Relocation could be coming back to Major League Baseball soon. The Tampa Bay Rays and Oakland A’s stadium situations are up in the air, and as their leases end soon, they could depart for greener pastures and a new ballpark. The Baltimore Orioles, meanwhile, appeared entrenched in Camden Yards, where their ballpark had ended the trend of cookie cutter stadiums.
But that may not be the case. According to a lawsuit filed by Louis Angelos, son of Peter Angelos and brother of Orioles CEO John Angelos, his brother is looking to move the team to Nashville.
Baltimore Orioles say they are not leaving town
Naturally, the Orioles are saying that is not the case. They reiterated their plans to remain in Baltimore and that “the Orioles will never leave.”
Statement from Orioles Chairman and CEO John Angelos: pic.twitter.com/A1lqCcRRBm
— Baltimore Orioles (@Orioles) June 13, 2022
The Nashville rumors do, on the surface, make some sense. John Angelos has a home near there, and his wife’s career is in Nashville. A group of investors, fronted by former A’s pitcher Dave Stewart, are looking to either bring a team to the city via relocation or as an expansion franchise. Nashville has been making a major push for a major league team.
And that dream may eventually come to pass. It just will not be with the Orioles. The issues facing other teams potentially looking to relocate are not there, especially after the state passed legislation that will pump another $1.2 billion into renovations into the ballpark and surrounding area.
Now it is on ownership. It is one thing to say that they are rooted to a city and are looking forward to being a part of the future. It is another to actually put a product on the diamond that people want to see. If the Orioles are truly staying in Baltimore, then it is time to put that same commitment into the product on the diamond.
Despite allegations to the contrary, the Baltimore Orioles are not going anywhere. They have continued to reiterate their commitment to the area.