Blaine Shores

Traditionally in the National Football League, the previous season’s Super Bowl Champion gets the forthcoming season’s kickoff party and a primetime game on Thursday night complete with ring ceremony and championship banner.

This season should be no different, right? Wrong. The Baltimore Orioles have something to say about that.

The Baltimore Ravens will start the season on the road during the first week of the season (They still get the primetime Thursday night game). The Orioles start a 4-game home series against the Chicago White Sox that night.

In most cities this wouldn’t be a major problem. In fact, it would be well received. It would be a major party in most cities.

The problem here is that M&T Bank Stadium and Camden Yards, home to the Ravens and Orioles respectively, share a parking lot.

Why can’t the Orioles say they will postpone the game until the next day and play a day/night doubleheader? What is so important about that one particular game that they MUST play it that night and the World Champion Ravens must start their championship defense on the road?

The answer to that question is nothing. There is nothing important about that game that it absolutely must be played that night.

This is a completely selfish move by the Orioles to not give up the night to allow the Ravens to celebrate with their fans.

The Ravens will return home the next week and will host the primetime Thanksgiving game this season. But that does not replace the selfishness and shameful decision making that has been shown by the Orioles management.