BALTIMORE -- The white lilies rested gracefully over the newspaper, a wonderful tribute after a tragic act that left the front-row seat in the pressbox at Camden Yards empty, one of its regular inhibitors gone forever. Sports writer John McNamara, 56, was one of five Capital Gazette staffers shot to

BALTIMORE -- The white lilies rested gracefully over the newspaper, a wonderful tribute after a tragic act that left the front-row seat in the pressbox at Camden Yards empty, one of its regular inhibitors gone forever. Sports writer John McNamara, 56, was one of five Capital Gazette staffers shot to death on Thursday in the Annapolis newsroom, a tragedy thrust into the national spotlight.

McNamara, who worked at the paper for more than 20 years, made front-page news in the Gazette in heart-breaking fashion. The shooting also claimed the lives of Gazette staffers Rob Hiaasen, 59, Wendi Winters, 65, Gerald Fischman, 61, and Rebecca Smith, 34.

The Orioles also held a moment of silence prior to Friday night's series opener against the Angels in honor of the five victims and to extend heartfelt support to the family members, colleagues and friends grieving the unimaginable loss.

Brittany Ghiroli has covered the Orioles for MLB.com since 2010. Read her blog, Britt's Bird Watch, follow her on Facebook and Twitter @britt_ghiroli, and listen to her podcast.