1988 Baltimore Orioles season
Encyclopedia
The Baltimore Orioles
season was a season in American baseball
. It involved the Orioles finishing 7th in the American League
East with a record of 54 wins and 107 losses. The season is remembered for the 0-21 start that lasted from April 4 to April 28 to start the Orioles season. Manager Cal Ripken, Sr.
was fired after an 0-6 start and replaced by Hall of Famer Frank Robinson
. The Orioles won their first game of the year against the Chicago White Sox at Comiskey Park on April 29. The most runs allowed during the season was 15 in a game on June 19 while the most runs scored was 12 in a game on May 31. Orioles owner Edward Bennett Williams died in August of that year.
Baltimore Orioles
The Baltimore Orioles are a professional baseball team based in Baltimore, Maryland in the United States. They are a member of the Eastern Division of Major League Baseball's American League. One of the American League's eight charter franchises in 1901, it spent its first year as a major league...
season was a season in American baseball
Baseball
Baseball is a bat-and-ball sport played between two teams of nine players each. The aim is to score runs by hitting a thrown ball with a bat and touching a series of four bases arranged at the corners of a ninety-foot diamond...
. It involved the Orioles finishing 7th in the American League
American League
The American League of Professional Baseball Clubs, or simply the American League , is one of two leagues that make up Major League Baseball in the United States and Canada. It developed from the Western League, a minor league based in the Great Lakes states, which eventually aspired to major...
East with a record of 54 wins and 107 losses. The season is remembered for the 0-21 start that lasted from April 4 to April 28 to start the Orioles season. Manager Cal Ripken, Sr.
Cal Ripken, Sr.
Calvin Edwin Ripken, Sr. was a coach and manager in Major League Baseball who spent 36 years in the Baltimore Orioles organization, also as a player and scout. He played in the Orioles' farm system beginning in 1957, and later served as manager of the parent club, on which his sons Cal Jr...
was fired after an 0-6 start and replaced by Hall of Famer Frank Robinson
Frank Robinson
Frank Robinson , is a former Major League Baseball outfielder and manager. He played from 1956–1976, most notably for the Cincinnati Reds and the Baltimore Orioles. He is the only player to win league MVP honors in both the National and American Leagues...
. The Orioles won their first game of the year against the Chicago White Sox at Comiskey Park on April 29. The most runs allowed during the season was 15 in a game on June 19 while the most runs scored was 12 in a game on May 31. Orioles owner Edward Bennett Williams died in August of that year.
Offseason
- October 8, 1987: Mike KinnunenMike KinnunenMichael John Kinnunen is a former Major League Baseball pitcher. He pitched in parts of three seasons between and . He holds the major league record for most pitching appearances without a decision of any kind with 48....
was released by the Orioles. - October 8, 1987: Mike HartMike Hart (left-handed hitter)Michael Lawrence Hart is a former Major League Baseball outfielder. He played parts of two seasons in the major leagues, for the Minnesota Twins in and for the Baltimore Orioles in ....
was released by the Orioles. - November 6, 1987: Rico RossyRico RossyElam José "Rico" Rossy Ramos is a former professional baseball player. He played all or part of four seasons in Major League Baseball as a utility infielder for the Atlanta Braves, Kansas City Royals, and the Seattle Mariners....
and Terry Crowley Jr. (minors) were traded by the Orioles to the Pittsburgh PiratesPittsburgh PiratesThe Pittsburgh Pirates are a Major League Baseball club based in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. They play in the Central Division of the National League, and are five-time World Series Champions...
for Joe OrsulakJoe OrsulakJoseph Michael Richardson Orsulak III is a former Major League Baseball player from 1983 to 1997 for the Pittsburgh Pirates, Baltimore Orioles, New York Mets, Florida Marlins, and Montreal Expos. Orsulak, who threw and batted lefthanded, played mostly in the outfield, although he played some games...
. - February 27, 1988: Ray KnightRay KnightCharles Ray Knight is a former right-handed Major League Baseball third baseman best remembered for his time with the Cincinnati Reds and New York Mets...
was traded by the Orioles to the Detroit TigersDetroit TigersThe Detroit Tigers are a Major League Baseball team located in Detroit, Michigan. One of the American League's eight charter franchises, the club was founded in Detroit in as part of the Western League. The Tigers have won four World Series championships and have won the American League pennant...
for Mark ThurmondMark ThurmondMark Anthony Thurmond , is a former professional baseball player who pitched in the Major Leagues from 1983-1990...
