BASEBALL MEMORIES- BALTIMORE ORIOLES

Memories of the Baltimore Orioles...

Whenever I think of the Orioles I immediately think of 1971 and the great Baltimore pitching. For only the second time in baseball history ( the first being the 1920 Chicago White Sox), the Orioles had FOUR 20-game winners on their staff: the great Jim Palmer; the screwballer Mike Cuellar; the rock-steady Dave McNally; and the dependable Pat Dobson. Even with such a starting staff, Baltimore lost the World Series in 7 games to the Roberto Clemente- led Pittsburgh Pirates, 4 games to 3.

Pitching has always been the Orioles trademark. In the 1966 World series they swept the powerful Los Angeles Dodgers 4-0, beating both Sandy Koufax and Don Drysdale in Games 1 and 2 in LA. Palmer, with his long, lanky delivery and pin-point location, dominated the Dodgers.

I remember..Brooks Robinson, the greatest fielding third baseman in the game Mike Schmidt was the best overall third baseman, but as far as range. arm and pure defense is concerned, no one could match the human vacuum cleaner Brooks Robinson..Frank Robinson was a tremendous ballplayer, hitting 586 home runs ( 10th all time), winning the coveted Triple Crown, and became the only player to win the MVP award in both leagues...The double play combination of second baseman Davey Johnson and shortstop Mark Belanger...First baseman Boog Powell was known for his brute power, but he later became noted to "Boog's Bar-B- Que" outside the walls of Camden yards.

The 1983 Orioles beat the "Wheeze Kids" Philies to win the World Series.Switch-hitter Eddie Murray was the key on that championship team. Murray amassed over 3,000 hits and 504 home runs.

Oriole Park at Camden yards was the first new "old-style" stadium built, after the cookie-cutter type venues were no longer useful. Built in 1992, Camden Yards, close to the Inner Harbor of Baltimore, is a intimate, charming ballpark. One of the central landmarks is the B&O Warehouse building, located over the right field wall. The warehouse has only been hit once on the fly by a major league hitter- Ken Griffey Jr. during the Home Run Derby at the All-Star festivities in July, 199 (439 feet from home plate)..

Babe Ruth was born in Baltimore. His childhood home is close to Camden Yards. In fact, Ruth's father owned a bar, which was located in what is now center field of Camden Yards.

Eutaw street separates the stadium form the warehouse. Home runs have landed on Eutaw Street 75 times. Eutaw Street was the inspiration for Philadelphia's Ashburn Alley at Citizens Bank Park, full of vendors, souvenirs, food and things to do

.Cal Ripken Jr. may be the most beloved Oriole if all time. Ripen Jr. broke the consecutive games played record of the immortal Lou Gehrig, playing ina total of 2,632 games in a row. Ripkin Jr. hit over 3,000 hits and broke the all-time home run record by a shortstop, which was previously held by Ernie Banks. Ripkin Jr,was elected to the All Star game 19 times during his career.

Now, Baltimore continues to be near the top of the American League East division, with young stars like third baseman Manny Machado. The O's made the playoffs last season, losing the Wild Card game to Toronto, 5-2. Baltimore should be in the hunt again this year, battling the Red Sox as their main competitors.