Photo credit: Icon Sportswire
Dubroff’s Diner is closing for the holidays. But before we do, there’s an important task I need help with.
The Orioles have completed 65 years of baseball in Baltimore, and to mark that, BaltimoreBaseball.com is picking its all-time Orioles team.
This isn’t a vote, but a request for suggestions.
Next month will be 40 years since I moved to Baltimore, so I’ve seen the Orioles up close from 1980 until now, first as a fan, and then as a writer.
But I wasn’t here from 1954-1979. I actually wasn’t even alive for the first few years, and although I’ve read plenty about the early Orioles teams and watched the championship teams of the ’60s and ’70s on television, you can be a great help.
Since 2020 will be the beginning of 26-man teams, we’ll pick an extra player, too. It also will make some of the hard choices a bit easier.
For argument sake, we’ll choose 10 pitchers and 16 position players, two at each position. One of the extra position players will be the designated hitter.
There are some certainties: Brooks Robinson will be the third baseman, Cal Ripken Jr. at short, Eddie Murray at first, Frank Robinson in right and Jim Palmer will be our first starting pitcher.
Many of the other choices will be nearly as obvious to you, but there are some ares I’m just not sure about.
How many starters and relievers should we have on the 10-man staff? The staff is smaller than contemporary pitching staffs but that’s because the overall team is so good that 12 or 13 pitchers aren’t needed.
There are some easy picks on the pitching staff, and tough ones, too.
It’s also hard picking out two catchers. The four best in team history are Rick Dempsey, Chris Hoiles, Gus Triandos and Matt Wieters.
Murray needs a backup at first base. Should it be Boog Powell? How about Chris Davis, Jim Gentile, and, yes, Rafael Palmeiro?
Ripken needs to take a rest sometimes. There’s a host of excellent alternatives to back him up: Luis Aparicio, Mark Belanger, Mike Bordick, J.J. Hardy and Miguel Tejada.
Who is the best second baseman? Is it Brian Roberts? How about Rich Dauer, Bobby Grich, Davey Johnson or Jonathan Schoop? What about Roberto Alomar, who played just three seasons here?
There are a number of notable outfielders, too. Paul Blair would seem to be a lock in center, but should Adam Jones beat him out? Who plays left field?
When we return after the holidays, we’ll be revealing the all-time Orioles team in two parts, so please comment early and often.
Thank you for reading and commenting this year, and best holiday wishes to you and your family.
This week’s question: Who is on your all-time Orioles team?
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View Comments
sp-palmer
mussina
mcnally
BP
britton
olsen
C-Etchebarren
1B-Murray
2B-Grich
SS-Ripkin
3B-Brooksie
RFMarkakis
CF-Blair
LF-Buford
DH-Frank Robinson
C-Etchebarren
1B-Murray
2B-Alomar
SS-Ripken
3B-Brooks
RF-Frank Robinson
CF-Adam Jones
LF-Don Buford
DH-Rafael Palmeiro
SP-Jim Palmer
RP-Zach Britton
My apologies to Paul Blair,Boog Powell,Nelson Cruz
Happy Holidays Rich
Thank you, Orial.
Tossing out names at random, short stint options: Belle, Bonilla, Cruz. Outfielders to top Blair/Buford: Brady Anderson and Ken Singleton. Utility player is easy, Surhoff. Pitching: Cuellar, McNally, Stone, Tippy Martinez, Olsen, Mussina.
Jim, I’m going to pass on players such as Nelson Cruz, who had the best season of any Orioles DH, because their tenure was so short.
How about catcher and second base?
Gus Triandos, Chris Hoiles at catcher. Roberts and Grich at second.
Adding more pitchers: Milt Pappas, Hoyt Wilhelm. Pat Dobson only had 2 seasons, but both with a sub 3 ERA.
Came darn close to adding Pappas myself
One more starting pitcher: Steve Barber.
