This past Friday, the Baltimore Orioles hosted "Tupac Shukur Bobblehead Night" at Camden Yards. I know, you're probably wondering what initiated this. After all, Tupac has about as much in common with Orioles baseball as the World Series. But nonetheless, countless Tupac fans lined up before the game to secure their bobbling treasure.
To break down the significance of Tupac's ties to Baltimore, here's the way I understand it. He lived in Baltimore from 1984 to 1988. During that time, he spent 8th grade at Roland Park Middle School and 9th grade at Dunbar High School. He then transferred to the Baltimore School for the Performing Arts where he studied poetry, acting, jazz and ballet. So, there you have the Baltimore connection.
Now, you're probably asking, "So, what does this have to do with the Orioles?" Great question!
Major League Baseball started a "City Connect" promotion a couple of years ago. One of the highlights of this program is locally inspired jerseys worn by the home team on Friday nights. Since the Tupac bobblehead promotion occurred at a Friday game, it could legitimately fit the "city connect" criteria.
"But why Tupac?", you ask.
That's another great question. After all, there are plenty of other people with Baltimore connections that are arguably more worthy. Let's take Dr. Ben Carson, for example. With as much as he's accomplished and as much good as he's done for humanity, he would seem like a worthy candidate for a Bobblehead Night in Baltimore. Or what about Thurogood Marshall? And isn't #1 selling author Tom Clancy part of the O's ownership team? Where's his bobblehead? And what about Balimore's own Michael Phelps? Sure, he has plenty of gold medals. But does he have an O's bobblehead?
But let's dig a little deeper...
Since we're talking Baltimore baseball and bobbleheads, what about Babe Ruth? Didn't his father own a bar at the site that is currently Camden Yards? And didn't Babe actually play for the Baltimore Orioles? Yes, I know it's not the same Orioles, but they were still from Baltimore! By the way, Babe went on to have quite the legendary baseball career with the Red Sox and Yankees. But it all began in Baltimore. Give the man a bobblehead!
And since Tupac is tied to the music world, it would be crazy not lobby for a Joan Jett Bobblehead Night. Yes, Joan is a rock and roll badass. But she is also a huge Oriole's fan. Similar to Tupac, she grew up in Maryland (Rockville) at a young age where she developed her interest in music. Through the years, she has been seen at Camden Yards in her Orioles colors, cheering on the team. And she's quite knowledge about the team. She talks the talk and walks the walk as an O's fan. She needs a bobblehead!
And we're not done with the O's/music connection yet. Can we get a bobblehead for the late, great John Denver? For you youngsters, John Denver was massively successful artist with several #1 hits in the 70's. But the tie to the Orioles, of course, is his beloved 7th inning stretch anthem, "Thank God I'm A Country Boy". The song was first introduced by long-time O's shortstop, Mark Belanger in 1975. The song quickly caught on and has played at O's games for over 50 years. In 1983, John Denver was invited to sing the National Anthem to kick off Game 1 of the World Series. During the 7th inning stretch, he stepped atop the Oriole's dugout and led the crowd in a thunderous rendition of his song. The O's went on to win the '83 World Series in five games. And they haven't been back to the series since. Give John Denver a bobblehead!
So, am I upset that Tupac got his bobblehead? Absolutely not. Anything that brings a little fun to the ballpark is ok with me. While I'm not personally a Tupac fan, there are obviously plenty of people who are. Friday night's attendance was the highest since Opening Day. But I do wonder if Tupac was an O's fan. Or if he ever attended an O's game at Camden Yards. But that's neither here nor there.
If people want to wait in line for hours to get a bobblehead, more power to them. I'll be over at Pickles Pub having a pre-game Natty Boh. (That's actually how I missed out on getting a Adley Rutschman bobblehead last year, But that's another story).
kw
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