The Baltimore Orioles
A look at the history of the Baltimore Orioles baseball team, with an emphasis on the modern-day Orioles plus some tidbits about the teams that went by the same name in the late 19th century and - as a minor league team - in the first half of the 20th century.
Today's Baltimore Orioles
The current major league team known as the Baltimore Orioles moved to Baltimore prior to the 1954 American League season. From 1902 to 1953 the team had been the St. Louis Browns and was one of the charter members of the American League as the Milwaukee Brewers of 1901.
The Browns had very limited success in St. Louis, only winning the American League pennant once (1944) and only finishing as high as 2nd two other times in their 52 year history. In Baltimore the team started slowly, finishing no higher than fifth in their first six seasons. But by 1960 future Hall of Famer Brooks Robinson had joined the team and the Orioles jumped to 2nd place behind the Yankees.
By 1966 the team was full of Hall of Fame players (Brooks Robinson, Frank Robinson, Luis Aparicio and Jim Palmer) and the franchise won its first World Championship, in a four game sweep of the Los Angeles Dodgers. The team was back in the World Series in 1969 (losing to the Mets) and 1970 (beating the Cincinnati Reds). The rest of the 1970's were reasonably successful but two trips to the World Series (1971 and 1979) ended in losses to the Pittsburgh Pirates.
1983 was Palmer's last full season and he was joined by a couple more players who would make it to Cooperstown, Cal Ripken and Eddie Murray. The 1983 team was back in the World Series and beat the Philadelphia Phillies 4 games to 1.
The Browns had very limited success in St. Louis, only winning the American League pennant once (1944) and only finishing as high as 2nd two other times in their 52 year history. In Baltimore the team started slowly, finishing no higher than fifth in their first six seasons. But by 1960 future Hall of Famer Brooks Robinson had joined the team and the Orioles jumped to 2nd place behind the Yankees.
By 1966 the team was full of Hall of Fame players (Brooks Robinson, Frank Robinson, Luis Aparicio and Jim Palmer) and the franchise won its first World Championship, in a four game sweep of the Los Angeles Dodgers. The team was back in the World Series in 1969 (losing to the Mets) and 1970 (beating the Cincinnati Reds). The rest of the 1970's were reasonably successful but two trips to the World Series (1971 and 1979) ended in losses to the Pittsburgh Pirates.
1983 was Palmer's last full season and he was joined by a couple more players who would make it to Cooperstown, Cal Ripken and Eddie Murray. The 1983 team was back in the World Series and beat the Philadelphia Phillies 4 games to 1.
Vote For Your All-Time Favorite Orioles!
Cal Ripken
The Iron Man1 point
Frank Robinson
Triple Crown Hall of Famer1 point
Brooks Robinson
King of the Third Basemen0 points
Eddie Murray
Steady Eddie0 points
Jim Palmer
Hall of Fame Pitcher - and underwear pitchman0 points
Boog Powell
Booming bat and barbecue sandwiches0 points
Brian Roberts
0 points
Official Orioles News
The latest headlines from Orioles.com, the official MLB Orioles web site.
Fetching RSS feed... please stand by19th Century Baltimore Orioles
The Baltimore Orioles of 1882 through 1899 were part of the American Association and then the National League. They were the dominant team of the late 1890's with future Hall of Famers Willie Keeler, Hughie Jennings, John McGraw and Wilbert Robinson. Those teams have been the subject of several books and articles chronicling their history of on-field success - and off-field "colorful activities".
In 1901 some of the remnants of the 1899 squad (including Robinson and McGraw) were joined by another future Hall of Famer, Roger Bresnahan, to become the Baltimore Orioles of the new American League. They only lasted two years in Baltimore, moving to New York in 1903 as the "Highlanders" - and changed their name to the New York Yankees in 1913.
In 1901 some of the remnants of the 1899 squad (including Robinson and McGraw) were joined by another future Hall of Famer, Roger Bresnahan, to become the Baltimore Orioles of the new American League. They only lasted two years in Baltimore, moving to New York in 1903 as the "Highlanders" - and changed their name to the New York Yankees in 1913.
