The Orioles were battling the Texas Rangers for American League supremacy and first place splendor was shining at the Yard. In the glow of the stadium lights I was forgoing my teams 5-0 dismantling of the Rangers in dapper style. The lovely wifey was hobnobbing with construction types and that called for a gussied up Orioles fan to miss a game.
Maybe it was the prestige of the exclusive Center Club, but I was feeling elite. Or maybe it was just the tux I was forced to wear. Not sure, but it actually felt cool, something I know little about. Around the entire club were auction items to benefit Everyman Theatre and for some reason I put down my credit card, just in case. Just in case became a reality when four Orioles tickets and a parking pass for any game of my choosing fell into my lap. I also bought up a dress for wifey that every woman wanted but couldn't fit in to. I had to counteract the baseballness of my actions for her benefit.
The Orioles home schedule was a little dull until I started thinking about players I wanted to see, not teams. Then it became easy. Only one name came to mind of who I wanted to see play. Albert Pujols and the St. Louis Cardinals, June 30th. My order was placed, the date circled and then I waited.
I waited for the Orioles to show their true colors and fall from grace. I waited for comfortable Spring weather to turn to disgusting stickiness. I waited for a day to not have to work. I waited for Albert Pujols to break his hand. Starting to get nightmarish.
I was undaunted. Determined to make a day of it, take off work, get autographs and watch a win. OK, so I made at least I made a day of it. My Orioles showed a normal disdain for sharpies and Brian Matusz showed he could throw batting practice. After three and a half innings last night and an 8-0 deficit, my nightmare was full blown.
But then I woke up.
I was sitting here
in Orioles "Dream Seats".
I texted pictures of my seats to any friend I thought would be jealous and a few who would chastise me for wasting my money. These were truly awesome seats, except when players wouldn't stop swinging bats in the on-deck circle. The were blocking my view of the plate. But I won't complain.
Finally, the bullpen settled things down and the bats heated up and they actually made it respectable. Wifey, my step-brother and his friend joked that we could never see a major league game from any other seats again. Minor league games would now only be watched from inside the dugout.
Overall it was a good experience, neither a horrific nightmare nor the "Dream" my ticket promised. Had players been more receptive to signing prior to the game it would have been a dream, more on that to come.
I plan on chronicling my exploits in the coming days, stay tuned.
Awesome seats!
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