We’re back with the All-Time Orioles Team.
Franchise Overview
One of the original American League franchises, Baltimore is actually the team’s third city. After a one season stint as the Milwaukee Brewers, and 52 years as the St. Louis Browns, the Baltimore Orioles joined the American League in 1954.
The Orioles .474 winning percentage ranks just 24th in history. Their 14 playoff appearances are tied for 13th all-time.
The Orioles have made playoff appearances in just 11.76% of their total seasons, a mark that is tied for 21st in history.
Their three World Series championships are tied for 10th most in history with five other teams.
The franchise’s golden age came while under the leadership of legendary manager Earl Weaver. After taking over midway through the 1968 season, Weaver led the Orioles to 1480 victories, an incredible .583 winning percentage, six playoff appearances, five American League pennants, and two world championships (1970 and 1983).
Recent years have been tougher. The Orioles have not made the World Series since their 1983 title. They have had just 11 winning seasons, and five playoff appearances in the last 36 seasons. In a particularly ugly stretch, Baltimore had 14 straight losing seasons from 1998-2011.
Hitters
| Starting Lineup | Name | Position | B/T | bWAR/650 | OPS+ | Years Played |
| 1. | Ken Singleton | RF (LF) | S/R | 3.2 | 135 | 1975-84 |
| 2. | Ken Williams | LF (CF) | L/R | 5.8 | 144 | 1918-27 |
| 3. | George Sisler | DH (1B) | L/L | 4.8 | 131 | 1915-27 |
| 4. | Eddie Murray | 1B | S/R | 4.6 | 139 | 1977-88, 96 |
| 5. | Chris Hoiles | C | R/R | 4.7 | 119 | 1989-98 |
| 6. | Cal Ripken Jr. | SS (3B) | R/R | 4.9 | 112 | 1981-2001 |
| 7. | Brooks Robinson | 3B | R/R | 4.4 | 104 | 1955-77 |
| 8. | Bobby Wallace | 2B (SS/3B) | R/R | 5.2 | 103 | 1899-1916 |
| 9. | Paul Blair | CF | R/R | 4.3 | 99 | 1964-76 |
| Bench | ||||||
| OF | Boog Powell | 1B/LF | L/R | 3.4 | 135 | 1961-74 |
| OF | Brady Anderson | CF/LF/RF | L/L | 3.1 | 110 | 1988-2001 |
| IN | Mark Belanger | SS | R/R | 4.2 | 68 | 1965-81 |
| IN | Harlond Clift | 3B | R/R | 3.9 | 118 | 1934-43 |
| C | Rick Dempsey | C | R/R | 3.4 | 89 | 1976-86, 92 |
The best teams in Orioles history were excellent all-around teams built around balanced offense, and pitching staffs supported by quality defenders. The Orioles all-time hitters rank just 23rd overall in OPS+.
Of course, position players do more than just swing the bat. The all-time Orioles roster is loaded with elite defensive players as well.
Legendary Left Side
Shortstop Cal Ripken Jr. is the best player in Orioles history. In 21 seasons with Baltimore, “The Iron Man” crafted a legacy that has endured long after he played his last game. There will never be another player quite like Cal Ripken Jr.
Ripken is best known for setting a seemingly unbreakable record of 2632 consecutive games played. In the process of setting that record, he unseated another all-time great in Lou Gehrig, and established a reputation as a beloved fan favorite.
Ripken was a 19-time All Star. He won eight Silver Sluggers and two Gold Gloves. In 1983, he won his first American League MVP while leading the league in runs, hits, and doubles. Ripken propelled the Orioles to a World Series title that year. He won his second MVP in 1991 while leading the league in total bases. He led the A.L. in bWAR in 1983, 1984, and 1991.
Ripken ranks top-10 all-time in assists (3rd), at-bats (4th), Defensive bWAR (4th), games at shortstop (5th), and games played (8th).
Joining Ripken on the left side of the Orioles infield is third baseman Brooks Robinson. Like Ripken, Robinson spent his entire career with the Orioles. In 23 seasons, Robinson made a case as the best defensive third baseman in history.
Robinson was an 18-time All Star, and won 16 Gold Gloves at the hot corner. He was a key player on six Orioles playoff teams, including four A.L. pennant winners, and two world champions (1966 and 1970). He was the A.L. MVP in 1964. Robinson was also the top A.L. position player by bWAR in 1962 and 1964.
Robinson’s 16 Gold Gloves are the most of any non-pitcher in history. He is the all-time leader in games, putouts, assists, and double plays at third base. He also leads third basemen in a variety of advanced defensive metrics. Robinson ranks third all-time in defensive bWAR.
