RetroSeasons recaps past sports seasons through stories, photos, videos, and stats from every team, league, and stadium in history. Coverage includes the NBA, NFL, MLB and NHL, as well as vintage media from defunct teams and leagues.
Memorial Stadium was a multi-purpose stadium in Baltimore, Maryland, that formerly stood on 33rd Street (aka 33rd Street Boulevard, renamed "Babe Ruth Plaza") on an oversized block (officially designated as Venable Park, a former city park from the 1920s) also bounded by Ellerslie Avenue (west), 36th Street (north), and Ednor Road (east). Two stadiums were located here, a 1922 version known as Baltimore Stadium or Municipal Stadium, or sometimes Venable Stadium, and, for a time, Babe Ruth Stadium in reference to the then-recently deceased Baltimore native. The rebuilt multi-sport stadium, when reconstruction (expansion to an upper deck) was completed in the middle of 1954, would become known as Memorial Stadium. The stadium was also known as The Old Gray Lady of 33rd Street, and also (for Colts games) as The World's Largest Outdoor Insane Asylum.
On September 19, 1976, the Cincinnati Bengals faced off against the Baltimore Colts at Memorial Stadium in Baltimore. The Bengals, led by quarterback Ken Anderson, came into the game with a record of 0-1, aiming to rebound from their season opener loss. On the opposing side, the Colts, under the leadership of quarterback Bert Jones, held a record of 1-0, having started their season on a high note. Both teams had strong offensive capabilities, with the Colts known for their robust passing game, and the Bengals for their dynamic and versatile attack. Coaches Bill Johnson and Ted Marchibroda were set to test their strategic prowess against each other in this early season matchup.
The game was characterized by a series of pivotal plays and shifting momentum between both teams. The Colts struck first with a dramatic 68-yard touchdown pass from Bert Jones to Roger Carr, setting the tone for what would be a high-flying game. The Bengals responded quickly with a defensive score by Tommy Casanova, who returned an interception for a touchdown. Throughout the game, both teams continued to exchange blows. Ken Anderson and John Reaves led the Bengals' aerial assault, while Bert Jones continued to find success downfield for the Colts. Despite the Bengals' efforts to keep pace, including multiple field goals from kicker Chris Bahr, the Colts' offense proved just potent enough to keep the lead into the fourth quarter.
Ultimately, the Colts clinched a narrow 28-27 victory over the Bengals. This game highlighted the strength of Bert Jones' connection with receiver Roger Carr, who caught three touchdown passes, contributing significantly to the Colts' victory. The game's outcome positioned Baltimore favorably early in the season, improving their record to 2-0, while Cincinnati fell to a challenging 0-2 start.
Toronto Blue Jays vs Baltimore Orioles - Radio Broadcast / On Friday, September 19, 1980, the Baltimore Orioles faced the Toronto Blue Jays at Memorial Stadium. The Orioles sent their ace, Jim Palmer, to the mound, while the Blue Jays countered with their own starter, Gary Todd. At this point in the season, the Orioles were in a tight race for the American League East title, while the Blue Jays were struggling to stay out of the division basement. The 1980 season was also notable for the rise of young stars in the league, with players like Rickey Henderson making waves with their performances.
The game was a back-and-forth affair, with neither team able to hold onto a lead for long. The Blue Jays jumped out to an early lead, but the Orioles fought back, with a key home run from Al Bumbry in the 3rd inning. The Blue Jays, however, were able to respond with a home run of their own from Dave Hodgson in the 6th inning. The Orioles' bullpen, led by Dennis Martinez, was able to keep the game close, despite the Blue Jays' offense showing signs of life.
The game turned into a seesaw battle, with the lead changing hands multiple times. In the late innings, the Orioles' offense came alive, with key hits from Ken Singleton and Doug DeCinces. The Orioles' bullpen was able to hold off a late rally from the Blue Jays, with Tippy Martinez picking up the win in relief.
The Orioles' 8-6 victory over the Blue Jays was a key win in their push for the postseason. However, despite this victory, the Orioles would ultimately fall short of the playoffs, finishing second in the American League East. The 1980 season was a memorable one for the Orioles, with Eddie Murray having a standout year and finishing second in the MVP voting. Meanwhile, the Blue Jays continued their struggles, finishing last in the division. Despite their struggles, the Blue Jays had some bright spots, with Lloyd Moseby establishing himself as a future star.
On May 6, 1971, at Memorial Stadium, the Baltimore Orioles hosted the California Angels in...
1971 California Angels vs Baltimore Orioles - Radio Broadcast / On May 6, 1971, at Memorial Stadium, the Baltimore Orioles hosted the California Angels in what was poised to be a competitive matchup, highlighting the pitching prowess of Dave McNally for the Orioles against the Angels' Andy Messersmith. Both teams were looking to assert themselves early in the season, with the Orioles riding the momentum of their powerful lineup and the Angels focusing on refining their strategy under the guidance of their solid starting rotation. Noteworthy for the season, the Orioles were the defending World Series champions, adding an extra layer of anticipation for their performance throughout the 1971 campaign.
As the game unfolded, the Orioles seized an early lead with a tactical first inning that set the tone for their strategic play. Dave McNally and Andy Messersmith both delivered strong starts, effectively managing the opposing lineups with precision. The Orioles were able to leverage key moments, notably in the fifth inning when they expanded their lead. This was underscored by a hit by pitch to Don Buford, followed by intelligent base running that positioned him to score on a single by Brooks Robinson. The Orioles showcased their capability to capitalize on opportunities, maintaining control of the game's tempo and demonstrating solid defensive plays to support McNally’s pitching. The Orioles emerged victorious with a 3-1 win, a reflection of their robust start to the season and McNally's commanding performance, yielding only one run across the complete game.
New York Yankees vs Baltimore Orioles - Radio Broadcast / On September 2, 1960, the Baltimore Orioles hosted the New York Yankees at Memorial Stadium for a day game. the Orioles opened the scoring in the first inning with a run from Brandt, driven in by a double from Robinson. the Yankees couldn't respond, despite a single from Kubek, as Maris grounded into a double play. the second inning saw both teams held scoreless, with the Yankees striking out twice and the Orioles leaving two on base.
the game progressed with the Orioles gradually extending their lead. They added two runs in the fourth inning, another in the fifth off a solo home run from Dropo, and a final run in the seventh inning. Meanwhile, the Yankees' offense was held in check by Pappas, the Orioles' pitcher, who gave up only three hits and struck out nine Yankees over the course of the game. the Yankees had a particularly difficult time in the third inning, going down in order with two strikeouts and a groundout.
the Orioles' 5-0 victory over the Yankees was largely due to Pappas's stellar pitching performance, which earned him the win. Ford, the Yankees' starting pitcher, took the loss. Following this game, Pappas's record improved to 13-8 while Ford's dropped to 9-8. As of my knowledge cutoff in September 2021, I don't have the specific historical data for the 1960 season. However, both the Yankees and Orioles were competitive teams during this period. the Yankees, in particular, were in the midst of a successful era, having won the World Series in 1958 and going on to win again in 1961 and 1962. This loss would have been a minor setback in their season, but not a decisive factor in their overall performance.