. - March 21, 1988: Mike YoungMike Young (baseball)Michael Darren Young is a former outfielder and designated hitter in Major League Baseball. He played for the Baltimore Orioles for most of his major league career, but also played for the Philadelphia Phillies, Milwaukee Brewers, and Cleveland Indians. In 1990, he played in Japan for the...
and a player to be named later were traded by the Orioles to the Philadelphia PhilliesPhiladelphia PhilliesThe Philadelphia Phillies are a Major League Baseball team. They are the oldest continuous, one-name, one-city franchise in all of professional American sports, dating to 1883. The Phillies are a member of the Eastern Division of Major League Baseball's National League...
for Rick SchuRick SchuRichard Spenser Schu is a former Major League Baseball player and hitting coach.Schu grew up in Fair Oaks, California and was signed as an amateur free agent out of Del Campo High School by the Philadelphia Phillies.Schu debuted with the Philadelphia Phillies in September 1984 and was recalled to...
, Keith HughesKeith HughesKeith Wills Hughes is a former Major League Baseball player who played for five teams in his major league career which lasted for parts of four seasons. He made his debut on May 19, 1987 with the New York Yankees. Then the Yankees traded him and Shane Rawley to the Philadelphia Phillies for Mike...
and Jeff StoneJeff Stone (baseball)Jeffrey Glen Stone is a retired Major League Baseball outfielder, playing eight seasons at the major league level for the Philadelphia Phillies, Baltimore Orioles, Texas Rangers, and Boston Red Sox....
. The Orioles completed the deal by sending Frank Bellino (minors) to the Phillies on June 14.
Regular season
- April 4, 1988: The Milwaukee BrewersMilwaukee BrewersThe Milwaukee Brewers are a professional baseball team based in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, currently playing in the Central Division of Major League Baseball's National League...
defeated the Orioles 12-0, setting a record for the largest margin of victory in a shutout win on Opening Day. - September 7, 1988: Curt SchillingCurt SchillingCurtis Montague "Curt" Schilling is a former American Major League Baseball right-handed pitcher. He helped lead the Philadelphia Phillies to the World Series in and won World Series championships in with the Arizona Diamondbacks and in and with the Boston Red Sox. Schilling retired with a...
made his major league debut. He pitched against the Boston Red SoxBoston Red SoxThe Boston Red Sox are a professional baseball team based in Boston, Massachusetts, and a member of Major League Baseball’s American League Eastern Division. Founded in as one of the American League's eight charter franchises, the Red Sox's home ballpark has been Fenway Park since . The "Red Sox"...
and pitched in 7 innings. Schilling gave up 6 hits and 3 earned runs. He has 2 strikeouts and 5 bases on balls.
The Losing Streak
- Game 13: The Orioles tied the 1904 Washington Senators1904 Washington Senators seasonThe Washington Senators won 38 games, lost 113, and finished in eighth place in the American League. They were managed by Malachi Kittridge and Patsy Donovan and played home games at National Park.- Notable transactions :...
and the 1920 Detroit Tigers1920 Detroit Tigers seasonThe Detroit Tigers season was a season in American baseball. The team finished seventh in the American League with a record of 61-93, 37 games behind the Cleveland Indians.- Roster :- Starters by position :...
for most losses to start the season with 13 losses after being beaten by the Brewers, 9-5, in Milwaukee. - Game 14: On a cold, wet night, 7,284 witnessed baseball history at Milwaukee's County Stadium. Baltimore became the first team in the history of major league baseball to start the season 0-14 as the Brewers won, 8-6.
Opening Day starters
- Mike BoddickerMike BoddickerFor the similarly named musician , see Michael BoddickerMichael James "Mike" Boddicker was a right-handed Major League Baseball pitcher for the Baltimore Orioles , Boston Red Sox , Kansas City Royals , and Milwaukee Brewers...
