Powered by:
as known from New York Timesas known from USA Todayas known from yahoo!
VA
Contains commercial content
The Grueling Truth - Where Legends Speak / Top 10 Baltimore Orioles of all time: Ripken at Number One?

Top 10 Baltimore Orioles of all time: Ripken at Number One?

Publish Date: 09/20/2023
Fact checked by: Simon Briffa

The Baltimore Orioles of the 1960s, ’70s and ’80s were a dynasty the likes of which Baltimore will probably never see again. Yes, this top ten will be mainly of those guys, as it should be. The Top five on this list to me unquestioned; after those five guys, things seem to get a little murkier.

10) Bobby Grich

Bobby Grich’s seven seasons with Baltimore are often overshadowed, if not entirely forgotten, due to his ten years with the California Angels. However, during these five seasons (1972 to 1976), Grich cemented himself as one of baseball’s premier second basemen and earned himself three all-star selections, four Gold Glove winners and consideration for AL MVP voting three times; finishing as high as ninth in 1974. As an Oriole, Grich batted.262 with 70 home runs, 307 RBIs, and 432 runs scored during his time there.

Video: CAL@MIN: Grich charges mound, benches empty

CAL@MIN: Grich charges mound, benches empty

9) Mark Belanger

He won eight Gold Glove awards during his career with the Orioles, including six consecutive from 1973 to 1978. Baseball Reference ranks Belanger second all-time for defensive WAR (39.5), only behind Ozzie Smith at the shortstop position. In 1982, the Orioles had to make room at shortstop for Cal Ripken Jr.; thus, Belanger joined the Dodgers.

Video: The Tragic Ending of Mark Belanger - What Really Happened to Mark Belanger?

The Tragic Ending of Mark Belanger – What Really Happened to Mark Belanger?

8) Paul Blair

Paul Blair played center field for 12 seasons with Baltimore and was one of the finest outfielders in baseball during his prime. He won his first Gold Glove award in 1967 and went on to win seven straight from 1969-75, becoming a two-time all-star and finishing 11th in AL MVP voting in 1970 when he hit.285 with 26 HRs, 76 RBIs, 102 runs scored and 20 stolen bases; as an Oriole he hit.254 with 126 HRs and 567 RBIs for him during that span.

Video: 1970 WS Gm5: Paul Blair gets three hits

1970 WS Gm5: Paul Blair gets three hits

7) Mike Mussina

Mussina never won an American League Cy Young Award, but he was an excellent pitcher for 18 major league seasons, whichΒ is why he was elected to the Hall of Fame in 2019. His first 10 seasons came with the Orioles, where he won 147 games, made five All-Star teams and won four Gold Glove Awards.

Video: Mike Mussina finishes his first complete game

Mike Mussina finishes his first complete game

6) Boog Powell

Powell made four consecutive All-Star teams between 1968 and 1971. But while he won the American League MVP Award in 1970, his most complete season came in 1966. Powell homered 34 times and finished third in American League MVP voting in 1966 before helping the Orioles to sweep the Los Angeles Dodgers in the World Series. It was the first of two World Series that Powell would win during his 14 years with the Orioles.

Video: WS1970 Gm1: Powell's two-run homer puts O's on board

WS1970 Gm1: Powell’s two-run homer puts O’s on board

5) Eddie Murray

Murray spent 13 seasons with Baltimore, never winning an American League MVP Award but being named the 1977 AL Rookie of the Year and finishing among the top five in voting for AL MVP five times. During his second stint with the team, Murray hit his 500th home run on Sept. 6th 1996; later his No. 33 jersey was retired by Orioles fans in 1998.

Video: 1983 WS Gm5: Murray homers twice in clinching game

1983 WS Gm5: Murray homers twice in clinching game

4) Frank Robinson

If Robinson had played his entire career in Baltimore he would be number one on this list. Robinson only spent a quarter of his Hall of Fame career with the Orioles, yet he achieved remarkable success during his six seasons there. In 1966, Robinson won his first American League MVP Award – becoming only the second player ever to do so and become the first (and to this point only) player to win MVP Awards in both leagues. Despite spending most of his professional life (10 years) with Cincinnati Reds, Robinson finally earned a place in history by wearing an Orioles cap in 1982.

Video: Frank Robinson Highlights

Frank Robinson Highlights

3) Brooks Robinson

After a 23-year career, Robinson is remembered as one of baseball’s greatest defenders, winning 16 Gold Glove Awards – more than any other position player ever. Additionally, he was an 18-time All-Star and collected 2,848 hits during his 23-year tenure with the Orioles, eventually retiring his No. 5 jersey in 1977.

