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Baltimore Orioles: The five best first basemen in Orioles history

ByTim Smart|
BALTIMORE, MD - SEPTEMBER 30: A general view during the fourth inning of the Baltimore Orioles and Houston Astros game at Oriole Park at Camden Yards on September 30, 2018 in Baltimore, Maryland. (Photo by Rob Carr/Getty Images)
BALTIMORE, MD - SEPTEMBER 30: A general view during the fourth inning of the Baltimore Orioles and Houston Astros game at Oriole Park at Camden Yards on September 30, 2018 in Baltimore, Maryland. (Photo by Rob Carr/Getty Images)
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Baltimore Orioles
BALTIMORE, MD – MAY 23: The Baltimore Orioles mascot sits out on the ledge of the pressbox during the sixth inning of the game against the Minnesota Twins at Oriole Park at Camden Yards on May 23, 2017 in Baltimore, Maryland. (Photo by Greg Fiume/Getty Images)

Since the franchise moved in 1954, the Baltimore Orioles have had many great players come through the organization. Some of them have helped lead the Orioles to World Series titles, while others haven’t been as lucky, but all of them have left their mark on the team, and the city. Who are the best of the best?

2018 was an absolutely dismal season for the Baltimore Orioles, and with the front office situation in limbo right now, there’s no better time to look back on the franchise’s better times.

The Orioles have a long and storied history, with three World Series titles, seven American League pennants, and nine American League East titles.

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The Orioles enjoyed a long string of success a half-century ago, starting in the early 1960’s under manager Hank Bauer. Under Bauer from 1964-1968, the Orioles went 407-318 and won the 1966 World Series title over the Los Angeles Dodgers.

After Bauer, the team hired Earl Weaver, who would go on to become the winningest manager in Orioles history. In the 17 years under Weaver’s leadership, the Orioles posted a .583 winning percentage with four AL pennants and one World Series title.

The Orioles saw varied success from the mid 80’s through the late 90’s before falling into the pit of despair that was the early 2000’s. The Orioles posted a losing record for fourteen straight seasons before finally snapping out of the train-wreck and making the playoffs in 2012 under manager Buck Showalter.

The Orioles had a good five-year run from 2012-2016 before coming to a crashing halt in 2018 with a franchise-worst 47-115 record.

But along the way, the Orioles have seen their share of talented players. Six players have been elected to the Hall of Fame wearing an Orioles cap on their plaque, one of whom will appear on this list.

Speaking of, this list will only include those who played for the Baltimore Orioles. We aren’t including those from the St. Louis Browns years; sorry George Sisler fans.

Without further adieu, the five best first-basemen in Baltimore Orioles history.

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