Flashback Friday: Opening Day '89 Inspires Congressman

"The Sun is shining, the flowers are blooming and the birds are singing. Of course, I am talking about the birds of Baltimore. The Baltimore Orioles are back where they belong, in first place in the American League East."

The O's Opening Day victory over the Yankees excited fans of the team, but as far as I know the win didn't inspire a Congressional Resolution. Twenty years ago, at the outset of the O's "Why Not?" season, the Birds' 11 inning victory over the Red Sox, a game in which Cal Ripken Jr. homered off of Roger Clemens, did just that.

The text of then-Third District Rep. Ben Cardin's resolution is below.

BALTIMORE ORIOLES BACK WHERE THEY BELONG, IN FIRST PLACE
House of Representatives - April 04, 1989
Section of Record: House

(Mr. CARDIN asked and was given permission to address the House for 1 minute and to revise and extend his remarks.)

Mr. CARDIN. Mr. Speaker, what a glorious morning this is. I do not have much of a voice left from yesterday's ball game. The Sun is shining, the flowers are blooming and the birds are singing. Of course, I am talking about the birds of Baltimore. The Baltimore Orioles are back where they belong, in first place in the American League East.

What a difference a year makes. It may be a tad early to be comparing this Orioles game with the great O-clubs of the recent past; but yesterday's come from behind 5 to 4 extra-inning win over the defending American League East champion Red Sox served notice that the 1989 Orioles will be playing winning baseball.

The people of Baltimore were honored to have the President of the United States as their guest at Memorial Stadium yesterday. The President, a great fan of the national pastime, took the opportunity to introduce Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak to the pleasures of baseball.

My congratulations to owner Eli Jacobs, club president Larry Lucchino, manager Frank Robinson, and all the Orioles heroes for their opening day win, and best wishes for continuing a great winning tradition.