Ok Rich. I'm not going to mention the obvious Hall of Fame players who are no doubters. And since my most memorable players are from the late 80's and up most of my list will come from that period. Which makes picking starting pitchers nearly impossible.
C- Hoiles so much fun to watch
1b- Palmeiro if he doesn't get caught a no
doubt Hall of Famer
2b- Alomar second base is a tough position to
fill
SS- JJ great all around player
3b- Manny easy choice
DH- Harold Baines MD native and HOFer
LF- Brady better in left then center
CF- AJ great team leader
RF- Devo greatest player ever
SP- Mussina my favorite all time pitcher.
After Mike I can't think of another worthy
Starter
RP- Britton, Myers, O'Day, Olsen
That was fun to think of thanks Rich have a great holiday. And I look forward to to adding some new names in ten years
Devo, I hope I’m still doing this 10 years from now.
C- Floyd Rayford
1B- David Segui
2B- Bill Ripken
SS- Richie Martin
3B- Craig Worthington
RF- Rene Gonzalez
CF- Ken Gerhardt
LF- Henry Urrutia
DH- Chris Davis
P- Mark Williamson
Brooks, Cal,Frank, Eddie, Moose, Palmer etc have all been traded for prospects. Don't worry, the 75th Anniversary team in 2029 should be really good.
BanMo. Tongue in cheek or not .... David Segui ... Really? This hurts me.
You're right, Stache. This is the right way, really the only way, to build an All-Time Team. Guess who I'd make General Manager? Seriously, Merry Christmas to all!
BTW BanMo, this was over the top clever and too, too bleapin' funny. I believe it may be your masterpiece.
Rich, I would suggest a minimum tenure with the Orioles, at least 4 or 5 years, to be eligible for the All-Time team. Otherwise, you would have to consider players such as Reggie Jackson, Nelson Cruz, Dwight Evans, Bobby Bonilla, and Jimmy Key. Roberto Alomar may be a close call, but I don't think just 3 years as an Oriole is enough time to make the cut.
Birdman, good thought. The tiebreaker for me will be length of tenure.
Rich, here is how I would fill out the roster. At my age, I know I am forgetting at least one of two that could replace these. I remember Al Pilarcek and Willi Miranda.
Leaving Singleton and Triandos off was tough, same for Apparicio.
C - Andy E, Rick Dempsey
1B- Eddie Murray, Boog Powell
2B- Brian Roberts, Davey Johnson
3B- Brooks Robinson, Manny Machado
SS- Cal Ripken, JJ Hardy
LF- Brady Anderson, Don Buford
CF- Adam Jones, Paul Blair
RF- Frank Robinson, Nick Markakis
DH- Raphael Palmero
SP- Jim Palmer, Dave McNally, Mike Mussina, Mike Cuellar, Mike Boddinger, Milt Pappas,
RP- Zack Britton, Greg Olson, Tippy Marinez, Stu Miller
1B - Eddie Murray, Boog Powell
2B - Bobby Grich, Brian Roberts
SS - Cal Ripken, Luis Aparicio
3B - Brooks Robinson, Manny Machado
LF - B.J. Surhoff, Brady Anderson
CF - Adam Jones, Paul Blair
RF - Frank Robinson, Nick Markakis
UTILITY OF - Don Buford
DH - Nelson Cruz, Lee May
SP - Jim Palmer, Dave McNally, Mike Mussina Mike Cuellar, Scott Mcgregor, Mike Flanagan
BP - Gregg Olson, Tippy Martinez, Zach Britton, Stu Miller, Brad Brach, Randy Myers
C - Matt Wieters, Chris Hoiles, Gus Triandos
My list matches this (GSISDANNO) except at Catcher I would choose Hendricks/Etchebarren (platoon) & Weiters. And at 2nd ...I got Davey Johnson & Bobby Grich
Being a part of one of the great teams is skewing the results significantly. I'm old enough to have watched Buford and Blair, but their accomplishments as individuals pale in comparison to numerous outfielders. I wouldn't punish a player for being on bad teams. How about a Cooperstown/Orioles HOF member with a plus 300 average and .379 OBP? Harold Baines!
