This is terrible news.

I think a sleeve tribute to Wild Bill would be appropriate even though that honor has been previously reserved for owners ("EBW") and coaches (Ripken and Hendricks). I think a very famous and important fan like WBH is deserving.

A few ideas for the patch:
1) O-R-I-O-L-E-S spelled out
2) A silhouette image meant to represent Hagy forming one of the letters. The hands over the head for "O" with the Cowboy hat silhouetted seems good.
3) Or a number to represent the section he used to sit in at Memorial Stadium.

He'll probably get a scoreboard tribute though.

I was real small back in the glory days of Wild Bill, but I do remember him out at Memorial Stadium! In my mind he's as much a piece of the old Oriole Magic as the rest of Oriole's history. He'll be sorely missed!

I think I just might cry during the "O" in the anthem tonight...but I'll yell it extra loud, just for Bill!

I went to my first Orioles game in June of 1983 against the Red Sox. Eddie hit one out in the 2nd inning.

I remember hearing Wild Bill and the fans in the section above me in the upper deck. He later came down and lead his ORIOLES chear from atop the home dugout during an 8th inning rally. That alone was worth the price of admission.

Wild Bill memory: I was born in 1982 so my memories mostly come from video highlights....however I had the opportunity to see Wild Bill a few years ago during the 70's night at the Yard. All I could think when watching him do ORIOLES chant was this is possibly the last time he may ever lead the crowd again...RIP Wild Bill!!!

Most of my meories of Wild Bill are not on the dugout but leading the cheers up in Section 34 in the upper deck at Memorial Stadium. Our seats were along the third base line and we had a great view up at him. I always thought the Bird was a little lame as a mascot (mostly it just walks around), and Hagy always made me smile.

PS: Roch, maybe you can answer me this: Why on Earth is the Bird just called the Bird, and not "Theo Bird (The O Bird)?"

Given the callous nature of the current ownership (downplaying passing of Elrod Hendricks, totally ignoring the 40th anniversary of the 1st Orioles World Championship from 1966 last year) I would be shocked if they even went as far as issuing a terse one-sentence letter noting the passsing "with regret!"

The Greek Geek maybe be a knowledgeable attorney, but his sense of P.R. savvy is virtually non-existent.

A institution!

This really makes me sad, although given the way he lived for a lot of years, I'm not entirely surprised, either.

My sister and I sat in Section 34 at Memorial Stadium back in 79-80. In those days we probably went to 40 or 50 games a year (couldn't do that now without hitting the lottery). She was the "Dipper Sign Girl" (Dempsey still remembers).

I think the thing most people didn't realize about him - and found hard to believe when they saw him leading those cheers - is that Bill was actually a bit shy. He had a lot of "beer courage" when he was up in 34, but he also wasn't the only ringleader up there, just the most visible one. He loved his beer and his O's.

RIP, Wild Bill. Those were the days of true Orioles Magic. :(

WB Hagy is a perfect example of the difference between the fan base then vs. now. Blue collar Baltimore folks buying vs corporate buyers today. Sad, indeed. I was there the night he chucked his cooler over the upper deckrailing in protest of the change in policy towards bringing in your own beer. He was never the same.

Think I'll try and find a cold Natty Boh tonight and toast the good old days at 33rd Street and the roar from 34.

wow.....section 34 will never be the same. 79 was really magical.....I was at the game vs. Detroit when DeCinces hit the walkoff homer in the 9th to win the game; that game seem to set Oriole Magic in full motion for the '79 season full of many magical finishes with the notable exception of the final finish (I still despise the song "We Are Family" to this day).

.
I feel like I lost a family member. My boyfriend saw him yesterday @ Leon's Triple L, in Arbutus just
yesterday.

Fond memories of 1979...

Wild Bill wildly waving the cowboy hat to get the entire stadium on its feet, spellling out O-R-I-O-L-E-S with his body from Section 34 or from the O's dugout roof, the crowd roaring out every letter with a thunderous boom reverberating around the old horseshoe on 33rd St...

the DeCinces homerun...

the Bill O'Donnell/Charlie Eckman call of that homerun replayed endlessly throughout that summer on WFBR...

seeing Oriole players in the dugout gesturing to Wild Bill and Section 34 to get things going...

wild chants of ED-DIE, ED-DIE!!! in the bottom of the 9th...

or Leeeee....Maaayyyy!!!

I'm afraid we will never see anything quite like that again in terms of team-fan relationship during a game or for a season.

One more time for us, Wild Bill......O-R-I-.....

As a beer vendor in '78 and '79 at Memorial Stadium, I have great memories of Wild Bill and his crew. Even though you could bring in your own beer at that time, you never had to schlep cases for very long when your territory was the upper deck, first base side. God forbid you ever rooted for the other team around section 34 in those days. Even with that beer gut, he could spell out O-R-I-O-L-E-S with his body better than any gymnast!

Shocking! What a true hero in every sense of the word. He electrified Memorial like nobody else (including players). I'll never forget the power of hearing the entire stadium shake during the '79 playoffs. The last time I saw him was at Cal's record breaker in 1995. I got caught up in the emotion of the whole night and stumbled over to ask him if he would sign my ticket. He did so, with a smile. What a hero!

Sometime around the early 80's I parked my car in my friend's Dundalk driveway and proceded to walk to Merritt Boulevard where I was going to catch a chartered bus for a weekend trip.

