The
Baltimore Orioles were the original Milwaukee Brewers,
lasting a year (1901) in that city before moving to St.
Louis and becoming the Browns. It wasn’t until 1954
that the Orioles took on their current name and city.
The
team was less than successful in St. Louis, with only
a single great season. In 1944, the club managed not only
to reach their first playoffs, but also the World Series.
The team was beaten by the Cardinals, the rival team from
the same city.
After
moving to Baltimore, the Orioles took up residence in
Memorial Stadium, their home until 1992, when Oriole Park
at Camden Yards opened. Fans love buying Orioles tickets
to this beautiful ballpark, built in the style of the
glorious parks of the 1900s.
The
Orioles were not contenders again until their stunning
1966 season, when all the pieces finally fell into place
and the team not only made it to the World Series, but
swept the Dodgers in four games. The team became a dynasty,
with trips to the World Series in 1969, 1970 and 1971,
winning the 1970 championship over the Reds. In 1973,
1974 and again in 1979, the team made the playoffs. The
Orioles made their last trip to the World Series in 1983,
beating the Phillies.
In
their more than half-century in Baltimore, the Orioles
have used the talents of some tremendous ball players.
Third baseman Brooks Robinson, who played 23 years for
the Orioles, won 16 Gold Gloves, a record he shares with
pitcher Jim Kaat. He was named MVP in 1964 and was named
to the All-Stars 18 times. Outfielder Frank Robinson not
only made outstanding achievements such as league and
World Series MVP in his first year with the team, he later
became the first African-American to manage a Major League
team. He managed the Orioles after his playing days ended,
taking Manager of the Year awards.
Jim
Palmer played with the Orioles for 19 years and was the
kind of pitcher that drove fans to gobble up baseball
tickets, just for a chance to watch him play. The winner
of the Cy Young award in 1973 and 1975-1976, Palmer is
also renowned for being the youngest pitcher to throw
a shutout in a World Series game. He also is unique for
having pitched and won in a World Series in three different
decades.
Cal
Ripken, Jr., is one of the most beloved Orioles players
in the team’s history. This phenomenal player lit
up Oriole Park at Camden Yards throughout his 20 years
in the Majors. He ranks among an elite seven players to
collect over 400 home runs and over 3,000 career hits.
He holds the league record for most visits to the All-Star
game (19). But his most outstanding record is one that
may never be broken: most consecutive games played, 2,632.
Though
the Orioles have only made two trips to the playoffs since
the mid-1990s, fans still buy Orioles tickets and cheer
for the team whose championship streak will surely heat
up again.
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