Nick Markakis Should Get a Standing Ovation When He Makes His Return To Camden Yards Tonight

Nick Markakis was the cornerstone of the Orioles from 2006-2014. He was a good player on some very bad Baltimore teams, playing on only three teams above .500 during his tenure with the Birds. Regardless of the team record, Nick played his ass off every game. As a member of the Atlanta Braves, tonight he makes his return to Camden Yards. Him leaving really got me in the feels when it happened, as he was my favorite Oriole after it was clear Larry Bigbie wasn’t going anywhere.

He was great to watch as a member of the O’s, and everyone thought the club would work out a deal last season when he became a free agent. You know the rest, reports said that the O’s were close to a 4-year $40 million deal when an MRI showed a bulging disk in his neck. The O’s pulled their offer and he went to Atlanta. While it did suck to see him go, you understand it’s a business and the Orioles were doing what is best for the team. He is still a fan favorite around OPACY, you can’t go to a game without seeing tons of #21 jerseys.

While it was weird at first to see Nick wearing #22 in that blue and red for the Braves, most O’s fans have gotten used to it, and are over it. Not saying it won’t be weird to see him patrolling his old stomping grounds in his new uni. I fully expect a video tribute, and a huge standing ovation from the Oriole crowd tonight. The fans know how much Markakis meant to the club, and what a big part of the club he was. It sucks he couldn’t finish his career as an Oriole, but things happen. No doubt he’ll find himself int he Orioles Hall Of Fame once he retires.

While he isn’t having the best year power wise (1 HR, I bet he hits one this series too), he is up to his old tricks, batting .286 and posting an .368 OBP. Four years and $44 million would have been a lot to give to an aging right fielder, and I have a feeling fans would have complained about his lack of production. He was nothing but a class act when he was here, and I expect fans to show him the reaction he deserves.

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Welcome back Nick, now please tell Freddie and the rest of the guys to lay down and let the O’s sweep.