Orioles All-Time Team v.2012

Last year's team can be seen here.

The Orioles had some great teams in the 60's, 70's and 80's and the 2012 squad is poised to make a return to the postseason for the first time since 1996.  Curiously, this season, the Orioles made the decision to go back to the Cartoon Bird hat logo (last used in 1989)... back to The Bird, back to the postseason.  Coincidence?  I think not.

Prior to 1954, the Orioles were known as the St. Louis Browns and we recognize a couple post-1920 Browns on our squad - Hall of Famer George Sisler and outfielder Ken Williams.  Interestingly, in 1922, Williams became the first player in baseball history to hit 30 home runs and steal 30 bases in a season (affectionately known as the 30/30 club).

Filling in the holes - an extra position player and two starting pitchers - was not too difficult.  Last year, we struggled to find a home for Boog Powell (we felt like he deserved to make the team but not over Eddie Murray or George Sisler)... problem solved.  We also considered Ken Singleton, Brian Roberts* and Brady Anderson* but we felt that Powell, who ranks among the top 5 in franchise hits, home runs and RBI was the right choice.

For the extra pitchers, there were a few deserving names.  We looked at Rick Dempsey and Mike Boddicker but in the end, we went with Mike Mussina, who spent 10 years in Baltimore and Mike Cuellar, who ranks fourth all-time in wins as an Oriole.

The team is a little weak in the outfield but pretty strong overall - one of the best defensive teams you'll find in our database of all-time teams.  Here's our squad:

C - Gus Triandos
1B - George Sisler
2B - Bobby Grich
SS - Cal Ripken, Jr.
3B - Brooks Robinson
IF - Eddie Murray
OF - Frank Robinson
OF - Ken Williams
OF - Paul Blair
DH - Boog Powell
SP - Jim Palmer
SP - Dave McNally
SP - Mike Mussina
SP - Mike Cuellar
RP - Gregg Olson