, an organization committed to fighting gender inequality in the music industry by providing support, education, and a community for female artists and executives. This music series featuring emerging female artists is part of a year-long celebration centered around the passage and ratification of the right to vote for women in the United States, along with the National Woman’s Party Standing Together exhibit located in the lower concourse behind home plate.

Picked to finish last in the American League East after going 54-107 in 1988, the ’89 Orioles spent 116 days in first place and went down to the next to last game of the season before being eliminated from the postseason by the Toronto Blue Jays in one of the most remarkable turnarounds in baseball history. “Why Not?” became the slogan for the team after a fan hung a banner at Memorial Stadium early in the season, answering the question as to whether the Orioles could contend throughout the season.