Greatest Baltimore Oriole players in the last 50 years

 Today, I will continue my list for the greatest players at each position for every team in the last 50 years for each team. Today’s team is the Baltimore Orioles. The criteria are as follows:
- player must have played a full 5 years for team.
-Include players active since 1970 (meaning no player whose career ended prior to the 1970 season will be considered, and players who overlap will be considered only for their time from 1970 on).
-1 player will be selected for each position, 1 right handed starting pitcher, 1 left handed starting pitcher, and 1 relief pitcher. I will include a DH for both leagues (considering interleague play now).
 Below is my list of greatest players by position for the Baltimore Orioles in the last 50 Years.
First Base- Rafael Palmero. Steroids or not, he has to make the list. Palmero had over 100 RBI for 9 straight seasons with Baltimore.
Second Base- Bobby Grich. Note Roberto Alomar only played 3 years with Baltimore, so he doesn’t meet the criteria. Grich was a terrific all around second basemen who gets overlooked. Could be considered a borderline hall of famer.  Honorable mention to Brian Roberts, who was a great spark plug for the Orioles in the early 2000s.
Shortstop- Cal Ripken. One of the greatest shortstops of all time.  Rookie of the Year. 2 time MVP, 2-time gold glove winner, and the all-time record for consecutive games played. Honorable Mention to Manny Machado.
Third Base- Brooks Robinson.  One of the greatest third basemen in MLB History.  He was later in his career in the 70s, but, still played a gold glove third base, and still played every day.  Honorable mention to Melvin Mora.
Left Field- BJ Surhoff. Although he played many different position, Surhoff was the primary leftfielder for the Os during the mid-1990s. He played 162 games 2 straight season. Surhoff was durable, and dependable. Honorable mention to the combo of John Lowenstein/Gary Roenicke, who were a great platoon for the Os in the late 70s early 80s.
Centerfield- Paul Blair. A 7-time gold glove winner was a leader on the early 70s Os teams.  Honorable mention to Adam Jones, another terrific fielder who won 4 gold gloves and was one of the best Oriole players in the 2000s.
Right Field- Ken Singleton- A Great Oriole who finished in the top 10 MVP honors 3 times (including 2^nd and 3^rd).  Honorable mention to Brady Anderson.
Designated Hitter- Eddie Murray. A very consistent player, Murray had over 90 RBI for 8 out of 12 seasons with Baltimore. He won rookie of the year, and was a 7 time All Star.
Catcher- Rick Dempsey.  Although he never put up great stats, Dempsey was a tough catcher who was definitely a vital member of the Os of the late 70s and early 80s. He was the World Series MVP in the 83 series.
Right Handed starting pitcher- Jim Palmer. Pitching was always the Orioles strength. Many good options here, but, Palmer is one of the greatest pitchers of all time. He won over 20 games (8) times! Appeared in 6 World Series, winning 2. Honorable mention to Mike Mussina, another Hall of Famer who won over 15 games 11 times.
Left Handed starting pitcher- Dave McNally. He won over 20 games 4 times for the Os. Honorable mention to Mike Cuellar, who won 20 (3) times with the Os.
Relief pitcher- Gregg Olson. He was by far the greatest relief pitcher in Orioles history.

Next team up will be the Boston Red Sox

THE GREATEST PLAYERS BY POSITION FOR THE NEW YORK YANKEES IN THE LAST 50 YEARS

THE GREATEST PLAYERS BY POSITION FOR EACH TEAM IN THE LAST 50 YEARS.



With all sports postponed, I thought it would be a good time to have some fun and put together some all time baseball lists. Beginning today, I will make my picks for the greatest players at each position for every team in the last 50 years for each team. The criteria are as follows:

- Player must have played a full 5 years for team.

-Include players active since 1970 (meaning no player whose career ended prior to the 1970 season will be considered, and players who overlap will be considered only for their time from 1970 on).

-1 player will be selected for each position, 1 right handed starting pitcher, 1 left handed starting pitcher, and 1 relief pitcher. I will include a DH for both leagues (considering interleague play now).

