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1) This won't mean much to a lot of people, and by now the number of great humans taken from us in 2020 is so incalculable that you might almost think it's a rapture. But the news of the passing of former Orioles' PR chief Bob Brown is just devastating: https://www.baltimoresun.com/obituaries/bs-md-ob-bob-brown-20201228-5xy4v56aqvaepcaf5qouxki2oy-story.html
2) In 1982, the O's trailed Milwaukee by four games with four to play - at home, against the Brewers. If they somehow swept them, they'd force a one-game playoff on Monday. If they won that, it would mean the AL East title and very probably the greatest one-shot comeback ever.
3) The O's swept the Friday twinighter. My producer Phil Griffin and I were at the NFL Strike Talks in DC for CNN Sports when the O's won the third one Saturday afternoon. That's when Atlanta said "you need to be at Memorial Stadium tomorrow. Get credentials. Crew will meet you."
4) Phil calls the O's PR office. We're hoping we'll just get passes for the clubhouses. Bob Brown, whose season has gone from over to epic in 48 hours, who is already dealing with a media crush because Earl Weaver is retiring the next day, says "CNN? Oh yeah, I've heard of you.."
5) "We're packed, but we'll find a seat for you somewhere. How many you need? Six?" Phil says 'four.' Brown laughs. "4? That's easy. Just find me in the press box." We're stunned. We drive to Baltimore the next morning, our credentials await us, we go into the press box.
6) We introduce ourselves. "Welcome to Baltimore, guys! I got a spot for you. It does involve ladders but it's a good angle if you want to shoot game action." On this incredibly busy day he now WALKS us to an auxiliary football press box overhanging first base. "Best I can do."
7) "Now let's get some lunch. We loaded up on Crab for Earl's last game." Bob sits with us. He asks us about our backgrounds. I explain he once let me in to Spring Training in Miami when I was 19 and I was amazed by his hospitality then. "Our goal," he says matter-of-factly.
8) So this epic O's chance at history turns into...a blowout. Yount homers off Palmer in the 1st. And the 3rd. By the 8th it's 5-1. Phil says "we better go ask him if we can get on the field to shoot the Brewers when they celebrate." Bob is not only NOT offended - he has a plan.
9) "Well you can't sit in the stands, but let's go down there now and I'll get you on the field." Remember - he's still got Earl Weaver's farewell media thing to do. Bob Brown walks us to a gate in the front row of the boxes, nods at the usher, opens us, and walks 4 guys onto...
10) the field and says "sit here" and points to the space next to the home plate wall of the Orioles dugout. "Somebody use that stool. I'm sorry, the rest of you will have to sit on the field." The Brewers are scoring 5 in the ninth. "Are you good? Let me know if I can do more."
11) I had the presence of mind to say "Mr. Brown, other than letting us hit in the bottom of the 9th I can't imagine what." He laughed and left, reminding the usher and a cop that we were there per his instructions.
I've worked with many great PR people. This was Babe Ruth. #RIP
I've worked with many great PR people. This was Babe Ruth. #RIP
