Wild!
Any admirer of Davy Crockett, Jeremiah Johnson, William Wallace, General Maximus Decimus Meridius, Robert Bruce Grupp, or some other wild man of great fortitude would also appreciate Wild Bill Hagy. Wild Bill was a rough and ragged, big gut bulging, tank top wearing, sunglass rocking, and a straw cowboy hat blazen manly man. Cab Driver by day, Baltimore cheer roar warrior by night. He was General Wild William Hagy, leader of the roar from 34.
Humble Fan - National Fame
Hagy is said to symbolize the term "Orioles Magic" as his cheers sometimes led to comeback victories for the O's. Eventually the team recognized his enthusiasm and let him do his Orioles cheers from atop the dugout. Hagy's fame led him to meet Presidents such as Jimmy Carter and Ronald Reagan, and to get write-ups in The New York Times. For many Orioles fans he is closely associated with the Orioles and their victory in the 1983 World Series (source: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wild_Bill_Hagy)
THE TRADITION
One of Wild Bills greatest achievements was the development and passing on of a famous Baltimore Tradition. Heavily noticed at local sporting events is the emphasizing and yelling of “O” by most of the fans in attendance during the pre game singing of the National Anthem. (“Oh” , say does that star spangled banner yet wave). As noticed throughout members of my family, the pronunciation of the vowel “O” is also a stand-out aspect of the Baltimorean accent. Aside from the Baltimore O’s and the O so beautiful Baltimore O accent, "The Star-Spangled Banner" has special meaning to Baltimore historically, as it was written during the Battle of Baltimore in the War of 1812. As a patriotic song, it signifies American freedoms; including, presumably, the freedom to shout "O!" (wikipedia.org/Wild_Bill_Hagy).
The Tradition Lives On
Wild Bill departed from this world on August 20, 2007, but General Wild William Hagy’s “O” battle cry lives on. Wild Bill lives on as one of the most eccentric amazing leaders and representative of the Baltimore Professional Sports Scene. Don’t let his beer belly fool you, Wild Bill was Strictly Athletic. Let’s Go O-R-I-O-L-E-S!!! The season begins on Friday vs. the Tampa Bay Devil Rays.
HECK OF A SEASON ON THE WAY FOLKS!!!
If the section on Wild Bill didn't fire you up then read over a couple statements taken from the Men's Journal coming from Orioles Manager Buck Showalter on a couple of his AL east division rivals...
On the Boston Redsox General Manager Theo Epstein...
“I’d like to see how smart Theo Epstein is with the Tampa Bay payroll. You got Carl Crawford ’cause you paid more than anyone else, and that’s what makes you smarter? That’s why I like whipping their asses: It’s great, knowing those guys with the $205 million payroll are saying, ‘How the hell are they beating us?"
On the New York Yankees Shortstop Derek Jeter...
After instilling a healthy fear of God in them, he told them to stop playing scared. Don’t give the other team that much credit: Screw the Yankees, screw the Red Sox, he said. “The first time we went to Yankee Stadium, I screamed at Derek Jeter from the dugout. Our young guys are thinking, ‘Wow, he’s screaming at Derek Jeter’ — well, he’s always jumping back from balls just off the plate. I know how many calls that team gets — and yes, he pisses me off.”
Earl Weaver
Buck Showalter is making his mark and motivating his team to victory. One of the most memorable coaches an Orioles history, Earl Weaver, also had a gift for firing his team up.
ORIOLES MAGIG!!!!
Something magic happens, everytime you go
You make the magic happen, the magic of Orioles’ Baseball!
When the game is close, and the O’s are hot
There’s a thundering roar from 34 to give it all they’ve got
And you never know who’s gonna hear the call
Every game there’s a different star
That’s the magic of Orioles’ Baseball!
Orioles Magic! Feel it happen!
Orioles Magic! Feel it happen!
O - R - I - O - L - E - S !
Magic! Magic! Magic! Magic!
Something magic happens, everytime you go
You make the magic happen, the magic of Orioles’ Baseball!
When Weaver moves and we score the runs
Nothing could be more exciting
Nothing could be more fun!
There’s a love affair between you and the team
You’re the reason we win when we win
And you know what the magic means!
Orioles Magic! Feel it happen!
Orioles Magic! Feel it happen!
Orioles Magic! Feel it happen!
Orioles Magic! Feel it happen!
O - R - I - O - L - E - S !
Magic! Magic! Magic! Magic!
Orioles Magic! Feel it happen!
Magic! Magic! Magic! Magic!
Something magic happens….
LETS GET THE MAGIC BREWING!!!
FEAR THE BIRD!!!!
Blog Dedication:
(This blog is dedicated to all those people who lead, inspire, enliven, and brighten the lives of others like some of the fine young men and women who contribute to the blog writings on the B-W Blogway and Justin who recently celebrated his 26th birthday, but especially WILD BILL HAGY!!!)
