#Shortstops: A Most Lonesome Game

On the afternoon of April 29th, 2015, The Star-Spangled Banner played over the loud speakers at Camden Yards as the Baltimore Orioles and the Chicago White Sox prepared to square off in an American League game. But for the first time in major league history, no fans were in the stands to hear it.

In the wake of the Freddie Gray civil unrest in Baltimore, officials closed the game to the public, both for the safety of the fans and to allow Baltimore law enforcement to effectively focus its resources. The only individuals in attendance were the media, a small group of scouts and security. A vast span of empty seats sprawled across the stadium with nothing but the echoes of the lonely game to fill them.

Despite the desolate atmosphere, the traditions of the game persisted. Players were announced as they approached the batter’s box, music filled the stadium between innings and John Denver's “Thank God I'm a Country Boy” still played during the seventh inning stretch. But even though some of the game’s customs carried on, participants couldn’t help but notice how strange it all was.

For the White Sox, this was certainly true. The Orioles cruised to an easy 8 – 2 victory as their offense roughed up Chicago pitcher Jeff Samardzija, who hadn’t allowed a run in his last ten innings before the game. “In baseball, you have to be used to adjusting schedules and adjusting routines,” Samardzija said in a post-game interview. The unique game environment seemed to be too much for him to adapt to, though, as the Orioles batted around in the first, and Samardzija gave up a season high eight runs (seven earned) on the day.

But Samardzija’s uncharacteristic performance was far from the oddest part of the game. Because of the distinct silence, players on the field were able to hear nearly everything around them. After Chris Davis belted a home run that landed on Baltimore’s Eutaw Street, the public address announcer in the press box said that Davis' home run was the 80th in Camden Yards history to land on Eutaw Street and the first since Victor Martinez’s shot in 2014. As he was on the field, Orioles catcher Caleb Joseph caught the news. "I was in the middle of catching a pitch when I heard that, and I thought, 'Wow, that's pretty interesting.’ Good for that guy,’” said Joseph. “You don't normally hear that kind of stuff.”