Two brothers who are die-hard Orioles fans had a discouraging experience at Camden Yards this weekend, and it had nothing to do with the first place team or its under-fire owner John Angelos.
The response of fellow fans, though, one famous broadcaster, the Os organization, and social media users has helped turn something deeply unpleasant into a teachable moment and an opportunity for community.
X (formerly known as Twitter) user @DerekFromBmore wrote a thread about what happened when he and his younger brother Shane attended a game over the weekend when the Os played the Mets.
Shane has Cerebral Palsy and uses a motorized wheelchair. Derek gave some background about events that have added to Shane’s struggles this summer. The Orioles are a respite for him, but before the game began, some fellow fans cast a pall over the evening for them with adolescent cruelty.
Derek admits to taking a more confrontational tone than he had wished, though he questions the parenting of kids who outwardly appear to have the privilege of attending a private school punching down at a man in a wheelchair. He clearly places no blame on the Orioles or employees of Camden Yards, but wanted to highlight that callous rudeness is never okay. Words matter.
He made the point that with all the talk about Orioles Park being located in a “big bad city,” it’s just as possible for bad actors to come from a place outside of that, from the “privileged surrounding counties.”
Derek emphasized again that he was not looking to disparage the Orioles or Camden Yards, but to hopefully prevent others in similar situations from having to be subjected to that kind of soul-crushing behavior. “This was my attempt to make something good of a bad situation,” he wrote.
Derek’s thread took off and got a lot of attention, which not only surprised him but caused him some discomfort. Ultimately, however, those on X offered him and particularly Shane a lot of love and support.
Former Orioles pitcher-turned-broadcaster Jim Palmer shared Derek’s thread, and many folks chimed in offering to get them some Os gear and show the brothers support in other ways.
Some employees at Camden Yards even offered to look out for them next time they attended a game.
Derek updated several times, saying that both Boys Latin school and the Orioles organization have reached out to him to support the brothers, though he clearly repeatedly states he wants nothing from the thread but to educate and reduce the chances Shane experiences that kind of cruel mockery again.
Both the school and the parents bear the responsibility of educating the young men who inflicted the verbal abuse on Shane, but it sounds like the community at large has come together to support the brothers who wanted nothing more than to enjoy an Os game at Camden Yards.
WHY on Earth would he turn down Jim Palmer’s offer to meet him? I get he’s trying to take the high road and didn’t want this kind of attention, but it’s also a once-in-a-lifetime moment that his brother, a huge O’s fan, would remember for the rest of his life–meeting the voice of the O’s broadcasts. That’s a gift and an opportunity–take it!
It sounds like he is very overwhelmed by this whole situation and being accused of faking it or bring attention to it to get stuff. Therefore in his mind turning down everything is the way to go. As the father of a special needs child, I might do the same thing, though I would maybe attempt to turn it into a charitable thing and arrange for the team to donate tickets and gear to local special needs organizations or get the team to host a special needs night.
I am SO SORRY, that this happened!!! This world has changed & for the most part; not for the better!! Just common manners are not being taught! Also “we” as a Nation have removed God from many places; starting with our schools!!! Thanks for sharing your story!!! I apologize on behalf of those who have not been taught common decency!! There’s so much more I would like to say; but for now I hope you & your brother get to watch the Orioles win the World Series!!! LET’S GO O’S!!!!!
It’s a damn shame that you and your brother had to endure this type of harrasment and bullying. I have an autistic grandson who is in his 2nd yr of elementary school and this has always been my greatest fear for him. He is the sweetest kid and it would break my heart if this ever happened to him. You should be proud of yourself and also your brother for how you handled the situation. Not sure I could have done the same. The world we live in nowadays can be very cruel. Keep your head up and be proud of who you are. You are better human beings than most other people.
Just go meet Cakes. Have some of his career numbers to talk about and next thing you know you may be in booth with him.