I thought I knew the way but got lost and wound up actually 2 miles from my destination. I hailed a cab and who do you think it was but Wild Bill himself. We talkeed baseball the whole way.

When we got to my destination, my fellow travelers saw who it was and all came over to his cab and asked for his autograph to which he gladly obliged.

While a colorful fan indeed, I remember being at the last game where he protosted by heaving his plastic cooler off the upper deck from his perch in Section 38 and watched in horror as it landed on top of unsuspecting fans. Memorial on the uniforms? I think not.

They should put a silhouette of a plummeting Igloo cooler on the uniform sleeve.

The O's don't have too many fans like Bill Hagy anymore. Thinking of him reminds me of a much better time in the history of Baltimore sports.

Rest in peace, Bill. Mr. Boh has a tear in his eye.

Mr. Angelo's Orioles will not do anything to observe Wild Bill's passing. It's just a long line of decisions that this owner has done to kill Orioles Magic.
-Brian, Highlandtown

my dad took me to many homes games in the late 70's/early 80's when i was a kid (i am 33 now). i LOVED chanting ORIOLES along with wild bill and his crew. he reminds me that there can be special, once in a lifetime relationships and bonds that come from a community's shared love of a sport. as i got older and used cabs quite a bit when going out on weekends, i always hoped to get a cab ride from Wild Bill...

I am truly saddened to hear this. I wish to extend my sincere sympathies to his family and friends. I have many fond memories of my days at Memorial that are not complete without thinking of Wild Bill.

As a die-hard "Rowdy" who grew up in the shadow of Memorial Stadium, I have many WBH memories. The one that stands out the most was the final game of 1982. We came oh so close to a miraculous sweep of the Brewers to win the division, and it was to be Earl's last game. The crowds cheered and Earl did his mandatory 2 curtain calls, but for Bill and the rest of us that wasn't enough. We beat on the seats and yelled until we were hoarse as the crowds, sensing what was going on, started to stream back in. Finally, out came Earl, tears in his eyes to lead one last cheer, with Bill at his side. Howard Cosell covered it in amazement for the networks, the Babe Ruth Museum used to run that broadcast. Truly amazing.

RIP Bill

You will be missed Wild Bill!!

A moment of silence for Wild Bill Hagy, and for better days for The Baltimore Orioles.

O-R-I-O-L-E-S.

Man, that’s sad that we’ve lost Wild Bill Hagy. I was just a child back in his heyday, but I remember him and his crowd sitting just a few sections over. One person being the crazy maniac behind such cheering and enthusiasm is sorely needed these days. Too bad that, much like the Oriole Way and Oriole Magic, we won’t be getting it back.

For those who might not understand why some of us have fond memories of that concrete dinosaur Memorial Stadium and why it will always be a special place even if it no longer exists, you can start with learning about Wild Bill Hagy and section 34. His presence in that stadium, and what it did to energize that place, was something that will never be achieved at Camden Yards. If you’re too young to remember, ask someone who does. I’m sure they’ll be happy to give you just a tidbit of Wild Bill history.

How do you honor him? Perhaps a video tribute. Maybe bring back some of the old Orioles to lead the crowd in spelling out the Orioles. If they were still in Memorial Stadium, they could leave section 34 empty. Winning a pennant might be the most fitting tribute but let’s not get ahead of ourselves.

Wild Bill Hagy. Fond memories of Memorial Stadium and section 34. That end of the stadium was always the loudest. Ok, maybe it was loud for more than one reason, but that was back in the day when the fans were at the game and not part of some corporate event.

I never met the man, but very fondly remember him in section 34 and on the O's dugout at Memorial stadium. Seeing the Bird spell out O-R-I-O-L-E-S just isn't the same.

Would be nice to see the O's recognize him appropriately. For one day, can this team do something to properly remember a true fan?

Rest in peace, Bill.

'79 was a great year. I went to two of the home games of the World Series that year--both Orioles wins; alas the Family was the team of destiny. Oddly enough I had alway thought that Wild Bill Hagy was a long time fixture at the park. Now I am learning that he arrived on the scene that year. He really made it fun with his deadpan, fat-man cheer leading. Just this summer I was telling a friend about going to the Os games up in section 34 and what a hoot it was to spell out ORIOLES to the lackadaisical contortions of this good humored guy.

Bill was a sweet gentle man who made killer chili. He loved kids and when my daughter was small called her "Little Miss Sunshine". He was Santa every year at a friends Christmas party. I think he only did it to get kisses from all the ladies. He will be sorely missed. Much love to Wayne and his family and friends

A part of my childhood just died today. I remember growing up and watching Wild Bill on TV and the thrill I got to see him in person at those first home games I went to. I never got to meet him but I always kept an eye out for him. A true legend and fan.

I agree that the Orioles should do a tribute for him either as a patch are a banner in the area that would roughly be where section 34 would be at Oriole Park.

Memories of Wild Bill...

Getting rides to school at St. Rita's in Dundalk in WB's North Point Cab, which led to him calling me the "St. Rita's Mosquita" the next time I saw him up in 34. Back in '79, he made this 8 yr old feel like one of the gang...

Watching him lead cheers as the head of one of the most passionate and creative groups of baseball fans baseball has ever seen...

Getting his autograph on my copy of "In the O Zone" (by Skip Dorer and Wayne Kaiser), the story of the magical 1979 season...