Video: 1970 WS Gm 1: Brooks takes a hit away from May

1970 WS Gm 1: Brooks takes a hit away from May

2) Jim Palmer

Palmer spent all 19 seasons of his Hall of Fame career with the Orioles, finishing in the top five in American League Cy Young Award voting on eight occasions and winning it three times. As an all-time great for Baltimore, Palmer holds many records, such as wins (268), strikeouts(2,212), complete games(211), and shutouts(53).

Video: Palmer throws a one-hitter against the Twins

Palmer throws a one-hitter against the Twins

1) Cal Ripken

Ripken is remembered as one of the greatest players in MLB history, having both an incredible peak and remarkable longevity. He holds the MLB record for most consecutive games played with 2,632, but Ripken, who spent his entire 21-year career with the Orioles, also earned himself numerous accolades: 1982 American League Rookie of the Year Award, two-time AL MVP; Gold Glove Award winner twice; eight Silver Slugger Award winners once each; 19 All-Star appearances altogether.

Video: Cal Ripken, Jr. 1991 MVP Season Highlights | Orioles' 2131 25th Anniversary Celebration

Cal Ripken, Jr. 1991 MVP Season Highlights | Orioles’ 2131 25th Anniversary Celebration

Honorable Mentions

Brady Anderson

Adam Jones

Manny Machado

Ken Singelton

Melvin Mora

Brian Roberts

Mike Cuellar

Dave McNally

Al Bumbry

Read Also
Esteban de Jesus, Roberto Duran y AIDS (1972-89)
Many of us dream of celebrity sports fame, but only cruel individuals ...
Elmer Ray: The Humble Man of Hastings
"Men judge generally more by the eye than by the hand, for ...
BetMGM Promo
Every NFL team’s best player not in the Pro Football Hall of Fame- NFC East
The Pro Football Hall of Fame houses the greatest players in NFL ...
Top 100 remaining 2021 NFL free agents after Day 1
This is the most up-to-date list of available NFL free agents following ...
Predicting the next five Pro Football Hall of Fame classes
Induction into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in Canton, Ohio is ...
Ranking the top 200 players in the NFL ahead of the 2021 season
This list isn’t based solely on performances from the 2020 NFL season. ...
Top 100 NFL free agents entering the 2021 offseason
Below is a list of the top 100 free agents available this ...
Lady Tyger’s Tale: How Marian Trimiar Mauled the Boxing Establishment of the 1970s and 80s
To Feed the Ambition in Your Heart is Like Carrying a Tiger ...
Notable Pro Football Senior Committee Hall of Fame candidates for 2020
The Pro Football Hall of fame recently announced that it could induct ...
Sportsbook of the month
PointsBet - Get your Bonus Bet now!
-
Top Brands
Top Bonuses
Stake.us
Stake.us
Stake.us Review
4.6/5
Wow Vegas
Wow Vegas
Wow Vegas Review
4.6/5
Sweeptastic
Sweeptastic
Sweeptastic Review
4.5/5
High5Casino
High5Casino
High5Casino Review
4.5/5
Fortune Coins
Fortune Coins
Fortune Coins Review
4.5/5
Stake.us
Stake.us Bonus
$25 No Deposit + 250,000 Gold Coins + 5% Rakeback
T&Cs apply
4.6/5
Wow Vegas
Wow Vegas Bonus
30 SCs on 1st Purchase + 4.5 SCs FREE
T&Cs apply
4.6/5
Sweeptastic
Sweeptastic Bonus
25 SCs extra free on first purchases + 2 SCs FREE to claim
T&Cs apply
4.5/5
High5Casino
High5Casino Bonus
$5 No Deposit + 250 GameCoins + 600 Diamonds
T&Cs apply
4.5/5
Fortune Coins
Fortune Coins Bonus
1,000 ($10) No Deposit Free Coins + 360,000 Gold Coins
T&Cs apply
4.5/5
Latest News
NFL Week 14 Power Rankings
Week 13 is in the books, and a ...
Bengals Weekly Show
Welcome to the Bengals Weekly Show, your ultimate ...
Betting Tips
12/07/2023 - 8:15 pm
Acrisure
Tip:
Patriots to Cover
6.00
FanDuel
12/05/2023 - 9:00 pm
Chrysler
Tip:
Indiana to Cover
7.50
FanDuel
12/05/2023 - 9:00 pm
Madison Square Garden
Tip:
North Carolina to Cover
5.50
FanDuel
Our Latest YouTube Videos
Video: Indiana Basketball weekly W/Steve Risley: IU/Harvard Preview and UCONN and Louisville Recaps!
