Sun photographer Gene Sweeney Jr. says farewell after 30 years
As my time at The Baltimore Sun comes to a close, I was asked to encapsulate the 30 years (half my life) in a few paragraphs – which is impossible. If added together, I’ve spent years at a variety of stadiums, arenas and gyms around the country, with an up-close view of sports history. I’ve covered World Series, Super Bowls, Final Fours, Stanley Cup Finals, etc., and I’ve been paid to be there — what a job! My career in Baltimore lasted longer then Cal Ripken Jr.’s, and I have thousands of photos to prove it.
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- Brooks Robinson’s Baseball Hall of Fame Induction, on July 31, 1983 in Cooperstown, N.Y. (Gene Sweeney, Jr./Baltimore Sun)
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- With snowstorms dropping more than 45 inches of snow over five days in the Baltimore area in 2010, people did whatever they had to so they could get out. Here, Bill Reynolds of Parkton is trying to shovel tire tracks down his 100-yard driveway to get to the plowed road after his normal snow plow contractor said the snow was to deep for him to plow. (Gene Sweeney Jr./Baltimore Sun)
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- Baltimore Colts owner Robert Irsay engages in a shouting match with reporters during a news conference on Jan. 20, 1984 at Baltimore Washington International airport, where Irsay denied making a deal to move the National Football League franchise to Phoenix. (Gene Sweeney Jr./Baltimore Sun)
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- Brian Roberts gets mobbed by his teammates, including relief pitcher Matt Albers (37), after his 10th inning lead-off homer won an August 2010 game for the Orioles, 3-2. (Gene Sweeney Jr/Baltimore Sun)
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- With the high energy of a Bruce Springsteen concert, the action comes fast and furious. Here, Springsteen decided to go crowd surfing during the song “Hungry Heart.” This November 2009 concert was the first time the E Street Band came to Baltimore since they were an opening act for the Chicago Transit Authority in the ’70s. (Gene Sweeney Jr./Baltimore Sun)
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- Jim Palmer and his daughters are driven around the warning track at Memorial Stadium to the standing ovation of the crowd, during Jim Palmer Day in 1985. (Gene Sweeney Jr./Baltimore Sun)
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- The Oakland Athletics’ Jack Hannahan goes up and over the dugout railing in pursuit of Orioles hitter Luke Scott’s foul ball in the fifth inning of a baseball game, September 2008 in Baltimore. Hannahan was able to hang on to the ball for the out. (Gene Sweeney Jr./Baltimore Sun)
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- The PBR (Professional Bull Riders) tour stopped at the 1st Mariner Arena. Shown is “Gator Bend” eyeing thrown rider Jordan Hupp during Friday night’s event. (Gene Sweeney Jr/Baltimore Sun)
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- The historic downtown of Ellicott City went up in flames one night in November 1984. The six-alarm fire was reported shortly after 11 p.m. and destroyed at least eight buildings. (Gene Sweeney Jr./Baltimore Sun)
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- Orioles starting pitcher Mike Mussina, grimaces after being hit in the forehead by a line drive hit by Cleveland Indians’ Sandy Alomar in the sixth inning, May 14, 1998. (Gene Sweeney Jr/Baltimore Sun)
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- Vi Ripken, Cal Ripken Jr. and Cal Ripken Sr. walk to the second base area for the postgame ceremony honoring Cal Jr.’s breaking of the consecutive game streak at 2131. (Gene Sweeney Jr./Baltimore Sun)
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- Morganna Rose Roberts, also known as “the kissing bandit,” is shown kissing Cal Ripken Jr/ at home plate on May 2, 1988. (Gene Sweeney Jr/Baltimore Sun)
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- Ray Lewis performs his squirrel dance for perhaps the last time during a playoff game between the Indianapolis Colts and the Baltimore Ravens in January 2013. The Ravens would go on to win the Super Bowl. (Gene Sweeney Jr./Baltimore Sun)
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- Ravens linebacker Ray Lewis does a victory lap around M&T Bank Stadium to salute the fans after the Ravens beat the Indianapolis Colts in the playoffs. (Gene Sweeney Jr./Baltimore Sun)
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- Ravens quarterback Joe Flacco and head coach John Harbaugh celebrate the Ravens’ playoff win over the Patriots in the AFC Championship game in January 2013. (Gene Sweeney Jr./Baltimore Sun)
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- Ravens kicker Billy Cundiff walks off the field after missing the game-tying field goal in the 2012 AFC Championship Game, while punter Sam Koch and long snapper Morgan Cox slump in dejection. (Gene Sweeney Jr./Baltimore Sun)
