It’s April 15, 1996, and it’s an off day so everyone is talking about how great the vibes are for the first-place, 9-2 Orioles.

“You’ve got a good bunch of guys here,” said second baseman Roberto Alomar. “There’s a good atmosphere in the clubhouse. … I enjoy everything about [this team]. Good defense, good offense, great bullpen, good starting pitching. Good guys.” Awwww. (Baltimore Sun, p. 8E, April 16, 1996)

“The atmosphere and attitude here is very professional,” said shortstop Cal Ripken, Jr. “[The team] has assembled a good group of players.” Yayyyy.

“There are real professional guys on this team, the way they handle things and go about their business,” said pitching coach Pat Dobson. They come to play and they play hard. There aren’t any petty jealousies or that kind of thing.”

Also, Brady Anderson was named American League Player of the Week after hitting .500 with three home runs and driving in six runs.

Man, things are good when you’re 9-2.

Anyway, the defending division champions — and currently last place — Boston Red Sox are coming to town tomorrow. Never augmented fitness king Roger Clemens will be on the mound. Another test awaits!

No game today so the wall stays looking mighty strong.

Boston Red Sox (2-10) at Baltimore Orioles (9-2), 7:35 p.m. ET

Starting Pitchers
BOS – RHP Roger Clemens, 0-2, 3.00 ERA
BAL – LHP David Wells, 1-0, 1.80 ERA

More than 50 years after it ended, World War II continues to play a role in geopolitics. On the front page today is a wire report about how the U.S. military is giving back to Okinawa about 20% of the island property it uses for training. Hardly any American troops will be withdrawn, though.

It’s the biggest land return since 1972, when the U.S. gave up control of the it captured during WWII. 

Defense Secretary William J. Perry — no relation to William “The Refrigerator” Perry, who we discussed in this space the other day — said have no fear, the U.S. is still here.

“We have in no way backed off from our view that the U.S. military presence … in Japan, in Okinawa, is critical to security in the region,” he said. Only a few hundred of the roughly 28,000 troops on Okinawa will be shifted elsewhere. (Baltimore Sun, p. 1A, April 15, 1996)

To this day, U.S. bases take up 25% of Okinawa. Japan pays $1.4 billion annually for the bases, and Okinawans are split over whether the bases are worth the burden. That article was from 2025, and it’s possible they are even less jazzed about it now.

Welcome to a recurring segment where I find fun things in today’s (in 1996) Baltimore Sun!

As you can see here, gas prices were also soaring in 1996.