Record: 108-54
Ballpark: Memorial Stadium
Owner: Jerry Hoffberger
GM: Harry Dalton
Coaches: George Bamberger, Jim Frey, Billy Hunter, George Staller
Future Hall of Famers: Jim Palmer, Brooks Robinson, Frank Robinson
All-Stars: Mike Cuellar, Davey Johnson, Dave McNally, Jim Palmer, Boog Powell, Brooks Robinson, Frank Robinson
Team Leaders, Batting
BA: Frank Robinson, .306
OBP: Boog Powell, .412
SLG: Boog Powell, .549
OPS: Boog Powell, .962
2B: Brooks Robinson, 31
3B: Mark Belanger, 5
HR: Boog Powell, 35
RBI: Boog Powell, 114
BB: Don Buford, 109
SB: Paul Blair, 24
Team Leaders, Pitching
W: Mike Cuellar, Dave McNally, 24 (AL leaders)
SO: Jim Palmer, 199
ERA: Jim Palmer, 2.71
IP: Jim Palmer, 305 (AL leader)
CG: Mike Cuellar, 21 (AL leader)
SHO: Jim Palmer, 5 (AL leader)
K/BB: Mike Cuellar, 2.75
SV: Pete Richert, 13
Tidbits
Oldest Player: Dick Hall (b. September 27, 1930)
Youngest Player: Don Baylor (b. June 28, 1949)
First to Leave Us: Jim Hardin (d. March 9, 1991). Hardin was one of three people killed when a small plane he was flying crashed due to engine trouble.
Last Survivor: Most are still living as of the date of this post.
First in Majors: Dick Hall (debut April 15, 1952)
Last in Majors: Don Baylor (final game October 16, 1988). Baylor's last appearance was in Game 2 of the 1988 World Series, when he pinch-hit in the eighth inning.
First to Play For the Franchise: Brooks Robinson (September 17, 1955)
Last to Play For the Franchise: Jim Palmer (May 12, 1984)
Pre-union Team: No team had more than two.
Reunion Team: The 1977 Angels had four: Don Baylor, Mike Cuellar, Andy Etchebarren and Bobby Grich. Harry Dalton served as Angel GM from 1972 to 1977, and he brought in several former Orioles during his tenure. The last roster he put together in California was the most Baltimore-ish.
Accomplishments
Boog Powell, AL MVP
Davey Johnson, AL Second Base Gold Glove
Brooks Robinson, AL Third Base Gold Glove
Paul Blair, AL Outfield Gold Glove
Frank Robinson, two grand slams in one game, June 26
Season Summary
After being upset by the Mets in the previous year's World Series, the Orioles had something to prove. In 1970, it was really never in doubt that the Orioles were the best team in the American League. Their hitters had the AL's best OPS+, and a league-leading 717 walks assured them of the best OBP. They packed some power, finishing third with 179 home runs, and weren't too shabby speed-wise either, with a fifth-best 84 steals. The Orioles also boasted an outstanding pitching staff. They finished second with a 116 ERA+ (aided by an AL-best 59 TotalZone rating), and had the league's best strikeout-to-walk differential. Overall, they both scored the most and allowed the fewest runs per game. It should be no surprise then, that this team held first place from April onward and finished the season with a 19-3 run that garnered them an astounding 108 wins.The Orioles rode their late-season momentum through the postseason, sweeping the Twins out of the ALCS and beating the Reds in five World Series games. In three of their four World Series victories (including the deciding Game 5) the Orioles overcame a deficit of three or more runs. A three-run homer from Cincinnati first baseman Lee May in the eighth inning of Game 4 was the only thing that prevented the O's from sweeping both rounds. Brooks Robinson was named World Series MVP for his outstanding work with the glove (he made several dazzling plays at the hot corner, most notably in Game 3) and the bat (.429 average, two doubles, two homers, six RBI).
Acknowledgements:
Baseball Reference
Baseball Almanac
Google News Archives
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