Baltimore Orioles Owner Drinks With Fans, Covers Bar Tab

PublishedMarch 28, 2024 5:56 PM EDT|UpdatedMarch 28, 2024 5:56 PM EDT

Baltimore Orioles part-owner Mike Arougheti knows just how to win over the fanbase's hearts and minds - with beer!

Prior to today's home opener in which the Orioles hosted the Angels, Arougheti made his way to local fan-favorite Pickles Pub, where he climbed on top of the bar, and proudly informed everyone that this middle-aged white person was in fact responsible for putting today's team together.

Arougheti then pulled the ultimate W by buying the whole bar a beer and downing it with the Orioles faithful as a "Let's Go O's" chant broke out.

BIG EXPECTATIONS FOR ORIOLES

Arugheti is a partial owner along with private-equity billionaire David Rubenstein, who purchased 70% of the Orioles in an accelerated sale of the team earlier this week from the Angelos family. Longtime owner Peter Angelos, who passed away last week at the age of 94, gave majority control to his son, John, back in 2020.

In recent years, however, the Orioles fans began having mixed feelings about the Angelos as their owners. Last year ther was a big controversy over broadcaster Kevin Brown reportedly being suspended because he criticized the team. (Both Brown and the team, however, deny this)The Angelos were also frustratingly taking their time with renewing the Camden Yards ballpark lease, instead tried to play hard ball with the city and Baltimore Harbor to expand the stadium grounds. The Angelos failed in getting their way but did extend the lease for 30 more years.

BIG YEAR AHEAD

For the first time in years, the Orioles entered this season with massive expectations, coming off a regular season where they amassed 101 wins. Along with acquiring pitcher Corbin Burnes, the team is also stacked with a lot of prospects, as well as players like Gunnar Henderson and Adley Rutschman returning.

The new Orioles ownership is hoping that today's beer celebration with fans will also be happening again - only with people trading in their t-shirts for winter jackets and some postseason baseball instead.