With the Major League Baseball postseason just around the corner, I thought I would celebrate each of the franchise’s and their storied pasts by selecting an All-Time Team for every club.
The teams consist of one player per infield position (1B, 2B, SS, 3B, C), three outfielders, three starting pitchers, and two relief pitchers. Each American League squad also consists of a designated hitter.
So without further ado, here is part eight of a 30-part series documenting each franchise’s all-time greats.
Baltimore Orioles
First Base: Eddie Murray 1977-88, 1996
Bursting on the scene by winning the AL Rookie of the Year in 1977, Murray was an All-Star for the first time by his second season in the league.
During a breakout 1981 campaign, Murray led the AL in home runs and RBI and was named an All-Star for the second time. Five more All-Star selections followed (1982-86), with three Gold Gloves and a pair of Silver Sluggers while he helped lead the Orioles to two AL East titles, two AL pennants, and the 1983 World Series title.
Following a career where he amassed 3,255 hits and 503 home runs, Murray’s No. 33 was retired by the Orioles and he was inducted into the Baseball Hall of Fame in 2003.
Second Base: Bobby Grich 1970-76
During a seven-year run in Baltimore, Grinch was named to three All-Star teams, winning four straight Gold Gloves from 1973-76.
Team success went hand-in-hand with individual success for Grich, who helped lead the Orioles to four AL East titles, two AL pennants, and the 1970 World Series championship while being inducted into the team’s Hall of Fame following his career.
Shortstop: Cal Ripken Jr. 1981-2001
Often considered the greatest shortstop of all time, Ripken played his entire 21-year career in Baltimore, making 19 All-Star teams and taking home eight Silver Sluggers, two Gold Gloves, and the 1982 AL Rookie of the Year award.
A two-time AL MVP (1983, 1991), Ripken guided the O’s to a pair of AL East titles, a wild card berth (1996), and both an AL pennant and World Series title in 1983.
A member of the 3,000 hits club and MLB All-Century Team, Ripken made history when he set the all-time consecutive games played record in 1995, ending his career with the record of 2,632.
After his storied career, Ripken’s No. 8 jersey was retired by the Orioles and he was inducted into the Baseball Hall of Fame in 2007.
Third base: Brooks Robinson 1955-77
One of the game’s greatest-ever third baseman, Robinson made 18 All-Star teams and won 16 consecutive Gold Gloves from 1960-75 while playing his entire 23-year career in Baltimore.
After leading the AL in RBI and taking home AL MVP honors in 1964, Robinson helped guide the Orioles to their first World Series title in 1966. Another World Series championship followed in 1970, where he was named World Series MVP.
A member of the MLB All-Century Team and Baseball Hall of Fame (1983), Robinson’s No. 5 jersey was retired by the team he helped guide to five AL East titles, four AL pennants, and two World Series victories from 1966-74.
Catcher: Matt Wieters 2009-16
During an eight-season run with the O’s, Wieters became one of the best defensive catchers in the game, winning a pair of Gold Gloves (2011-12) and a Fielding Bible in 2012.
A four-time All-Star, Wieters helped lead Baltimore to a wild card berth in 2012, the team’s first playoff appearance in 15 years. A 2014 AL East title and 2016 Wild Card berth followed before he left following the 2016 campaign as a free agent.
Outfield: Frank Robinson 1966-71
During a six-season run in Baltimore, Robinson was named to five All-Star teams and took home the Triple Crown, AL MVP, and World Series MVP awards during the 1966 campaign.
Robinson led the Orioles to the most successful run in franchise history during his tenure, winning three AL East titles, four AL pennants, and two World Series championships in 1966 and 1970.
A member of the 500 home run club, he was inducted into the Baseball Hall of Fame in 1982 and had his No. 20 retired by the O’s.
Outfield: Paul Blair 1964-76
Playing 13 years in Baltimore, Blair helped the team win five AL East titles, four AL pennants, and a pair of World Series trophies (1977, 1970) from 1966-74.
A two-time All-Star and eight-time Gold Glove winner (1967, 1969-75), Blair was inducted into the Orioles Hall of Fame following his career.
Outfield: Adam Jones 2008-18
The centerpiece of the resurgent Orioles teams of the mid-2010s, Jones was named to five All-Star teams during his 11 seasons in Baltimore, while helping the club break a 15-year playoff drought in 2012 via a Wild Card berth.
A four-time Gold Glove recipient and 2013 Silver Slugger winner, Jones also helped Baltimore reach the postseason as AL East champions in 2014 and Wild Card winners in 2016 before leaving after the 2018 campaign.
Designated hitter: Harold Baines 1993-95, 1997-99, 2000
Having three stints with O’s, Baines helped the club win the Al East during the 1997 campaign while being named an All-Star in 1999.
After his career concluded, Baines was inducted into the Baseball Hall of Fame in 2019.
Starting pitcher: Mike Mussina 1991-00
Playing 10 seasons in Orioles orange, Mussina became of the best pitchers of the 1990s, making five All-Star teams and receiving four Gold Glove awards while leading the league in wins during the 1995 season.
Helping the team end a 14-year postseason drought in 1996 with a Wild Card berth and then an AL East title in 1997, Mussina was Inducted into the Baseball Hall of Fame in 2019.
Starting pitcher: Jim Palmer 1965-84
One of the greatest pitchers of his generation, Palmer played his entire career in Baltimore, making six All-Star teams and receiving 4 Gold Gloves.
A three-time AL Cy Young Award winner (1973, 1975-76), he led the American League in wins three times (1975-77) and ERA twice (1973, 1975), throwing a no-hitter during the 1969 season.
Palmer not only excelled individually, but he also led the team to all three of the franchise’s World Series titles during the 1966, 1970, and 1983 seasons, winning the AL East seven times and the AL pennant on six occasions.
Following a legendary career, Palmer’s No. 22 was retired by the Orioles and he was inducted into the Baseball Hall of Fame in 1990.
Starting pitcher: Mike Boddicker 1980-88
Boddicker put together a strong nine-year run with the Orioles, helping the team win the AL East, AL, and World Series during the 1983 season while being named ALCS MVP.
The following season (1984) he made his only All-Star team, leading the AL in wins (20) and ERA (2.79). Following his retirement in 1993, Boddicker was enshrined into the Orioles Hall of Fame.
Relief pitcher: Jim Johnson 2006-13
An All-Star and AL Rolaids Relief Man of the Year, Johnson was a vital part of a strong bullpen the broke a 15-year playoff drought during the 2012 season via a Wild Card berth.
A two-time MLB saves leader (2012-13), Johnson was traded following the 2013 season.
Relief pitcher: Zach Britton 2011-18
Another staple in a bullpen that helped guide the Orioles to the playoffs three times in five years from 2012-16, Britton held the team win a Wild Card spot in 2012 and the AL East in 2014 before making his first All-Star team in 2015.
A career-best year followed when Britton led the AL in saves and was named an All-Star and the AL Reliever of the Year as Baltimore secured a wild card berth.
