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Baltimore Orioles: The best player at every position

By Manny Gómez

BALTIMORE, UNITED STATES: Baseball "Iron Man" Cal Ripken (L) holds a model of his newly retired number as he is joined by former Orioles teammate Eddie Murry during a farewell ceremony for the retiring Baltimore Oriole 06 October, 2001, at Camden Yards in Baltimore, Maryland. Tonight is Ripken's 3,001 game as a major league Baselball player. Ripken also holds the record for most consecutive games played, 2,632. AFP PHOTO / STEPHEN JAFFE (Photo credit should read STEPHEN JAFFE/AFP via Getty Images)
BALTIMORE, UNITED STATES: Baseball "Iron Man" Cal Ripken (L) holds a model of his newly retired number as he is joined by former Orioles teammate Eddie Murry during a farewell ceremony for the retiring Baltimore Oriole 06 October, 2001, at Camden Yards in Baltimore, Maryland. Tonight is Ripken's 3,001 game as a major league Baselball player. Ripken also holds the record for most consecutive games played, 2,632. AFP PHOTO / STEPHEN JAFFE (Photo credit should read STEPHEN JAFFE/AFP via Getty Images) /
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(Photo by John Reid III/MLB Photos via Getty Images)
(Photo by John Reid III/MLB Photos via Getty Images) /

Baltimore Orioles: The Best Player at Every Position

Around the Horn

2. Catcher – Chris Hoiles (24.2 aWAR)

Talk to any O’s fan and they’ll know who Chris Hoiles is, but he might be the last person they ever expected to be on this list. The fact of the matter is, the Baltimore Orioles aren’t really known for having great depth at the catching position.

As a result, Hoiles not only carries the highest average WAR (aWAR) than any O’s catcher, he stands alone at the top of the list.

3. First Base – Eddie Murray (56.6 aWAR)

Eddie Murray played for a number of teams throughout his career, none more than the O’s (13 years). In his time in Baltimore, he amassed an incredible career as a slugger, putting together quite the impressive resume which includes:

  • 1977 AL Rookie of the Year
  • 7x All-Star
  • 2x Silver Slugger
  • 3x Gold Glove

Upon retiring, Eddie Murray was elected to the National Baseball Hall of Fame on the first ballot. All-time, he is ranked 27th with 504 HR, 13th with 3255 H, and 11th with 1917 RBI.

light. More. Brady Anderson from leadoff hitter to HR hitter?

4. Second Base – Brian Roberts (29.1 aWAR)

Before Injuries derailed his career, Brian Roberts was on a Hall of Fame trajectory with the Baltimore Orioles. The two-time All-Star led the league in doubles twice in his career. Once in 2004 when he swatted 50 2B and then again in 2009 when he hit 56 2B. He also led the league in 2007 with 50 SB and was for a good stretch a .290 hitter with a .800+ OPS.

In the end, Roberts ended his career with the New York Yankees in 2014, where he only played in 91 games and was a complete shell of his former self.

5. Third Base – Brooks Robinson (79.3 aWAR)

Brooks Robinson’s career with the Baltimore Orioles spanned 23 years and three decades (the 50s, 60s, and 70s). In his illustrious career, Robinson earned 18 consecutive All-Star selections, 16 consecutive Gold Gloves, an MVP award, and TWO World Series titles.

He owns the second-best aWAR in the organization’s history and was elected to the Hall of Fame in 1983 with 92% of the vote.

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