1974 ALCS Game 5 vs Athletics

Lore & Background

The Orioles went 27–6 after being in fourth place and trailing the Boston Red Sox by eight games on August 29. They won 16 of their last 18 matches and ended the campaign with a nine-game winning streak. They moved into first place on September 19 and clinched its fifth AL East title in six years on the penultimate night of the regular season on September 30.

Reader's Guide

The Orioles lost to the Oakland Athletics in the 1974 American League Championship Series, 3 games to 1. The Athletics defeated the Orioles, 3–1, limiting Baltimore to one run in the final three games. As division champions, the Orioles earned a postseason bonus of $7,394 each.

Did You Know?

• The Orioles had a net operating income of $82,000 in 1974.
• Much of the success of the team can be attributed to its infield: second baseman Bobby Grich, shortstop Mark Belanger and third baseman Brooks Robinson each led the American League for their positions in assists.
• On December 10, 1973, Dennis Martínez was signed by the Orioles as an amateur free agent.
• Rich Dauer was drafted by the Orioles in the 1st round (24th pick) of the 1974 Major League Baseball draft.