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Baltimore Orioles: Looking back at four Hall of Fame players

By Kristen Bentley |
29 Sep 2001: A ground crew member lays out a plate with the number ''8'' on it to honor Cal Ripken Jr. of the Baltimore Orioles during the game at Yankee Stadium in the Bronx, New York. DIGITAL IMAGE. Mandatory Credit: Ezra Shaw/Allsport
29 Sep 2001: A ground crew member lays out a plate with the number ''8'' on it to honor Cal Ripken Jr. of the Baltimore Orioles during the game at Yankee Stadium in the Bronx, New York. DIGITAL IMAGE. Mandatory Credit: Ezra Shaw/Allsport
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BALTIMORE, MD – SEPTEMBER 01: Hall of fame player and former Baltimore Orioles Cal Ripken Jr. throws out the ceremonial first pitch prior to the start of an MLB game between the Tampa Bay Rays and Baltimore Orioles at Oriole Park at Camden Yards on September 1, 2015 in Baltimore, Maryland. The Orioles are celebrating the 20th anniversary of Ripken’s record-breaking 2,131st consecutive games played when he passed New York Yankees Lou Gehrig on September 6, 1995. (Photo by Patrick McDermott/Getty Images)As three outstanding ball players are inducted into the National Baseball Hall of Fame, it is fitting to look back at the Baltimore Orioles who are permanently enshrined in Cooperstown.
BALTIMORE, MD – SEPTEMBER 01: Hall of fame player and former Baltimore Orioles Cal Ripken Jr. throws out the ceremonial first pitch prior to the start of an MLB game between the Tampa Bay Rays and Baltimore Orioles at Oriole Park at Camden Yards on September 1, 2015 in Baltimore, Maryland. The Orioles are celebrating the 20th anniversary of Ripken’s record-breaking 2,131st consecutive games played when he passed New York Yankees Lou Gehrig on September 6, 1995. (Photo by Patrick McDermott/Getty Images)As three outstanding ball players are inducted into the National Baseball Hall of Fame, it is fitting to look back at the Baltimore Orioles who are permanently enshrined in Cooperstown. /

There are only a few Baltimore Orioles who have been inducted into Hall of Fame, even though there are several who have worn the jersey for a few seasons.

These Orioles were joined today by Jeff Bagwell, Ivan Rodriguez, and Tim Raines, who gave their speeches and officially entered the Hall. Bud Selig and John Schuerholz were also inducted.

Even though there are many men who worse Orioles jerseys in the Hall, let’s look at the few men who wore it for the majority of their careers. Three of the Orioles who are in the Hall of Fame were lifers and all of four of these men have World Series rings.

COOPERSTOWN, NY – JULY 26: Cal Ripken Jr attends the Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony at National Baseball Hall of Fame on July 26, 2015 in Cooperstown, New York. Craig Biggio, Pedro Martinez, Randy Johnson and John Smoltz were inducted in this year’s class. (Photo by Elsa/Getty Images)
COOPERSTOWN, NY – JULY 26: Cal Ripken Jr attends the Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony at National Baseball Hall of Fame on July 26, 2015 in Cooperstown, New York. Craig Biggio, Pedro Martinez, Randy Johnson and John Smoltz were inducted in this year’s class. (Photo by Elsa/Getty Images) /

Cal Ripken

There was no doubt that the Iron Man would become a member of the Hall of Fame when his name was called in 2007. As a lifer in Baltimore, he had 3,184 hits and 431 home runs. Only six other players have over 3,000 hits and 400 home runs with one of them is another Oriole in the Hall of Fame. Ripken finished playing baseball in 2001 and was an All-Star in all but 2 of his 21 seasons. He played 3,001 games with one team – only three other baseball players in history have more games with a single team.

Ripken was named Rookie of the Year in 1982 and he won two MVP awards in 1983 and 1991. One of his unexpected stats is that no one has grounded into more doubles plays in the MLB – he did it 350 times. He is 16th in the MLB in doubles and hits. Interestingly, he is second in sac flies, while another Oriole sits in first place. Ripken proudly holds the honor of playing the most consecutive games: 2,632.

