We Won't Stop: Orioles Fans Cheer On AL East Champs Ahead Of Playoffs
BALTIMORE (WJZ)-- Orioles fever is in full swing. Hundreds gathered at Canton Crossing for an orange pep rally, a chance to celebrate the O's postseason berth and meet some of the players.
Rick Ritter has more on the excitement.
From Camden Yards to Canton Crossing, a sea of orange is sweeping through Baltimore. Orioles playoff baseball has finally arrived and O's fever is at an all-time high.
"I've seen my first Orioles game in 1944. How 'bout that?" said fan Nick Bassetti.
"We're going to the World Series," said fan Linda Bassetti.
Post-season play means big bucks for the city---and local business owners.
"I would put it somewhere along the lines from when the Ravens were in the Super Bowl," said Brian Snyder, who owns Bmore Around Town.
Geri Durham's Orioles gear can't stay on the shelves.
"They want to just be part of all the excitement," Durham said.
Tom Noonan with Visit Baltimore says economically, hotels felt the heat from O's fans all season.
"We not only saw it downtown like you'd expect and Harbor East, we saw it in White Marsh and Towson," Noonan said.
He says the playoffs will be on another level.
"I've had other communities tell me in the past they've seen economic impacts for each home game over a million dollars each," he said.
Bmore Around Town had hundreds fired up at the orange pep rally with an appearance from outfielder Adam Jones and food trucks serving up their playoff specials.
"More energy into the city, more people coming into the city," said Josh Gatewood.
One of the food trucks is Yankee Doodle Dandy's. They've got everything from chicken fingers to salads---and did I mention they drove all the way from New York just to get in on the Orioles' playoff excitement?
"Luckily, the Orioles made the playoffs and stuff like this happens, which helps pay the bills," said Josh Gatewood, the food truck's owner. "And there's a lot of bills."
Like Gatewood, fans aren't taking the chance of missing out on Baltimore's historical season.
"It's been a long time coming. We're finally going to the playoffs," one fan said.
So get your game face on. The city of Baltimore is just getting warmed up for what they hope is a magical October.
"I'll tell you what, this year, I think this team has something special going," Snyder said.
"We ain't seen a World Series since 1983. Go Orioles!" a fan said.
WJZ will continue to bring you complete coverage as Baltimore cheers on the Orioles—the American League East Champions—as they get ready to begin their playoff run. Let's go, O's!
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