Steve Davis: Birds' Billboard Backlash
There's been a fair amount of chatter about the Orioles billboard on 295 less than 7 miles from the Nationals Park.
Big deal.
The Nats could do the same, and it may be perceived as a slap in the face, but it's their money. My guess is the Orioles are more wisely spending their money advertising in DC than if the Nats reciprocated in the Baltimore market.
WASHINGTON (CBSDC) A Baltimore Orioles billboard — featuring Adam Jones, Chris Davis and Manny Machado — has been strategically placed along I-295 in Maryland just before the Washington, D.C. border.
Why? Because there are plenty of people that great up in the DC metro area as Orioles fans. Remember, they didn't have a team in DC for almost 35 years. A whole generation of people growing up in the 70's, 80's and 90's grew up as O's fans. Does anyone think they just dropped their affinity and love for the Orioles when the Expos moved to DC? Come on.
Hey, look around Baltimore. There are plenty of Steelers fans here that aren't just transplants from Pittsburgh. They became Steelers fans when the Colts left. Plenty of them didn't dump the Steelers when the Browns came to Baltimore. In fact, think about it. They hated Art Modell's Browns, so why would they like Art Modell's Ravens?
It is great talk show fodder, but the billboard is also good business for the Birds. And it's not like Washington is this incredible sports town. The Redskins were a model franchise, but they have stunk for a long time. Since 1992, they have won 2 playoff games and missed the playoffs 17 out of 21 seasons. The Caps and Wizards have made the playoffs in the same season just once since 1988. And when you consider that it is harder to make the playoffs than miss the playoffs in the NBA and NHL, that is pretty telling. As far as baseball, there isn't exactly a rich history there. Prior to the Senators leaving, the last World Series for DC was 1924.
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