Randy Milligan played as a first baseman and designated hitter for the Orioles from 1989 until 1992. He was known as “Moose” and was the first player to hit a grand slam at Oriole Park at Camden Yards. His most successful year with the team was 1990, where he hit 20 home runs and had 60 RBIs.
Introducing the nominees from 1984-1993.
Jeff Ballard
In 1991, a photo was taken of Jeff Ballard, the pitcher who achieved a record of 18-8 in 1989. (Photo credit: Gene Sweeney/Staff Photo)
Cal Ripken Sr., known for his emphasis on hard work, fundamentals, and responsibility, was a member of the Orioles organization for over 35 years. He started as a minor league player in the late 1950s and early 1960s and eventually became manager for 169 games in the late 1980s. He also served as third base coach and held various other roles such as minor league manager, scout, and bullpen coach. In 1987, he made history by being the first major league manager to have two sons on the same team. In recognition of his contributions, Ripken was inducted into the Oriole Hall of Fame in 1996.
Storm Davis
In the 1983 World Series, Orioles pitcher Storm Davis makes a delivery in Game 4. (Photo by Gene Sweeney Jr./Staff)
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Mike Devereaux
In 1993, Karl Merton Ferron captured a photo of Mike Devereaux successfully hitting a three-run home run.
From 1982 to 1986 and in 1992, Storm Davis was a pitcher for the Orioles. He used a variety of pitches including a fastball, curveball, slider, and changeup. At the young age of 21, he won Game 4 of the 1983 World Series against the Philadelphia Phillies. His strongest season was the next year when he had a 3.12 ERA, completed 10 games, and had the lowest likelihood of giving up a home run among other major league pitchers.
Jim Dwyer
In the 1982 AL East championship, Jim Dwyer scored against the Brewers in the deciding series.
Baltimore Sun
Dan Ford
Dan Ford, the right fielder for the Orioles, had his best season in 1983, hitting nine home runs and bringing in 55 runs during the regular season. He also hit a home run in Game 3 of the World Series. During his time in Baltimore, which was the last four years of his 11-year career, Ford, known as “Disco Dan,” spent half of his time on the disabled list due to issues with his knees that required surgery. In his final year in 1985, he only served as a designated hitter and pinch hitter due to his limited playing time. In the photo, Cal Ripken Jr. and Dan Ford can be seen celebrating in the clubhouse after their victory in the 1983 World Series.
Floyd Rayford, a third baseman and catcher, was a popular player for the Orioles during his time with the team. He spent most of his career bouncing between the Orioles and their Triple-A affiliate in Rochester, New York. In 1985, he had a standout year with the Orioles, hitting 18 home runs and driving in 48 runs over the course of 105 games. Rayford, affectionately known as “Sugar Bear,” also had brief stints with the Orioles in 1980, 1982, and from 1984 to 1987.
Chris Hoiles
In 1997, at spring training in Fort Lauderdale, Florida, Orioles catcher Chris Hoiles prepares to catch a pitch. (Photo by Kenneth K. Lam/Staff)
In 1989, Mickey Tettleton was a member of the “Why Not?” team and served as a catcher. He had his most successful season as a member of the Orioles, which was the second of his three years with the team. As an All-Star in 1989, Tettleton was known for his love of Froot Loops. He hit a team-leading 26 home runs and drove in 65 runs.
Dave Johnson
Dave Johnson, a native of Middle River, was the victorious pitcher in the Orioles’ first home game of 1990. (Photo credit: Gene Sweeney Jr./Staff Photo)
Over more than 430 games with the Orioles from 1985 to 1988 outfielder Fred Lynn hit 87 home runs and had 232 RBIs. Signed to bolster the lineup after the team’s disappointing defense of its 1983 title, the left-handed batter was injury-prone during his time in Baltimore, as he was elsewhere. Each of his first three seasons with the Orioles he hit 23 home runs, just as he had the season before joining the team.
Fred Lynn
On July 14, 1988, Fred Lynn, the center fielder, hit two two-run home runs against Bert Blyleven in a game against the visiting Twins. The team won with a score of 7-1. Lynn ended his 17-year career in the major leagues with a total of 306 home runs. (Photo by Staff)
During his tenure with Baltimore from 1989 to 1994 and again in 1996, Mike Devereaux excelled in all three outfield positions. His most impressive season with the Orioles was in 1992, where he recorded 24 home runs and 107 RBIs. Throughout his time with the team, Devereaux had a total of 94 home runs and 403 RBIs while sporting the orange and black. In recognition of his contributions, he was inducted into the Orioles Hall of Fame in 2021.