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- Orioles fan favorite Mike Flanagan waves to the cheering crowds at Memorial Stadium after he pitched to the last batter on the stadium’s last day. (Gene Sweeney, Jr./Baltimore Sun)
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- Ravens linebacker Bart Scott levels Steelers quarterback Ben Roethlisberger, for one of the nine sacks on Roethlisberger in a November 2006 game. Roethlisberger lost eight yards on this second-quarter play and was knocked out of the game for a series of plays. (Gene Sweeney Jr./Baltimore Sun)
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- Dave Colon is a motivational speaker with The Postal Service, but he really gets motivated when he talks about his lawn. He has 1.8 acres he maintains around his home, and it’s easy to see the pride he takes in his work. (Gene Sweeney, Jr./Baltimore Sun)
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- President Bill Clinton and Vice President Al Gore acknowledge the choir after their rendition of The Battle Hymn of The Republic at Clinton’s second inauguration on January 20, 1997. (Gene Sweeney, Jr./Baltimore Sun)
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- Baltimore mayor, Martin O’Malley and his band celebrated releasing their third CD by throwing a party at Fletcher’s pub in Fells Point on March 10, 2000. (Gene Sweeney, Jr./Baltimore Sun)
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- The Navy’s Blue Angels practice over Fort McHenry in Baltimore on June 15, 2012. The jets were a feature attraction during the Sailabration air show over the fort. (Gene Sweeney, Jr./Baltimore Sun)
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- Home plate umpire Jeff Kellogg tackles a fan that ran onto the field at an Orioles game in Baltimore after he “slid” into home plate, on April 27, 2012. (Gene Sweeney, Jr./Baltimore Sun)
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- 7/9/1993 – “Zolo”, from Admiral Services spruces up the windows at Oriole Park for the MLB All-Star Game, even though the temperatures outside were in the low 100s. (Gene Sweeney, Jr./Baltimore Sun)
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- At the next-to-last game of the Orioles’ magical 1989 “Why Not’ season, Orioles starting pitcher Dave Johnson (who was an emergency fill-in when starter Pete Harnish stepped on a nail) is consoled by Bob Milacki after the O’s lost 4-3 to the Blue Jays and lost a shot at the American League East pennant., on September 29, 1989 in Toronto. The Orioles went to Toronto needing a three-game sweep in order to take the pennant and make the playoffs. Johnson left the game in the eighth inning having pitched the game of his life, giving the Orioles a 3-1 lead, only to watch the bullpen lose the game. (Gene Sweeney Jr./Baltimore Sun)
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- Orioles pitcher Jim Palmer delivers during a 1984 game in Baltimore. (Gene Sweeney, Jr./Baltimore Sun)
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- Adam Petty, left, was the fourth generation of the Petty family that was racing in NASCAR. In 1999, when this photo was taken, it was widely held that the Pettys were the first family to have four generations participating in the same sport. In the center is Kyle Petty, Adam’s father; to the right is Richard Petty, Kyle’s father. Lee Petty, the father of Richard, no longer went to the races when this photo was taken, but he started the family’s link to NASCAR (Gene Sweeney, Jr./Baltimore Sun)
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- Rider Gary Stevens and Silver Charm (center), winner of the 122nd Preakness Stakes in 1997, head toward the finish line at Pimlico. In second place was Free House, with rider Paco Gonzalez (right), followed by Captain Bodgit ridden by Alex Solis. (Gene Sweeney, Jr./Baltimore Sun)
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- The ageing leader of The Rolling Stones, Mick Jagger, belts out “Start Me Up” to a sold-out Jack Kent Cooke Stadium crowd in Landover, Md., on October 23, 1997. (Gene Sweeney Jr./Baltimore Sun)
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- Brooks Robinson fans wait for the Orioles third baseman’s induction into the Baseball Hall of Fame in 1983. (Gene Sweeney Jr./Baltimore Sun)
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- Former Orioles shortstop and third baseman Cal Ripken Jr. sits for a studio shot for a special section to commemorate his induction into the Hall of Fame. (Gene Sweeney, Jr./Baltimore Sun)
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- Baseball Hall of Fame member Cal Ripken, Jr. ponders a question while holding his HOF plaque after the induction ceremony on July 30, 2007, in Cooperstown, N.Y. (Gene Sweeney Jr./Baltimore Sun)