Wow. I just met him at a bar in Cooperstown last month. R.I.P. Mr Hagy.

I think the most fitting tribute for that true Orioles fan would to have the players, just before the first pitch, turn to the first base side upper deck and spell out O-R-I-O-L-E-S for the fans.

I won’t be there for the game but I will listen to the broadcast over mlb.com. I don’t think I would be able to get through that without a lump in my throat.

If the Orioles failed to honor Chuck Thompson with a sleeve patch (unlike the Cubs for Harry Carey or the Cardinals for Jack Buck) there is no way they would honor Wild Bill with a patch. I think a good tribute to Wild Bill would be if everyone stopped yelling out O during the playing of the National Anthem. As much as I liked Wild Bill I have come to tire of that awful "tradition."

First Harry Shriver and now Wild Bill. Back then, The flagship radio station gave a damn about the organization and the organization gave a damn about the fans.Harry , Bill, and ORIOLE MAGIC . RIP

1979 still remains as my all-time favorite Orioles team and season, and Wild Bill was a key part of it.

so sad.....

He was a landmark, an insitution, and will be sorely missed.

He was an everyman that showed what one fan's enthuiasm can do.

We'll miss you Wild Bill.

I am not sure who "Childs Walker" is but I am guessing he was born after 1983.

He says in his pithy article about "Wild Bill" that the "O-R-I-O-L-E-S" cheer was "replete with dramatic hand gestures..." Hand gestures?????

For those of us who were there and remember, he spelled out the word ORIOLES with his BODY. That was his claim to fame.

Hand gestures.... The denizens of old Section 34 probably have a hand gesture for Childs.

Please, give the man the respect and due he deserves.

He essentially invented the cheer to spell out the team's name. Now the Bird does it and it is part of the Orioles' institution.

He also created the signature "O" during the national anthem that the rest of the league hates us for. Again, part of the institution.

Wild Bill is evocative of not only a time when the O's were consistent winners, piloted by the best manager in baseball and supported by the best GM in the history of baseball (Harry Dalton) but also of a time when the average fan could afford to go to a baseball game.

I know 98-Rock tried to create the beer sodden paradise that was section 34 in the CF "bleachers," but at $15 a seat plus 6 pack prices for a single 12 oz beer, the "Section 34 vibe" is just a memory.

But it was Wild Bill himself, above his favorite seating area, who brought an extra dimension to the games that was unique to Baltimore. In a packed (well, relatively) Memorial Stadium, he created an energy that you know the team fed off of.

If you took today's Camden Yard "experience" and were able to teleport it to any other major league city, no one would notice a difference (OK, in Tampa and Miami they would notice because there would be more than 150 people in the stands). From city to city it is all differing degrees of sameness.

Nor, do I think, would the team and the ushers allow that level of disorder to occur.

Wild Bill has been missed for a number of years. The team has sucked up his trade-marks and sanitized them. There is no vibe anymore unless the scoreboard tells us to have one. And it passes as soon as the flashing message ends.

Wild Bill's passing just makes it all the sadder.

Still, rather than morn, I intend to go grab a 6 of Natty Bo and toast Bill Hagey's life and indelible contribution to Baltimore. I think he would prefer that.

Luckily, I had the privilege of being with Wild Bill during our trip to Cooperstown for Cal’s induction. Drinking beer and recounting all the Section 34 memories with him will be an unforgettable memory for me. Being a part of his section 34 group back in the days and being there for his last O-R-I-O-L-E-S cheer on the hill just before Cal’s induction will also never be forgotten. He loved his Birds and beer! He was a true fan and will be missed, but his memory will always live on as part of Baltimore Oriole baseball history. Drink a few for us now Bill!

The first thing the O's should do for Wild Bill is pay for his funeral.

I really think that the O's will come through with a proper and permanant tribute. Mike Flanagan remembers.

I was just telling my 22 year old son about Wild Bill yesterday! He didn't know who he was. He does now!
Thanks for the memories Wild Bill !

Bob - you were incorrect on both accounts. Wild Bill was in section 34 and his cooler landed well in fair territory. The man can no longer speak for himself, so I thought I would set the record straight.

Very sad news. I was just thinking of Wild Bill very recently, and I probably hadn't thought about him in years. I think it was after watching all the RedSox fans in Camden Yards, and how different things have become since those great days in '79 with him leading the cheers. RIP Bill. Go O's!

I posted earlier but had one more thought I'd like to pass along.

I remeber going to a game at Memorial Stadium but I don't remember when it was.

The Baltimore Jaycees had a program where fans could donate their tickets and the Jaycees would turn them over to groups that catered to handicapped children and adults.

Here's Wild Beer guzzling his beers when these kids realized who he was and they rushed over to him. The ones who were unable to walk on their own were assisted by their teachers. They were all anxious for a picture or autograph. Wild Bill did not turn them down. There was a long line waiting to see him and he obliged everyone. He held off doing the O-R-I-O-L-E-S and until everyone got to say hello to him.

It was really rewarding to see the excitement on their faces.

P.S. Does anyone still own a Wild Bill hat from Finkelsteins of Towson?

Tom D-
Well put. I was actually wondering how to reach you to share the news, you know as well as anyone what it was to be part of the experience, and it was Bill who served as the hub.

Walking up to Section 34 on any given day/night we were inevitably sitting with friends who loved the game and bled orange. Imagine going solo to Camden Yards!

