EDGEWOOD, MD—For Rich McFadden of Edgewood, Father’s Day wasn’t just about spending time with his dad; it was about hitting a $6,500 jackpot thanks to an Orioles grand slam. McFadden was the Maryland Lottery’s “Home Run Riches Contestant of the Game” during the June 15 Orioles matchup, a surprise he kept from his father until game time.
“When my name came up on the TV, my dad was shocked,” McFadden told Maryland Lottery officials. “He said it was one of the best Father’s Day gifts ever.”
As a contestant, McFadden was guaranteed $500. He also earned an additional $500 for each Orioles home run and a hefty $5,000 for every grand slam hit during the designated game.
The Orioles wasted no time, with Ramón Urías blasting a home run in the bottom of the first inning, immediately adding to McFadden’s winnings. “If you get a home run early, you are sitting pretty,” he remarked.
The real excitement, however, came in the seventh inning. With runners on second and third, McFadden hoped for the bases to load. His wish was granted when Gunnar Henderson was intentionally walked, bringing Baltimore catcher Gary Sánchez to the plate.
McFadden, a food service worker, noted Sánchez’s .308 batting average and five home runs with the bases loaded. He watched with a smile as Sánchez sent the ball out of the park for a grand slam.
“When he hit that grand slam, the whole bar started to scream,” McFadden recounted.
Another Orioles home run in the eighth inning pushed McFadden’s total winnings to $6,500. He plans to use some of the money for a trip to Ocean City and deposit the rest into his bank account.
McFadden is the third person to benefit from an Orioles grand slam in 2025 through the “Home Run Riches” contest, joining Raymond Mitchell of Germantown and Kenneth Kline Sr. of Baltimore.
Photo via the Maryland Lottery