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- Orioles Ryan Flaherty, Nick Markakis and Adam Jones celebrate in the outfield after the Orioles’ 6-5 win over Texas at Oriole Park at Camden Yards on May 10, 2012. (Gene Sweeney, Jr./Baltimore Sun)
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- Ravens quarterback Trent Dilfer jumps into the arms of Scott Mitchell (center) to celebrate a touchdown pass to Brandon Stokley during Super Bowl XXXV in Tampa, January 28, 2011. The Ravens won the game 34-7. (Gene Sweeney Jr./Baltimore Sun)
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- Teammates mob Nate McLouth after he hit the game-winning RBI single to give Baltimore a win over Tampa Bay on September 12, 2012 in Baltimore. (Gene Sweeney Jr./Baltimore Sun)
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- Terps baseball player Korey Wacker does a back-flip into his teammates before the start of a 2011 game in College Park, Md. In the team’s second year under head coach Erik Bakich, the Maryland program got a new lease on life that brought the fun back for the players. (Gene Sweeney Jr./Baltimore Sun)
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- Preakness favorite Barbaro’s jockey Edgar Prado settles his ride after Barbaro pulled up with an injured rear right leg, on May 20, 2006 in Baltimore. (Gene Sweeney Jr./Baltimore Sun)
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- Bowie Baysox batter Edgar Alfonzo appears to have lost his head as he was hit inand around the high chest area by Phillies pitcher Greg Brown in a June 1993 game. Much to the relief of all, his head was intact, and after some attention by the trainer, he took first base. (Gene Sweeney Jr./Baltimore Sun)
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- Dale Earnhardt leaps on the roof of his car in victory lane after 20 years of frustration ended when he won The Daytona 500 in Daytona Beach, Fla., on Feb. 15, 1998. (Gene Sweeney Jr./Baltimore Sun)
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- Orioles pitcher Ben McDonald took the monsoon rain in stride during the delay at Oriole Park in Camden Yards in June 1993. McDonald brought out his rod and reel to try and see what he might catch in the O’s dugout, which was flooded due to heavy rains. (Gene Sweeney Jr./Baltimore Sun)
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- With this hit in Minneapolis on April 16, 2000, Cal Ripken Jr. joined a select group of ball players that succeeded in getting 3000 hits, along with 400 home runs. (Gene Sweeney Jr./Baltimore Sun)
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- Washington, DC — 12/29/10 — Maryland Terrapins vs. East Carolina in the Military Bowl at RFK Stadium. Maryland linebacker Adrian Moten and head coach Ralph Friedgen celebrate winning the Military Bowl against East Carolina at RFK Stadium in Washington, D.C., on Dec. 29, 2010. (Gene Sweeney Jr./Baltimore Sun)
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- ABC sportscaster Jim McKay celebrated his 50th year in broadcasting and wrote a book about his experiences. Here, McKay is photographed at his farm in Monkton in 1997. (Gene Sweeney, Jr./Baltimore Sun)
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- Orioles slugger Chris Davis reacts to his teammates after hitting a grand slam in the 8th inning, giving Baltimore a 9-5 win in their home opener on April, 5 2013. (Gene Sweeney Jr./Baltimore Sun)
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- Ravens quarterback Joe Flacco holds aloft the Lombardi Trophy after the Ravens defeated the San Francisco 49ers in Super Bowl XLVII in New Orleans on Feb. 3, 2013. (Gene Sweeney Jr./Baltimore Sun)
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- Arundel’s Becky Carlson got hit in the back during this March 22, 1996 baseball game against Calvert Hall. She was the first girl to play boys baseball at the high school level in Anne Arundel County. (Gene Sweeney, Jr./Baltimore Sun)
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- As more roads opened around Ground Zero, you could see the disaster from the Sept. 11 attacks. This picture was taken on Sept. 20, 2001. (Gene Sweeney, Jr./Baltimore Sun)
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- Severna Park’s Lauren Stafford, top, battles for the ball with South River’s Kasey Honeycutt, left, and Aly Shelly during this Sept. 15, 2005 game. (Gene Sweeney, Jr./Baltimore Sun)
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- Shown on Aug. 18, 1997, Janet Hull, 79, formed a senior women’s softball league in Anne Arundel County so she didn’t have to drive to Virginia to play. (Gene Sweeney, Jr./Baltimore Sun)
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- Lance Cpl. Geoff Stout defended his position in the doorway of an occupied building during a training exercise with the Marine Corps to try and develop new ways of fighting in an “urban” setting on Dec. 17, 1997 in Jacksonville, N.C.