Palmer, Mussina, Cuellar, McNally, Steve Barber,Flanagan,McGregor, Britton,Wilhelm who no hitted the Yankees
C- Triandos -my all time favorite player who homered in Wilhelm 1-0 no hitter of those dastardly Yankees.
1st-Powell, Murray, Gentile
2-Grich, Roberts
SS- Cal, Miranda, ya Willie
3-Brooks, Kell
Outfield-Buford, Robinson,Blair,,Jones, Willie Tasby, Tito Francona, Lenny Green,Russ Snyder
Merry Christmas Rich and all of the Oriole fans.
Thank you, Tony.
i love your picks
Catcher- Dempsey, Etchebarren
1st Base- Murray, Powell
2nd Base- Johnson, Grich
SS- Ripken, Belanger
3rd- Robinson, DeCinces
LF- Loewenstein/Roenicke,
CF- Blair, Jones
RF- Robinson, Markakis
DH- Singleton, May
SP- Palmer, Cuellar, McNally, Flanagan, Mussina, McGregor
RP- Tippy Martinez, Britton, Stanhouse, Olsen
I love your LF platoon. Those 2 guys made one heck of a player.
Vote for Boog!!
C. Wieters, The Dipper
1B. Boog, Murray (Murray never won an MVP)
2B. Grich, Alomar
3B. Brooks, Manny (yeah .. that one hurts)
SS. Cal & The Blade
LF. Baylor, Bumbry
RF. Robinson, Reggie Jackson
CF. Jones, Blair
Starters: Palmer, Moose, McNally, Cuellar, Flanagan, Dobson
Relievers: Tippy, Olson, Britton, Grant Jackson, Fullpack
Glad to see some one finally included The Bee. Thanks Boog.
Don’t forget Flanagan and Sammy Stewart in relief. I can’t think of a better backup SS than Belanger
Eddie Watt for relief. Five seasons with an ERA of 2.27 or less.
Dang you're right, I forgot him. He teamed up with Grant Jackson for solid L/R combo in the early 70s.
.
And Pete Richert as the lefty side kick! And Moe Drabowski for his heroic performance in the ‘66 WS.
Ummm......Wally Bunker? That's a gimme for me. Best starter on the early 60's pre-World Series teams. 19 game-winner at the ripe old age of 19. Who else in baseball history has won 19 games at the age of 19? He retired from baseball at age 26, a victim of the lack of knowledge about pitching injuries that now rightly informs baseball at all levels. And who can forget that he threw a complete game 6-hit shut out the LA Dodgers in the third game of the 1966 World Series, the incredible Series that the "Baby Birds" stoned the heavily favored Angelinos in four straight games? Even more than the so-called "miracle" in the Series three years later (obviously hyped by the dominant NYCity Media) this was the most surprising victory in the entire history of the World Series. This team has never gotten the credit it deserved; beating the famed duo of Koufax and Drysdale, the latter twice. Games 3 and 4 were both 1-0 pitching duels. And Game 1 belonged to the incredible relief effort of well-traveled Moe Drabowsky, a notorious bulllpen prankster, who tossed 6 1/3 Innings of 1-hit, 11K baseball in relief of Dave McNally, who came back and outdueled Drysdale in the Game 4 finale.
I remember Wally Bunker seems like yesterday. The baby birds would all be in minors if Elias was the GM then
True dat! Bunker would have been retiring just as Elias was bringing him up!
I think most of us remember Hoyt Wilhelm as a lights out reliever but he was a starter for part of his career and in 1959 was 15-11 with a 2.19 ERA for an O's team that was 74-80. He was an all-star that year too.
