When I lived in Texas in the 80’s, I’d get seats behind the Orioles bullpen down the left field line (old Texas Stadium). We’s talk baseball with Elrod or Tim Stoddard. Tim was this huge guy who had a way with hecklers.
Once the O’s were getting shelled by the Rangers, and this Ranger fan kept hollaring, “What’s the Score?”. Constantly. Tim came out of the bullpen dugout, looked this guy right in the eye, and said, “There’s a scoreboard up there; USE IT!”
My favorite all time Oriole story was John Lowenstein. He was being interviewed by some Texas reporter, who hit him with the following question: “I see you like to catch the ball one-handed. Who was the first major leaguer to popularize the one-handed catch?” John said, “That would be Pete Gray.” So this reporter goes off and writes a story about Pete Gray popularizing the one-handed catch; not realizing that Pete Gray only had one arm (he played for the St Louis Browns in 1940’s).
Now that is good stuff. Especially when someone sticks it to the media!
My dad took us to a game at Tiger stadium. Mom took my sister down to the dug out area before the game. I was getting autographs and Elrod Hendricks came out. He is signing my book and he asks my Mom out for dinner after the game. I got all excited and turn around and yell, ‘hey Dad, Elrod Hendricks is taking us out to dinner after the game’. Everybody started laughin’, and I didn't get it at the time. I wanted to go have dinner with Elrod. That is the best Oriole story I have.