1990 Baltimore Orioles season
Encyclopedia
The Baltimore Orioles
season was a season in American baseball
. It involved the Orioles finishing 5th in the American League
East with a record of 76 wins and 85 losses.
where they had played since 1959
to Bradenton
and Sarasota
in 1991. When Cleveland
announced that they would leave Hi Corbett Field
for Florida, Tucson tried to attract the Orioles to move to Arizona.
Ben McDonald
became the first Oriole to win his first six major league decisions.
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 5th 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 76 wins and 85 losses.
Offseason
- October 3, 1989: Mark HuismannMark HuismannMark Lawrence Huismann is a former Major League Baseball pitcher. Huismann pitched in all or part of nine seasons in the majors for six different teams from until . Mainly used as a relief pitcher, Huismann started just one game out of 152 total games pitched...
was released by the Orioles. - November 2, 1989: Jamie QuirkJamie QuirkJames Patrick Quirk is a former Major League Baseball catcher and current bench coach for the Chicago Cubs. Quirk attended Whittier College.-Playing career:Quirk was also a Parade Magazine All-America quarterback at St...
was released by the Orioles. - December 5, 1989: 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 Cesar Mejia (minors) were traded by the Orioles to the New York MetsNew York MetsThe New York Mets are a professional baseball team based in the borough of Queens in New York City, New York. They belong to Major League Baseball's National League East Division. One of baseball's first expansion teams, the Mets were founded in 1962 to replace New York's departed National League...
for John MitchellJohn Mitchell (baseball)John Kyle Mitchell is a former professional baseball pitcher. He pitched in parts of five Major League Baseball seasons, from through , for the New York Mets and Baltimore Orioles.-Boating accident:...
and Joaquin Contreras (minors). - February 20, 1990: Sam HornSam HornSamuel Lee Horn is a former baseball player who spent parts of 8 seasons in MLB and was an anchor for New England Sports Network, the flagship station of Boston sports teams.-Pro career:...
was signed as a free agent by the Orioles. - February 22, 1990: Danny BooneDanny BooneDaniel Hugh Boone is a former professional baseball pitcher. He pitched parts of three seasons in Major League Baseball, appearing in 1981, 1982, and 1990...
was signed as a free agent by the Orioles.
Regular season
On May 25, 1990, the Orioles announced that the team would move their spring training home games from Miami StadiumMiami Stadium
Miami Stadium was a baseball stadium in Miami, Florida. It was primarily used for baseball, and was the home field of the Miami Marlins minor league baseball team, as well as other minor league teams. It opened in 1949 and held 13,500 people...
where they had played since 1959
1959 Baltimore Orioles season
The 1959 Baltimore Orioles season was the franchise's sixth season in Baltimore, Maryland, and its 59th overall. It resulted with the Orioles finishing sixth in the American League with a record of 74 wins and 80 losses, 22 games behind the AL champion Chicago White Sox.- Offseason :* October 2,...
to Bradenton
McKechnie Field
McKechnie Field is a baseball field located in Bradenton, Florida. It is the spring training home of the Pittsburgh Pirates and is named for Bradenton resident and baseball great, Bill McKechnie, who led the Pirates in 1925, the Cincinnati Reds in 1940 and the Cleveland Indians in 1948 to World...
and Sarasota
Ed Smith Stadium
Ed Smith Stadium is a baseball field located in Sarasota, Florida. The stadium was built in 1989 to replace Payne Park as a Spring Training and Minor League Baseball site. In 2010, the Baltimore Orioles began playing spring games at the ballpark.-History:...
in 1991. When Cleveland
Cleveland Indians
The Cleveland Indians are a professional baseball team based in Cleveland, Ohio. They are in the Central Division of Major League Baseball's American League. Since , they have played in Progressive Field. The team's spring training facility is in Goodyear, Arizona...
announced that they would leave Hi Corbett Field
Hi Corbett Field
Hi Corbett Field is a baseball stadium located in Tucson, Arizona. The stadium holds approximately 9,500 people. It was the spring training home of the Colorado Rockies, and is currently home to the Tucson Toros...
for Florida, Tucson tried to attract the Orioles to move to Arizona.
Ben McDonald
Ben McDonald
Larry Benard McDonald is a former Major League Baseball pitcher.-High school:McDonald prepped at Denham Springs High School, which is about 10 minutes east of Baton Rouge, and was both a basketball and baseball standout.-College:A collegiate star at Louisiana State University in both basketball...
became the first Oriole to win his first six major league decisions.