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- A fisherman spent the morning on the Gunpowder River on June 21, 2001. (Gene Sweeney, Jr./Baltimore Sun)
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- Hugh M. Roper, a past president of the Pearl Harbor Survivors Association, reflected on the Sept. 11, 2001 terrorist attacks. (Gene Sweeney, Jr./Baltimore Sun)
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- Ravens owner Art Modell smiled as his players lifted the AFC championship trophy following a 16-3 win over the Oakland Raiders on Jan. 14, 2001. (Gene Sweeney, Jr./Baltimore Sun)
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- A fan dressed as Batman ran onto the field and eluded police for several minutes before being tackled during the Orioles game on April 6, 2012. (Gene Sweeney, Jr./Baltimore Sun)
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- Jim Shea headed down the course during the Olympics in Utah on Feb. 20, 2002 to win the gold medal in skeleton. (Gene Sweeney, Jr./Baltimore Sun)
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- Jim Shea, a third-generation Olympian, celebrated after winning the gold medal in skeleton at the Olympics in Utah on Feb. 20, 2002. (Gene Sweeney, Jr./Baltimore Sun)
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- Kansas City Royals catcher Mike Sweeney, bottom, tagged out the Orioles’ Jeff Reboulet to end the seventh inning in this April 2, 1997 game. (Gene Sweeney Jr. /The Baltimore Sun)
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- Cal Ripken Jr. walked around the field during spring training in 1999 with his son, Ryan, on his shoulders. (Gene Sweeney, Jr./Baltimore Sun)
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- Orioles shortstop Cal Ripken Jr. tipped his hat after running on the field on Sept. 6, 1995 during his 2,131st consecutive game, which broke Lou Gehrig’s record. (Gene Sweeney Jr. / The Baltimore Sun)
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- The Ravens’ Milton Wynn sat on the bench after the team lost a chance at the playoffs by losing to the Cleveland Browns, 14-13, on Dec. 22, 2002. (Gene Sweeney, Jr./Baltimore Sun)
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- The Ripken family — from left, Billy, Cal Sr. and Cal Jr. — posed for this picture at spring training in 1987. (Gene Sweeney, Jr./Baltimore Sun)
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- Former Baltimore Colts quarterback John Unitas, right, presented Orioles shortstop Cal Ripken Jr. with a signed jersey after Ripken’s record-tying 2,130th consecutive game on Sept. 5, 1995. (Gene Sweeney Jr./The Baltimore Sun)
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- Danica Patrick rode on the Baltimore Grand Prix track during a practice session on Sept. 2, 2011. (Gene Sweeney, Jr./Baltimore Sun)
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- Virginia’s Bray Malphrus, center, and Steele Stanwick, right, were among the Cavaliers who celebrated after winning the NCAA men’s lacrosse championship on May 30, 2011 at M&T Bank Stadium. (Gene Sweeney, Jr./Baltimore Sun)
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- Ravens linebacker Terrell Suggs celebrates after sacking Carolina Panthers quarterback Brian St. Pierre in this Nov. 21, 2010 game. (Gene Sweeney, Jr./Baltimore Sun)
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- Ravens linebacker Ray Lewis waves after the team defeated the New York Giants, 34-7, on Jan. 28, 2001 in Tampa, Fla., to win Super Bowl XXXV. (Gene Sweeney, Jr./Baltimore Sun)
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- Home plate umpire CB Bucknor, top, made a safe call as the New York Yankees’ Bobby Abreu, bottom, slid safely into home plate with Orioles pitcher Kam Mickolio covering in this Aug. 22, 2008 game. (Gene Sweeney, Jr./Baltimore Sun)
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- Fans reach out to Cal Ripken Jr. on Sept. 6, 1995 as he runs around the field at Camden Yards after he broke Lou Gehrig’s record for consecutive games played. (Gene Sweeney Jr. / The Baltimore Sun)
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- Orioles second baseman Roberto Alomar, left, was restrained by manager Davey Johnson, center, on Sept. 27, 1996 in a game against the Toronto Blue Jays, as he spit on umpire John Hirschbeck. (Gene Sweeney, Jr./Baltimore Sun)
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- On Oct. 26, 1993, Gov. William Donald Schaefer looked dismayed during the announcement by the NFL that only Charlotte will get an expansion team. The other four cities waited until Nov. 30 to learn the second city to get a team, which ultimately was Jacksonville and not Baltimore. (Gene Sweeney, Jr./Baltimore Sun)
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- In 2004, Luigi Bergamo inspected the Liberty Bell. A local company, Direct Dimensions, teamed with a French bell foundry, Cornille Havard, to measure with computer technology and create an exact replica of the Liberty Bell. (Gene Sweeney, Jr./Baltimore Sun)
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- A picture of the Inner Harbor in 2010. (Gene Sweeney, Jr./Baltimore Sun)
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- At a rally with former Maryland governor Robert Ehrlich, and his wife, Kendel, at the Dewey Loman American Legion Post in Halethorpe, Republican presidential candidate John McCain reacts to a story about “intercepting” a missile in Vietnam and being shot down. (Gene Sweeney, Jr./Baltimore Sun)
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- In this undated photo, Johnny Unitas is shown with the score for the 1958 NFL championship — known as “The Greatest Game Ever Played” — in the background. (Gene Sweeney, Jr./Baltimore Sun)
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- The Gilman boys lacrosse team’s bid for an undefeated season in 2008 came to an end at the hands of Loyola, 12-11. Here, Gilman’s Greg McBride walks off the field in Towson dejectedly while Loyola celebrates behind him. (Gene Sweeney Jr./Baltimore Sun)
My very first assignment with The Sun in 1983 was the induction of Brooks Robinson into baseball’s Hall of Fame. Twenty-seven photos were used in our two papers. Last February covering the Super Bowl, hundreds of photos were used in galleries on our websites. From film to digital cards, from newsprint to the Internet, how times have changed. Through it all, hopefully I brought a little bit of the scene back to you, our readers and now “viewers” too.