- Terry KennedyTerry KennedyTerrence Edward Kennedy is a former All-Star Major League Baseball catcher who played for the St. Louis Cardinals , San Diego Padres , Baltimore Orioles and San Francisco Giants . Kennedy batted left-handed and threw right-handed. He is the son of former major league player and manager Bob Kennedy...
- Fred LynnFred LynnFredric Michael "Fred" Lynn is a former center fielder in Major League Baseball who played for the Boston Red Sox , California Angels , Baltimore Orioles , Detroit Tigers and San Diego Padres .Fred Lynn was inducted into the Boston Red Sox Hall of Fame in and to the College Baseball Hall of Fame...
- Eddie MurrayEddie MurrayEddie Clarence Murray , nicknamed "Steady Eddie", is a former Major League Baseball first baseman and designated hitter. He was known as one of the most reliable and productive hitters of his era. Murray is regarded as one of the best switch hitters ever to play the game...
- Joe OrsulakJoe OrsulakJoseph Michael Richardson Orsulak III is a former Major League Baseball player from 1983 to 1997 for the Pittsburgh Pirates, Baltimore Orioles, New York Mets, Florida Marlins, and Montreal Expos. Orsulak, who threw and batted lefthanded, played mostly in the outfield, although he played some games...
- Billy RipkenBilly RipkenWilliam Oliver Ripken is an American radio personality for XM Satellite Radio, a studio analyst for MLB Network's "MLB Tonight," and is a former infielder in Major League Baseball from –...
- Cal Ripken, Jr.Cal Ripken, Jr.Calvin Edwin "Cal" Ripken, Jr. , nicknamed "Iron Man", is a former Major League Baseball shortstop and third baseman. He played his entire 21-year baseball career for the Baltimore Orioles ....
- Rick SchuRick SchuRichard Spenser Schu is a former Major League Baseball player and hitting coach.Schu grew up in Fair Oaks, California and was signed as an amateur free agent out of Del Campo High School by the Philadelphia Phillies.Schu debuted with the Philadelphia Phillies in September 1984 and was recalled to...
- Larry SheetsLarry SheetsLarry Kent Sheets , is a former Major League Baseball outfielder and designated hitter who played for the Baltimore Orioles, Detroit Tigers, and Seattle Mariners from 1984 to 1990 and 1993...
- Jeff StoneJeff Stone (baseball)Jeffrey Glen Stone is a retired Major League Baseball outfielder, playing eight seasons at the major league level for the Philadelphia Phillies, Baltimore Orioles, Texas Rangers, and Boston Red Sox....
Notable transactions
- April 2, 1988: Dickie NolesDickie NolesDickie Ray Noles was a pitcher for the Philadelphia Phillies , Chicago Cubs , Texas Rangers , Cleveland Indians , Detroit Tigers and Baltimore Orioles ....
was signed as a free agent with the Orioles. - April 5, 1988: Mickey TettletonMickey TettletonMickey Lee Tettleton , is a former American professional baseball player. He played in Major League Baseball for the Oakland Athletics, Baltimore Orioles, Detroit Tigers, and Texas Rangers...
was signed as a Free Agent by the Orioles. - June 1, 1988: Pete Rose, Jr. was drafted by the Orioles in the 12th round of the 1988 Major League Baseball Draft1988 Major League Baseball Draft-First round selections:The following are the first round picks in the 1988 Major League Baseball draft.-Supplemental First Round Selections:-External links:*...
. Player signed September 1, 1988. - July 29, 1988: Mike BoddickerMike BoddickerFor the similarly named musician , see Michael BoddickerMichael James "Mike" Boddicker was a right-handed Major League Baseball pitcher for the Baltimore Orioles , Boston Red Sox , Kansas City Royals , and Milwaukee Brewers...
was traded by the Orioles to the Boston Red SoxBoston Red SoxThe Boston Red Sox are a professional baseball team based in Boston, Massachusetts, and a member of Major League Baseball’s American League Eastern Division. Founded in as one of the American League's eight charter franchises, the Red Sox's home ballpark has been Fenway Park since . The "Red Sox"...
for Brady AndersonBrady AndersonBrady Kevin Anderson is an American former outfielder with the Baltimore Orioles, Boston Red Sox and Cleveland Indians of Major League Baseball...
and Curt SchillingCurt SchillingCurtis Montague "Curt" Schilling is a former American Major League Baseball right-handed pitcher. He helped lead the Philadelphia Phillies to the World Series in and won World Series championships in with the Arizona Diamondbacks and in and with the Boston Red Sox. Schilling retired with a...
