The 2014 season will be a special one for the Baltimore Orioles, and not just because there are postseason dreams around Birdland. The O’s will celebrate 60 years in Baltimore, which presents the perfect opportunity to reflect on great players and memories since 1954.
In the spirit of the occasion I’ve decided to highlight some of the great individual seasons we’ve witnessed from 1954-2013. So far, we’ve looked at left field, center field, and right field.
This week, we move to the infield, starting with the hot corner.
Brooks Robinson, 1964
.317/368/.521 – 82 runs, 35 doubles, 28 home runs, 118 RBI, AL MVP Award, Gold Glove Award
By this point, Brooks Robinson’s reputation as a defensive wizard at third base was well established. But in 1964, in addition to his usual stellar defense, Robinson put together his finest offensive season.
In the field, Robinson captured his fifth consecutive Gold Glove Award after leading American League third basemen in putouts (153), assists (327), double plays turned (40), and fielding percentage (.972). His 17 total zone runs were good for second.
At the plate, Brooks set career highs in hits (194 – 2nd in AL), home runs, RBI (led AL), batting average (2nd in AL), on-base percentage, and slugging percentage (6th in AL). He was also second in the league in total bases (319) and finished third in doubles and extra base hits (66).
By both the FanGraphs and Baseball Reference versions of wins above replacement (WAR), Brooks Robinson was tops among all American League position players in 1964.
[youtube]http://youtu.be/nG-X4AFbooM[/youtube]
Doug DeCinces, 1978
.286/.346/.526 – 72 runs, 37 doubles, 28 home runs, 80 RBI
Playing third base after Brooks Robinson isn’t an enviable position to be in, but Doug DeCinces was admirable in his efforts doing so.
In 1978, DeCinces was the Orioles’ leader in doubles (4th in AL), home runs, slugging percentage (3rd in AL), extra base hits (66 – 2nd in AL), and OPS (.872 – 6th in AL). He was second in batting average and total bases (269).
With the glove, he DeCinces paced AL third basemen in total zone runs (13) and was third in fielding percentage (.975).
[youtube]http://youtu.be/8dcEmzDzoFw[/youtube]
(Note: Yes, that hit is from ’79. Slim pickings for Doug on YouTube.)
Melvin Mora, 2004
.340/.419/.562 – 111 runs, 41 doubles, 27 home runs, 104 RBI, 11 stolen bases
Prior to 2004, Melvin Mora had never started more than one game in a single season during his major league career at third base. That year, he started 137 and put together the greatest offensive season by a third baseman in Baltimore Orioles history.
Mora is the only O’s third baseman since 1954 to score and drive in 100+ runs in the same season. His batting average, on-base percentage, and slugging percentage are each single-season highs for third basemen during the franchise’s time in Baltimore. The 11 steals are tied for the most.
In 2004, Mora led the AL in on-base percentage and was second in batting average. He finished third in OPS+ (155) and fifth in both slugging percentage and runs created (132). His 41 doubles were good for sixth.
(Note: Even slimmer pickings for Melvin.)
Manny Machado, 2013
.283/.314/.432 – 88 runs, 51 doubles, 14 home runs, 71 RBI, Gold Glove Award
2013 was Manny Machado’s first full season in the major leagues. And what a season it was.
With the bat, Machado led the American League in doubles. He was was sixth in hits (189) and seventh in extra-base hits (68)
But it was with the glove where the young Machado was on another level. His 32 total zone runs are the second highest for a third baseman since 1954, in either league, by one to Brooks Robinson’s 1968 season. The next highest third baseman in 2013 was Juan Uribe with 22. Evan Longoria was second in the AL with 13.
Ultimate Zone Rating (UZR), which attempts to assign value to number of runs saved, has only been around since 2002. Machado’s 31.2 in 2013 are the highest of any infielder by 5.3 runs.
By Baseball Reference’s defensive wins above replacement (dWAR), Machado’s 4.3 last season is the 10th highest in MLB history. Of the top 10 seasons, Manny was the youngest during his at age 20.
As icing on the cake, Machado was voted by fans as the winner of the American League Rawlings Platinum Glove Award. Only Gold Glove winners were eligible. Manny received 27.6% of the votes. Dustin Pedroia finished second with 17.6%.
[youtube]http://youtu.be/1-D8mSx4BPU[/youtube]
[cardoza_wp_poll id=”16″]
Previous positions: Left Field, Center Field, Right Field
Next week: Shortstop