Ben McDonald
The photo shows Ben McDonald in 1989, who currently works as a broadcaster for the Orioles.
John Shelby, a potential coach for the Orioles, was a member of the Baltimore outfield team from 1981 to 1987. He was able to score a run in Game 4 of the 1983 World Series and accumulated five home runs and 27 RBIs during the regular season. His most successful season was in 1986, where he hit 11 home runs and had 49 RBIs.
Mark McLemore
In 1994, Marl McLemore was photographed and had a total of 27 doubles in the year prior, 1993.
Joe Orsulak, who was known for his strong skills as an outfielder, had a .289 batting average in his last season with Baltimore in 1992. He was a left-handed batter and thrower. During the opening day of that season, he made the first out ever at Camden Yards.
Bob Milacki
In 1989, Bob Milacki emerged victorious in 14 games. A photograph of him was taken in 1992. (Staff Photo)
Dave Johnson, a native of Middle River, made a surprise appearance as the starting pitcher on the second to last day of the 1989 regular season. This moment has become legendary for the Orioles team’s turnaround that year. In a crucial game against the Toronto Blue Jays to stay in the running for the AL East title, Johnson was called to the mound in place of an injured Pete Harnisch. He pitched until the eighth inning with the Orioles in the lead, but unfortunately the bullpen was unable to maintain it and the Orioles ended up losing 4-3. The next year, Johnson had his most successful season in Baltimore, leading the team with 13 wins.
Randy Milligan
At the conclusion of the 1989 season, Orioles player Randy Milligan interacts with supporters after their close attempt to win the AL East. (Photo credit: Jed Kirschbaum/Staff)
As a player for the Orioles from 1981 to 1988, Jim Dwyer was known as an outfielder, designated hitter, and pinch hitter. In the 1983 World Series, Dwyer hit a home run in the first inning of Game 1, helping his team score. During that season, Dwyer’s most successful year with the Orioles, he hit eight home runs and had 38 RBIs.
Johnny Oates
Cal Ripken Jr., Dan Ford, and Eddie Murray make up the trio. In 1993, Johnny Oates, the manager of the Orioles, is introduced at Oriole Park at Camden Yards for the All-Star Game. (Photo by Gene Sweeney Jr.)
From 1989 to 1998, Chris Hoiles served as the catcher for the Orioles. During his time with the team, he hit 151 home runs and had 449 RBIs in 894 games. On the first opening day at Oriole Park at Camden Yards, he made the first double and recorded the first RBI in the ballpark’s history. In the 1997 season, Hoiles was the only everyday catcher in the American League who did not commit an error. He was honored by being inducted into the Orioles Hall of Fame in 2006.
Gregg Olson
In 2023, Gunnar Henderson became the Orioles’ most recent Rookie of the Year, following in the footsteps of right-handed pitcher Gregg Olson. (Photo Credit: Karl Merton Ferron/Staff Photo)
Johnny Oates
Joe Orsulak
During the years 1987 to 1992, and for a brief period in 1996, Bill Ripken, a second baseman, was recognized for his exceptional fielding skills and partnered with his older brother Cal Ripken Jr. to create a strong double play combination. In 1990, he was the leading player for the Orioles with 28 doubles and a batting average of .291.
Floyd Rayford
In 1985, catcher and third baseman Floyd Rayford hit 18 home runs. (Photo taken by staff)
Curt Schilling, a starting pitcher, reached the 3,000 strikeout milestone and was selected to six All-Star teams and won three World Series titles. This journey began with 2 1/2 seasons with the Orioles organization, where he mainly played for the Triple-A Rochester Red Wings. In 1990, Schilling appeared in 35 games for the Orioles and had an impressive 2.54 ERA in 46 innings, also recording three saves. However, the Orioles made a regrettable decision to trade Schilling, along with two other players, to the Houston Astros in exchange for power hitter Glenn Davis.
Harold Reynolds
On August 18, 1993, in Seattle, Harold Reynolds shared a laugh with a fellow teammate in the dugout after hitting a three-run homer in the sixth inning. (Photo by Gary Stewart/Associated Press)
During the final two years of his 18-year career in the Major Leagues, Rick Sutcliffe played for the Orioles. He is well-remembered in the team’s history for his impressive performance on April 6, 1992, when he pitched a complete game and led the Orioles to their first victory at Oriole Park at Camden Yards. In that season, he won a total of 15 games and had 11 losses, and in the following year, he had a record of 10 wins and 10 losses.