As for Bunker, the only other guy I could think of who won 19 at age 19 was Dwight Gooden. But he "only" won 17 in his age 19 season. So Bunker still has him beat. Can anyone find another 19-year old with 19 or more wins in a season other than Wally?
Wilhelm also threw a no-no against the Yanks, the first for an O's pitcher, I think. Because of military service and the unconventional knuckler, he didn't make the Bigs until he was 29. but went on to a long, productive HoF career. With the O's, he was a light in a dark place. Credit to Richards for getting the most out of him at the time.
Murray and Gentile and Powell
Johnson and Alomar
Ripken and Aparicio and Belanger
B. Robinson and Machado
F. Robinson and Blair and Baylor and Singleton
Triandos and Wieters
Palmer and Cuellar and McNally and Mussina
Hall and Miller and Olson and Rhodes and Richert and T. Martinez
I agree with most of the selections made so far. I would just like to add a few more.
Only a few people mentioned Gus Triandos. But I would rate him above almost all other catchers in O's history. Not only could he hit and hit with power, but he was also the first catcher in the history of MLB who consistently caught the knuckleball. That, of course, leads to adding the great Hoyt Wilhelm, perhaps the greatest knuckleball pitcher of all time. When I was first an O's fan, manager Paul Richards designed and had built the now-famous especially large catchers mitt to help Gus catch the knuckleball. Gus was certainly the first catcher in MLB history to use that mitt. Judging by what I see on tv, the more recent versions are about 30% smaller than the Richards- First model.
So both Gus Triandos and Hoyt Wilhelm should be on the all _O's team.
Of course the Manager for that tean should be the Earl of Baltimore....followed by Hank Bauer, Paul Richards and Buck Showalter.
Rich,
A great question: I fully realize these are all opinions, but here's mine:
1B - Murray, Powell
2B - Grich, Alomar
SS - Cal, Hardy
3B - Brooks, Manny
OF - Frank, Singleton, Blair, Buford, Jones, Brady Anderson
C- Hoiles, Rick Demsey barely over Andy E.
P - Palmer, McNally, Mussina, Britton, Moe D., Cueller, Myers, Dennis Martinez, Tippy, Olsen
Thank you, Jim. A good list.
C-Dempsey, Hoiles
1-Murray, Palmeiro
2-Roberts, Grich
SS-Ripken, Belanger
3-Robinson, Machado
OF-Robinson, Jones, Markakis
DH-Baines, Powell
P-Moose, Palmer, McNally
RP-Britten, Olsen, Johnson
Have a great holiday Rich...:)
...go O’s...
Thank you, CP.
This was fun Rich.
Thank you, Ken.
Catcher : Andy Etchebarren, a two time World Champion and two time All Star
First baseman: BOOOOOG as backup to Murray or DH.
Second baseman: Bobby Grich
Third baseman: Brooks
Shortstop: Ripken , backup Aparicio
Left field: again I say BOOOOG!
Center field : Paul Blair
Right field : Frank
Pitching:
Palmer, Cuellar, McNally
Relief : Dick Hall, Moe Drabowsky, Gregg Olson
10 Pitchers
Palmer
Mussina
McNally
Cuellar
Britton
Olson
Flanagan
T. Martinez
D. Martinez
S. McGregor
1B Murray/Palmeiro
2BGrich/Alomar
3B Robinson/Machado
SS Ripken/ Belanger
C Dempsey/ Hoiles
RF Robinson/Singelton
CF Blair/Jones
LF Buford/Surhoff
Thanks Rich, this was fun. Merry Holidays !!!
Thank you, geevee. An interesting list.
You forgot something Rich. A great team still has to have a great manager and pitching coach!
Earl !!
Honorable mention: Paul Richards
Short timers: Davey, Hank Bauer
Ray Miller!!
Honorable mention:
George Bamberger
Harry Brecheen,
We talked about a manager and coaching staff, but decided not to. You forgot Buck!