The O's won't do the right thing, or much of anything (Elrod). It is good to read these posts and know that a few folks still understand.

Hope life in OR is good!

I remember my mom taking me to orioles game from 78 on. I can still remember her pointing up to Wild Bill and just being thrilled by watching this guy getting the whole stadium rocking. His O R I O L E S and, Rex's "Give that fan a contract" are some of my first memories as an oriole fan. He carried the largest outdoor insane asylum into the baseball diamond and it sure made being at the games a lot more memorable.

Today the best you get from an orioles game is a scoreboard telling you when to cheer , ushers telling you to stand down and a credit card bill that lingers for two months.

Thanks for the Memories Wild Bill and the legions who joined you on 33rd Street!

I was stationed in the coast guard
in the late 70's and early 80's in
california.

I remember seeing wild bill lead the
cheers on some memorable games
on tv.

Bill brought a piece of Baltimore to me
and I'll always remember his
true faith for the orioles.

My sincere thoughs are with Bill and
his many friends and family today.

Bill, lead a cheer for the O's up in
heaven, and drink a cold one with
chuck for me.

Bob

I went to a lot of games in those years. I don't have one specific memory but just like other posters, the feel of the games and stadium were totally different than now. It felt more like a family reunion that a ballgame. I know everything changes, but I do miss it.

R.I.P. Bill, it was fun and I'll raise one to you tonight.

My friendship with Wild Bill dates well before the Section 34 phenomena. I remember him when he drove a Good Humor Ice Cream truck and had a flattop haircut.

I remember during my college days he used to call me a hippie because of my long hair. Funny how over the years his hair got longer as mine got shorter.

I thought I'd share my recollection of how Section 34 got started. I think the key, and also the reason that the Section 34 phenomana will never be repeated, was that the seats were general admission. You could spontaneously decide to go to an O's game, go buy a ticket and be sure of sitting nearby people that you knew. It was the proximity of Section 34 to the men's room that made it the general admission section of choice.

Anyway, back in the mid 70's a few of us went to the game and sat in our usual section 34 seats. Bill had a pet peeve with the widespread practice of base coaches standing outside the coach's box. For the entire game, he repeatedly shouted "Hey ump - get the first base coach back in the box!". After a while, several of the fans around Bill joined in the chant. Lo and behold, around the seventh inning the first base ump walked over, grabbed the jersey of the first base coach, and pushed him into the coach's box, much to the delight of the crowd.

It was the realization that fans could actually be heard on the field if they spoke with one voice that spawned the many chants that followed, all dreamt up by Wild Bill. A couple favorites of mine "C'mon Ken - hit it in the bullpen" and "C'mon Lowenstein - hit the Busch Beer sign." Every time the O's would get a new player Bill would have to quickly come up with a new chant unique to that player.

Good times. RIP Wild Bill. You'll be missed.

Hey Roch, how many games have the O's lost after 7 innnings when tied or leading. Just curious. Hope you can help.

I was two years away from being born in 1979, but I know exactly who wild Bill was and is to all Orioles fans. I can picture him dancing on the dugout perfectly in my head. RIP Wild Man.

Wish I had memories of 1979, but I was 1 year old at the time. My dad has taken me to many games, especially as a kid, so I'd like to think I was at some games that season. We saw him at a game maybe 2 or 3 seasons ago. He led the crowd in the chant, but that was as loud as the place got as the O's lost, like, 6-2. Such is life, but heaven just got a lot more energetic.

To hear y'alls stories about old section 34 makes me wonder: Anybody got a theory about why OPACY section 34 is almost right behind home plate? Sure won't find many blue collars back there, I'd venture. Is that where the players families sit?

I posted this on the next Roch post. I wanted to add it here and be with the others:
I sat in Section 34 from 1978 till they tore the park down.
In 1979, for an Evening Magazine story on Bill, I wrote, "He's the best thing to happen to Oriole baseball since Brooks Robinson."
Anybody who saw the ole cab driver waving that hat and getting the ENTIRE stadium yelling will never forget it.
He was a true O's fan.
The team did him wrong. They were going for the suburban crowd, which they got. Guys like Bill didn't fit the mold, but he was as much responsible for the crowds that filled the stadium and "Orioles Magic" as anyone.
I was in the Section the night he threw his cooler out of the upper deck and was arrested. That was after they banned bringing drinks into the park. That marked the end of the days of the O's being fan friendly. Ever since then, as the behavior of the ushers attest, the fans come last, the money comes first.
Rest in peace, Bill Hagy.
Tonight in the ballpark, I hope everyone gets up and does one last O-R-I-O-L-E-S
and btw...A moment of silence is the LAST THING Bill would have wanted. He wanted us to cheer.

Not only am I in shock but I am very saddened by the passing of Wild Bill Hagy. Even as I type this with tears going down my face. Wild Bill was the ultimate Orioles fan. I still have memories of him and Rick Dempsey spelling out O-R-I-O-L-E-S in front of the 3rd base dugout in Memorial Stadium. I remember the last home stand in 19852 against the Milwaukee Brewers and Earl Weaver's last days as manager, that Wild Bill was leading the cheers on top of the dugout. The Orioles shoud definately do something to honor his memory. Just like Brooks, Frank, Boog, Eddie, Cal, and Palmer, Wild Bill was an institution for all O's fans. WE'll miss you my friend. God Bless Wild Bill Hagy!!!!!!!