So as I head into the sunset (literally, I’m moving out west), I want to thank you, the readers, for letting me take you along for the ride. That is a journalist’s job, and I hope I have done it well. Finally, to that cute blond who I met in the first row at Memorial Stadium (yes, while I was working), thanks for hanging with me all these years as my wife. That was my best day at any stadium.
So goodbye, so long and thanks to all of you. It was one heck of a ride.
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L.A.
Jul 10, 2017 @ 01:12:15
Dear Mr. Sweeney,
I just came across this article and wanted to let you know how special you are as a photographer and person. Back in 2004 you took incredible pictures at the Preakness and I had the honor of speaking to you about a special horse. I’ll always remember your kindness and generosity . I hope you have a wonderful retirement and I’ll bet you are still doing incredibly brilliant photos and making a difference in the lives of others. Wishing you and yours all the best! Sincerely, L.A.
Drew McMahon
Jan 23, 2014 @ 22:48:29
Gene, I am just finding about this now since I am no longer living in Maryland and was looking up some tv/radio/news stories to catch up on things. It was my utmost pleasure to meet you in Baltimore at Memorial Stadium back in the 80’s. You were always so kind to me everytime we had the chance to chat it up before or even sometimes during events depending on what the Sun had you covering that particular day or night.
Your photography was so amazing to see over the decades and while I am saddened that you have left the Sunpapers Company I am so glad that you will get the time you deserve in retirement to catch up on the things that you have probably wanted to do for you but didn’t have the chance because you always had like 3 to 5 cameras on you (depending on the event and the pictures that you wanted to shoot) everytime you were working an event.
You are the one of the classiest individuals I have ever come across and one of the few in that business that I could truely call a friend.
Gene, enjoy your many years of upcoming retirement and maybe sometime we’ll get a chance to meet up again somewhere down the road and catch up on old times.
Here’s wishing you nothing but the best.
Regards,
-Drew McMahon- One of the workers in the press box at Memorial Stadium in Baltimore,Md.
Billy Dixon
Aug 05, 2013 @ 07:07:44
I knew this was coming, but I am still not ready for it. The sidelines won’t be the same without you. Enjoy the next level of your life
Linda Kelly
Aug 04, 2013 @ 20:49:24
Amazing photos Gene! Wishing you the very best in your retirement!
Brian Doak
Aug 02, 2013 @ 12:52:14
Gene,
You are a terrific guy, and the last of a dying breed, a brilliant photo-journalist tied to the hometown paper for decades. I’m proud to call you a friend and look forward to watching you enjoy the sunset years.
Brian
mike
Aug 02, 2013 @ 11:44:15
Good luck, Gene, and thanks for the great photos! I hope it wasn’t a forced buyout, but whatever the reason you’re moving West, we wish you all the best!
Thomas Graves
Aug 02, 2013 @ 11:34:31
My best to you, Gene. You’re a fine man, a fine photographer, and it was a pleasure and an honor working with you.
Mary Beth Marsden
Aug 02, 2013 @ 11:06:16
Gene,
What a fantastic career bringing us these moments that remind us how much we appreciate Baltimore and the history of the past 30 years. Your images have told so many stories and captured the spectrum of human emotion….and for that we all thank you. Personally, you are a joy to be around and to work with in the field. Congratulations on a great legacy! Now….have a fantastic new chapter in your life!!! (which I know you will:)
xx-mb
Dennis M. Sweeney
Aug 02, 2013 @ 09:46:20
Great career. Sorry to see you go. Will miss seeing your photos that always enhanced the news.