COOPERSTOWN, NY – JULY 27: Hall of Fame member Brooks Robinson hits balls to waiting fans during the Play Ball with Ozzie Smith Clinic held at Doubleday Field on July 27, 2007, in Cooperstown, New York. (Photo by Chris McGrath/Getty Images)
COOPERSTOWN, NY – JULY 27: Hall of Fame member Brooks Robinson hits balls to waiting fans during the Play Ball with Ozzie Smith Clinic held at Doubleday Field on July 27, 2007, in Cooperstown, New York. (Photo by Chris McGrath/Getty Images) /

Brooks Robinson

Know affectionately as “Mr. Oriole” Robinson was another lifer in the Orioles club house with 23 years in Baltimore. He has 16 Gold Gloves and won an MVP award in 1964. He went to 18 All-Star Games. Mr. Oriole was on the 1966 and 1970 World Series teams and was he proudly was named the MVP on the World Series in 1970. Robinson has the 5th most games played with one franchise. One interesting stat about Robinson is his number of sac flies: he finished in the top 10 in 10 seasons and is ranked 12th overall. He finished his career with 2,848 hits and 268 home runs.

Robinson, who played third base, finished with a career slash of .267/.322/.401 and an OPS of .723. He is sitting in 15th place with the most at-bats and is first in the MLB with double plays turned from third base. Along with his nickname of Mr. Oriole, Robinson was called “Hoover” for his ability to make plays at the hot corner.

BALTIMORE, MD – JULY 14: Former Baltimore Orioles player Jim Palmer poses for a photo after the team unveiled a statue of the hall of fame pitcher before the start of the Orioles and Detroit Tigers game at Oriole Park at Camden Yards on July 14, 2012 in Baltimore, Maryland. (Photo by Rob Carr/Getty Images)
BALTIMORE, MD – JULY 14: Former Baltimore Orioles player Jim Palmer poses for a photo after the team unveiled a statue of the hall of fame pitcher before the start of the Orioles and Detroit Tigers game at Oriole Park at Camden Yards on July 14, 2012 in Baltimore, Maryland. (Photo by Rob Carr/Getty Images) /

Jim Palmer

No one tops Palmer when it comes to pitching in an Orioles uniform for life. He finished with a career 2.86 ERA – where he sits in 4th place with pitchers who have over 3,000 innings. In fact, Palmer pitched almost 4,000 innings – 3,948 to be exact. He is one of 6 pitchers who won 20 games in 8 seasons.

He played in the three World Series games and is the proud owner of three rings. He threw a shut out in 1966 when he was only 20 years old. And, after winning in 1983, he was the only pitcher to win a ring in the 60s, 70s, and 80s. He never won an MVP, but he did win three Cy Young Awards. He threw 53 shut outs and 211 complete games. As a pitcher, he won four Gold Glove Awards. They just don’t make pitchers today like Palmer.

BALTIMORE, MD – AUGUST 11: Former Baltimore Orioles player Eddie Murray throws out the first pitch before a baseball game against the Kansas City Royals on August 11, 2012 at Orioles Park at Camden Yards in Baltimore, Maryland. (Photo by Mitchell Layton/Getty Images)
BALTIMORE, MD – AUGUST 11: Former Baltimore Orioles player Eddie Murray throws out the first pitch before a baseball game against the Kansas City Royals on August 11, 2012 at Orioles Park at Camden Yards in Baltimore, Maryland. (Photo by Mitchell Layton/Getty Images) /

Eddie Murray

Murray is the only man on this list who was not a lifer in Baltimore, but he spent 13 out of 21 seasons wearing the black and orange. His other years in the game were with the Cleveland Indians, New York Mets, Los Angeles Dodgers, and Anaheim Angels. Murray’s best years were in Baltimore.

His most notable statistic is his number of home runs. He hit 504 dingers and had five seasons with over 30 home runs. Only 14 other baseball players hit 500 home runs before he did. It is no surprise that Murray is a member of the 3,000 club and has 3,255 hits total. He shares the 3,000 and 500 club membership with only Hank Aaron and Willie Mays. He also leads the MLB in sac flies with 128 in his career. When Murray came to the plate, something amazing was sure to happen.

Murray was a member of the 1983 World Series team and hit two home runs in the series against Philadelphia Phillies. As a switch hitter, he has the most RBIs and he sits in 10th place in his overall RBIs in the AL. Murray attended eight All-Star Games and won three Gold Glove and Silver Slugger awards. In 1977, he was awarded the Rookie of the Year.

Next: Orioles like what they see in Anthony Santander

Hopefully, a few more Orioles will make their way into the Hall of Fame, especially as the newest crop of O’s continue to put up notable numbers.

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