Peter G. Angelos, longtime proprietor of the Baltimore Orioles who died Saturday after a protracted sickness on the age of 94, was remembered by buddies, colleagues and associates for his many contributions to town, its civic and political life. A robust lawyer, Angelos made his fortune representing asbestos and tobacco victims.
His early profession included serving one time period on the Baltimore Metropolis Council, In 1967, he ran for mayor and was defeated by Thomas D’Alexandro III. Angelos would then flip his consideration to representing hundreds of asbestos victims. As he bought richer, he turned a strong participant and donor in state and nationwide Democratic politics.
“He’s in a league with only a few folks as a steward of Baltimore Metropolis and somebody who cared deeply about the way forward for Baltimore,” stated John Pica, a former state senator and lawyer who labored for Angelos’ legislation agency.
Longtime Orioles catcher and broadcaster Rick Dempsey, who was named 1983 World Collection Most Worthwhile Participant, says, “Peter needed to win, there’s little question about that.”
Dempsey says Angelos employed him to turn into a part of the Orioles broadcast crew. Earlier than that, he served as an Orioles coach. “I interviewed 4 instances to turn into the supervisor and was provided the job twice and later rescinded the supply.” However Dempsey says he has no laborious emotions.
“When he was youthful, he used to field, and it takes numerous confidence to do this kind of factor. That was his sport, and his character carried over into his legislation follow. He was a union man, he was very good and hard and never somebody who anybody needed to mess with,” Dempsey stated.
Angelos was considered one of solely two baseball house owners to vote towards utilizing substitute gamers to interchange Main League gamers who went on strike in August, 1994.
Retired Baltimore Solar sports activities columnist Jim Henneman, who lined the Orioles, says: “His greatest contribution regionally was when he stood as much as the house owners and gamers who have been union folks. He was towards the strike, however he was adamant that he wouldn’t rent alternative gamers and put Cal Ripken’s consecutive recreation streak in jeopardy. That won’t have been the most important motive, however he was not going to make use of substitute gamers to start out the 1995 season.”
Alan M. Rifkin, a Baltimore legal professional who represents the Orioles and the Mid-Atlantic Sports activities Community (MASN), says “Peter was an enormous of a person who stood as much as those that most wanted his energy of conviction and brave authorized abilities to search out justice.
“In my thoughts he single handily saved the Orioles franchise for Baltimore. Not solely did he step up and purchase the crew through the Eli Jacobs chapter continuing thus guaranteeing native possession, however he fought lengthy and laborious to make the very best out of the implications of MLB inserting one other baseball crew into the area,” stated Rifkin. “And, he was one of the vital beneficiant and philanthropic folks within the metropolis and state. With out fanfare, he quietly supported numerous civic and cultural establishments. Not for the acclaim. He didn’t need or want that. However for the truth that it made our communities higher.”
In late 1993, Angelos assembled a bunch of distinguished native buyers, which included best-selling creator Tom Clancy, tennis nice Pam Shriver, and ABC Sports activities broadcaster Jim McKay.
On Opening Day of the 1994 season, Angelos threw the ceremonial first pitch earlier than the sport. He instructed reporters that day “We’re more than happy that we now have Maryland possession of the ball membership, and naturally with the fan assist that this crew will get, we’re additionally delighted that we are able to enhance the crew to the extent that we now have.”
Then-Gov. William Donald Schaefer (D), who joined Angelos on the sector that day, instructed reporters: “When he instructed me he was going to purchase the membership, I stated you possibly can’t, it’s too late. He [Angelos] stated, ‘I’m going to purchase the membership, don’t fear about it.’ And I stated ‘why do you wish to do this? You’ve bought the whole lot on this planet.’ And he stated ‘native possession. We should always have anyone from Baltimore personal the crew.”
“Individuals neglect, however he had the best payroll within the recreation on the time. It wasn’t sufficient to win the whole lot but it surely wasn’t for the dearth of spending cash.” He by no means bought to the massive dance [World Series] but it surely definitely wasn’t for a scarcity of effort,” Henneman stated.
Longtime Baltimore sportscaster Tom Davis stated, “Peter Angelos made cash as a litigator and he reinvested that cash in Baltimore to be sure that the Orioles stayed right here perpetually. He took it upon himself to spend and construct a winner. He didn’t at all times get the top outcome on the taking part in subject, however the Orioles turned the primary crew in 1998 to have a $100 million payroll.”
Sports activities broadcaster and historian Phil Wooden recalled: “When he purchased the membership, he was motivated by the truth that he was a Baltimorean. You had different folks bidding for the crew, who weren’t from Baltimore, there was this sense that he was someway saving the crew from leaving, however in fact, the Orioles had a long run lease that prevented them from leaving. He didn’t actually save the crew.”
Wooden added: Angelos “fell into the identical lure that many rich folks do this purchase skilled sports activities groups. It didn’t take him lengthy to look into the mirror and see a sportsman. I don’t assume there was an actual payoff. I believe his legacy will probably be as a man who meant nicely however by no means may win the massive one.”