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Major League Baseball Baltimore Orioles All-Stars: Building the Best Orioles All-Time Lineup
The St. Louis Browns and the Milwaukee Brewers — yes, just for one year. The franchise now known as the Baltimore Orioles has undergone several identities throughout its 125-year history, but none have lasted as long as the current one, which began in 1954. Baltimore is where nearly all of the franchise’s success has taken place, including their single World Series appearance during their 52 seasons in St. Louis (and their brief stint in Milwaukee). It’s no surprise that their all-time team is composed of players from their successful era — featuring six World Series appearances, three championships, and multiple Hall of Famers taya365.com login.
Manager: Earl Weaver
The initial skepticism regarding sabermetrics in MLB is interesting since these concepts existed long before Bill James, Baseball Prospectus, and Ivy League graduates made their way into front offices across the league. Credit goes to Earl Weaver for this: his philosophies on building a powerful offense, focusing on plate discipline and power, have been around longer than some franchises that have adopted them. Weaver managed the Orioles from 1968 to 1982, achieving more than double the wins of the next-best manager, alongside a World Series title and boasting the highest winning percentage (.596) of any full-season manager.
Starting Pitcher: Jim Palmer
Jim Palmer spent 20 seasons with the Orioles, and it was a twist of fate that led to him remaining with the team, as he went unclaimed on waivers and during the 1968 expansion draft due to a mysterious arm injury. Palmer led the majors in wins and pitcher WAR in 1975, winning at least 20 games on eight occasions. He remains the Orioles’ all-time leader with 268 wins. Palmer concluded his career with 20 more WAR than the next-best starter, Mike Mussina, and his decade-long peak featured a 2.52 ERA (139 ERA+) with four seasons exceeding 300 innings. He was part of all three World Series-winning Orioles teams.
Reliever/Closer: Zack Britton
Zack Britton’s career entails more than just Buck Showalter’s decision to leave him in the bullpen during a wild card game. He spent eight years with the Orioles, recording a 3.22 ERA, though this doesn’t capture the full picture. Britton became Baltimore’s closer in 2014 after three seasons as a below-average reliever, displaying exceptional numbers from 2014 to 2018 with a 2.14 ERA and 139 saves — the second-most in franchise history. His standout 2016 saw him with 47 saves and allowed only four runs, resulting in a remarkable 0.54 ERA.
Catcher: Rick Dempsey
Home runs and walks were essential to Earl Weaver’s successful Orioles teams, but another crucial component was defense. While Rick Dempsey never won a Gold Glove, modern statistics appreciate his exceptional defensive play just as Weaver did. sulasok.net Dempsey accumulated over 17 defensive WAR throughout his career, ranking 79th in MLB history. While his batting wasn’t his forte, his best seasons often occurred with Baltimore, where he hit for an impressive .308/.372/.564 across three World Series appearances. ph vip777
1B: Eddie Murray
Eddie Murray ranks third in at-bats and plate appearances for the Orioles, fourth in hits (2,080), second in home runs (343), third in total bases (3,522), and RBIs (1,224), and sixth in walks (884) despite all those hits. “Steady Eddie” was with the Orioles from age 21 in 1977 until 1988, producing a batting line of .294/. 8k8app370/.498. His standout 1983 World Series-winning season featured a .306/.393/.549 line with 33 homers and 111 RBIs, which led him to finish second in MVP voting, win a Gold Glove, and receive the Silver Slugger award.
2B: Brian Roberts
Brian Roberts began his career as a defensive specialist, but his batting improved dramatically, peaking in 2005 with a .314/.387/.515 record, 70 extra-base hits, and 27 steals. He led the American League in doubles in 2004 (50) and MLB in 2009 (56), and notably led the AL in steals with 50 in 2007 phwin bet.com. While his performance waned as he approached his mid-30s, Roberts’ peak generated a .287/.361/.428 line worth over 29 WAR, placing him third all-time among Orioles in steals (278), fourth in doubles (351), ninth in walks (581), and tenth in extra-base hits (478).
