Opening Day 1992
Oriole Park threw open its gates to rave reviews and adoring fans, an old-fashioned ballpark with modern amenities that became a template for architecture, design and urban revival.
In the end, a perfect beginning.
The ballpark was far from finished. A month before Opening Day, whole sections didn’t have seats. From Eutaw Street to Home Plate Plaza, it seemed there was too much work, not enough time. Yet it all came together on a crisp, sunny day. The Orioles won. Rick Sutcliffe pitched a shutout. Fans were on their way home in two hours, two minutes.
As to its perpetual look, I think the fact that it touches so many baseball sacraments, so many traditional baseball elements, the irregularity, the intimacy, and those were things that would stand the test of time, and it has stood the test of time.
Larry Lucchino, former Orioles president
Deadline pressure
Finding the right brick, choosing a paint color, getting the grass to grow, raising and then lowering the net — a thousand decisions had to be made before the Orioles could play ball. Not all of those decisions were easy. And: Would the infield play too slow?
Opening Day meets Sine Die
The last day of the Maryland legislative session fell on Opening Day, which meant some brokenhearted season ticket holders would miss the ballpark’s debut. But the state police helped out one top aide to Gov. William Donald Schaefer who had been instrumental in getting the stadium bills passed.
[Gov. William Donald Schaefer] went up to his suite, and he looked around, and he didn't say a word. The door's open, you can go out, sit outdoors in front of the suite — a private little area. He went out there and sat down. So I went out and sat next to him. Next thing I noticed he was crying. The crowd’s coming in, stadium all illuminated, lights on and everything. He didn't say a word, and I didn't say a word, but I knew he was happy.
Bruce Hoffman, former Maryland Stadium Authority executive director
Take me out to the ballgame — without traffic
For months, engineers studied how to get people to and from the new ballpark — because what if Camden Yards was a hit but fans were annoyed by the trip to Baltimore? On Opening Day, everyone monitoring traffic held their breath.
Acing the opener
The Orioles signed Rick Sutcliffe to pitch the first game at Camden Yards. Not even food poisoning could keep him from starting – and finishing the job.
Opening Day Numbers
Traffic on the Camden Yards basepaths was one thing; planners looked to keep it off Baltimore's streets
By Laura Van Pate
PR campaign, downtown parking options, new light rail helped keep fans out of jams en route to new ballpark and back home again
In taking cues from past, Oriole Park set template for the future
By Trevor Gomes
'Retro-classic,' urban influences distinguish a new generation of ballparks, including ones in Pittsburgh, Minneapolis and San Diego
Hailed as an architectural gem, would Camden Yards buttress Baltimore’s downtown economy?
By Matt Cohen
Data shows that, 34 years in, nearby neighborhoods and businesses haven’t basked in ballpark’s glow
O’s mementos: Keepsakes keep Opening Day fresh
By Jack Wynn
A one-of-a-kind lineup card, programs, pins and key chains are among items showing up in memorabilia sales.
Jon Miller's Opening Day scorebook (Orioles)
Jon Miller's Opening Day scorebook (Cleveland)
First Game Program (Exhibition vs. Mets)
Inside the story
On the first time the team saw Camden Yards
“They went through the tunnel from the clubhouse to get to look at the field. The lights were on, and there was a big warehouse out in right field. That's the first thing you notice, is this beautiful ballpark and this huge brick warehouse, which was a relic of the 19th century. And which was a key to the architecture of Camden Yards. But everybody was looking at that like, 'Wow, this place is unbelievable.'”
Jon Miller, former Orioles broadcaster
On Oriole Park’s legacy
“When Camden Yards opened, it was the baseball marvel, and it became the template for every other baseball stadium built since then. It opened everybody's eyes to the idea that you could build in a downtown area. A stadium could attract people from the suburbs to come to the downtown area, and so it did revolutionize baseball in many ways and we're still benefiting from it.”
David Rubenstein, current Orioles owner
On Opening Day 1992
“The Orioles allowed some of the workers to participate in the opening ceremony. I literally hand-picked all 50 people and swore them to secrecy. I had laborers, I had supervisors, I had all the different trades there. They were able to bring either their dads or their son — they were just so excited to participate in something like that that they would never be able to do again. They all got called out there and then were holding the ribbon to cut open. The ceremony was one of my highlights of that day.”
Kim McCalla, former Orioles project coordinator
Cal Ripken Jr. and Orioles teammates take their positions for the first time at Camden Yards.
Left to right, Orioles President Larry Lucchino, Gov. William Donald Schaefer and Maryland Stadium Authority Chairman Herb Belgrad prepare to cut the ribbon on Opening Day.