Opening Day starters
- Phil BradleyPhil BradleyPhilip Poole Bradley is a former Major League Baseball outfielder/designated hitter with an 8 year career from to . He played for the Seattle Mariners, Baltimore Orioles and Chicago White Sox of the American League and Philadelphia Phillies of the National League. He was elected to the American...
- Steve FinleySteve FinleySteven Allen Finley is a former Major League Baseball outfielder.-Early life:Finley, who grew up in Paducah, Kentucky, attended Paducah Tilghman High School and Southern Illinois University, where he earned a degree in physiology and played for the baseball team from 1984–87.-College, Team USA,...
- Sam HornSam HornSamuel Lee Horn is a former baseball player who spent parts of 8 seasons in MLB and was an anchor for New England Sports Network, the flagship station of Boston sports teams.-Pro career:...
- Dave JohnsonDave Johnson (1987-1993 pitcher)David Wayne Johnson , is a retired American professional baseball player who was a pitcher in the Major Leagues from 1987–1993. Johnson would play for the Baltimore Orioles, Pittsburgh Pirates, and Detroit Tigers. A Guideposts article titled "Against the Odds" by Dave Johnson appeared in the May,...
- Randy MilliganRandy MilliganRandall Andre Milligan is a former first baseman in Major League Baseball who played from 1987-1994. He is currently a scout with the Baltimore Orioles. Milligan is nicknamed "Moose".-External links:...
- 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 ....
- 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...
- Craig WorthingtonCraig WorthingtonCraig Richard Worthington is a former Major League Baseball third baseman. He played all or part of seven seasons in the majors, between and for the Baltimore Orioles, Cleveland Indians, Cincinnati Reds, and Texas Rangers...
Notable transactions
- June 4, 1990: 1990 Major League Baseball Draft1990 Major League Baseball Draft-First round selections:The following are the first round picks in the 1990 Major League Baseball draft.-Background:The draft went a record 101 rounds, surpassing 1989's total of 88, and included a record 1,487 selections. The Astros led all clubs with 100 selections. Seattle was second with 75,...
- Mike MussinaMike MussinaMichael Cole Mussina , nicknamed Moose, is a former Major League Baseball right-handed starting pitcher. He played for the Baltimore Orioles and the New York Yankees ....
was drafted by the Orioles in the 1st round. - Scott McClainScott McClainScott Michael McClain is a former Major League Baseball third baseman who is a scout in Nippon Professional Baseball....
was drafted by the Orioles in the 22nd round. Player signed June 7, 1990.
- Mike Mussina
- June 5, 1990: Jay TibbsJay TibbsJay Lindsey Tibbs was a Major League Baseball pitcher with a seven-year career from 1984 to 1990. He played for the Cincinnati Reds, Montreal Expos, Baltimore Orioles, and Pittsburgh Pirates. He had two winning seasons and a career ERA of 4.20. He currently lives in Oneonta, Alabama.-External...
was 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 a player to be named later. The Pirates completed the deal by sending Dorn TaylorDorn TaylorDonald Clyde Taylor is a former Major League Baseball pitcher. He pitched parts of three seasons in the majors, and for the Pittsburgh Pirates and for the Baltimore Orioles-Sources:...
to the Orioles on September 5. - July 30, 1990: Phil BradleyPhil BradleyPhilip Poole Bradley is a former Major League Baseball outfielder/designated hitter with an 8 year career from to . He played for the Seattle Mariners, Baltimore Orioles and Chicago White Sox of the American League and Philadelphia Phillies of the National League. He was elected to the American...
was traded by the Orioles to the Chicago White SoxChicago White SoxThe Chicago White Sox are a Major League Baseball team located in Chicago, Illinois.The White Sox play in the American League's Central Division. Since , the White Sox have played in U.S. Cellular Field, which was originally called New Comiskey Park and nicknamed The Cell by local fans...
for Ron KittleRon KittleRonald Dale Kittle is a former left fielder and designated hitter in Major League Baseball who was known mostly for his home run power, being named the 1983 AL Rookie of the Year...
.
