Four Memorable Opening Days at Camden Yards

If you've ever been to Camden Yards, you know it's one of the best stadiums ever built. If you attended a game pre-2001, you have fond memories of a packed house and an energetic fanbase. If you attended a game post-2001, you have depressing memories of empty seats and a despondent fanbase.

Not even the smoke from Boog's BBQ on Eutaw Street can sooth the city's baseball soul.

Despite a decade of failure on the field, Opening Day is the one game of the season that the Baltimore community comes together and fills every seat in the house. It reminds the baseball world that Baltimore Orioles fans are still passionate, and they still care. Invariably, within a few games of that momentous day, the season feels lost. Can you blame those fans for being so jaded?

Looking back over the past 20 years of Opening Days at Camden Yards, there have been some great memories, even during the lean years.

Here are four games that stand out as some of the most unforgettable at the Yard.

April 4, 2011: Orioles Defeat Tigers 5-1

In unexpected fashion, the Baltimore Orioles came out hot in 2011. The team started out 5-1 and made believers out of fans, for about a week and a half. It all began with a strong showing on the road against the Tampa Bay Rays and continued with the home-opening series against the talented Detroit Tigers.

In front of a full house, the team put together a solid win, led by the young arm of Jake Arrieta, who is also starting in the 2012 opener. He went six strong innings, and the bullpen closed the door fast.

The oft-injured Brian Roberts knocked in 3 RBIs, and star catcher Matt Wieters went 2-3 with a run and an RBI.

What made this game memorable is that for the first time in nearly a decade, the team had attracted national attention and hope. Everyone was asking, "Are these birds for real?"

Unfortunately, the answer was, "No."

April 2, 2001: Orioles Defeat Red Sox 2-1

This pitching duel didn't look good on paper, but, as the saying goes, that's why they play the games.

It was Boston Red Sox ace Pedro Martinez vs. the Baltimore Orioles veteran Pat Hentgen. The two matched blows, nearly pitching complete games. Each gave up a one run and struck out six before handing the ball over to the bullpen.

The game went into the bottom of the 11th tied at 1-1 until Jerry Hairston Jr. scored the winning run for the O's. He was knocked in by Brady Anderson's single. Boston's closer, Derek Lowe, took the loss.

Orioles manager Mike Hargrove was in his second year, looking to improve upon 2000's fourth place finish. Unfortunately, Hargrove could never right the ship, losing his job at the end of the 2003 season.

April 1, 2002: Orioles Defeat Yankees 10-3

The mighty New York Yankees came to the Yard with Roger Clemens on the mound. The Orioles countered with ace Scott Erickson and a lineup of average-to-above-average players. The stadium was electric, as many people remembered the intense rivalry the two teams used to have during the '80s and '90s.

With the Yankees taking a 1-0 lead into the fourth, the Orioles finally rallied to tie and load the bases. Tony Batista came to the plate and clobbered Clemens, crushing a grand-slam home run into the left field stands.

The Orioles never looked back, dominating the rest of the game. Future long-time O's third basemen Melvin Mora also was impressive with 3 RBIs.

On the edge of being labeled a "journeyman", Tony Batista came over to the Orioles from the Toronto Blue Jays in 2001. His job: add some pop to the lineup and secure the 3B position left vacant by Cal Ripken Jr. Best known for his odd batting stance, Batista was solid, hitting about 30 HRs per year.

April 6, 1992: Orioles Defeat Indians 2-0

It was the very first game ever played at Camden Yards. Amongst fans in Baltimore, there was disagreement over the new park. Some were still upset that the city had given up on the historic Memorial Stadium. The rest of the city couldn't wait to see what the park offered.

New Oriole starter Rick Sutcliffe was on the mound facing Cleveland Indian ace Charles Nagy. Fans were watching to see what Glenn Davis could do in his second year wearing the orange and black, and the Indians were featuring Albert Belle, their biggest rising star.

Nagy and Sutcliffe both pitched complete games. The O's squeaked two runs in the fifth with RBIs by catcher Chris Hoiles and second baseman Billy Ripken.

While the game may not have been the most exciting, the atmosphere was electric as it was a momentous day for the city and the entire league.

Camden Yards was the first of its kind to offer a modern touch to a classic design, proving a stadium made only for baseball could be successful. The Yard inspired a number of teams—the Cleveland Indians, the Cincinnati Reds, the Seattle Mariners, and the Pittsburgh Pirates to name a few—to ditch their old cookie-cutter stadiums to build true baseball ballparks.

For many Orioles fans, going to a baseball game was now a totally new and improved experience. Thankfully, the team came through on this day to make it an even bigger feel-good event.