Open for business
Camden Yards, Opening Day 1992
Baltimore’s Camden Yards – with a retro, classic look that inspires the construction of every new ballpark over the last 30-plus years – officially opens for business 32 years ago today as the Orioles beat the Cleveland Indians 2-0.
Onetime Yale University first baseman who later becomes, you know, President George H. W. Bush delivers the ceremonial first pitch – a one-hopper to Orioles catcher Chris Hoiles – in front of a capacity crowd of 44,568.
President Bush’s first pitch
Rick Sutcliffe then needs only 110 pitches to complete his five-hit shutout of Cleveland.
Historians note that Sutcliffe’s first pitch at the new ballpark comes at 3:20 p.m. with a ball to Cleveland leadoff hitter Kenny Lofton.
Some 109 pitches later and long after President Bush leaves, home plate umpire Larry Barnett calls out Paul Sorrento on a 1-2 pitch to end the game.
The running game time of 2:02 ties the Orioles’ record for their fastest opening day, matching the time it takes them to beat Detroit at Tiger Stadium in 1954 – the Orioles’ first season after moving to Baltimore from St. Louis.
One of Rick Sutcliffe’s 110 pitches