My 25-man squad
C - Triandos, Hoiles
1B - Murray, Powell
2B - Dave Johnson, Jerry Adair
3B - Brooks, Manny
SS - Cal, Aparicio
RF - Frank
CF - Blair, Bumbry
LF - Brady Anderson
DH - Baines, Jim Gentile
SP - Palmer, McNally, Cuellar, Flanagan, Boddicker
RP - Britton, Randy Myers, Gregg Olson
Swing Man SP RP Opener - Hoyt Wilhelm
Best O’s platoon ever:
Roenicke and Lowenstein
Buck has to be honorable mention; but he never won a WS.
Didn’t see this one before I responded earlier.
I have a special place in my heart for the late 70's O's teams, particularly Mike Flanagan. He had one of the best years of any starters in O's history in 1979 when they went to the Series against the Pirates. Flanny was a stand-up human being, a really decent guy who was thoughtful about pitching. In those years by day I was a graduate student and on summer nights I covered the Blue Jays as a "stringer" for the now-defunct United Press International (UPI). This was a dream come true for an O's fan like I was...getting to meet and often interview the home and visiting players, managers, and coaches after every game in an open clubhouse. I particularly remember a conversation with Flanagan after he had been knocked out in the 6th inning of a game against the lowluyJays by a particularly tenuous at-bat by Rico Carty in which he fouled off about 10 pitches before poking an rbi single that drove Flanny from the game. Afterward, I saw the lights go on in his eyes when he realized he was just one pitch away from getting out of that jam and possibly winning the game. That loss dropped him to a 2-7 record but he completely turned his season around after that and ended with a 13-3 run that elevated him to the upper echelon of AL lefty starters. After an 18 year career in the mound, Flanny joined the O's coaching staff and eventually shared GM duties. He left us way too soon. So on this Christmas Day on which I would like to wish Rich and all your readers a very merry holiday, a few words of remembrance to honor my favorite O: Mike Flanagan.
SP Palmer, Flanagan, Mussina, , McNally, McGregor
RP Watt, Olson, T.Martinez, Britain, Stanhouse
C Dempsey, Etchebaren
1B Murray, Boog
2B Alomar, Johnson
SS Cal, Belanger
3B, Brooks, DeCinces
LF, Anderson, Bumbry
CF, Blair, Jones
RF, Frank, Singleton
Murray, Alomar, Ripkin, Brooks, Hoiles, Frank, Blair, Singleton, Boog, Jones, Grich, Triandos, Palmer, McNally, Cuellar, Flanagan, McGregor, Tippy, Drabowsky, Britton, Olson, Myers
What about Mike Culler as a SP
This list was hard to come up with due to quite a few position players that come to mind and not many SPs to think of. Generally I listed all hall of famers that spent significant time with the club (with the exception of Alomar) and from there it was by memory (which did not include the golden years since I am in my 20s) or by a quick visit to baseball reference. Here it goes:
1B Crush Davis (haha made you look) Seriously, Murray and Boog
2B Grich and BROB
3B Brooks and Manny (honorable mention to Melvin Mora)
SS Aparicio and Ripken
C Dempsey and Wieters (almost said Etch)
LF {this took some research] Surhoff and Reimold
CF the obvious: Motormouth Blair and Jones
RF Markakis and Mancini (his defense is awful, but there aren't a whole lot of choices that I can think of)
Starters:
1 Palmer
2 Moose
3 Cuellar
4 Wilhelm
5 Jeremy Guthrie (needed to include someone that I had actually pitched during my years of baseball watching)
Relievers:
1 Britton
2O'Day
3 Chris Ray
4 Andre Miller (only played for part of a season, but my gosh what a yr it was)
5 Michael Givens
Just realized I missed Frank Robinson. Replace Mancini and add frank
P.s my managers are Weaver and Buck (honorable mention to Johnson) also dh Mancini, even though he is usually an outfielder
Dick Hall.........all time Orioles WHIP leader.
cannot believe Oriole fans still spell Olson with an e.