Love the stories. Keep 'em coming!
Dave: The Orioles are 4-12 when tied after six innings, 4-6 when tied after seven. They're 45-13 when leading after six, 46-11 when leading after seven.

OK, Roch. You're the guy who should write Bill's obit. You know.

I was leaving the Rotunda movie theater with a date when I heard the roar from Memorial Stadium a couple of miles away when DeCinces hit that home run that Friday evening. I was in the stadium the next evening and if my memory is correct, Eddie went deep in both ends of the double header to win both games. It was great time to be young and an Orioles fan. I also remember once walking up the aisle in Section 34 with my rather vivacious sister, who was about 19 at the time, and Bill stood up and cheered her as she walked by. A real Baltimore character, that one. To steal a paraphrase from Steinbrenner upon Rizzuto's death, "Heaven must have needed a cheerleader."

Wild Bill was a true Oriole Icon. He was the average fan who tiplified the non reserved ticket buyer. His loyality rubbed off on many people who chose to sit near him and caught the spirit. I'm sure after hiis sincerity was accepted by both fans and players respect of his character as a down to earth cab driver. He will be missed as the past years of absence has shown. May he be remembered by the orginization who he loved.

Wild Bill is a memorial to times we will probably not see again. He was hometown, he was tradition, and he was heart and soul. My wife and I (both from NJ) first saw him when we traveled down to Memorial Stadium in 1980. It was as much a treat to cheer along with him as it was to see the O's. Alas, the "corporate era" is heavily upon us, but to those of us old enough to remember, nothing could ever dampen the spirit of Wild Bill.
Rest in Peace, great speller.

Bob - you were incorrect on both accounts. Wild Bill was in section 34 and his cooler landed well in fair territory. The man can no longer speak for himself, so I thought I would set the record straight.

Posted by: Ed | August 20, 2007 4:36 PM

PWNT...i remember my dad telling me about him during my 1st games at Memorial, I have a vague recollection of meeting him...tribute should be cool.

Theres an episode of the simpsons where Homer gets a bit happy and is embraced as the team's mascot. They let him dance on the dugout and lead cheers. Did they model that show off of Wild Bill?

Wild Bill! Back in the '70s I was a baby-faced 16 year old Beer Man at Memorial Stadium. Thanks to kindly Supervisors and the worst fake ID ever I was serving Wild Bill and his Section 34 friends Beer long before I was old enough to legally buy alcohol. Twenty some years later I was walking down the street and from behind I heard a gravely voice yelling "Beerman - Hey Cold Beer!" I turned around it was Wild Bill Hagey, reaching out to shake my hand and to THANK ME!??!! for "taking care" of him 20+ years ago. He and his buds would bring in a 3 gallon cooler of draft beer ever night and I knew to stash a cold case away for the 5th or 6th inning when they started to run dry. He was a very nice man and he added a lot to the fun of going to Memorial Stadium. So Cheers to You, Wild Bill, and thanks for taking care of us , the old time Oriole faithful.

My family and I were just sitting here reading all the nice remarks evryone has writen about my brother and I wish to personally thank them. Wild Bill was a very private person and though I never saw much of him lately I still loved him and will miss him very much. Bill, I hope the prayers I prayed for you in the past have now been answered. God Bless You. Dick, Debbie, and Ellis III

Seeing the news online when I got home from work was shocking. I was about 10-12 years old in 1963-65 when this guy who had short hair, clean shaven and in a "Good Humor" ice cream uniform (all white) came to our neighborhood in Dundalk selling ice cream. When he stopped for us to buy ice cream he would always joke with us kids and shoot one-liners at us like, "Hey Joe what-a-you-know." It was none other than "Wild Bill." Now, fast forward to when I was about 18 yrs old. My brother and I both received jobs at the Good Humor company. Completely forgetting about our neighborhood Good Humor man as kids, we went to work. I covered Joppatown. My brother covered Edgewood and then there was this other driver covering Aberdeen. Yep... "Wild Bill." After we left our routes each night we would meet at a diner on route 40 or just pull off on the side of the road and watch the movies at Pulaski Drive-In. (Try That Today!) 3 Good Humor trucks sitting on the side of the road with all 3 of us sitting on the roof watching movies. What a site! We would sit there talking about the day and just B.S. til we left. This went on 6 days a week. He had one hell-of-a sense of humor. My brother and I stopped working there after a few months and I didn't see "Wild Bill" again until he shows up one day when I was at the game. I was on the 3rd base side when I hear everyone cheering and pointing towards first base in the upper deck. Not knowing who it is, because this guy has long hair, beard... I just started cheering and following his O-R-I-O-L-E-S. Some time after that night, I see this guy on the sports segment on TV. To my surprise, who is it.......WILD BILL. My wife and I went to about 25 games a year back then, (something I couldn't afford now) cheering each time Wild Bill felt it was time. We were there when it was true "Blue Collar". I'll never forget the good times had with him. Thanks for the memories Bill. OK one more time....O-R-I.......better yet...W-I-L-D B-I-L-L

Who cares ?

Of course we remember all of the noise up in section 34, but the game that I remember was the last game of the '82 season. We had just lost and thus finished in second place behind Milwakee. It was Earl's last game (the first time) as manager, and Wild Bill came down to the field and led a W -E-A-V-E-R CHEER. It left Howard Cosell speechless. Do you know how hard it was to leave Cosell speechless?

