Jackie, Brooks, Frank, and Mrs. Glenn

This is the prayer I gave at the start of today’s session of the House of Delegates.

This is the earliest Opening Day in Orioles history.

Fifty years ago, Opening Day was delayed one day.

The day before, the funeral service was held for Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.

Among those in the funeral march was Jackie Robinson.

In 1968, there were two Robinsons in the Orioles starting lineup.

Brooks had graduated from Little Rock Central High School in 1955, two years before federal troops were needed to enforce a court order to desegregate the school.

When Frank Robinson arrived in the segregated Baltimore of 1966, he was initially denied a decent home to rent.

I told that story in my Opening Day prayer two years ago.

Later, at the game, I met a woman who had read my prayer online.

Mrs. Glenn and her husband have season tickets in my section.

We have become baseball friends.

Two future Hall of Famers hit home runs on April 10, 1968 – Brooks and Reggie Jackson. The Orioles beat the Oakland A’s, 3-1.

I don’t remember if I was at Memorial Stadium that day.

I may have been across the street in a City College classroom.

My parents, unlike the Speaker, did not always give me the day off from school on Opening Day.

Play ball!

Government Informers and Number 18

When a newborn displays the effects of prenatal drug use or fetal alcohol disorder, should health care providers be required to inform the government?

House Bill 245, introduced by the Department of Human Resources says yes.

I awaited the next question.

“Shouldn’t we determine if the mother is an abuser when the child is still in the womb?” asked one of my colleagues.

I tried to make the point that doctors and health departments encourage pregnant women to avoid drugs and alcohol.

Then I spoke of the substance abuse treatment offered to women when they apply for welfare benefits and upon their annual renewal visit.  I helped create and fund that treatment option.

I also emailed a pro-choice lobbyist.

—-

Michael Phelps took some batting practice swings at the Orioles spring training camp today, wearing an orange Orioles jersey with No. 18 on the back.

“Hey, that’s my number!” I emailed some friends.

I wear 18 because like Brooks Robinson and Reggie Jackson, I was born on May 18.

I don’t know when Michael Phelps was born, but he won 18 gold medals.

http://www.baltimoresun.com/sports/orioles/blog/bal-michael-phelps-takes-batting-practice-with-orioles-20130221,0,6181298.story

 

Counting to 25

“The most important decision you make each year is which 25 guys to bring north from Florida,” Earl Weaver told us at Fantasy Camp.

      As he chose his roster, Weaver envisioned the role each player would have.

     In his only season as an Oriole, there was no doubt about Reggie Jackson’s status.

     Tim Nordbrook, a utility infielder, sat at the other end of the scale.

     Jackson frequently taunted Nordbrook, “What do you do on this team?”

     In a rare start, Nordbrook saved a run with an inning-ending play at shortstop.

    After the players returned to the dugout, Weaver confronted Jackson, “That’s what he ——- does on this team.”

  • My Key Issues:

  • Pimlico and The Preakness
  • Our Neighborhoods
  • Pre-Kindergarten
  • Lead Paint Poisoning