Roster
| 1990 Baltimore Orioles | |||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Roster | |||||||||
| Pitchers |
Catchers Infielders |
Outfielders Other batters |
Manager Coaches |
||||||
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 | Avg. | HR | RBI |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| C | Mickey Tettleton Mickey Tettleton Mickey 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... |
135 | 444 | 99 | .223 | 15 | 51 |
| 1B | Randy Milligan Randy Milligan Randall Andre Milligan is a former first baseman in Major League Baseball who played from 1987-1994. He is currently a scout with the Baltimore Orioles. Milligan is nicknamed "Moose".-External links:... |
109 | 362 | 96 | .265 | 20 | 60 |
| 2B | Billy Ripken Billy Ripken William 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 –... |
129 | 406 | 118 | .291 | 3 | 38 |
| 3B | Craig Worthington Craig Worthington Craig Richard Worthington is a former Major League Baseball third baseman. He played all or part of seven seasons in the majors, between and for the Baltimore Orioles, Cleveland Indians, Cincinnati Reds, and Texas Rangers... |
133 | 425 | 96 | .226 | 8 | 44 |
| SS | 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 .... |
161 | 600 | 150 | .250 | 21 | 84 |
| LF | Phil Bradley Phil Bradley Philip Poole Bradley is a former Major League Baseball outfielder/designated hitter with an 8 year career from to . He played for the Seattle Mariners, Baltimore Orioles and Chicago White Sox of the American League and Philadelphia Phillies of the National League. He was elected to the American... |
72 | 289 | 78 | .270 | 4 | 26 |
| CF | Mike Devereaux Mike Devereaux Michael Devereaux is a former Major League Baseball outfielder. He was drafted by the Los Angeles Dodgers in the fifth round of the amateur draft and made his debut on September 2, 1987... |
108 | 367 | 88 | .240 | 12 | 49 |
| RF | Joe Orsulak Joe Orsulak Joseph 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... |
124 | 413 | 111 | .269 | 11 | 57 |
| DH | Sam Horn Sam Horn Samuel Lee Horn is a former baseball player who spent parts of 8 seasons in MLB and was an anchor for New England Sports Network, the flagship station of Boston sports teams.-Pro career:... |
79 | 246 | 61 | .248 | 14 | 45 |
Other batters
| Player | G | AB | H | Avg. | HR | RBI |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Steve Finley Steve Finley Steven Allen Finley is a former Major League Baseball outfielder.-Early life:Finley, who grew up in Paducah, Kentucky, attended Paducah Tilghman High School and Southern Illinois University, where he earned a degree in physiology and played for the baseball team from 1984–87.-College, Team USA,... |
142 | 464 | 119 | .256 | 3 | 37 |
| Juan Bell Juan Bell Juan Bell Mathey , is a former professional baseball player who played in the major leagues primarily as an infielder from 1989-1995.- Early career :... |
5 | 2 | 0 | .000 | 0 | 0 |
Starting pitchers
| Player | G | IP | W | L | ERA | SO |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Dave Johnson Dave Johnson (1987-1993 pitcher) David Wayne Johnson , is a retired American professional baseball player who was a pitcher in the Major Leagues from 1987–1993. Johnson would play for the Baltimore Orioles, Pittsburgh Pirates, and Detroit Tigers. A Guideposts article titled "Against the Odds" by Dave Johnson appeared in the May,... |
30 | 180 | 13 | 9 | 4.10 | 68 |
| John Mitchell John Mitchell (baseball) John Kyle Mitchell is a former professional baseball pitcher. He pitched in parts of five Major League Baseball seasons, from through , for the New York Mets and Baltimore Orioles.-Boating accident:... |
24 | 114.1 | 6 | 6 | 4.64 | 43 |
| Ben McDonald Ben McDonald Larry Benard McDonald is a former Major League Baseball pitcher.-High school:McDonald prepped at Denham Springs High School, which is about 10 minutes east of Baton Rouge, and was both a basketball and baseball standout.-College:A collegiate star at Louisiana State University in both basketball... |
21 | 118.2 | 8 | 5 | 2.43 | 65 |
Other pitchers
| Player | G | IP | W | L | ERA | SO |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Danny Boone Danny Boone Daniel Hugh Boone is a former professional baseball pitcher. He pitched parts of three seasons in Major League Baseball, appearing in 1981, 1982, and 1990... |
4 | 9.2 | 0 | 0 | 2.79 | 2 |
Relief pitchers
| Player | G | W | L | SV | ERA | SO |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Dorn Taylor Dorn Taylor Donald Clyde Taylor is a former Major League Baseball pitcher. He pitched parts of three seasons in the majors, and for the Pittsburgh Pirates and for the Baltimore Orioles-Sources:... |
4 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 2.45 | 4 |