Brandon Hyde is in luck.
The Orioles manager has long been a fan of certain giveaway days at Camden Yards, because the crowd seems to have an extra fire to it. Give 20,000 fans a Hawaiian shirt? Bam, energy. Give out a floppy hat? Cover your ears, opponent.
The Orioles announced their stable of giveaways for the 2025 season Wednesday, and with it came the return of several much-loved items. But there are also new offerings in the mix, such as a hockey jersey and a bowling shirt — and even a bobblehead for David Rubenstein, the owner and control person, available April 19.
The lines for these giveaways will surely stretch on and on, even before gates open.
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With that in mind, these are the top 10 giveaways for 2025, as judged by one sportswriter. For a full list of all Orioles promotions, click here (but not until you read this article, please).
No. 10 — Cowboy hat
There will be another floppy hat giveaway July 25, and that will surely be another hit. But the Orioles stepped up their hat giveaway by adding a cowboy hat for the first 15,000 fans on Aug. 22. The uniqueness makes it a great new addition, and it could be perfect for road trips to Nashville (once the home of country music lands a major league team at some point).
No. 9 — Adley Rutschman bobblehead
Like many baseball players, catcher Adley Rutschman is also pretty good at golf. In this bobblehead, available Sept. 24, for the first 15,000 fans, the star player shows off his switch-hitting skills in a different variety: with a baseball bat and a putter.
Last year, the Orioles gave out a switch-hitting Rutschman bobblehead, with fans receiving either a right-handed or left-handed version of the catcher. The timing is, of course, interesting. During the last week of the regular season, fans will hope the real Rutschman won’t be picking up a golf club for at least another month.
No. 8 — Jim Palmer retro jersey
Jim Palmer is an Orioles icon, first for his Hall of Fame career as a pitcher and next for his work commentating during games on Mid-Atlantic Sports Network. His retro jersey will be given out Aug. 23 to the first 20,000 fans.
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No. 7 — Bowling shirt
Baltimore has a strong bowling history. The Baltimore Banner has written all about the rise (and unfortunate fall) of duckpin bowling, a variety of the game that uses a smaller ball and nine-inch pins. It has a rich association with local baseball stars, too.
T-shirt giveaways are always a hit, and the nod to a local pastime with a bowling shirt by the Orioles is excellent. The shirt has a retro look to it, with a block-letter Orioles logo on the back. It will be available to the first 15,000 fans May 30 against the Chicago White Sox.
No. 6 — Grayson Rodriguez bobblehead
More than ever, bobbleheads tend to have gimmicks. Rutschman’s bobblehead is golf themed. Two more later on this list are out of this world, literally. But Rodriguez’s bobblehead May 31 for the first 20,000 fans is simplistic in the best way possible. It’s him pitching.
What is interesting, though, is that Rodriguez is pitching in an all-orange uniform — pants included. Could that be a hint that Baltimore will bring back orange pants as a throwback to the all-orange uniform from the early 1970s?
No. 5 — Knit beanie
The Orioles have played into October two years in a row, but they haven’t played deep into October yet. Baltimore has been swept out of the postseason two seasons running. Perhaps that will change in 2025.
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Should it change, fans can be ready for the temperature dropping with a knit beanie that will be given out to the first 10,000 fans Sept. 23 during fan appreciation week.
No. 4 — Soccer jersey
Perhaps this is down to my own bias, but the soccer jersey is always a hit in my book. As a real football fan (snob alert, I know), the soccer jersey giveaway is a must. This year’s edition comes in a City Connect theme, with a black base and colorful numbers, sides and collar.
It will be available to the first 15,000 fans June 27.
No. 3 — Star Wars bobbleheads
Beyond being good at baseball, Colton Cowser and Gunnar Henderson are a couple of goofballs who enjoy “Star Wars” and LEGO. They have competed with each other in the past over who can complete a LEGO set first, and one of Cowser’s efforts was a 7,500-piece Millennium Falcon.
So here they are on Star Wars weekend, swinging light sabers instead of bats. Cowser’s bobblehead is available May 2, and Henderson’s is available May 4.
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No. 2 — Hawaiian shirts
It’s such a popular giveaway that Baltimore will do it twice this season. The Orioles are giving out their much-loved Hawaiian shirts July 8 and July 12. A total of 35,000 fans will receive one, with 15,000 coming the first day.
No. 1 — Hockey jersey
The Cuckoo Bird mascot from 1968 takes center stage on this work of art. The hockey jersey, which will be given away to 15,000 fans April 18, looks sublime, with orange accents on the black base.
Side note: When will Baltimore land an NHL team?
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