By TOM BONE
Bluefield Daily Telegraph
BLUEFIELD —
After more than 3,600 ballgames, the Bluefield Orioles went out of existence Tuesday night with two final losses on the field, and one more night of memories for their fans. In the first game, Princeton took a 10-4 victory, followed by a 5-0 shutout in which Bluefield committed six errors in seven innings.
With the decision of the Baltimore Orioles to cut Bluefield from their minor-league system, it was a different kind of night from the usual final date in the Appalachian League.
George McGonagle, Bluefield's interim general manager, said between the games about the relationship with Baltimore, “It's been 53 outstanding years. All the way, it's been a class act. … We want to wish them well.”
Bluefield, Va., mayor Don Harris said, “Truly we have been blessed by 53 years of Orioles baseball.”
Bluefield mayor Linda Whalen said, addressing comments to Baltimore officials, “Thank you for 53 years of a relationship that has meant a tremendous amount not only to Bluefield but to the whole area.”
A crowd of 2,165 was on hand, the largest of the season, and a long line of fans snapped up merchandise from the souvenir stand. Fans continued to stream in even after the first game was completed.
Tripp Norton, Baltimore's assistant director for player development, addressed the fans via the public address system. “I think the fact that everybody came out here speaks volumes of what the Orioles meant to Bluefield,” he said.
“Whatever team has the good fortune to come in here, I hope you'll treat them at least half as good as you've treated us, and they'll still have a wonderful experience.”
Appalachian League President Lee Landers took the microphone to tell the Bowen Field fans, “I can just about guarantee there will be baseball in Bluefield next year. … It's a credit to what Baltimore has started.”
In the “Rail Birds” section of the home stands, Louie Bolyard was bullish on the prospects. “We shouldn't have any problem getting another team,” he said. “We've got such a top-notch facility. Half the teams in the country don't have facilities as good as this.”
“We've got the people, we've got the atmosphere, we've got the facility,” he said. “We've got the whole package here.”
He said, “The Baltimore Orioles haven't spent the money to get good talent in here.” He broke off his comment to cheer a double play by the Birds that ended the top of the second inning.
Butch Currence of Bluefield said about Baltimore's departure, “It's just real sad. I've been here a lot of years. I saw (Cal) Ripken and Boog Powell and a lot of 'em start here. … But life goes on. You just pick up and go on.”
Referring to his late father, longtime Bluefield Daily Telegraph sports editor Virgil “Stubby” Currence, he said, “I'm sure my dad would be saddened” by the loss of the Orioles.
Princeton general manager Jim Holland said that the 19-year-old Mercer Cup series between Princeton and Bluefield will continue. He predicted that a new affiliation agreement with Bluefield would be revealed “in the next four to six weeks. To the fans, that'll be the longest four to six weeks of their lives.”
Former Daily Telegraph sports editor Bob Redd said about covering the Orioles, “It's been a lot of fun. I've met some great people … and numerous players who came through. It's just sad. But Bluefield's a good baseball city, and we will land a team. Bet on it.”
A longtime fan spoke to a friend as he left late in the second game, “Well, see you next year, I hope.”
The Orioles' on-field performance was again lacking in their final innings of existence.
Accompanied by cow-bells ringing by the Princeton fans, the Rays scored seven straight runs in the first game to take a commanding 8-2 lead.
Jonathan Schoop gave the home fans their biggest play of the night, hitting a home run over left field in the sixth inning of the first game, and driving in Corey Thomas to close the scoring gap to 8-4.
Those two runs would be the Bluefield Orioles' last ever.
The Rays' Jeff Malm got one run back in the next inning with a solo homer into the reddish dusk beyond right field. That pitch was served up by Luis Ramirez, the Orioles outfielder getting his third relief call on the mound this year. Bluefield's starter was Eiris Ramirez (1-2), who was tagged with the loss.
Luis Ramirez had earlier stood in at bat against Rays starter Andrew Bellatti, working a full count and then fouling off six straight pitches before hitting an infield popout.
Todd Glaesmann and Scott Lawson were each 3-for-4 in the first game, and Kyle Holloway was 2-for-3. Each of the three had doubles in that game.
Bluefield's Thomas doubled home the Orioles' first two runs in the third inning of game one.
In the nightcap, Kevin Kiermaier batted 2-for-4 and drove in three runs. Jeff Malm finished a productive night going 2-for-3.
The Bluefield Orioles' last out was a swinging strikeout by catcher Greyson Schram.
A man in his 80s wearing a Bluefield uniform overshadowed the action on the field. The break between games provided a final opportunity to recognize Lenny Johnston, Baltimore's coordinator in Bluefield for more than 20 years.
Between games, Landers said, “You are the ambassador of minor league baseball, and have been for many years.”
Harris said, “You have exemplified what baseball truly is.” On behalf of Bluefield, Va., town manager Mike Watson presented Johnston with a watch. The West Virginia side responded with its own time-themed gift, a miniature replica of the decorative clock that stands at the intersection of Bland and Federal Streets.
Linda Krondon, a member of the Bluefield Baseball Club board, said, “I'm going to miss the team, but Lenny's like a fixture here. You'll never be able to replace Lenny. It's just a sad, sad night.”
Bluefield outfielder Brenden Webb said, “It's really special to be on the last team. When you have great guys like Lenny … it really fills up your heart. We have a good staff, we have great fans. And this is the most we've had all year.”
He said he will remember “just how much the Bluefield Orioles meant to the fans.” He singled out Henry Belcher. “We call him 'Double-Out.' He's, like, the ultimate Super Fan,” Webb said.
Teammate Travis Strong remarked about Bowen Field being “a beautiful place.” He said, “I couldn't ask for anything better. I had fun here. It's been my first professional experience. It's been great.”
Jeremy Shelby said when the team was told that the Bluefield franchise was ending, “The first thing you thought about was the history – there's a lot of history coming to an end.”
He said that as the team prepared for its finale, “We wanted to get a win for the fans. We couldn't get it … but as long as we played hard, that's all that matters. If you give it all you've got, you can go home and hold your head high.”
The Bluefield Orioles' last manager, Einar Diaz, said, “We wanted to win. The first game was close. We battled. … In every game, you have to battle.”
Asked about his team, that will now largely depart for assignment to other Baltimore minor-league teams, Diaz said, “They're a good group of kids.”
—Contact Tom Bone
at tbone@bdtonline.com