Many spell Matt Wieters as “Weiters.”
Darren O’Day had a lower WHIP than Hall though not in as many innings.
Adam Jones not in same ballpark with Paul Blair
Correct, Jones played at Camden Yards while Blair played at Memorial Stadium.
Awesome answer...go O’s...
C- Elrod Hendricks
1B-Murray
2B-Roberts
3B-Brooks
SS-Cal
LF-Roenike
CF-Blair
RF-Frank
Starting Pitchers:
Palmer
Musina
McNally
Cuellar
Relief:
Britton
Stanhouse
Olson
Bench:
Palimiro
Jones
Baines
Grich
Showing my age, what about El Ropo, Bob Boyd, the one guy on the '50's O's who could actually hit, lifetime .293 hitter?
There’s a new name. Many thanks, Steven.
Chuck Thompson and Jon Miller in the radio booth.
C- Rick Dempsey
1b-Eddie Murray/ Boog Powell
2b-Brian Roberts/ Bob Grich
3b-Brooks Robinson
SS-Cal Ripken / Luis Aparicio
CF-Al Bumbry
LF-Brady Anderson
RF-Frank Robinson
DH-Tommy Davis
PH-Terry Crowley
SP-Jim Palmer / Mike Mussina/ Dave McNally/ Mike Cuellar
RP -Pete Richert/ Eddie Watt/ Greg Olson/Hoyt Wilhelm/Dick Hall
Just a reminder to the younger fans on this site (which is almost everybody these days...) that in addition to the stunning upset of the heavily favored LA Dodgers in the 1966 World Series AND Wally Bunker's incredible 1964 Rookie season where he won 19 games at age 19 - the only player in MLB history to have accomplished this (as far as I have had time to dig), the O's were the last (and maybe only team in MLB History) to have FOUR starting pitchers with 20 or more wins. This was in 1971; Cuellar, Palmer, McNally AND Pat Dobson. Think of how unusual it is these days to have even TWO pitchers with that total (Astros this year with Verlander and Cole; BTW BOTH acquired through trades and NOT developed). That is another outstanding Oriole record of which all O's fans can be proud.
This is tough. I'm in my early 60s and have been an O's fan since 1966. Many players I really hated to leave off. Here goes:
—SP—
Palmer
Mussina
McNally
Cuellar
Flanagan
—RP—
T. Martinez
Olson
Britton
Hall
S. Miller
—C—
Dempsey
Hoiles
—1B—
Murray
Powell
—2B—
Alomar
Roberts
—SS—
C. Ripken
Belanger
—3B—
B. Robinson
Machado
—LF—
Anderson
Surhoff
—CF—
A. Jones
Blair
—RF—
F. Robinson
Markakis
—DH—
Singleton
David, this is a most excellent list. However, a lot of readers are arbitrarily picking five starters and five relievers, and that's not what I'm going to do. It's more like an All-Star team where you don't have a strict division of starters and relievers. the same with outfielders, but I really like this list a lot.
I have a 25-man All-Time Orioles Team that has 13 position players and 12 pitchers; so cutting two of my pitchers is a bit tough. I also tend to favor those who are already in the Orioles Hall of Fame (with the exception of two) over guys who are still playing. So here goes...
C- Rick Dempsey, Gus Triandos
1B- Eddie Murray, Boog Powell
2B- Bobby Grich, Davey Johnson
SS- Cal Ripken Jr., Mark Belanger
3B- Brooks Robinson, Manny Machado
LF- Brady Anderson, Don Buford
CF- Paul Blair, Adam Jones
RF- Frank Robinson, Ken Singleton
P- Jim Palmer (R)
P- Dave McNally (L)
P- Mike Mussina (R)
P- Mike Cuellar (L)
P- Mike Flanagan (L)
P- Hoyt Wilhelm (R)
P- Scott McGregor (L)
P- Stu Miller (R)
P- Tippy Martinez (L)
P- Gregg Olson (R)
This is essentially my 25-man team, except I don't have Machado, Belanger, or Buford. I figured Brooks would play every day, and Cal would slide over to third to relieve Brooks. Grich could then move over to short (where he came up through the minors and was an All-Star shortstop in 1972), and Davey would fill in at second. The two pitchers I had to omit (which was very tough) was Milt Pappas and Steve Barber.
