If you're a fan of Maryland sports, the Sports Legends Museum at Camden Yards is your heaven. Located downtown next to Oriole Park, the Sports Legends Museum itself is actually inside the historic Camden Station, where the first blood of the Civil War was shed when Union troops clashed with angry Southern sympathizers. Abraham Lincoln even passed through the building on several occasions -- once on his way to Gettysburg. But enough about the history of anything other than sports.
The Sports Legends Museum at Camden Yards opened to the public on May 14, 2005, after preservation and reconstruction efforts. It is a place every Hopkins student should visit before they graduate. Authentic sports artifacts, visual and audio media and eye-catching displays representing the past and present of Maryland sports make the museum a must-see attraction.
When the tour begins, you seem to enter a B&O railroad passenger car, with windows as television screens giving the illusion of being in a moving train, taking you into the past. You "get off" at the rear of the train in the early 20th century, and see the legacy of Babe Ruth, who was born in Baltimore and whose birthplace is a second museum near the Sports Legends Museum.
The exhibit recreates Ruth's early years before and after his famous (or infamous) trade from the Boston Red Sox and the New York Yankees.
Next, the museum explores the milestones of Orioles baseball history, including the fire that burned down Old Oriole Park in 1944, the establishment of the Orioles as a major league team in 1954, and their World Championship wins in '66, `70 and '83. There are tributes to the Oriole greats such as Eddie Murray and his 500 home runs, and Iron Man Cal Ripken Jr.'s 2,131-consecutive-game streak. The actual numbers from The Streak, which had hung on the warehouse, now hang on the museum's wall. The Orioles section features other classic Oriole heroes from the past like Frank Robinson, Jim Palmer, Earl Weaver and Brooks Robinson, alongside current "Camden Heroes" like Melvin Mora, Miguel Tejada and Brian Roberts.
After seeing a beautiful arrangement of glass cases for members of the Orioles Hall of Fame and Major League Baseball Hall of Fame, you descend the stairs to the basement of the museum and find displays that pay homage to Baltimore's two Negro League teams: the Black Sox and Elite Giants. The set-up is a replica of the Elite Giant's bus, where players spent hours upon hours traveling to play other teams.
Black-and-white photos and baseball field models demonstrate the successful history of their two teams; the Black Sox won American Negro League Championship in 1929 and the Elite Giants won Negro National League titles in `39, `42 and `49.
Moving on from the history of Negro League Baseball in Baltimore, the museum briefly covers Amateur and Minor League Baseball in Maryland, especially teams that are part of the Orioles Farm system, both past and present.
Then there was a showcase for the Baltimore Blast, Baltimore's indoor soccer team, who were Major Indoor Soccer League Champions during the 2002-'03, `03-'04, and `05-'06 seasons. The most exciting part was the projected image of a soccer field (which was the size of a standard work desk) from the ceiling onto the floor where you could kick around a virtual soccer ball.
Although it might be tough to pull yourself away from playing the game, there's still a little less
playing the game, there's still a little less than half the museum to see, including models of the Ravens' M & T Bank Stadium and Oriole Park at Camden Yards. As you view each stadium, announcer recordings from actual games are played, creating the sensation that you are a giant witnessing a Ravens or Orioles game in progress. Accompanying the Maryland Stadiums, Ballparks and Arenas exhibit is the bathroom, which is identical to the ones you would find at these two stadiums. Other sports facilities are represented with a light-up map of the whole state and of the Baltimore area, including Hopkins' own Homewood Field.
The museum transitions into a showcase for local college sports teams. The vast majority of the space is dedicated to the University of Maryland Terrapins, especially their football and basketball teams. All Maryland colleges' athletic feats are shared, including Hopkins men's lacrosse teams' undefeated season and championship win in 2005.
The last area in the basement before you continue upstairs to the main level is for other miscellaneous Maryland sports achievements, excluding professional football. Another fun, interactive game is featured in this exhibit, where you "step into the crease" and stand in front of a lacrosse goal in order to "block" virtual shots. A model horse to sit on signifies the importance of horse racing and the Preakness in Maryland, while world-famous swimmer Michael Phelps- -- (who won six gold medals and two bronze medals at the 2004 Summer Olympics) and hails from Towson, Maryland -- is also honored.
Back upstairs, the Sports Legends Museum saves the Colts, Johnny Unitas and the Ravens for last. Appearing in the Colts exhibit are game footballs from the 1958, 1959, and 1970 league championships and the 1971 Super Bowl trophy.
Life-size models of the much-loved Colts marching band, game jerseys, classic team photos, Hall of Fame paintings and vintage videos from key moments in Colts history communicate the adoration Baltimore felt for its football team and the heartbreak felt when in March 1984 they secretly relocated to Indianapolis in the middle of the night.
Johnny Unitas, called the greatest quarterback ever, has a special place in Colts history and an impressive place in the museum. In addition, to the collection of game-used equipment, photographs, trophies and awards, the bedstead he was born in can be seen behind glass.
Lastly, just prior to ending at the museum's gift shop, you find purple abound for Ravens football. The short yet glorious history of the Ravens (including their 2000 run to victory in Super Bowl XXXV) is documented and celebrated through video and written profiles of players such as Ray Lewis, Jamal Lewis, Steve McNair, Matt Stover and Ed Reed and coach Brian Billick.
The Sports Legends Museum at Camden Yards effectively chronicles over a century's worth of achievements in Maryland sports. If you visit, you can relive history that dates back from decades ago, as well as from as recent as last year, so all sports fans should go, not just fans of Maryland sports teams.
Admission is $10 for adults, $8 for seniors and $6.50 for kids aged 3-12, while if you purchase tickets for both the Sports Legends Museum at Camden Yards and Babe Ruth Birthplace Museum, you receive a discounted combination offer.
