Reflections on a diamond jubilee

George Weigel reflected on the demolition of Baltimore’s Memorial Stadium and its impact on local memory in an article for the Catholic Review. Comparing the ruins of the stadium to the biblical abomination of desolation, Weigel described the loss of the site where he and his brother watched baseball figures such as Triandos, Wilhelm, Robinson, Aparicio, Palmer, and Weaver.

The author noted that the stadium's Art Deco facade was eventually torn down after being left standing for several months following the initial demolition. While the old stadium lacked the modern comforts of current sports venues, Weigel observed that its successor, Camden Yards, helped spark a return to classic baseball architecture. The former site in the Waverly neighborhood now contains Youth Development Park, a baseball field established through the Cal Ripken Sr. Foundation.