David Rubenstein, the 859th richest man on planet Earth and the brand new majority proprietor of the Baltimore Orioles, sat within the left discipline seats at Camden Yards with an inflatable flamingo round his waist.
Pool floaties, the type usually worn by a toddler studying to swim, hugged every arm. On his head, diving goggles and an accompanying snorkel sat askew over an Orioles hat. Instead of his glasses had been an unlimited pair of ski umbrellas with vivid, navy blue lenses. The equipment had been layered over Rubenstein's typical uniform: a navy blue blazer, a white shirt and a black and orange striped tie.
The costume appeared in a 30-minute promotional video teasing Rubenstein's involvement in Camden Yards' Hen Bathtub Splash Zone. Part 86 is often patrolled by a person referred to as Mr. Splash, who douses followers with water at any time when the Orioles rating a run or extra-base hit. Rubenstein copied Mr. Splash's standard outfit—inflatable flamingo, goggles, snorkel, bucket hat—to announce that on Might 10, the $three.eight billion man will probably be manning the Splash Zone hose himself.
Sadly, on the day in query, final Friday, Rubenstein ditched the Mr. Splash go well with, opting as a substitute for a customized Metropolis Join T-shirt. Nonetheless, his theatrical presence within the Splash Zone was successful with followers. Earlier than the primary pitch, he walked by way of an Orioles banner like a highschool soccer participant and down the part steps to a hero's welcome. When Jordan Westburg's RBI single opened the scoring within the backside of the second, Rubenstein unleashed the water works.
Earlier Friday, Rubenstein gave an Orioles-themed graduation speech at American College's Kogod College of Enterprise in Washington, DC. Claws and obtained an honorary diploma from the college. A promotional video narrated by Rubenstein was additionally proven – through which Clawed and the Oriole walked round Camden Yards serving to one another with numerous duties.
The crossover might be seen as a small first step by the Orioles towards recapturing a portion of the fan base within the nation's capital. Earlier than the Nationals arrived in 2005, the Orioles had been Washington DC's group. Presidents and politicians would make the hour-long journey up I-95 to throw the primary pitches. Dozens of followers from the world, as far south as Richmond, Va., would additionally make the journey. That each one modified when the Nationals got here to city.
The Oriole flocking to a commencement ceremony received't single-handedly change hearts and minds, nevertheless it's a notable contact on the sector the Nats have dominated for the previous 18 years. And with the Orioles' current ascent within the discipline — an American League-best 101-win season final 12 months heading into Monday — there's cause to imagine extra Washingtonians will probably be heading to Camden quickly.
All collectively, the cheery movies, Oriole birding at AU, and Birdbath appearances are a part of a concerted technique by Rubenstein and his assist employees to make the brand new head honcho probably the most public, accessible , Main League Baseball's front-facing proprietor. The bar, particularly in Baltimore, is extremely low.
Rubenstein's predecessor, John Angelos, developed a well-earned popularity for being adversarial and out of contact with each the native media and fan base. As soon as, spurred by criticism of the microscopic payroll, he promised to open the franchise's books to the general public. That by no means occurred. On the uncommon events he spoke in public, jeers typically adopted. Even after the Angelos' 2018 hiring of basic supervisor Mike Elias, who oversaw Baltimore's rejuvenation into one among MLB's greatest groups, the proprietor's approval ranking remained extremely low.
Rubenstein, born and raised in Baltimore, took a wholly totally different strategy. Since assuming management of the membership simply earlier than Opening Day, the 74-year-old has utterly separated himself from the drudgery and misdirection of the earlier regime. Cynics may name it persistence, however being pampered is much better than being ignored.
Sports activities possession needs to be, above all else, about stewardship. It's a enterprise, sure, however too typically, franchises are seen as piggy banks for private revenue moderately than native establishments with immense public accountability. Rubenstein, at first, appears to know this dynamic.
He actually wouldn't have purchased the membership for a lot of, many tens of millions of if he didn't assume it could be worthwhile; one doesn’t grow to be the 859th richest particular person on the planet by making frivolous investments. However Rubenstein's causes for getting the Orioles transcend the monetary. It is a legacy builder for a person who clearly cares about such issues. It's a chance to revive the Orioles as a revered and beloved establishment in his hometown, an opportunity to go away behind one thing lasting and significant.
When the mud settles in a couple of many years, Rubenstein's legacy as an MLB proprietor will hinge on outcomes. Has it upgraded the facilities and services at Camden Yards? Did he pay for contract extensions for Baltimore's energized younger core? Did he spend sufficient in free company to fill out that core? Did he make the Orioles matter once more in Baltimore?
These questions will probably be answered in time. For now, the honeymoon part continues to be in growth. And most of all, it's clear that Rubenstein is having enjoyable — as most of us would if we had a baseball group.
Possibly that's what made his presence within the Hen Bathtub so refreshing.