There weren’t many bright spots in the Baltimore Orioles’ just-completed season … from the 108 losses to setting the single-season record for home runs allowed to a third consecutive last-place finish in the AL East.
The Orioles also had the lowest attendance in the 28-year history of Oriole Park at Camden Yards, averaging a little more than 16,000 fans per game.
It hasn’t been easy to be an Orioles fan lately, but some of the season-ticket holders who maintained their fandom despite all the negatives are being rewarded for their patience … in a decidedly retro way.
With handwritten thank-you notes.
Orioles director of public relations Kristen Hudak tells The Athletic she first ran the idea past team officials and veteran first baseman Chris Davis before she decided to hand out the note cards to the players.
All she asked was that they write a short message to a randomly chosen season-ticket holder and thank the person for his or her support.
“I wasn’t sure what the reaction would be. The guys that I spoke to about it were immediately supportive,” she told The Athletic. “I saw many of them sit down and start writing right away. It felt like they had something on their minds or something they wanted to say and that was an opportunity for them to do it in a heartfelt way.”
Hudak said the notes from the players, as well as manager Brandon Hyde and general manager Mike Elias, were all unique. One example, from pitcher Dillon Tate:
“Larry, I appreciate your support in being a season ticketholder. As you probably have seen, there is work to be done. Something I’ve learned this year is that one’s outlook on any given situation has a lot to do with the result. I’m confident that things will improve. Progress is progress, no matter how little. The O’s are moving in the right direction! Thank you for your continuous support. Go O’s! Dillon Tate 55.”
Roughly 25 to 30 of the cards, bearing the distinctive Oriole bird logo, were mailed this week and should be arriving in mailboxes soon.