It Took Her Just 99 Years to Become an Orioles Fan

CATONSVILLE, MD ( October 9, 2014) -- It took Charlestown retirement community resident Teresa Bosco just 99 years to became an Orioles fan. And now she won’t stop as she nears her 100th birthday next month.

”It will be a particularly wonderful birthday for me if my Orioles win the World Series,” she said. “I love this team.”

Bosco became a fan last year because she admires the spirit of the team. “They play as a true team,” said Bosco, dressed in her orange and black bow that she wears daily at the Catonsville, MD, retirement community. “Each player tries his best and helps one another to win.

“They remind me of sturdy, caring people,” she sad. “ That’s half the battle in baseball, and in life.”

Bosco’s late blooming fan frenzy is, perhaps, more remarkable when considering she was 13 years old in 1927 when Babe Ruth hit 60 home runs. She was 27 years old in 1941 when Joe DiMaggio hit safely in 56 consecutive games. And she was 40 years old when the Orioles came to Baltimore from St. Louis 60 years ago.

She said Orioles manager Buck Showalter’s calm demeanor and his consistent affirmation of his players is a source of inspiration for everyone. “No one is trying to be better than anyone else on the Orioles,” said Bosco, a former special education teacher in Baltimore County, Carroll County and Charles County public schools. “I love the way they fight like mad for each other and come through.”

”Bosco’s 100th birthday will be celebrated November 16 at Charlestown retirement community’s City Lights banquet room that has a skyline view of Oriole Park at Camden Yards. Her cousins will throw a party for her.

“I have been fortunate,” said Bosco, who never married. “ I have had hundreds and hundreds of children -- my students. -- during my lifetime. God gave them to me.”

Until her birthday she will be glued to her TV set, cheering her Orioles on with every pitch in the postseason. “Life is wonderful,” she said.