Oriole Park at Camden Yards
For their first 40 years in Baltimore, the modern Orioles played at Memorial Stadium. In 1993 they moved into a new stadium near Baltimore's "Inner Harbor" that became known as Oriole Park at Camden Yards. Often referred to as "Camden Yards", it was the first of the "retro style" ballparks that were built in several major league cities over the next 20 years. The architects attempted to fit the stadium into the surroundings (in this case, a warehouse and neighboring train station) while evoking a feeling of stadiums built in the first part of the 20th century. At the same time Camden Yards had all the luxury boxes and high-tech scoreboards of a late 20th-century sports arena. This Week's Top Baltimore Hotel Deals
Places to stay when you visit Oriole Park at Camden Yards
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Minor League Orioles
Throughout most of the first half of the 20th century, there was a minor league team called the Baltimore Orioles. First created as a team in the "Eastern League" (which eventually became the International League), the 1914 Orioles featured Babe Ruth in his first year as a professional player. After a Federal League team came to Baltimore, the minor league team sold off most of their top players (including Ruth) and was moved to Richmond.
By 1916 there was yet another Baltimore Orioles team added to the International League. Between 1916 and 1953 the Orioles made it to the championship series of the league, played for the Governors' Cup, 5 times, winning twice, in 1944 and 1950.
By 1916 there was yet another Baltimore Orioles team added to the International League. Between 1916 and 1953 the Orioles made it to the championship series of the league, played for the Governors' Cup, 5 times, winning twice, in 1944 and 1950.
Some Favorite Orioles Books
From 33rd Street to Camden Yards : An Oral History of the Baltimore Orioles
Amazon Price: $16.47 (as of 10/12/2008)
Oriole Magic: The O's of '83
Amazon Price: $24.95 (as of 10/12/2008)
Ballpark: Camden Yards and the Building of an American Dream
Amazon Price: $19.95 (as of 10/12/2008)
Ain't the Beer Cold!
Amazon Price: (as of 10/12/2008)
Day-by-Day in Baltimore Orioles History
Amazon Price: $15.56 (as of 10/12/2008)
Baltimore Orioles Videos
Places To Eat Near Camden Yards
Here's what Yelpers have to say about Food in 21201
- Faidley Seafood (Baltimore)
- "Lump crab cake: totally worth it. Fried oysters: totally worth it. Atmosphere: also, totally worth it." more
- Pitango Gelato (Baltimore)
- "I came to Baltimore on vacation and my sister's boyfriend and I stopped in here while the girls were shopping. I've tried gelato in Chicago but wow, this..." more
- The Wine Source (Baltimore)
- "I'm far from being an expert on booze so forgive my ignorance about their lack of Chateau Cabernet Versailles Baguette 1867 or whatever, but I fully..." more
- Bonaparte Breads (Baltimore)
- "Bonaparte, like La Tortilleria, Pitango Gelateria, Chicken Rico, and that funny little Morroccan smokeshop on Eastern Avenue, offers a little bit of the..." more
- Carma's Cafe (Baltimore)
- "I've only been here for coffee (and it was good coffee!), and a chocolate chip cookie (and it was an EXCELLENT chocolate chip cookie). I fully appreciate..." more
- Common Ground (Baltimore)
- "Pretty good coffee, alright bagels. Great iced beverages! Never sat down in the place though- always got take out." more
- Vaccaro's Italian Pastry Shop (Baltimore)
- "If you're willing to spend a little time---and money for gas---Vaccaro's Little Italy location in Baltimore is definitely the place to go for a dessert like..." more
- Baltimore Farmer's Market (Baltimore)
- "A recent Washington Post article brought the Baltimore Farmer's Market to the boyfriend's attention so when we were planning a day trip to Charm City we..." more
- Berger Cookies (Baltimore)
- "Completely overwhelmingly decadent! I can never finish one but if I stop by lexington market I make sure to grab one every time!" more
- 32nd Street Farmers Market (Baltimore)
- "One of my favorite outings is to hit the 32nd street Farmer's Market. This is Baltimores biggest and best Farmer's Market, open year round, but of course..." more
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Orioles Baseball Caps
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Baltimore Orioles Autographs
Stuff that's been signed by some of your favorite O's
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