Wild Bill was as much a part of Baltimore baseball as Ripken or Murray for fans who grew up watching the Birds in Memorial Stadium. We even named our blog after Wild Bill's famous "Roar from 34." Another link to Baltimore's magical baseball past is gone. R.I.P. Wild Bill.

Oriole ownership should be made aware of the sheer number of comments on this blog. In fact, they should read every one and then MAYBE (but doubtful) they'll begin to understand what was and what could be. Wild Bill epitomized what Oriole fans were all about until the move to Camden Yawns and the suits with their wine coolers took over. Peter Angelos is paying the price for that now, though, with fewer than 20,000 in attendance on a nightly basis. RIP Wild Bill; what a wonderful time we all had then . . .

Perhaps politically incorrect by today's standards, but on Halter Top night, we out there in Hagy's section would yell "TAKE OFF YOUR HALTER TOP" at every attractive woman we saw who had already put on her halter.

To the occasional - shall we say - relatively unattractive woman who had done the same, we would yell "LEAVE ON YOUR HALTER TOP".

Yes, we were idiots, but it was all in fun and the women took it in stride in those days. They wouldn't be in Section 34 in the first place if they were sensitve about such things.

There will never again be another WBH, just like there will never be another "Why not?" year, just like there will never be another Cal-like personna. It has nothing to do with the fans, who would embrace all this --- it has to do with a different kind of owner. Not to throw things at PA, but he simply is not the kind of owner who understands the subtleties that a WBH-type of person brings to a game.

Unfortunately for Bill and those of us who knew him and were there with him in the glory days, the Orioles died 9 years earlier. In fact their long illness started shortly after their 1983 World Series Victory when ownership and management turned their backs on the true fans and catered to the corporate crowd.

This is why Bill stopped going to games and doing what he truly loved to do.

The good old days of players mingling with fans and the "love affair" this city had with the team will never be seen again. The best any of us could hope for was that the Orioles could at least become a winning organization again one day. If that day ever does come it is a shame that Bill won't be around to see it,

We all had a lot of fun Bill. Thanks for the memories, and LONG LIVE THE SECTION 34 ROWDIES!!!

I was 16 years old back in 79 and I remember Wild Bill . That whole season was magic. I found a old newspaper in a garage of a lady I was cut gas for early in the spring and it had a 1969 Baltimore Sun sports section with the Orioles winning. I knew then I had to go to the World Series. I save my grass cuting money all season. I went to about 15 games that year. I sat in the next section over from wild Bill. Some times I got close but my father said the beer runs to free in that section. I yelled along with Bill all season and me and my father went to the series. We sat in the section to the left of Wild Bill. He was so much a part of the magic that year. My sister even went to kiss him but I can't remember if she did. Now I am 43 and 2000 miles away from Baltimore. But I won't forget ya Bill. No Hun" I won't forget Ya"

Some of my favorite childhood memories involve going to Orioles games at Memorial Stadium.

I remember how much fun the ride up from Rockville was and how when we would come down N. Charles St. the atmosphere was electric.

I loved that old stadium and I loved the fans the most. It was like a big family and Wild Bill Hagy was the crazy brother who reminded everyone that life was supposed to be fun and filled with joy.

Back when ballplayers were blue collar schmucks like the fans, Wild Bill was our representative - and a great one at that. Rest in peace brother.

The best way to celebrate Wild Bill and his love and enthusiasm for the O's is for us Section 34ers to get together and reminisce about the good old days (name the place and the time, I'll be there!). I had the pleasure of attending many games in Section 34 at a young age of 16 back then. My neighbor Bob had laminated the O-R-I-O-L-E-S signs because we had such a hard time with the letters running from all of the spilled beer. I remember lugging them to every game for the folks to hold up when Bill did his thing, boy were they heavy! Wild Bill and the section 34 crowd...good down-to-earth people out to have a fun time with friends. Rest in peace Bill, you will be missed and always be one of my fondest memories growing up. You had the best "bear hug" around!

One idea for a tribute: how about actual video footage on the big screen at appropriate times --- yes, an old video of WBH doing his cheer at Memorial Stadium!

I'll bet the crowd would like that better than the tepid and awful "Let's hear some noise, Os fans!", which always creates fake emotion. Following WBH's cheerleading on a big screen just might work, and would let him "live on".

well it's official. i will name my first born son "william". can't wait to call him "wild bill" in honor of the man.

As a young black kid in the late 70's and teenager in the 80's I remember WILD BILL, he was the reason why you brought tickets in the bleachers at memorial stadium, to cheer with him, catch a ball, and support a team that had alot of african-americam talent,I miss that about the O;s and the team should put out his name on the wall around Camden Yards.

As a young black kid in the late 70's and teenager in the 80's I remember WILD BILL, he was the reason why you brought tickets in the bleachers at memorial stadium, to cheer with him, catch a ball, and support a team that had alot of african-americam talent,I miss that about the O;s and the team should put out his name on the wall around Camden Yards.

Let's celebrate Wild Bill Hagy's life with an O, an R, an I, an O, an L, an E and an S. What does this spell? ORIOLES. I can't hear you, O-R-I-O-L-E-S.