I almost went with Britton, but I figured he had only three outstanding seasons. Longevity and impact on the franchise weighed more to me than pure statistics.
Secondly, I almost went with Markakis over Buford, but here's why I went with Buford. Markakis was a very solid, steady, underrated contributor for the O's who spent 2/3 of his time in Baltimore playing for some really bad, losing teams. Buford was one of the key pistons in the engine of the dominant Orioles of the late '60s and early '70s. Once Weaver inserted him in as his every day lead-off hitter in 1968, the O's offense really took off. Markakis just didn't have that kind of impact on his team.
Markakis was the better defender. Bumbry had the better speed and longer tenure. But Buford was arguably the better offensive player of the three while also having good speed, being a solid defensive outfielder, and having a greater impact. That's the same argument I have for choosing Davey Johnson over Brian Roberts and Gus Triandos over Hoiles or Wieters -- Johnson and Triandos had a greater impact on the franchise.
It was also tough to leave off Dick Hall and Eddie Watt.
Camden, I would second your list, with only one exception. I would have to go with Bumbry over Anderson. Just don't think Brady's stats (.256 carer BA) merit an "All-Time" team, especially since his best years came during the highly questionable 1990s.
A very thorough list, Bird, but as I said I’m going with 10 pitchers and 16 position players.
That's what I did. What I meant was I have a separate, 25-man team and I just used that, minus two pitchers and added a position player.
Chris Hoiles at starting catcher
Also, Daley Johnson needs serious consideration at second base
first base .. eddie and boog .. and a little gentile second base ..many good choices ..but i go with davey. short cal / manny and then the blade .. third cal/manny how bout some ron hansen but third is owned by the hoover Brooksie my favorite of the favs... outfield //Frank .. Adam .. the platoon of Lowenstein/Roenicke // then Blair Bumbry and Markakis and dont forget Merv Rettenmund.. Pitchers Palmer . McNally, McGregor, Flanny, Tippy .Hal brown. Wilhelm .. Cuellar .. Eddie watt.. catchers >> Dempsey, weiters , holies ////honorable mentions Lee May. Ken Singleton, Elrod.. Devo Roberts ..Terry Crowley
C - Dempsey - Weiters
1st - Murray - Powell
2nd - Johnson - Grich
3rd - Brooks - Machado
SS - Ripken - Belanger
LF - Buford
CF - Blair - Bumbry ( played a lot of LF also for the O’s)
RF - Frank - Markakis
DH - Singleton
P - Palmer - Mussina - McNally - Cuellar - Mc Gregor - Flanagan - Boddiker
Martinez - Britton - Hall
Defense along with how they did during the O’s stellar seasons - 1966-71 (4 World Series) and 1979-83 (2 World Series) factored in greatly as far as my tough choices were concerned. Their best years were when they were strong up the middle. Pitching and D as Rex use to say.
Dick Hall was very underrated. He played in the 1966 WS, left for the Phillies for two years and then returned and played in the 69, 70 and 71 WS seasons. He quietly ranks very high in many of the O’s career pitching categories.
This is an excellent list, Nellie.
Triandos. Eddie Murray. Dave Johnson. Cal Ripken. Brooks. Frank. Adam J. Markakis DH. Manny. Palmer. McNally. Britton. Olsen
C- Etchebarren, Weiters
1st - Murray, Boog
2nd - Davey Johnson, Schoop
SS - Ripken, Belanger
3rd - Brooks, Machado
OF - Frank, Blair, Jones, Markasis
SPs - Palmer, Cuellar, Mussina, Pappas, McNalley
RPs - Britton, O’Day
DH - Davis, Cruz
Hated to leave Belanger, Aparicio, and Hardy off. We have had a lot of really good players at the 6 position.
