The Orioles’ new owners tried to make a strong first impression — on Opening Day, too — with fans at Pickles Pub.
Mike Arougheti, the co-founder and CEO of Ares Management and part of the Orioles’ ownership group that recently took control, introduced himself to fans at the bar located near Camden Yards — along with Michael Smith and Mitch Goldstein, two other members of the group — and bought those in attendance a beer while Baltimore coasted to its 11-3 win against the Angels to start the 2024 season on Thursday afternoon.
“We’re buying everybody a beer,” Arougheti said with a Coors Light can in his left hand, a Miller Light can in his right and an Orioles cap on his head, before adding “Let’s go Os” that started a chant.
Arougheti was part of the ownership group led by David Rubenstein that purchased the Orioles from team chair and CEO John Angelos for $1.725 billion in January, and the sale was unanimously approved by the league Wednesday.
Angelos took over control of the team in 2020 from his father and longtime owner, Peter, who bought the team in 1993 for $173 million and died earlier this week at 94 years old.
“To own the Orioles is a great civic duty,” Rubenstein said in a statement Wednesday after the sale was approved. “I want the Baltimore community and Orioles fans everywhere to know that we will work our hardest to deliver for you with professionalism, integrity, excellence, and a fierce desire to win games.
“I thank John Angelos and his family for all they have done to bring us to this point. John led a dramatic overhaul of the team’s management, roster, recruitment strategy and farm system in recent years. Our job is to build on these accomplishments to advance a world-class professional sports agenda — with eyes on returning a World Series trophy to Baltimore.”
Rubenstein also greeted concession stand workers at Camden Yards and made a cameo on the team’s broadcast.
And, in his press conference, he told reporters that he believes the Orioles have the best general manager and manager in the league — in Mike Elias and Brandon Hyde, respectively.
The Orioles, one of MLB’s young teams with plenty of potential in 2024, secured an Opening Day win behind six scoreless, one-hit innings from new ace Corbin Burnes, whom they acquired from the Brewers ahead of the season.
Cedric Mullins and Anthony Santander homered, while star catcher Adley Rutschman added two hits and scored three times.
