51 Questions for the Diehard Fan: Baltimore Orioles

By Ryder Edwards

The St. Louis Browns lost 100 games in 1953, and then packed up and moved to Baltimore. After 52 years in St. Louis, the franchise had amassed just one Pennant, but had placed dead last or second to last an astounding 26 times. The first season in Baltimore wasn’t much better—99 losses and a 57.5 game deficit to the Pennant-winning Indians—but it didn’t take long to improve. The club was contending by the early 1960s, and after acquiring Frank Robinson in 1966 the Orioles were dominating. Earl Weaver managed the club to three consecutive 100-win seasons—in fact, the legendary manager won 100 games five times, something no other manager in team history has done even one time. And beginning in 1966 the Orioles have made 11 trips to the postseason and won eight Division Titles, six Pennants, and three World Series Titles. The club has also produced some of the game’s greatest legends and most memorable moments. And most of them are in this eBook, so step up and test your knowledge with these hardball questions about your favorite team—all the sluggers, hurlers, and greatest moments in Baltimore Orioles history ... 51 questions to challenge the diehard Orioles fan.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Tucker Elliot
• Release date: Dec 8, 2012
• ISBN: 9781301820238

Ryder Edwards

Ryder Edwards is a diehard sports fan from the great city of Chicago: NASCAR, MLB, NFL, NBA, NHL, NCAA, PGA ... he loves it all, and is passionate about the history and trivia from every major sport. Most recently he was at Medinah Country Club rooting feverishly for the US Ryder Cup team, but in the summers you can usually find him on Waveland Avenue supporting his hometown Cubs.

Book preview

INTRODUCTION

As I grew up here, I not only had dreams of being a big league ballplayer, but also of being a Baltimore Oriole. For all your support over the years, I want to thank you, the fans of Baltimore, from the bottom of my heart. This is the greatest place to play.

— Cal Ripken Jr.

The St. Louis Browns began play in 1902, but the team’s play did little to inspire. It wasn’t until 1944 that the Browns won the first Pennant in franchise history, this after placing sixth, seventh, or eighth—in a league with eight teams—nearly every year for more than a decade. The team lost so much that first in booze, first in shoes, and last in the American League was how sportswriters across the country described the club.

And when the Browns finally won a Pennant, it was the cross-town Cardinals who they faced—and lost to—in the World Series.

The Browns lost 100 games in 1953, and then packed up and moved to Baltimore. After 52 years in St. Louis, the franchise had amassed the lone Pennant, but placed dead last or second to last an astounding 26 times.

The first season in Baltimore wasn’t much better—99 losses and a 57.5 game deficit to the Pennant-winning Indians—but it didn’t take long to improve. The club was contending by the early 1960s, and after acquiring Frank Robinson in 1966 the Orioles were dominating. Earl Weaver managed the club to three consecutive 100-win seasons—in fact, the legendary manager