I remember the next to last game of the 1982 season. The Orioles had just beaten Milwaukee 11-3 to tie them for first place. What a great day! Leaving the stadium, traffic was at a standstill, even several blocks away. About an hour after the game, I was still only about a mile from Memorial Stadium, and the drivers and passengers were all going crazy, honking horns, cheering and basically reveling in the success that the Birds had in catching the Brewers over the previous couple of weeks. Anyway, while stuck in traffic, the "Spirit" overtook me, and I got out of my car, got on the roof, and did my best "Wild Bill" impersonation. The crowd seemed to enjoy it, especially the driver of the car that was 3 or 4 cars behind me. It was "Wild Bill" himself! He let me lead the cheer, and then he got out of his car and we did another together (although he stayed on the ground). He then waved his arms around like he always did, and did another cheer, which drove the crowd into a frenzy. He then looked back at me, smiled and waved and got back in his car like nothing ever happened. He was a true Orioles fan, and will be missed.

Rename the Bird...Wild Bill

Wild Bill was Great...I think they should name (since it does not have a name) the Oriole's mascot Bird...Wild Bill...in his honor!

RIP Wild Bill Thanks for the memories!!!

How about renaming a section on 3B side upper deck --- like 364, 368, or 370 --- "Section 34"? Just display it prominently --- they could change the name of the current Section 34 to 33A.

Two Memories from 1979, one ( June 1979) the double header sweep of the Tigers the night after DeCinces walkoff homerun...Wild Bill had the whole stadium in a frenzy..both games(Eddie had a game winner HR in one of those games). Two... Jim Fregosi manager of the Angels at the time in national print, the day before Game One of the '79 ALCS reminding his players of the guy with the Cowboy Hat wiping the fans at Memorial Stadium in a fenzy and the hornets nest the Halos will stepping into.
The Big Wheel may have started the body language chant with his C-O-L-T-S COLTS! chant but Wild Bill perfected in on a national scale. The Eagle( I am one and have to remind them we didn't start this trend) and Jets fans have to give credit Wild Bill to getting this trend started with their body language cheers......RIP Wild Bill...

WILD BILL A REAL FAN. WHEN THEY BUILT THE YARD WE GOT ALL THE YUPPIES FROM D.C. THEY ALL BAILED OUT WHEN THEY GOT THE NATS. WILD BILL WAS WHAT A BIRD FAN SHOULD BE. HE WILL ALWAYS RING IN MY EAR, O-R-I-O-L-E-S.

Dad Hagy,

Although we just recently introduced ourselves via the internet; I feel I know you well. I see your face in your sons face. He is a lot like you, shy and quiet til you give him a beer LOL! I will miss our chats. Bunky wanted more than anything to forge a relationship with you and we had a good beginning at one. I am just saddend that we will never know how far or how close we could have all become. Your son only wanted to love you and he cries now at your passing. We will see you in heaven one day to pick up where fate has left off. To what was, what could have been and what will be in heaven, we toast you.
With love and thanksgiving for your son.
Tammy

It's good to read about the good times of my uncle. It brought back some good feelings inside remembering times like when Brooks Robson retired. My family got to go thanks to Wild Bill. I also remember when He drove the Ice cream truck, that was along time back. I want to give my condolence to his children. I'll miss you uncle Bill. I'll drink a beer to your memory, thats what you would of wanted. I like to ask if anyone's life was affected by good memories from Wild Bill, the family thought about donating to the " Cal Ripken, Sr. Foundation " in his memory

I got nose bleeds seats for Game 2 of the 1983 ALCS, I was in 10th grade...I dragged my buddy, a Cardinals fan over to Section 34 to get Wild Bill to sign his full page caricature in the Official Program...I still have it...I was thrilled as the Orioles won, I went to my only ALCS game, and I got Wild Bill's autograph.

Aloha Wild Bill!

In 1979, I was traveling through the Southeast, working as a cook on the carnival circuit (I was beginning to feel a little like Wild Bill Hagy myself!) By the time the O's were in the World Series, I was in Jacksonville, Florida, watching the Birds with some fellow travelers in a biker bar. As O's fans, we were the envy of all the locals, but when Wild Bill Hagy appeared on the screen and I told them I had sat in Section 34 many times, we drank for free for the rest of the night. I knew Wild Bill would have been very proud of us.

My condolences to all who were close to Bill. May we all be together again one day...

I purchased a video several years
ago called memories on 33rd street.

I still like to play this tape and watch
jon miller, chuck thompson and
bill o'donnell make those great calls
on the old orioles' teams.

1982 the orioles needed four straight
against milwaukee to make the playoffs. no wild card back then.

the o's won three, lost the last sunday.

the fans stayed after the game, and
bill led the cheers for earl and the
birds.. what a great memory....

i was in alaska and remember calling
my dad that friday night for an update...

Orioles Hall of Fame?

Hi all.
I posted a message earlier. Wild Bill's son is my husband. And, William Jr. (Bunky as his dad called him) would like to know the arrangements for his father. So, if anyone know's of them and can let us know; we would greatly appreciate the information. Thank you so much.
Tammy

I couple years ago a group of friends made a trip up for a Redsox and O's game. Early season game that was met with a cold rain throughout. Later in the game I showed my friends over to Boog's for some grub and to stand behind the right field wall. I look over to my left and there is Wild Bill standing with a buddy.

My friends had no clue who he was but I introduced myself and got to share a couple memories with him through the end of the game. We got our picture taken and he made my one friend remove his BoSox cap while he spoke with him.

One of a kind and he will be missed .

