Baltimore Orioles

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Lore & Background

The Orioles franchise can trace its roots back to the original Milwaukee Brewers of the Western League (WL), beginning in 1894 when the league reorganized. The Brewers were still league members when the WL renamed itself the American League (AL) in 1900. At the end of the 1900 season, the AL removed itself from baseball's National Agreement and declared itself a competing major league. During 1901, the first season the AL operated as a major league, the Brewers finished last among the league's eight teams. In 1902, the team moved to St. Louis and became the 'Browns'. The 1944 season saw the Browns winning their only St. Louis-based American League pennant, becoming the last of the 16 teams that made up the major leagues from 1901 to 1960, to play in a World Series. In 1951, Bill Veeck purchased the Browns. Veeck sold his stake to a group of Baltimore investors, and the team moved to Baltimore for the 1954 season, renaming themselves the Baltimore Orioles. The Orioles' early years in Baltimore were marked by a gradual climb to respectability, leading to their first World Series title in 1966. The Orioles enjoyed a period of sustained success from 1966 to 1983, winning three World Series titles and six American League pennants. After the 1983 World Series win, the Orioles experienced a decline, culminating in the 1988 season where they lost the first 21 games. The opening of Oriole Park at Camden Yards in 1992 marked a new era. The team saw a resurgence in the 2010s, making the playoffs in 2012, 2014, and 2016, with Buck Showalter as manager. The 2020s have been marked by rebuilding efforts and developing young talent.

In Their Own Story

The 1979 World Series was a best-of-seven playoff between the NL champion Pittsburgh Pirates (98–64) and the AL champion Baltimore Orioles (102–57). The Pirates became the fourth team ever to come back from a three games to one deficit to win the World Series. This marked the second time in the 1970s that the Pirates won a World Series Game 7 on the road against the Orioles, the previous time being in 1971. In Game 1, a steady rain factored into six total errors, and all five Orioles runs were scored in the first inning: two on a throwing error by Phil Garner, one on a wild pitch by Bruce Kison, and two on a Doug DeCinces home run. In Game 2, Eddie Murray homered and doubled in Ken Singleton, but was thrown out at the plate by Dave Parker. In the eighth, Murray's hesitation on the bases led to a double play. In the ninth, Manny Sanguillén hit a single off Don Stanhouse to score the winning run. In Game 3, the Orioles won 5–3 after a 67-minute rain delay. In Game 4, the Orioles won 9–6. In Game 5, the Pirates staved off elimination with a win. The Pirates won the series in seven games.

Reader's Guide

The franchise's first World Series appearance came in 1944 when the Browns lost to the St. Louis Cardinals. The Orioles went on to make six World Series appearances from 1966 to 1983, winning three in 1966, 1970, and 1983. This era of the club featured several future Hall of Famers who would later be inducted representing the Orioles, such as third baseman Brooks Robinson, outfielder Frank Robinson, starting pitcher Jim Palmer, first baseman Eddie Murray, shortstop Cal Ripken Jr., and manager Earl Weaver. The Orioles have won a total of ten division championships (1969, 1970, 1971, 1973, 1974, 1979, 1983, 1997, 2014, 2023), seven pennants (1944 while in St. Louis, 1966, 1969, 1970, 1971, 1979, 1983), and four wild card berths (1996, 2012, 2016, 2024). The franchise was the last charter member of the American League to win a pennant, and the last charter member to win a World Series. Since their last World Series appearance in 1983, the Orioles have struggled to sustain success, including suffering 14 consecutive losing seasons between 1998 and 2011. In the 2010s, the team qualified for the postseason three times under manager Buck Showalter and general manager Dan Duquette, including a division title and advancement to the American League Championship Series for the first time in 17 years in 2014. However, the 2018 season saw the Orioles lose 115 games, the most in franchise history. Two years after finishing 52–110 in 2021, the Orioles went 101–61 in 2023, en route to winning the AL East for the first time since 2014. The Orioles' current manager is Craig Albernaz, while Mike Elias serves as general manager and executive vice president. From 1901 through the end of 2025, the franchise's overall win–loss record is 9,195–10,171–110 (.475). Since moving to Baltimore in 1954, the Orioles have an overall win–loss record of 5,733–5,617–12 (.505) through the end of 2025.

Did You Know?

• The oriole is the official state bird of Maryland; the name has been used by several baseball clubs in the city, including another AL charter member franchise which folded after the 1902 season and was replaced the next
• Nicknames for the team include the 'O's' and the 'Birds'.
• In 2022, the Orioles finished with an 83–79 record, becoming the second team in MLB history to have a winning season only one year after losing 110 or more games.