Baltimore Orioles

(For the 1901–02 American League team known as the Baltimore Orioles, see New York Yankees.) There were also a 19th-century National League team and a 20th-century minor league team named the Baltimore Orioles. For the bird the team is named for, see Baltimore Oriole.

The Baltimore Orioles are a Major League Baseball team based in Baltimore, Maryland. They are in the Eastern Division of the American League.

Founded: 1893, as the Milwaukee, Wisconsin franchise in the minor Western League. In 1900 that league became the American League, which achieved major league status in 1901.

Formerly known as: Milwaukee Brewers, 1894–1901. St. Louis Browns, 1902-1953.

Home ballpark: Oriole Park at Camden Yards 1992-present

Prior home parks: Memorial Stadium (Baltimore) 1954-1991, Sportsman's Park (St. Louis)

Uniform colors: Black and Orange

Logo design: An oriole

World Series championships won (3): 1966, 1970, 1983

American League pennants won (7): 1944, 1966, 1969, 1970, 1971, 1979, 1983

Division titles won (8): 1969, 1970, 1971, 1973, 1974, 1979, 1983, 1997

Wild Card titles won (1): 1996

From the Browns to the Orioles

The modern Orioles can trace their franchise link back to the Milwaukee Brewers of the Western League, who in 1902 became the St. Louis Browns of the fledgling American League. Half a century of sub-par baseball and the existence of two major league teams in St. Louis – the AL Browns and the NL Cardinals eventually forced Browns majority owner Bill Veeck to consider moving his franchise. Just before World War II, the Browns nearly moved to Los Angeles, nearly two decades before big league baseball eventually arrived in California.

During the war, the Browns won their only St. Louis based American League pennant in 1944, but they faced their local rivals, the more successful Cardinals, and lost the 1944 World Series, 4–2.

Following the 1953 season, Veeck sold his controlling interest to Clarence Miles, and the American League owners approved the relocation of the team to Baltimore. The team immediately took on the nickname "Orioles" as that name had a long history:

• In the 1890's, a National League Orioles squad included future Hall of Famers as "Wee" Willie Keeler, Wilbert Robinson and John McGraw, and won three straight pennants.
• In 1901, Baltimore and McGraw were awarded an expansion franchise in the growing American League, but the team moved to New York City in 1903 and became baseball's most successful franchise – the New York Yankees.
• As a member of the high-minor league level International League, the Orioles competed at the AAA level from 1903–1953. Baltimore's own George Herman Ruth – nicknamed "Babe" – pitched for the Orioles before being sold to the AL Boston Red Sox in 1916.

The Oriole Way

The new AL Orioles took about six years to become competitive. By the early 1960's, stars such as Brooks Robinson, John "Boog" Powell, and Dave McNally were being developed by a strong farm system.

In 1966, the Orioles traded with the Cincinnati Reds and acquired slugging outfielder Frank Robinson. Robinson went on to become the first player to win the Most Valuable Player award in each league while hitting for the Triple Crown (leading the American League in batting average, home runs, and runs batted in.) The Orioles won their first ever American League championship in 1966, and in a major upset, swept the World Series by out-dueling the Los Angeles Dodgers aces Sandy Koufax and Don Drysdale.

The Orioles farm system had begun to produce a number of high quality players and coaches who formed the core of winning teams; from 1966 to 1983, the Orioles won three World Series titles (1966, 1970, and 1983), six American League pennants, and five of the first six American League Eastern Division titles. They played baseball the "Oriole Way", an organizational ethic best described by acerbic manager Earl Weaver as "pitching, defense, and the three run home run."

As the Robinson boys grew older, newer stars emerged including multiple Cy Young Award winner Jim Palmer and switch-hitting first baseman Eddie Murray. With the decline and eventual departure of two local teams – the NFL's Baltimore Colts and baseball's Washington Senators, the Orioles' excellence paid off at the gate, as the team cultivated a large and rabid fan base at old Memorial Stadium.