Oriole baseball the way it was meant to be played,,,,and the final game of the 1982 season....Wild Bill and the Weave...enuff said

it was a different time different stadium and different team ,it was unique to the city and team and wont happen again a nice tribute would be a giveaway day with a picture of the old stadium old players and wild bill on the dugout in full cheer. now the cheer will be led buy a geek in tie and glasses

speaking of 1979 chants, how bout this one:

Aye yie-yie-yie
Benny Aya-llla!!!!
Hit one into the parking lot,
and hit the Chevy Impala

There was also the same chant for Lenn Sakata, hitting a Ford Granada...

Truely sad news. I'm an expatriated Baltimoron living in Austin now.

I spent a significant part of my summers back from college in Section 34 ('79-'83). I was a long time Jr Oriole before that.

I fondly remember my friend (aka. Porkface) and I getting a $3.00 GA ticket and carrying in a case of beer poured into a Coleman Jug. We would sit several rows behind Wild Bill and Spaceman Glen. Often annoying some other O's fans with our barbs usually directed at our favorite target, "Kicko" Garcia. (We stayed loyal to Belanger! ;)

OPACY never had the same appeal. "Wild Bill' and 'The Big Wheel' are some of my fondest memories from Memorial Stadium.

RIP Bill!

Peter Angelos talks about going back to the "Oriole Way". Wild Bill Hagy was part of that "Oriole Way". Unfortunately, King Peter and the modern day Orioles never saw that. What a shame.

I dont even know what to say....I do not live in Baltimore but have been an O's fan since I was 6 years old in 1969. As a teenager in '79. I was proud to be a fan of the O's and Wild Bill. I never had the chance to meet him, but have enjoyed what I have read here tonight. I choose to believe that the O's have turned the corner and can think of no better way to prove that than to have the Office do something to honor his passing. A patch for the rest of the year would be wonderful.

Rest in Peace Bill
O-R-I-O-L-E-S....Orioles!!!!

This man deserves a statue at the entrance to Camden Yards. He deserves a black band tribute by the team. And if you ask me, he deserves a plaque in Cooperstown right next to Earl's. This man WAS the Orioles.

I am so sad. Wild Bill's passing represents the end of an era. I spent the better part of my childhood at Memorial Stadium. My brother and I sat in Section 34 during those great 1977 to 1983 years. We can all be assured that Bill is leading cheers right now with Rex, Chuck, Blade, et al. I am gratified that he lived long enought to see the last great Bird get enshrined in Cooperstown. Rest in peace, Bill. You will never be forgotten.

i'm glad WBH enjoyed his days

great sun pix ... thanks.

Thanks to all of you for your enjoyable comments about my brother. Bill's life from early age on was the Oriole games. He loved the games, enjoyed working at the stadium and enjoyed his friends. Many students from Maryland Univ remember him as he cheered for the basketball team when Lefty was coach. Many college kids around the country remember him as he taught their cheerleaders to do body cheers. Maybe Bill should have had his styled pattened?? Our family thanks you for your rememberance of Wild Bill.

Section 34 was the first section of general admission seating as the stands moved from first base to rightfield. From the first base side you could see into the left field corner where all the right handed hitters put the ball. Since there are more righties than lefties that's where most of the action is. You could also watch the sunsets; an added bonus on nights when you brought a date. About midway through the '78 season, as I remember, there was always a huge crowd that seemed to have come to the game together to sit in 34. By mid '79 the train was rollin' and my gang was usually on it.
My favorite fan chant to come out of 34 was "C'mon DeCinces hit it over the fence-ays" even though I wasn't there the night he is credited with completing the comeback that is said to have started "Orioles magic".
We had gone to the movies at the Elkridge drive-in and the first feature ended just in time for us to catch the end of the game on WFBR. In my mind I always hear "C'mon DeCinces hit it over the fence-ays" just before that last pitch.
I've had the opportunity to see a few games at Yankee Stadium and I enjoy it. It reminds me of Memorial Stadium. There is an excitement seldom felt here since the whine (pun intended) and cheese crowd took over at Oriole Park. So go up there in September, sit in the cheap for lack of a better word, seats, root for the O's, yell "O" during OUR Anthem that was written in B-more and think of Wild Bill and the "roar from 34.".

Remembering Wild Bill waving his hat around over his head, it seemed as though the stadium was drawing its collective breath, getting ready to exhale into the O-R-I-O-L-E-S cheer. The cheer took on a life of its own, as we looked forward to it every game, repeatedly glancing over toward Section 34 to see if he was ready to go. Totally without pretense, thanks to a lot of beer, he never let us down.
My suggestion for a tribute -- the Os organization can't really recreate the energy of Section 34 without it seeming forced and artificial, since it was so totally antithetical to the standards of decorum that the organzation has been pushing for the last few years. But how about a single toast under the following conditions: give every guest over age 21 a voucher that he or she can redeem for a free beer (preferably Natty Boh); then around the 3rd or 4th inning (not too late, since we want to give the alcohol enough time to leave everyone's system before the drive home -- lawyer talking), an announcement is made that there will be a toast the next inning to Wild Bill. Folks can then exchange their vouchers for free beer and toast the Wild One in unison.

Wild Bill was a member of The Oldtimers Baseball Association for 15 years. Every year at our Hall of Fame Banquet he would come and lead the O-R-I-O-L-E cheer. He would wear this heavy knit white sweater with a picture of the Bird on the back