Gave this a lot of thought. You might not have heard, of some of my picks. 2nd & Catcher, were tough decisions. C- Triandos / Etchebarren. 1B- Murray / Gentile. 2nd. B- Roberts / Grich. SS- Ripken / Belanger. 3rd. B- Brooks / Decinces. RF- Robinson / Markakis. CF- Blair / Adams. LF- Buford / Anderson SP- Palmer ( even though he talks a lot ). SP- Barber. So- Cuellar.
Didn’t finish. SP- Stone. SP- Mussina. RP - Olson. RP- Britton. RP- Wilhelm. RP- Martinez. RP- Stu Miller. DH- Crowley. DH- Cruz. Manager- Weaver / Buck
Many of you picked Hoiles. Correct me, if I’m wrong, but the Hoiles that I remember and I saw him playing, couldn’t hit the side of a barn, in trying to throw someone out!!
And his batting avg., was 262
Dick Hall had a very interesting 19 year career. He presently is 89 and is the 92 oldest living player. He came up as an outfielder and eventually played every position except catcher and shortstop.. He was on 4 World Series teams and pitched in 3 of them. I think Drabowsky was the only relief pitcher in the 1966 Series.
Some interesting tidbits on his pitching career:
- Appeared in 495 games - pitched in 1259 innings - faced 5085 batters
- NEVER balked
- Only had ONE wild pitch (Tippy had 55)
Oriole Career Stats:
- #1 WHIP (by far) #25 All Time
- #1 K:BB ratio (by far)
- #5 Won - Loss %
- #9 Saves
Not bad for a D-3 grad (Swarthmore)
Who became an accountant afer his playing career.
bobby grich is such an underrated player. If you go by WAR he should easily be in the HOF
I agree completely. Grich's Total WAR is actually better than Alomar's, 79.4 to 74.1. Alomar was a slightly better hitter (oWar: 70.4 to 62.8) but Grich was by far the better fielder. Grich was only with the O's for 5 full years; and established himself with the California Angels. But Alomar was only an O for 3 years and had established himself before arriving in Baltimore. Like Mikepete, I think Grich is deserving of the HOF. He has been overlooked for years; he was an excellent fielder, a hitter with power, and a skilled master of the strike zone: he twice walked more than a hundred times in a season and has a career OPS of .794. I looked into this a bit more: compared to all other HOF Second basemen who started their careers post-1962 ( Alomar, Carew, Biggio, Molitor, Sandberg, and Morgan) only Morgan has better total WAR. ALL O's FANS SHOULD START A WAVE OF SUPPORT TO ELECT BOBBY GRICH!! It would have to be a Veterans' Committee selection at this point but this kind of recognition is way past due.
C - Chris Hoiles / Rick Dempsey
1B - Eddie Murray / Boog Powell
2B - Bobby Grich
3B - Brooks Robinson / Manny Machado
SS - Cal Ripken, Jr. / Mark Belanger
LF - Brady Anderson
CF - Paul Blair / Adam Jones
RF - Frank Robinson / Ken Singleton
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DH - Boog Powell OR Ken Singleton
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SP - Jim Palmer / Mike Mussina / Dave McNally / Scott McGregor / Milt Pappas
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BULLPEN - Mike Boddicker / Hoyt Wilhelm / Dick Hall / Mike Cuellar / Steve Barber / Mike Flanagan
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1800s HONORABLE MENTIONS: Hughie Jennings (SS) / John McGraw (3B) / Joe Kelley (LF) / Willie Keeler (RF)
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1800s HONORABLE MENTIONS: Sadie McMahon (P) / Joe McGinnity (P) / Bill Hoffer (P)