Indiana Basketball weekly W/Steve Risley: IU/Harvard Preview and UCONN and Louisville Recaps!
Video: Indiana *Basketball* Weekly W/Steve Risley: IU/Michigan Recap and IU/Auburn Preview
Indiana *Basketball* Weekly W/Steve Risley: IU/Michigan Recap and IU/Auburn Preview
Video: Indiana Basketball Weekly W/Steve Risley: IU vs Michigan Preview and IU/Maryland Recap
Indiana Basketball Weekly W/Steve Risley: IU vs Michigan Preview and IU/Maryland Recap
Sportsbook of the month
PointsBet - Get your Bonus Bet now!
-
Find out what the legends have to say about sports this week....
Top Online Casinos
Top Casinos Bonuses
Stake.us
Stake.us
Stake.us Review
4.6/5
Wow Vegas
Wow Vegas
Wow Vegas Review
4.6/5
Sweeptastic
Sweeptastic
Sweeptastic Review
4.5/5
High5Casino
High5Casino
High5Casino Review
4.5/5
Fortune Coins
Fortune Coins
Fortune Coins Review
4.5/5
Stake.us
Stake.us Bonus
$25 No Deposit + 250,000 Gold Coins + 5% Rakeback
T&Cs apply
4.6/5
Wow Vegas
Wow Vegas Bonus
30 SCs on 1st Purchase + 4.5 SCs FREE
T&Cs apply
4.6/5
Sweeptastic
Sweeptastic Bonus
25 SCs extra free on first purchases + 2 SCs FREE to claim
T&Cs apply
4.5/5
High5Casino
High5Casino Bonus
$5 No Deposit + 250 GameCoins + 600 Diamonds
T&Cs apply
4.5/5
Fortune Coins
Fortune Coins Bonus
1,000 ($10) No Deposit Free Coins + 360,000 Gold Coins
T&Cs apply
4.5/5
Top Betting Sites
Top Betting Bonuses
DraftKings
DraftKings
DraftKings Review
4.6/5
FanDuel
FanDuel
FanDuel Review
4.6/5
BetMGM
BetMGM
BetMGM Review
4.5/5
Bet365
Bet365
Bet365 Review
4.5/5
BetRivers.com
BetRivers.com
BetRivers.com Review
4.5/5
DraftKings
DraftKings Bonus
Bet $5 Get $150 Instantly
T&Cs apply
4.6/5
FanDuel
FanDuel Bonus
Bet $5 Get $150 in Bonus Bets
T&Cs apply
4.6/5
BetMGM
BetMGM Bonus
up to $1,500 back in Bonus Bets
T&Cs apply
4.5/5
Bet365
Bet365 Bonus
$1000 in Bonus Bets
T&Cs apply
4.5/5
Place your first cash bet up to $1,000, and if the bet loses, you will have your wager refunded in Bonus Bets. T&Cs, time limits and exclusions apply. Gambling Problem? Call 1-800-Gambler 21+
Caesars
Caesars Bonus
100% up to $1000
T&Cs apply
4.5/5
Our Team
Mike GoodpasterAuthor IconJosh SchwartzSamuel TeetsSimon Briffa
+10
Mike Goodpaster
Mike Goodpaster
Chief Editor
Author Icon
Christopher Carlson
Content Writer
Josh Schwartz
Josh Schwartz
Editor
Samuel Teets
Samuel Teets
US Sports Veteran
Simon Briffa
Simon Briffa
Sports Editor
Mark Lewis
Mark Lewis
Editor
Chris Benedict
Chris Benedict
Editor
Author Icon
Daniel Kornhauser
Author
John Raspanti
John Raspanti
Author
Author Icon
Malik Zorrok
Author
Author Icon
Buddy Gibbs
Author
Brian Coburn
Brian Coburn
Author
aukje
aukje
Author
Peter Bonahoom
Peter Bonahoom
Author
berina
berina
Author
Find out what the legends have to say about sports this week....

Players must be 21 years of age or older or reach the minimum age for gambling in their respective state and located in jurisdictions where online gambling is legal. Please play responsibly. Bet with your head, not over it. If you or someone you know has a gambling problem, and wants help, call or visit: (a) the Council on Compulsive Gambling of New Jersey at 1-800-Gambler or www.800gambler.org; or (b) Gamblers Anonymous at 855-2-CALL-GA or www.gamblersanonymous.org.

This site is using Cloudflare and adheres to the Google Safe Browsing Program. We adapted Google's Privacy Guidelines to keep your data safe at all times.

21+NCPG
Move to Top
Close
Players accepted in the US US Flag
Stake.us Exclusive Bonus
$25 No Deposit + 250,000 Gold Coins + 5% Rakeback
Promo Code
Copy
Visit Site
T&Cs apply, 18+
Payment Methods
Bitcoin
Litecoin
Ethereum
Dogecoin
Highlights
  • Exclusive promo code: TGTSOCIAL
  • Play Plinko, Hilo, Crash and more!
  • Get Stake Cash bonuses every day!
Stake Originals
Dice
Crash
Plinko
Mines
×
Your Promo Code:
The bonus offer of was already opened in an additional window. If not, you can open it also by clicking the following link:
Visit Site