Baltimore Orioles get World Series appearance no one knew of

The Baltimore Orioles had a solid run in the late 1960s. They were the World Series winners in 1966, and made a return trek to the Fall Classic in 1969, only to be stunned by the Miracle Mets. While they were still a competitive team in the 1970s, they ran into a pair of dynasties with the A’s and Yankees, leaving them without a return to the World Series until 1979.

Unless one asks New Era. They have advertised a World Series hat for the Orioles for 1973…except the Orioles did not appear in the World Series that year.

Baltimore Orioles get extra World Series appearance courtesy of New Era

With all due apologies to the A’s, who won the World Series that year against the Mets, the pennant will be heading to Baltimore. That flag will be taken down at the Coliseum, painted orange, and will head to Charm City.

The worst part about that advertisement? The Orioles 1966 World Series patch is clearly visible on the side of the hat. Not only did they completely miss the correct patch that is right there, but they gave the Orioles a World Series berth that they did not have.

This does not mean that 1973 was a terrible year for the Orioles. They finished the season with a 97-65 record, winning the AL East by eight games before falling to the A’s in a classic five game series in the ALCS. Jim Palmer was the AL Cy Young winner and finished second in the MVP vote that year, while Al Bumbry was named the AL Rookie of the Year. It was a solid season in Baltimore, albeit one that finished short of the ultimate prize.

But if we have learned anything over recent years, history does not matter. The facts are whatever we claim they are and it is up to someone else to prove otherwise. Such is the case with New Era, who is claiming that the Orioles were in the 1973 World Series.

The Baltimore Orioles had an excellent team from the mid 1960s into the early 1980s. On Tuesday, they learned that they had another World Series berth in that span.