Dynasty? You Bet! Baltimore Orioles, 1966-1971

For nearly twenty years (1966-85) the Baltimore Orioles were a team to be reckoned with. But those 1966-71 teams were, well, something to behold. Here’s why.

It’s quite a story–from losing big to winning big. The losing part came at the beginning, from their very first year as a Major League baseball team. In 1901, the team was known as the Milwaukee Brewers, and that squad lost 65% of its games (48-89). The shift to St. Louis as the Browns didn’t change the profile. From 1901 to 1953, the Browns had 12 winning seasons and won one pennant (1944).

Things did not improve when the team moved to Baltimore in 1954 and changed its name to the Orioles. Losing ways continued until 1960 when the Orioles had their first winning season since 1945. In 1961, the Orioles finished the season with a 95-67 record, their second-best record in franchise history. After an off-year in 1962, the team rebounded and had a winning record in 1963, 1964, and 1965.

Hall of Famer Frank Robinson was the only player to win the MVP award in both major leagues. He was also baseball’s first black manager. (photo, NPR)

The 1964 team finished the season with an impressive record, 97-65, just two games behind the first-place NY Yankees. Third baseman Brooks Robinson won the AL MVP award.

By 1966, Baltimore had some of the best players in baseball on their team. 6’4, 240 lb. John “Boog” Powell was at first base and Luis Aparicio handled shortstop. Pitchers Dave McNally and Jim Palmer were two of the best in the game.

But perhaps the Orioles’ best player was right fielder Frank Robinson, whom the Orioles had acquired in the off-season from the Cincinnati Reds. I say “perhaps” because Brooks Robinson, who had been with the team since 1955, was inarguably MLB’s best fielding third baseman. Robinson won the 1966 Triple Crown and also took the MVP award. On the piloting side, manager Hank Bauer knew a thing or two about winning. He captured seven World Series rings as a former right fielder for the New York Yankees.

In 1966, Baltimore finished the season in first place with a 97-63 record, their best record in franchise history. They faced the LA Dodgers in the World Series. It was no contest, too, as the Orioles swept the Dodgers in four games. So dominating was the Orioles’ pitching that LA scored only two runs in the four games. It took 66 years, but the Orioles were finally the World Champions!

As often happens with World Series participants, the following season didn’t go well for the Orioles. After finishing the 1967 season with a dismal 76-85 record, the 1968 Birds returned to their winning ways (91-71) under the new managerial leadership of Earl Weaver. But the nearly 60% win rate wasn’t good enough to capture the AL pennant. The Birds finished in second place, 12 games behind the sizzling Detroit Tigers (103-59).

Earl Weaver (photo, Baltimore Orioles)

If 1968 was the appetizer, then 1969 was the main course because the ’69 Orioles proved to be one of the best teams in MLB history. Baltimore finished the regular season with a 109-53 record and made short work of the Minnesota Twins in the ALCS (3-0). But then the unexpected happened. After winning the Series opening game against the underdog New York Mets, the Orioles dropped the next four games. It was a stunning and disappointing end to an otherwise great season. The consolation prize of sorts was Mike Cuellar winning the Cy Young award.

Thankfully for Baltimore fans, 1970 would be without a hiccup. The Orioles began by winning their division with an unbelievable 108-54 record, the 9th best by the number of wins in major league history. Baltimore swept the Minnesota Twins again in the ALCS, and the O’s went on to defeat the Cincinnati Reds 4-1. Brooks Robinson put on a defensive clinic, won the Series MVP award, and 1st baseman Boog Powell was named AL MVP.

The 1971 Orioles picked up right where they left off in 1970 with another impressive season of 101-57 losses. The team had what many consider to be the most fantastic pitching staff in league history: Dave McNally won 21 games, and Jim Palmer, Mike Cuellar, and Pat Dobson all won 20 games. Incredible! The O’s swept the Oakland A’s in the ALCS for the team’s fourth pennant in six years. But the O’s then lost the Series to the “Chicken on the Hill with Will” Pittsburgh Pirates, 4 games to 3. That 1971 series is still considered to be one of the best World Series ever played.

The Orioles continued winning from 1972 to 1985, never having a losing season. Along the way, they won an American League pennant (1979) and a World Series (1983). But those Orioles’ teams from 1966 to 1971…whew! They were really good!