The Dream Team Project: Baltimore Orioles

In order to deepen my appreciation for baseball and its history, I have embarked on an effort to create a “dream team” for each franchise in the American and National Leagues, from the time it began play in its current location, or from 1947 (whichever is earlier). I present each team in batting order (the starting pitcher bats 9th), and include three more starting pitchers, five relief pitchers, as well as the best player, hitter, and fielder not in the starting lineup.

* = Left-handed batter or pitcher. # = Switch-hitter.

Baltimore Orioles (from 1954)

1. Brady Anderson, LF (1988-2001) *
2. Bobby Grich, 2B (1970-1976)
3. Cal Ripken, SS (1981-2001)
4. Frank Robinson, RF (1966-1971)
5. Eddie Murray, 1B (1977-1988) #
6. Brooks Robinson, 3B (1955-1977)
7. Chris Hoiles, C (1989-1998)
8. Paul Blair, CF (1964-1976)
9. Jim Palmer, P (1965-1984)

Player: Mark Belanger, SS (1965-1981); Hitters: Boog Powell, 1B/LF (1961-1974) *; Ken Singleton, RF (1975-1984) #; Fielder: Rick Dempsey, C (1976-1986)

Other starting pitchers:

• Mike Mussina (1991-2000)
• Dave McNally (1962-1974) *
• Mike Cuellar (1969-1976) *

Relief pitchers:

• Gregg Olson (1988-1993)
• Stu Miller (1963-1967)
• Dick Hall (1961-1966 & 1969-1971)
• B.J. Ryan (1999-2005) *
• Tippy Martinez (1976-1986) *

This is an exceptionally well-balanced dream team. Hitting, pitching and defense are present in abundance; with Mark Belanger on the bench, the infield appears well above average. The Orioles have had some excellent left-handed pitching over the last fifty years; when there’s no room in your rotation for Mike Flanagan or Scott McGregor, you know you’ve got a staff to be reckoned with. And if you reckon Milt Pappas could join this group, then you’d be right.

Battery mates Matt Wieters and Jim Johnson have a chance to make this team in the near future, and Brian Roberts is starting to enter the conversation at second base. I think it’s worth noting that Earl Weaver managed 15 of the 21 players on this roster.

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