We're all such huge fans of our O's! Now that our local baseball team has made it to the playoffs, it's time to look at the history of these amazing ball players. How much of this Orioles trivia did you know?
1. This is the Orioles' first time in the playoffs since 2016
The O's have gotten close to the World Series in the last twenty years, but it's been quite some time since they've even made the playoffs. As far as the World Series itself, well, it's been forty years. They last appeared (and won) in the series in 1983.
2. As of the publishing of this article, they're the new Champs of the AL East Division
They beat the Red Sox 2-0 to nab the title, which gives them their 100th win of the season. Nice work, guys!
3. They've been playing at Camden Yards since 1992
The O's actually just updated their lease to extend their stay at Camden Yards for another 30 years, but they've been calling that stadium home for 31. Before it was a baseball stadium, Camden Station was a train station (if you've never noticed, you can totally tell!)
4. They've had some bad years...
Take 2018, when the birds lost 115 games -- winning only 47. Yikes!
5...but this year, they defied the odds
ESPN predicted that the Orioles would win 74 games this year, but the team has proven its detractors wrong in 2023. This is the fastest any team has gone from losing over 100 games to then winning 100.
6. The Orioles have retired several player numbers, including #8 for Cal Ripken Jr.
Others include the late Brooks Robinson, who was #5, and Eddie Murray, who was #33. Fans can see all of the retired numbers erected in concrete at OPACY.
7. Cal Ripken Jr. also holds the record for the most home runs by any Oriole
It's hard to beat a record like Cal's! In his career, he hit 431 of them. However, he doesn't hold the MLB record. That's still held by Barry Bonds. But he is the holder of the record for most consecutive games at 2,362.
8. There's a huge variety in the walk-up musicย
Players this season are walking up to all kinds of songs, from Gwen Stefani (Gunnar Henderson) to AC/DC (James McCann). You can see the full list of music on the O's website here.
9.ย Fans at the stadium are divided over who to root for in the hot dog race
Which do you root for -- mustard, ketchup, or relish? The hot dog race has become a beloved Orioles game tradition, and people get very serious about the condiment that deserves the crown. The race even has its own Facebook group.
10. The O's weren't the O's until 1954
That's when the team came to town and ditched their old name -- the Browns -- in favor of the Orioles. We think that was a smart move. It's unique, it's colorful, and it's definitely us.
Let's go O's!
