We couldn’t be more excited for the start of baseball season in Baltimore! To celebrate opening day, we’ve compiled a list of fun facts about our beloved O’s!
- The Baltimore Orioles franchise began in 1901 as the Milwaukee Brewers. From there they moved to St. Louis as the browns and finally to Baltimore in 1953 when purchased by Clarence Miles.
- The current New York Yankees franchise was originally based in Baltimore and also named the Orioles before moving to New York in 1903 as the New York Highlanders.
- Oriole Park at Camden Yards opened in 1992, replacing the Orioles’ former home at Memorial Stadium. The final game at Memorial Stadium was played at the close of the 1991 season. The iconic retro-style ballpark has inspired similar designs across the Major League.
- Maryland native and career Oriole, Cal Ripken, holds the record for the most consecutive games played with 2,632 games. He broke Lou Gehrig’s record streak of 2,130 games played on September 6, 1995.
- Oriole Chris Davis holds the record for the most home runs in Baltimore Orioles history with 53 home runs hit during the 2013 season.
- The Mid-Atlantic Sports Network (MASN) is co-owned by the Baltimore Orioles and the Washington Nationals.
- John Denver’s “Thank God I’m a Country Boy” is played during the 7th Inning Stretch at every O’s home game.
- Rex Barney, who coined the famous term “Give that Fan a Contract” for fans catching foul balls, served as the PA announcer for the Baltimore Orioles for 23 years.
- There are seven retired numbers in O’s baseball: 4 (Earl Weaver), 5 (Brooks Robinson), 8 (Cal Ripken, Jr.), 20 (Frank Robinson), 22 (Jim Palmer), 33 (Eddie Murray), and 42 (Jackie Robinson). #42 is retired throughout the entire MLB.
- Eight minor league affiliates feed to the Baltimore Orioles. These include the Norfolk Tides (AAA), Bowie Baysox (AA), Frederick Keys (A), Delmarva Shorebirds (A), Aberdeen Ironbirds (A), Gulf Coast League Orioles (Rookie), and Dominican Summer League Orioles 1 & 2 (Rookie).
What is your favorite Orioles memory? Be sure to share it the comments below or on social media!
