Baltimore Orioles

Affectionately known by their fans as the O's and thethe shrieking of the "O" is disrespectful. But
Birds, the Baltimore Orioles are a major leagueBaltimoreans argue that, since Francis Scott Key
baseball team rooted in Baltimore, Maryland. They arewrote the Anthem in their harbor during the 1812 War,
owned by Peter Angelos, an attorney. They play in thethen they have a right to sing it however they want.
American League's Eastern Division.The tradition is also carried out at other sporting
The Orioles' history dates back to the year 1893 andevents throughout the region, particularly at home
the town of Milwaukee, Wisconsin, when the teamgames of the Maryland Terrapins and the Baltimore
began in the minor Western League. That minor leagueRavens. It is even yelled at home games of the
would become the major American League in theWashington Redskins. Some schools in the region
early 20th century, and the original Baltimore Orioles,have tried to ban the chanting when the Anthem is
who were in the National League, relocated around thisbeing sung, but to little effect.
time to New York, where they became the New YorkThis "O" chanting caused a storm of controversy in
Yankees. After a stint as the St. Louis Browns, the2005 when some fans started chanting at RFK
team would be moved again to Baltimore and becomeStadium during Washington Nationals games. A lot of
the present day Orioles in the early 1950s.people felt that the chant was not appropriate at RFK.
One popular tradition at Orioles games that dates backStill, a lot of Washingtonians are also fans of the
to the 1970s is the accenting of the letter "O" whenOrioles. After all, the Orioles were the closest team
singing the line "Oh, say does that…" from theafter the Senators were relocated. Still, by the time
Star Spangled Banner. The "oh" is accented by yellingsummer rolled around, the "O" chant was next to
out "O!" The pronunciation of this vowel alsononexistent.
distinguishes the Baltimorean accent. Some argue that