• Loading stock data...
Tuesday, April 29, 2025

Low-Budget Orioles Sit Atop Standings Without Long-Term Stadium Plan

  • Club’s player development plan serves as counterpoint to high-spending, disappointing Mets
  • Local politicians grow increasingly frustrated with lack of completed lease extension
Mitch Stringer-USA TODAY Sports

Life for the Baltimore Orioles is as good as it’s been in nearly a decade. The upstart team’s long-term future, however, remains a source of rising local frustration.

Despite fielding MLB’s third-smallest payroll at just $70.8 million, the Orioles have the American League’s top record, the product of a multiyear roster development plan that has served as a counterpoint to the high-spending but highly disappointing New York Mets.

The city of Baltimore, unsurprisingly, has responded to the Orioles’ surge. A recent weekend series against the New York Yankees drew 114,816, the team’s best three-game draw since 2016 and part of a 29% overall boost at the gate this season — the fifth-best percentage growth in MLB.

This week’s Orioles job fair for various Camden Yards-related positions also drew more than 550 applicants for 160 positions, nearly doubling the normal peak turnout for such events.

But to the increasing vexation of state and city political leaders, the John Angelos-led team still hasn’t completed a long-discussed lease extension for the publicly owned Camden Yards to succeed the current term, which expires this year. The talks have included a broad plan to “expand and revitalize the Camden Yards campus.”

A completed deal would also allow the Orioles to access $600 million in public funds for the development, similar to provisions available to the neighboring Baltimore Ravens.

“I remain perplexed why a lease hasn’t been executed already,” said Maryland Stadium Authority board member William Cole, echoing similar comments last month by state treasurer Dereck Davis, who said, “It’s time to start putting timelines out there so we can get this damn thing done.”

Asked about the issue on Wednesday, Baltimore mayor Brandon Scott referenced Jay-Z: “I have 99 problems — and the Orioles are not one of them.”

Linkedin
Whatsapp
Copy Link
Link Copied
Link Copied

What to Read

London’s Big Sports Play: From NFL Games to Olympic Dreams

The English capital says it has already generated sizable returns from sports.

Shedeur Sanders Prank Call Was Made by Son of Falcons DC Jeff..

Jax Ulbrich located Shedeur Sanders’s draft phone number on an open iPad.

Wrexham Promotion Has ‘Mind-Blowing’ Financial Implications

Both revenues and expenses will rise considerably for the newly promoted club.

The Rays Groundskeepers Are Adjusting to Life Outside the Dome

After nearly three decades in a dome, Tampa groundskeepers were forced outside.

Featured Today

Jun 21, 2024; Boston, MA, USA; Boston Celtics majority owner Wyc Grousbeck holds the Larry O’Brien trophy prior to the Boston Celtics championship parade.

The Celtics Succession Plan Remains Murky

The transfer of power to a private-equity group is still unresolved.
April 25, 2025

The Former NBA Agent Who Became a Pickleball Deputy Commissioner

Chris Patrick went from representing Jimmy Butler to pickleball deputy commissioner.
Apr 5, 2025; San Antonio, TX, USA; Duke Blue Devils forward Cooper Flagg (2) reacts after a three point basket against the Houston Cougars during the first half in the semifinals of the men's Final Four of the 2025 NCAA Tournament at the Alamodome.
April 21, 2025

Cooper Flagg’s Timing Is Perfect for the NBA and USA Basketball

The projected No. 1 pick just declared for the draft.
Apr 14, 2025; New York, New York, USA; Paige Bueckers is interviewed by ESPN after being selected with the number one overall pick to the Dallas Wings in the 2025 WNBA Draft at The Shed at Hudson Yards
April 21, 2025

ESPN’s WNBA Coverage Mirrors the League’s Stunning Growth

“I don’t think we stand still in our coverage of women’s sports,” says Rowe.
Apr 27, 2025; Milwaukee, Wisconsin, USA; Milwaukee Bucks guard Damian Lillard (0) looks on in the first quarter during game four against the Indiana Pacers of first round for the 2024 NBA Playoffs at Fiserv Forum. Lillard left the game early in the in the first quarter with an injury.

Bucks Face Grim Future After Damian Lillard Tears Achilles

The Bucks star guard is likely out for all of next season while making $54 million.
April 27, 2025

After Adding Shedeur Sanders, Browns Have 5 QBs, Steep Bill

Cleveland currently has four healthy signal-callers, and DeShaun Watson rehabbing.
April 28, 2025

Josh Harris Delivers the D.C. Stadium Dan Snyder Couldn’t

A 65,000-seat District stadium is targeted to open in 2030.
Sponsored

Fighting for Clarity: Inside UFC’s New Partnership With Total Wireless

UFC teams with Total Wireless in a no-frills partnership built for today’s mobile-first, value-driven fanbase.
April 26, 2025

Young GM’s Bold Draft Reshapes the Jaguars and Shakes Up the NFL

James Gladstone pulled the trigger on the Draft’s biggest move.
April 26, 2025

Wrexham Rises: From Fifth Tier to Brink of the Premier League

It’s now just one tier below the Premier League.
Apr 14, 2025; Tampa, Florida, USA; a general view of the stadium during a game between the Tampa Bay Rays and the Boston Red Sox at George M. Steinbrenner Field.
April 23, 2025

Rays See Sharp Attendance Drop in Temporary Home Amid Uncertainty

Some amenities are praised, but home attendance drops at the temporary site.
Nico Harrison
April 21, 2025

Nico Harrison Says Luka Trade Backlash Surprised Him

The Mavericks GM spoke about the trade—in front of cameras—Monday.