3B: Brooks Robinson
Brooks Robinson epitomized what it meant to be an Oriole; he was the franchise’s first sustained star. Known as “Mr. Oriole,” Robinson played for 23 years in Baltimore, debuting at just 18 in 1955 and retiring at 40. He won 16 Gold Gloves at third base. Although his hitting took some time to come alive, from 1960 to 1971, he posted a batting average of .277/.331/.432, winning the 1964 MVP award. Robinson led the AL in WAR twice, with his best season coming in 1968, where he was worth an impressive 4.5 wins defensively.
SS: Cal Ripken Jr.
If anyone compares to Brooks Robinson as “Mr. Oriole,” it’s Cal Ripken Jr. He was named Rookie of the Year in 1982 and astonishingly did not miss a game until September 20, 1998, surpassing Lou Gehrig’s consecutive games streak of 2,130, ultimately stretching it to 2,632. Ripken’s contributions went beyond his durability; he won the 1983 MVP award, made 19 consecutive All-Star teams from 1983 to 2001, and, at 6 feet 4 inches and 200 pounds, epitomized the modern taller shortstop with his stellar performance. Hats off to Earl Weaver for recognizing his potential.
OF: Frank Robinson
Not satisfied with just one Robinson, the Orioles welcomed Frank Robinson in 1966. He won his second MVP award that year by achieving the Triple Crown, making him the first player to earn that honor in both leagues. While Robinson was at his best at the plate in 1966, he remained a phenomenal hitter throughout his six seasons with the O’s, amassing 32 WAR while batting .300/.401/.543 with 179 homers. With 586 career home runs, Robinson ranks 10th in MLB history; he was inducted into the Hall of Fame in 1982.
OF: Brady Anderson
Brady Anderson took four years to establish himself in the league, but in 1992, he recorded a line of .271/.383/.449 with 21 homers and 53 steals, earning his first of three All-Star selections. His peak lasted long, as he consistently performed above average from 1992 to 2000, posting a .270/.378/.465 line with 191 homers and 246 steals. A power-speed threat, he became known for his surprising 50-homer season in 1996. Anderson ranks fourth in Orioles’ history for extra-base hits (602) and second for steals (307).
OF: Adam Jones
The Orioles faced a prolonged period of fourth- and fifth-place finishes following their 90s revival. Adam Jones, acquired in a 2008 trade that Mariners fans may not wish to discuss, played a crucial role in revitalizing the team, contributing to three postseason appearances. He won four Gold Gloves and made five All-Star appearances, while also receiving MVP votes in three seasons and securing a Silver Slugger award. He finishes fifth in Orioles’ history for hits (1,781), extra-base hits (595), and home runs (263), and was inducted into the team’s Hall of Fame in 2025.
DH: Boog Powell
Boog Powell is not just famed for having one of the best names in baseball; his performance justifies the accolades. The 1970 American League MVP was the Orioles’ power-hitting first baseman before Eddie Murray joined the roster. Powell was once Baltimore’s home run leader with 303; he now ranks third behind Murray and Ripken Jr. In 33 postseason games, Powell hit six home runs and boasted a slugging percentage of .592 in ALCS, a testament to his prowess in crucial moments.
Honorable Mentions:
- Buck Showalter (manager)
- Mike Mussina (starting pitcher)
- Dave McNally (starting pitcher)
- Gregg Olson (reliever/closer)
- Chris Hoiles (catcher)
- Rafael Palmeiro (1B)
- Chris Davis (1B)
- Roberto Alomar (2B)
- Bobby Grich (2B)
- Manny Machado (3B)
- Melvin Mora (3B)
- B.J. Surhoff (OF)
- Paul Blair (OF)
- Don Buford (OF)
- Miguel Tejada (DH)
- Heinie Manush (DH)
- George Sisler (DH)
- Ken Williams (DH)
- Harold Baines (DH)
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What are your thoughts on this all-time Orioles lineup?
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