A sellout crowd looks on at pregame ceremonies on Opening Day.
President Larry Lucchino is joined by Orioles players and coaches before the first pitch at Camden Yards.
I don't think I could have completely understood the impact it would have on the community, the way the sports community viewed Baltimore. To me, that's one of the lasting impacts: Camden Yards — Baltimore. If you're an American, and you know anything about baseball, you're familiar with Camden Yards.
Mark Wasserman, former chief of staff to Gov. William Donald Schaefer
Flashback: Opening Day at a new address
It was one of the fastest Opening Day games on record — nine innings in a shade over two hours. Orioles fans went home happy.
Modernizing the retro ballpark
Even Camden Yards, praised at its opening as a marvel of architecture and design, needs regular updating. Over the years, sculptures have been added outside the park and new fan amenities have been added inside. For the 2026 season, fans will see a giant new scoreboard, and members of a new club will sit in luxury seats above home plate.
2011: Handicapped lifts replaced throughout park
2011: Batting and pitching cages renovated
2012: Orioles Legends Park, with statues of six all-time greats, unveiled beyond bullpens
2012: Out-of-town scoreboard renovated, with more modern technology
2012: Concession stands upgraded
2013: Countdown clocks installed, to comply with MLB’s new pace-of-play rules
2013: Real dirt replaced synthetic material on warning track
2013: Visiting clubhouse renovated
2014: Replay room installed to comply with new MLB technology and requirements
2016: Energy-efficient LED lighting added to improve visibility on field
2019: Distributed Antenna Systems (DAS) and stadiumwide Wi-Fi added to improve internet and mobile access for fans and staff
2022: Left-field wall moved out to 384-398 feet, to make ballpark more friendly to pitchers
2023: Decorative lighting added throughout park
2024: Locker room and offices added for female coaches and umpires
2025: Left-field wall moved in to 374-376 feet, to find fair balance for hitters and pitchers
2025: LED lighting added atop dugouts
2026: New main video screen, 2½ times larger than old video board, added
2026: New LED ribbon boards installed along upper deck and club level facings
2026: New sound system added
2026: Home Plate Club, with 380 seats, added on club level behind plate, necessitating shift of main press box toward third base
Over the years: Stainless steel sculptures added outside ballpark to honor Orioles greats whose uniform numbers have been retired
Cast of characters
In this act.
PAUL ZWASKA
Former Orioles groundskeeper
ROY SOMMERHOF
Former Orioles director of stadium operations
WILLIAM DONALD SCHAEFER
Former Baltimore mayor; former Maryland governor
BRUCE HOFFMAN
Former Maryland Stadium Authority executive director
BEN MCDONALD
Former Orioles pitcher; Orioles TV color analyst
HERB BELGRAD
Former Maryland Stadium Authority chairman
JANET MARIE SMITH
Former Orioles VP of planning and development
JON MILLER
Former Orioles play-by-play broadcaster; Major League Baseball announcer
ALISON ASTI
Former Maryland Stadium Authority lawyer, former judge
KIM MCCALLA
Former Maryland Stadium Authority project director; Morgan State University executive
DAVID ASHTON
Graphic designer
RICK SUTCLIFFE
Former Orioles pitcher; ESPN baseball color analyst
JOE ORSULAK
Former Orioles outfielder
ROBERT FLANAGAN
Former Orioles secretary and treasurer
LARRY LUCCHINO
Former president of Orioles, Padres and Red Sox
KURT L. SCHMOKE
Former Baltimore mayor; University of Baltimore president
ROBERT WYATT
Former Barton Malow construction company senior VP
ALAN RIFKIN
Former chief legislative aide to Gov. William Donald Schaefer
MARK WASSERMAN
Former chief aide to Baltimore Mayor and Gov. William Donald Schaefer
FRANK KELLY JR.
Former Maryland state senator, Baltimore County
DAVID IANNUCCI
Former chief legislative officer to Gov. William Donald Schaefer
SAMUEL I. “SANDY” ROSENBERG
Maryland House of Delegates member from Baltimore City
BOB AYLWARD
Former Orioles VP of business affairs
DAVID CHAPIN
Former Maryland Transportation Department official
DAVID WALLACE
Former partner at RK&K planners
SANDY HILLMAN
Communications specialist
BILL REUTER AND SHARON REUTER
Camden Yards neighbors
PREVIOUS: New home, old charm
A ballpark would be built in downtown Baltimore. Facing time and monetary constraints, planners fought to make it feel both fresh and as if it had been in the neighborhood for generations.