The Rest of the Infield
Hall of Famer Eddie Murray mans first base on the all-time Orioles team. One of the best switch-hitters in history, Murray spent 13 seasons mashing in Baltimore. He was a seven-time All Star with the Orioles. Murray also won three Gold Gloves and two Silver Sluggers. Murray finished sixth, or better, in the MVP voting every season from 1980-1985. Like Ripken, he was one of the stars of the 1983 champions.
Hall of Fame first baseman George Sisler serves as the D.H. Sisler spent 12 seasons as one of the best hitters in the A.L. with the St. Louis Browns. Sisler won batting titles in 1920 (.407) and 1922 (.420). He is one of only three hitters to have multiple .400 seasons since 1900. He also had league-leading seasons in stolen bases (3x), hits (2x), doubles (2x), and runs. Sisler was the A.L. MVP in 1922.
Hall of Famer Bobby Wallace slots in at second base despite playing the bulk of his career at shortstop. Wallace starred for 15 seasons with the St. Louis Browns. He led the league in assists twice with the Browns. His 48.5 bWAR is fifth among position players in franchise history.
Catcher Chris Hoiles played his entire 10-year career with the Orioles. A solid all-around catcher, Hoiles was the primary backstop on Baltimore’s back-to-back playoff teams in 1996-1997. He received MVP votes in 1993.
The Outfield
Left fielder Ken Williams spent 10 seasons with the Browns. In 1922 he paced the A.L. in homers (39), RBI (155), and total bases (367). He received MVP votes in 1923-1924. Williams is the franchise’s all-time leader in OPS (.961) and slugging (.558).
Center fielder Paul Blair was an excellent all-around player over 13 seasons in Baltimore. Blair was a two-time All Star and won eight Gold Gloves. He received MVP votes four times. Like Robinson, Blair was part of the glue that held together six playoff teams, four pennant winners, and two world champions (1966 and 1970). He led the A.L. with 12 triples in 1967.
Ken Singleton plays right field and hits leadoff on the all-time Orioles team. Singleton was an offensive force for most of his 10 seasons in Baltimore. He was a three-time All Star and received MVP votes six times including a pair of top-three finishes. Singleton helped lead the Orioles to the World Series twice, including a key role as the DH on the 1983 champions.
Bench
Boog Powell spent 14 seasons in Baltimore. Powell was an integral player on six Orioles playoff teams including the 1966 and 1970 world champions. Powell won the MVP in 1970 and received votes for the award four other times with the Orioles. The hulking left-handed slugger made four straight All Star teams from 1968-1971. He led the league in slugging (.606) in 1964.
Brady Anderson spent 14 seasons roaming the Baltimore outfield. Anderson was a key cog in Baltimore’s back-to-back playoff appearances in 1996-1997. 1996 was his career year as he set highs in hits (172), homers (50), and RBI (110). Anderson was a three-time All Star who received MVP votes twice. A gritty player whose hard-nosed play endeared himself to Orioles fans, Anderson led the league in HBP three times in his career. He is Baltimore’s all-time leader in HBP (148) and Power-Speed # (248.7).
Shortstop Mark Belanger spent 17 seasons dazzling Orioles fans with his spectacular glove work. “The Blade” was an eight-time Gold Glover. He led the A.L. in defensive bWAR six straight seasons from 1973-1978. Belanger was the primary shortstop on six Orioles playoff teams including the 1970 world champions. He was a 1976 A.L. All Star. Belanger ranks second all-time in defensive bWAR trailing Ozzie Smith.
Third baseman Harlond Clift played 10 seasons for the St. Louis Browns. A solid defender, Clift led A.L. third basemen in assists twice and putouts three times. Clift led the A.L. with 111 walks in 1939. He made his only All Star team in 1937. No hitter in franchise history had more plate appearances (6354) with a higher OBP (.394). His 145 runs in 1936 is the highest mark in team history.
Rick Dempsey spent 12 seasons behind the plate for the Orioles. Dempsey was the primary backstop on two pennant winners including the 1983 world champions. Dempsey had a sterling defensive reputation. Modern metrics agree– more than half of his career value came from his work behind the plate.
Pitchers
| Starting Rotation | Name | B/T | ERA+ | Years Played | ||
| 1. | Jim Palmer | R/R | 126 | 1965-84 | ||
| 2. | Mike Mussina | R/R | 130 | 1991-2000 | ||
| 3. | Urban Shocker | R/R | 127 | 1918-24 | ||
| 4. | Dave McNally | R/L | 108 | 1962-74 | ||
| 5. | Jack Powell | R/R | 109 | 1902-03, 05-12 | ||
| Bullpen | ||||||
| LR | Mike Flanagan | L/L | 100 | 1975-87, 91-92 | ||
| RP | Sammy Stewart | R/R | 114 | 1978-85 | ||
| RP | Eddie Watt | R/R | 123 | 1966-73 | ||
| RP | Dick Hall | R/R | 125 | 1961-66, 69-71 | ||
| SU | Zack Britton | L/L | 130 | 2011-18 | ||
| CL | Gregg Olson | R/R | 176 | 1988-93 |
Baltimore’s all-time starting rotation is carried by a strong trio of aces. Overall, the starters rank 17th in average ERA+ at 120.
