Baltimore Orioles
Established: 1901
Other Names:
Milwaukee Brewers (1901)
St. Louis Browns (1902-1953)
2016 results: 89-73,
3rd in A.L. East
Lost A.L. Wild Card
2017 Prediction: 4th
World Series Titles: 3
Most Recent: 1983
Last World Series
Appearance: 1983
Last Division Title: 2014
Ballpark: Oriole
Park at Camden Yards
Est: 1992
Best Season: 1970
The Orioles, led by manager Earl
Weaver, dominated the American League for three consecutive years from 1969 to
1971, winning over 100 games all three seasons. However, the only championship
they won during those years was in 1970. The regular season ended with 108
victories, and was followed by three-game sweep over the Minnesota Twins in the
ALCS and then capped with a five-game World Series win over the Cincinnati
Reds. Pitching was the name of the game in Baltimore as the club had three
20-game winners (Jim Palmer, Mike Cuellar and Dave McNally). Offensively, the O’s were led by Frank
Robinson, Brooks Robinson and Boog Powell.
Best All-time Player:
Cal Ripken JR.
Ripken is the Orioles’ franchise
leader in games played (3001), hits (3184), runs scored (1647), total bases
(5168), doubles (603), home runs (431), RBIs (1695) and walks (1129). During
his 21-year career (all with Baltimore), he was an 19-time All-Star (including
two All-Star Game MVP awards), won the A.L. Rookie of the Year award in 1982,
the A.L. MVP award in 1983 and 1991, eight Silver Slugger awards, two Gold
Gloves and the World Series MVP award in 1983. Oh, and I forgot to mention the
Iron Man streak, an MLB-record 2632 consecutive games played, a record that
will never be broken.
Best Player on the
Current Roster: Manny Machado
While some might argue this
title belongs to Chris Davis, Machado’s numbers would prove otherwise. While
Davis may have better power numbers over the years, his average is rather
pathetic when compared to Machado’s. In 2016, the third baseman was an All-Star
for the third time while batting .294, hitting 37 home runs and adding 96 RBIs.
Machado is also solid in the field having won a Gold Glove award in 2013 and
2015.
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