Happy 20th: Oriole Park at Camden Yards

   This season will mark the 20th anniversary for the beautiful Camden Yards, nestled in the heart of Baltimore, Maryland.  Minutes from the Inner Harbor this stadium has been the home of the Baltimore Orioles since April 6, 1992.  Camden Yards is considered to be the first of the retro-classic ballparks, and has served as an inspiration for the designs of many other stadiums being used today.  Camden Yards incorporates a majestic view of the Baltimore skyline along with one of the most noticeable features of any stadium in baseball, The old B&O Warehouse. 
   The warehouse was completed in 1905, and is the longest brick building on the East Coast. Built next to the Baltimore and Ohio Railroad's Camden Station, and Eutaw Street the 8 story warehouse stored over 1,000 boxcars full of merchandise.  It has been described as a classic turn of the century railroad warehouse, and was used by the B&O Railroad until the 1970's.  By then, however, newer more convenient warehouses were built, and the railroads were being replaced by trucks as the main form of shipping in the country.  The abandoned warehouse was saved and renovated, except for a small section that was removed, to be incorporated as part of the ballpark.  Today, the historic B&O Warehouse is the location for the Orioles front office, a private club for the team, the Orioles team shop and ticket offices, and even a banquet facility that hosts weddings and other events.  It stands 432 feet from home plate and provides the backdrop for the right side of the stadium.
   When the "classic turn of the century" railroad warehouse was built nobody would even dream that it would become the most noticeable ballpark feature in Major League Baseball.  When fans stroll along Eutaw Street, located between the outfield stands and the warehouse, bronze plaques can be seen positioned where home runs have landed since 1992.  The plaques look like a baseball with the players name, team, date, and distance of the shot that reached Eutaw Street.  There is only one plaque mounted on the warehouse wall, however, and it contains the name of Ken Griffey Jr.  During the 1993 All-Star Home Run Derby, Junior drove the ball 445' and became the one and only player to this point to hit the warehouse on a fly.  Besides the plaques, Eutaw Street provides the fans with many choices of food, beverages, and souvenirs.  Included is Boog's BBQ, owned by All-Star first baseman, and 1970 American League MVP, Boog Powell.  During many Orioles home games lucky fans will even get the opportunity to meet this great player and get his autograph. 
   Oriole Park at Camden Yards was the first stadium to break away from the designs of the cookie-cutter parks of the 1970's and 1980's.  Although it has never hosted a World Series game, this park has been featured in movies including Major League II. It was also the place where Cal Ripken Jr. became the "Iron Man" of baseball, surpassing Lou Gehrig's consecutive games streak in 1995.  During that record setting year for Cal Ripken Jr., a banner was placed on the warehouse and counted down the games until the record was broken.  Scenic Camden Yards in Baltimore, Maryland continues to be one of baseball's most treasured diamonds.  With the conveniences of today combined with the aura of the historical ballparks of the past, fans who get the opportunity to see a game there are in for a real treat, and an experience that will not soon be forgotten.