.
Roster
| 1988 Baltimore Orioles roster | |||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Roster | |||||||||
| Pitchers |
Catchers Infielders |
Outfielders |
Manager Coaches |
||||||
Player stats
| = Indicates team leader |
Starters by position
Note: Pos = position; G = Games played; AB = At Bats; H = Hits; Avg. = Batting Average; HR = Home Runs; RBI = Runs Batted In| Pos | Player | G | AB | H | HR | RBI | Avg. |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| C | 86 | 283 | 74 | 11 | 37 | .261 | |
| 1B | 161 | 603 | 171 | 28 | 84 | .284 | |
| 2B | 150 | 512 | 103 | 2 | 34 | .207 | |
| 3B | 89 | 270 | 69 | 4 | 20 | .256 | |
| SS | 161 | 575 | 152 | 23 | 81 | .264 | |
| LF | 83 | 261 | 60 | 4 | 17 | .230 | |
| CF | 87 | 301 | 76 | 18 | 37 | .252 | |
| RF | 125 | 379 | 109 | 8 | 27 | .288 | |
| DH | 136 | 452 | 104 | 10 | 47 | .230 |
Other batters
| Player | G | AB | H | HR | RBI | Avg. |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 103 | 352 | 78 | 10 | 45 | .222 | |
| 85 | 265 | 60 | 3 | 16 | .226 | |
| 103 | 262 | 51 | 9 | 23 | .195 | |
| 92 | 237 | 51 | 2 | 15 | .215 | |
| 53 | 177 | 35 | 1 | 9 | .198 | |
| 41 | 108 | 21 | 2 | 14 | .194 | |
| 26 | 81 | 15 | 2 | 4 | .185 | |
| 26 | 61 | 10 | 0 | 1 | .164 | |
| 35 | 53 | 12 | 0 | 3 | .226 | |
| 18 | 47 | 9 | 0 | 1 | .191 | |
| 20 | 30 | 3 | 0 | 0 | .100 | |
| 13 | 25 | 6 | 0 | 0 | .240 | |
| 13 | 24 | 3 | 0 | 2 | .125 |
Starting pitchers
| Player | G | IP | W | L | ERA | SO |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 33 | 171.7 | 6 | 15 | 4.30 | 76 | |
| 30 | 158.7 | 4 | 15 | 5.39 | 82 | |
| 25 | 153.3 | 8 | 12 | 4.40 | 41 | |
| 21 | 147.0 | 6 | 12 | 3.86 | 100 | |
| 19 | 86.0 | 5 | 7 | 5.55 | 61 | |
| 4 | 17.3 | 0 | 3 | 8.83 | 10 | |
| 4 | 14.7 | 0 | 3 | 9.82 | 4 | |
| 3 | 25.0 | 2 | 0 | 0.72 | 18 | |
| 2 | 13.0 | 0 | 2 | 5.54 | 10 | |
| 2 | 3.3 | 0 | 2 | 24.30 | 1 |
Other pitchers
| Player | G | IP | W | L | ERA | SO |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 41 | 129.7 | 8 | 5 | 3.40 | 67 | |
| 37 | 117.7 | 5 | 8 | 4.90 | 69 | |
| 22 | 71.3 | 1 | 6 | 5.43 | 29 | |
| 2 | 3.0 | 0 | 0 | 6.00 | 2 |
Relief pitchers
| Player | G | IP | W | L | SV | ERA | SO |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 52 | 59.0 | 3 | 4 | 18 | 3.51 | 40 | |
| 52 | 94.3 | 3 | 3 | 0 | 3.72 | 26 | |
| 43 | 74.7 | 1 | 8 | 3 | 4.58 | 29 | |
| 35 | 46.7 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 4.05 | 28 | |
| 7 | 14.7 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 4.30 | 4 | |
| 10 | 11.0 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 3.27 | 9 | |
| 4 | 4.0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 13.50 | 3 |