Bill Ripken
On February 20, 1996, Bill Ripken, an infielder, prepares for a spring training practice session. (Photo credit: Karl Merton Ferron/Sun Staff)
In the 1989 amateur draft, Ben McDonald, a 6-foot-7 right-handed pitcher, was selected as the first overall pick. He played for the Orioles from 1989 to 1995, appearing in 155 games and earning a record of 58-53 with a 3.89 ERA. His standout season was in 1993 when he pitched seven complete games and struck out a career-high of 171 batters. After retiring from playing, McDonald became an Orioles broadcaster. However, his final year in Baltimore was plagued by injuries, including tendinitis, which led to his placement on the injured list. These injuries continued to impact him in his final two major league seasons.
Cal Ripken Sr.
In March of 1980, Cal Ripken Sr. was photographed as a coach during spring training by William Hotz.
The Babe Ruth Birthplace Museum is commemorating the 70th year of the Baltimore Orioles franchise by curating an exhibit featuring the top 70 players, managers, and coaches in Orioles history. Readers of the Baltimore Sun can participate in the selection process by casting their votes through an online poll. The current poll, for the years 1984 to 1993, will close at 11:59 p.m. on February 6th. The next poll, covering the years 1994 to 2003, will open on February 7th.
Curt Schilling
On September 7, 1988, Curt Schilling, recently promoted from the minor leagues, showed potential as he pitched for the Orioles against the top-ranked Boston Red Sox. (Photo by Gene Sweeney Jr./Staff)
During the penultimate year of his 12-year professional baseball career, Harold Reynolds played as a second baseman for the Orioles. In the 1993 season, he successfully hit four home runs and had a total of 47 RBIs in 145 games.
John Shelby
Jeff Ballard, a left-handed pitcher, helped the Orioles’ successful 1989 season with a team-high of five wins in April. Despite his strong start, he ended the season with a record of 13-8 and was the American League’s top winner. Ballard played for the Orioles from 1987 to 1991 but had to retire from baseball in 1994 due to multiple elbow surgeries.
In 1983, pitcher Scott McGregor and outfielder John Shelby were seen celebrating the Orioles’ victory in the ALCS. (Photo by staff)
Mark McLemore played for the Orioles from 1992 to 1994 and served as a versatile player, playing multiple positions including second base, third base, outfield, and designated hitter. His best performance was in 1993, where he had 27 doubles and 72 RBIs in 148 games.
Rick Sutcliffe
On the first Opening Day at Camden Yards, the Orioles’ Rick Sutcliffe threw a 2-0 shutout against Cleveland. (Photo by the staff)
Like many on that year’s Orioles team, third baseman Craig Worthington’s best season in Baltimore was 1989, when his 15 home runs and 70 RBIs helped him become the Sporting News Rookie of the Year. A poor 1990 season was followed by a hamstring injury that put him on the injured list for much of 1991, his final year before being traded the following spring.
Mickey Tettleton
Mickey Tettleton, a member of the 1989 Orioles, was a key player with 26 home runs. (Photo credit: Staff)
Johnny Oates was a catcher for the Baltimore Orioles during the 1970s. He later became the manager during the team’s transition to Camden Yards, coinciding with the ballpark’s opening. From 1991 to 1994, he had a record of 291 wins and 270 losses. The only other Orioles manager with a winning record since the move to Oriole Park is Davey Johnson. Oates was inducted into the Orioles Hall of Fame in 2010.
Mark Williamson
1994 marked Mark Williamson’s final year with the Orioles, as captured in this photo by Gene Sweeney Jr.
From 1988 to 1993, Gregg Olson, who was drafted in the first round, saved 160 games for the Orioles. He was the first reliever to be awarded the American League Rookie of the Year in 1989. He was also selected as an All-Star the next year, but an injury to his elbow ligament in 1993 changed the course of his career. In 2008, he was inducted into the Orioles Hall of Fame.
Craig Worthington
On July 29, 1987, Craig Worthington hit a 425-foot home run and had three other hits, resulting in five runs. (Photo by Gene Sweeney Jr.)
Mark Williamson, a right-handed pitcher, played for the Orioles throughout his entire career in the major leagues from 1987 to 1994. He primarily served as a reliever during this time. His standout season was in 1989, where he earned 10 wins as a relief pitcher. In a game against the Oakland Athletics in 1991, Williamson and three other Orioles pitchers combined to pitch a no-hitter. Additionally, in 1988, he pitched six scoreless innings in the game that ended the Orioles’ 21-game losing streak.
Cast your votes
Bob Milacki, a new player, began and emerged victorious in the Orioles’ first game of the 1989 season. He went on to win 13 more games. From 1988 to 1992, Milacki played for the Orioles, but struggled with inflammation in his rotator cuff.
