When you think of the Baltimore Orioles, the name that usually comes to mind is Cal Ripken Jr. Ripken played such a huge part in the team’s success for many years, but there is so much more to this Major League Baseball franchise.
Founded in 1894 as the Milwaukee Brewers, they relocated to St. Louis in 1902 and became the Browns. After struggling for many years there, they eventually went to their first World Series in 1944. In 1954, the franchise moved to Baltimore and the Orioles soon became a contending team, winning their first World Series in 1966 and playing in three straight between 1969 and 1971. They won another World Series in 1983, Ripken’s third season.
The 10 men on this list represent the O’s past and present, who all had unforgettable careers with this team, leading most to the Hall of Fame. Here are the
10. Boog Powell, outfielder
Boog Powell was part of those great Orioles teams that went to four World Series, winning two in 1966 and 1970. Powell batted .266 in his career with 339 home runs and over 1100 RBIs. He is a four-time All-Star, two-time World Series champion, and AL MVP in 1970. In his MVP season, Powell hit 35 home runs and batted .299 with 114 RBIs. He’s perhaps best known these days for his BBQ joint in Camden Yards.
9. Dave McNally, pitcher
Dave McNally was on the O’s pitching staff on those 1966 and 1970 World Series-winning squads. He is also a three-time All-Star and won 184 games with an earned run average of 3.24. Beyond winning two World Series titles, McNally’s biggest accomplishment was winning 20 games or more in four consecutive seasons.
8. Rafael Palmeiro, first baseman
While he might be best known for his time with the Texas Rangers, Rafael Palmerio played with Baltimore twice. Once for four years from 1994-98 and then at the end of his career in 2004-2005. Palmerio has a career batting average of .288 with over 100 runs batted in and 569 home runs. He was a four-time All-Star, three-time Gold Glove winner, and two-time Silver Slugger winner. In 1995, he led the team in home runs, batting average, and runs batted in. That same season, he also started a streak of hitting of 38+ home runs til 2003.
7. Mike Mussina, pitcher
Mike Mussina is one of the best pitchers in Baltimore’s history. He is a five-time All-Star, seven-time Gold Glove winner, and in 1995, he led the MLB in wins. Mussina won 270 games in his career with a 3.68 ERA with his best season being in 1995 when he won 19 games. Mussina became a part of the Baseball Hall of Fame in 2019.
6. Earl Weaver, manager
Now, we know this list is supposed to be the greatest players, but how can you leave Earl Weaver off? Weaver is probably the most successful manager the O’s have ever had. Weaver won the American League pennant four times and the World Series in 1970. He’s won over 1,400 games in his managerial career. Weaver was one of the few managers during that time that challenged the New York Yankees’ dominance. Weaver was inducted into the Baseball Hall of Fame in 1996.
5. Eddie Murray, first baseman
Eddie Murray is sometimes forgotten when it comes to great O’s players of all time, but he spent the majority of his career in a Baltimore uniform. Murray batted .287 in his career with 504 home runs and over 1,900 RBIs. He also is a World Series champ, AL Rookie of the Year, eight-time All-Star, and three-time Gold Glove winner. He also led the American League in home runs and RBIs in 1981. One of Murray’s best seasons was in 1986 when he batted .297 with 31 home runs and an amazing 124 RBIs. Murray was inducted into the Baseball Hall of Fame in 2003.
4. Jim Palmer, pitcher
Before Jim Palmer became an underwear salesman, he was the best pitcher in Orioles history. Palmer was a three-time World Series champion, three-time Cy Young winner, six-time All-Star, four-time Gold Glove winner, three-time AL wins leader and two-time AL ERA winner. Palmer’s best season was in 1975 when he posted a 23-11 record with a 2.09 ERA. The most impressive thing he did that season was post 10 shoutouts. However, he threw his only no-hitter in 1969. Palmer was inducted into the Baseball Hall of Fame in 1990.
3. Brooks Robinson, third baseman
Brooks Robinson is considered by many as the greatest third baseball to ever wear an Oriole’s uniform. Robinson was part of those dominating O’s teams of the 1960s and early 1970s. He batted .267 with 268 home runs and over 1,300 RBIs. Robinson played his entire 22-year career in a Baltimore uniform from 1955 to 1977. He was an 18-time All-Star, two-time World Series champion, AL MVP, World Series MVP, and maybe most impressive, a 16-time Gold Glove winner. Robinson is also part of MLB’s All-Century team and All-Time team. Robinson was inducted into the Baseball Hall of Fame in 1983.
2. Frank Robinson, outfielder
The great Frank Robinson was not only a player for the O’s, but later their manager as well. Robinson played a huge part in those late 1960s/early 1970s Baltimore teams who won three pennants and a World Series. He batted .294 with 585 home runs and over 1,800 RBIs in his career. He is also a 14-time All-Star, two-time MVP, World Series MVP, two-time AL MVP, Triple Crown winner, and AL batting champ. As the O’s manager, he was AL Manager of the Year. In his MVP season in 1966, he batted .316 with 49 home runs and 114 RBIs. Robinson was inducted into the Baseball Hall of Fame in 1982. He also has the distinction of being the first black manager in Major League Baseball.
1. Cal Ripken Jr., shortstop
The No. 1 player on our list has to be Cal Ripken Jr. Ripken may not have put up the stats that Frank Robinson or other great Orioles have put up, but he broke what might be the most impressive sports record by playing in 2,632 consecutive games during his career, breaking Lou Gehrig record, one that will probably never be broken again. But there is more to Ripken’s career than that. He is a World Series champion, two-time AL MVP, 19-time All-Star, AL Rookie of the Year, and two-time Gold Glove winner. He batted .276 in his career with 431 home runs and nearly 1,700 RBIs. Ripken is a Hall of Famer and part of MLB’s All-Century Team. An Iron Man indeed.