The 21st Century

Going into the 2005 season, the Orioles have had seven consecutive sub-.500 seasons without a post-season visit – the combination of lackluster play of the team’s part and the ascent of the Yankees and Red Sox to the top of the game – each rival having a clear advantage in financial flexibility due to their larger media market size. Further complicating the situation for the Orioles is the relocation of the Montreal Expos franchise to nearby Washington, D.C. – for which Angelos has demanded compensation from Major League Baseball. The new Washington Nationals (who begin play in 2005) threaten to carve into the Orioles fan base and television dollars. However, poor on-field production also has been a factor in eroding the support of what has been a very loyal fan base. There is some hope that having competition in the larger Baltimore-Washington metro market will spur the Orioles to field a better product to compete for fans with the Nationals.

The Orioles mismanagement has tarnished the reputation of a franchise that was once one of the most successful of the modern era – and potential free agents seem to be avoiding Baltimore nowadays – a notable exception is former AL MVP shortstop Miguel Tejada. In January, 2005, Baltimore made a blockbuster trade with the Chicago Cubs for prolific slugger Sammy Sosa – and while this move may not be enough to push the Orioles back into the playoff picture, it should very likely boost slumping ticket sales.

Players of note

Baseball Hall of Famers

• Luis Aparicio
• Hugh Duffy (Milwaukee Brewers)
• Rick Ferrell
• Reggie Jackson
• George Kell
• Eddie Murray
• Jim Palmer
• Branch Rickey (St. Louis Browns)
• Robin Roberts
• Brooks Robinson
• Frank Robinson
• George Sisler (St. Louis Browns)
• Rube Waddell (St. Louis Browns)
• Earl Weaver
• Hoyt Wilhelm

Future addition

• Cal Ripken, Jr. (Expected to enter Hall of Fame in 2007 on first ballot)

Current 25-man roster (updated on May 11, 2005)

Manager

• 12 Lee Mazzilli

Coaches

• 24 Rick Dempsey (first base)
• 55 Tom Trebelhorn (third base)
•   2 Sam Perlozzo (bench)
• 34 Ray Miller (pitching)
• 48 Terry Crowley (hitting)
• 44 Elrod Hendricks (bullpen)
• 54 Sammy Snider (bullpen catcher)

Not to be forgotten

Baltimore Orioles

* Manager

St. Louis Browns

* Player and manager

* * Manager

* * * Owner

Played in both teams

Retired numbers

•   4 Earl Weaver
•   5 Brooks Robinson
•   8 Cal Ripken, Jr.
• 20 Frank Robinson
• 22 Jim Palmer
• 33 Eddie Murray
• 42 Jackie Robinson (retired throughout baseball)

Broadcasters

• Chuck Thompson – Voice of the Orioles for 50 years and Ford C. Frick Award recipient
• Ernie Harwell – Voice of the Orioles in the late 50's and Ford C. Frick Award recipient
• Jon Miller – Voice of the Orioles during the 80's and 90's

Minor-league affiliates

• Ottawa Lynx (AAA, International League)
• Bowie Baysox (AA, Eastern League)
• Frederick Keys (High-A, Carolina League)
• Delmarva Shorebirds (A, South Atlantic League)
• Aberdeen IronBirds (Short-Season A, New York – Penn League)
• Bluefield Orioles (Rookie, Appalachian League)

Single season records

• Home runs: Brady Anderson (50, 1996)
• Runs batted In: 150 Miguel Tejada (150, 2004)
• Batting average: .420 George Sisler (.420, 1922)
• Hits: George Sisler (257, 1920)
• Runs: George Sisler (137, 1920)
• Doubles: George Sisler (49, 1920)
• Triples: George Sisler (18, 1920–1921–1922)
• Stolen bases: Luis Aparicio (57, 1964)
• Hitting streak: Eric Davis (30 games, 1998)
• Pitching Wins: 26 John McGinnitty (26, 1901)
• Pitching strikeouts: Mike Mussina (218, 1997)

External links

• Baltimore Orioles official web site
• Orioles Hangout – Best Orioles fan site
• Baltimore Orioles News