Tales from the Orioles Dugout

by Berney, Louis

• ISBN13: 9781596702233
• ISBN10: 1596702230
• Format: Paperback
• Copyright: 2007-04-01
• Publisher: INGRAM BOOK COMPANY

Summary

The saying among players used to go, What can be better than being young and playing for the Baltimore Orioles? They may have fallen on lean times of late, but for several decades the Orioles were the class and envy of Major League Baseball. The team was an integral part of the Baltimore community; kids and their grandmothers knew the batting averages, ERAs, and even the personality traits not only of Brooks Robinson, Dave McNally and Paul Blair, but of every bench player and each relief pitcher. Over an 18-year period (1966 through 1983) the Orioles played in six World Series, winning three of them. They had the highest winning percentage in baseball for 30 years. Most of their stars were home-grown products, players signed and reared in the Orioles organization. They were proud to play for Baltimore and to be part of the vaunted Oriole Way. Tales from the Orioles Dugout tells the stories of these players, in their own words. They discuss the pivotal plays and the big games that electrified the city, and they talk about what went on in the dugout, on the field and in the clubhouse. Hall of Famers like Jim Palmer, Earl Weaver, and Brooks Robinson, and future Hall of Famer Cal Ripken Jr., share tales of what it was like to be an Oriole. Individually their stories are funny, poignant and eccentric. Collectively, they offer a portrait of a team that is as much a family and a community treasure as it is a professional sports organization.

Table of Contents

Introduction	p. ix
"Bullet Bob" Heads North: Bob Turley (1954)	p. 1
The Early Days: Joe Durham (1954; 1957)	p. 5
The First Bonus Baby: Billy O'Dell (1954-1959)	p. 10
The O's First Slugger: Gus Triandos (1955-1962)	p. 14
The Human Highlight Reel: Brooks Robinson (1955-1977)	p. 19
The Rope: Bob Boyd (1956-1960)	p. 27
Sixteen Innings Later, a Victor: Jerry Walker (1957-1960)	p. 30
The Reluctant Cincinnati Kid: Milt Pappas (1957-1965)	p. 35
The Flake: Jackie Brandt (1960-1965)	p. 39
The Diamond in the Rough: Jim Gentile (1960-1963)	p. 43
A Lust for Life: Boog Powell (1961-1974)	p. 47
The Turkey: Dick Hall (1961-1966; 1969-1971)	p. 54
Old Man: Robin Roberts (1962-1965)	p. 59
A Character Actor: Bob Johnson (1963-1967)	p. 63
Center of Attention: Paul Blair (1964-1976)	p. 67
Earl's Best Bud: Jim Palmer (1965-1984)	p. 72
The Prankster: Moe Drabowsky (1966-1968; 1970)	p. 81
A Game of Firsts: Eddie Watt (1966-1973)	p. 88
The Steaming Teapot: Earl Weaver (1968-1982; 1985-1986)	p. 92
Good in a Pinch: Terry Crowley (1969-1973; 1976-1982)	p. 101
Taking Orders from Jim: Al Bumbry (1972-1984)	p. 105
The Hitting Whiz: Ken Singleton (1975-1984)	p. 110
The Call: Mike Flanagan (1975-1987; 1991-1992)	p. 118
No. 1 Pick: Rich Dauer (1976-1985)	p. 124
Baltimore's Own "Babe Ruth": Rick Dempsey (1976-1986; 1992)	p. 128
A Game for the Record Books: Tippy Martinez (1976-1986)	p. 135
A Tip of the Cap to the Skipper: Steve Stone (1979-1981)	p. 143
Playing with Scissors: Mike Boddicker (1980-1988)	p. 150
A True Oriole: Cal Ripken Jr. (1981-2001)	p. 154
Tee Bone: John Shelby (1981-1987)	p. 164
Traded for Himself: Tito Landrum (1983; 1988)	p. 170
Soft-Tossing Lefty: Jeff Ballard (1987-1991)	p. 173
All in the Family: Bill Ripken (1987-1992; 1996)	p. 179
Wrasslin' Gators and Ripkens: Ben McDonald (1989-1995)	p. 184
Eight Steps to the Plate: Jack Voigt (1992-1995)	p. 189
The Moose: Mike Mussina (1991-2000)	p. 196
Epilogue	p. 200
Table of Contents provided by Ingram. All Rights Reserved.