The question I get is, why a team for only the last 50 years? And not, all time? My answer to that is all time teams have been done forever. The lists have been made, books have been written. I think more importantly, it is a different challenge to pick the “legacy teams”.  The Yankees all-time team would always include Ruth, Gehrig, DiMaggio, and Mantle. With creating the team for the last 50 years, none of those 4 would make it. Who do you replace them with? It makes the list more challenging.

So, speaking of the Yankees, they will be my first team. Below is my list of greatest players by position for the New York Yankees in the last 50 Years.

First Base- Don Mattingly. For about 5 years in the 80s, Mattingly was one of the top 3 players in baseball. He won a batting title, and an MVP in 1985. And should have won another MVP in 86. Definitely the best first baseman the Yankees have had over the last 50 years. Tino Martinez gets honorable mention.

Second Base- Robinson Cano. This was a tough one. It was between Cano and Willie Randolph. Cano was not the most likeable Yankee player, but, he has to get the nod. Cano consistently hit over .300 during his 9 years as a Yankee, and rarely missed a game, playing in over 159 games 7 straight years. Randolph was a fan favorite, and played a terrific 2^nd base for 13 years, but, was not as durable. Randolph gets honorable mention.

Shortstop- Derek Jeter. Without question, The Captain is one of the top 10 greatest Yankees of all time. 5-time champion.  World Series MVP. No one else comes close at Shortstop. Honorable Mention to Bucky Dent, who was a World Series MVP as well.

Third Base- Alex Rodriguez. Not going to question steroids. There is absolutely no way to tell how many players used during the late 90s/2000. Based on his performance (and 2 MVPs), you cannot put together an all-time list without including AROD at 3rd base. Honorable mention to Graig Nettles, who played a terrific 3^rd base in the 70s and early 80s. and was a key member of 2 championship teams.

Left Field- Dave Winfield. Although he played a majority of time in Right Field, Winfield played a full season in left field for the Yankees. He was an underappreciated Yankee for the 10 years he played with the team. No championship, but, drove in over 97 runs for 7 straight years. And he was a terrific fielder. Honorable mention to Rickey Henderson. He had 4 full seasons, and the last season with the Yankees he was injured.

Centerfield- Bernie Williams- One of the key members of the Yankees dynasty of the late 90s, Williams won a batting title, and hit over .300 (8) times. He was a decent centerfielder, and came through time and again with clutch hits. Honorable mention to Mickey Rivers, who was a key member of the championship teams in the mid-70s.

Right Field- Paul O’Neil- Another vital member of the 90s Yankees. He played with intensity and gave his heart and soul to the Yankees. He earned the nickname the warrior. Honorable mention to Lou Piniella (too soon for Aaron Judge to be considered).

Designated Hitter- Reggie Jackson- Mr. October earned his nickname with one of the greatest WS performances in history, hitting 3 home runs in game 6 of the 77 World Series. Honorable mention to Hidecki Matsui, another WS MVP.

Catcher- Thurman Munson. This was a tough one. It was between Munson and Jorge Posada. Both were great catchers who lead their teams to championships.  Ill give the nod to Munson based on his MVP, and his great post season numbers in the WS. Posada gets honorable mention.

Right Handed starting pitcher- Mike Mussina. Someone overlooked by many during his time with the Yankees. But, if you look through the last 50 years, no right handed starting pitcher was as consistent as he was for the Yankees. Honorable mention to Mel Stottlemyre. He had some very good years for the Yankees, but, his best years came in the 60s.

Left Handed starting pitcher- Ron Guidry. Another tough call. It was between Guidry and Andy Pettite. Both great left-handed starters who were key members of championship teams. I gave the nod to Guidry due to his amazing Cy Young season in 1978 when he went 25-3. 

Relief pitcher- Mariano Rivera. This was easy. Rivera is the greatest relief pitcher of all time. No one comes close. Honorable mention to Rich “Goose” Gossage.

The next team up will be the Baltimore Orioles.