Starting Rotation
Baltimore’s all-time rotation is led by Hall of Famer Jim Palmer. Palmer spent his entire 19-year career with the Orioles. He is one of 10 pitchers in history to win three, or more, Cy Youngs. In addition to his three wins, he boasted five other top-five finishes. He is 10th all-time with 3.57 Cy Young shares.
Palmer was one of the greatest pitchers of his generation. A six-time All Star, he also won four Gold Gloves. Palmer compiled eight 20-win seasons in his career. He also led the A.L. multiple times in innings (4x), wins (3x), and ERA (2x).
Palmer is Baltimore’s all-time leader in pitching bWAR (67.5), wins (268), games (558), innings (3948), strikeouts (2212), complete games (211), and shutouts (53). He was part of eight Baltimore playoff teams, six A.L. pennant winners, and three world champions (1966, 1970, 1983).
Fellow Hall of Famer Mike Mussina represents perhaps the greatest regret of the all-time Orioles roster. Baltimore’s 1st round pick out of Stanford in 1990, Mussina debuted in 1991. He spent the first 10 years of his career with the Orioles. The team made two playoff appearances (1996-1997) during his tenure.
Mussina was a five-time All Star with the Orioles. He finished sixth, or better, in the Cy Young voting seven times while in Baltimore. He also won four Gold Gloves. Mussina paced the A.L. once each in wins, innings, and BB/9 with Baltimore.
Following the 2000 season, Mussina signed as a free agent with the division rival New York Yankees where he spent the final eight seasons of his storied career. Baltimore has not developed a pitcher of his caliber since.
Right-hander Urban Shocker pitched seven excellent seasons for the Browns. A noted spit-baller, Shocker had four straight 20-win seasons from 1920-1923. Shocker had excellent control, leading the league in K/BB ratio and BB/9 in 1922-1923. He received MVP votes in both seasons. He also led the league once each in wins, strikeouts, FIP, and saves with the Browns.
Southpaw Dave McNally pitched 13 seasons for the Orioles. McNally utilized one of the best breaking balls of his era to support Palmer in some of the best Orioles rotations of all-time. He contributed to six playoff teams, four pennant winners, and two world champions (1966 and 1970). A three-time All Star, McNally finished fourth, or better, in the Cy Young voting three times. He also received MVP votes four times. McNally had four straight 20-win seasons from 1968-1971. He led the A.L. in wins and WHIP once each.
Right-hander Jack Powell pitched 10 years for the Browns including two 20-win seasons. His 32.0 bWAR is fourth all-time among the franchise’s pitchers.
Bullpen
The bullpen’s average ERA+ is 128, ranking 21st among all-time teams.
Southpaw Mike Flanagan pitched 15 years in Baltimore, most often as a starter, though he did make 122 relief appearances. Flanagan won the 1979 Cy Young, leading the league with 23 wins and 5 shutouts. He was an All Star in 1978. He was also a key piece of the 1983 world championship starting rotation. Following his retirement, Flanagan served the Orioles as a broadcaster, pitching coach, and executive vice president of baseball operations.
Sammy Stewart pitched eight years for the Orioles. A versatile arm, Stewart started just 25 games, but pitched at least 93 innings seven times. He led the A.L. in ERA (2.32) in 1981. He was second in appearances during the 1983 championship season.
Eddie Watt pitched eight seasons in Baltimore. He was the team’s most effective reliever for most of his tenure. Watt was part of five playoff teams, four pennant winners, and two world champions (1966 and 1970).
Dick Hall began his career as an outfielder for three seasons with the Pirates before earning a new lease on life as a pitcher. He spent nine seasons with the Orioles. The 6’6″ Hall was a great athlete with excellent control. Hall is Baltimore’s all-time leader in WHIP (1.01), K/BB (3.96), and BB/9 (1.47). He was a key reliever on the 1970 champions.
Zack Britton spent the first eight seasons of his career with the Orioles. A top prospect as a starter, Britton shifted to the bullpen full time in his fourth season. The left-hander used his turbo sinker to become one of the most dominant relievers in baseball for a resurgent Orioles team in the mid 2010s. He made the All Star for the first time in 2015 before turning in an all-time great reliever season the following year. In 2016, Britton was again an All Star. In 67 innings he had a 0.54 ERA and led the A.L. with 47 saves. He finished 3rd in the Cy Young and 11th in the MVP voting.
Gregg Olson used a devastating curve ball to compile a franchise best 160 saves in six seasons with the Orioles. In 1989, Olson won the Rookie of the Year Award while also finishing 6th in the Cy Young and 12th in the MVP race. He was an All Star in 1990.