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Top 10 Baltimore Orioles All Star Memories

camden yards entrance with patriotic decorations and empty stadium
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The 2015 All-Star Game festivities have started, beginning Monday night as always with the Home Run Derby, which is one of my favorite sporting events. It made me think of the best Orioles All-Star moments, from Cal Ripken’s signature final All-Star Game home-run to Miguel Tejada’s Derby performance in Houston to other great All-Star moments. Baltimore has no shortage of great moments, which is pretty good for being an Orioles fan, but lets look back at the best Top 10 Baltimore Orioles All-Star Moments.

 

10. 1958 MLB All-Star Game

1958 all star game

During my research, I found that the first MLB All-Star Game in Baltimore was played in 1958 at Memorial Stadium. The Orioles had two representatives in the game, with catcher Gus Triandos in the starting lineup and starter Billy O’Dell, who closed the game for the American League as he was credited with a save. Legends such as Mickey Mantle, Ted Williams and Hank Aaron were featured in that All-Star Game’s Starting Lineups.

 

9. Adam Jones’ First All-Star Appearance

adam jones 2009 all star

Jones was selected as a reserve as the lone Orioles representative for the 2009 All-Star Game in St. Louis. With the game tied 3-3, Jones was given a plate appearance with Curtis Granderson at third, and hit a sacrifice fly to score Granderson. That gave the AL a 4-3 victory and continued their winning streak.

 

8. Frank Robinson’s MVP heroics

frank robinson all star game

Frank Robinson delivered in the 1971 All-Star Game as his late-game two run home-run gave the AL a 4-3 victory in Detroit. Robinson was also the first player ever to hit a home run for both leagues. His heroics were overshadowed by another former Oriole – Reggie Jackson of the Athletics, who hit a home run out of Tigers Stadium.

 

7. Brooks Robinson’s Triple

brooks robinson

In the 1966 All-Star Game, Brooks Robinson hit a triple off Dodgers ace Sandy Koufax and scored on a wild pitch to give the American League its only run, as the NL scored a winning run in the 10th inning to win 2-1. Robinson won the MVP honors for the All-Star Game despite the loss.

 

6. George Sherrill Delivers in the Bronx

george sherrill

In the 2008 All-Star Game, the final All-Star Game at the old Yankees Stadium, George Sherrill was summoned in the 12th inning by Terry Francona with the score 3-3, to try to continue the AL All-Star winning streak by Terry Francona. Sherrill delivered with 1.2 innings pitched to preserve the tie, before Justin Morneau scored a run in the 15th inning to win the game for the AL.

 

5. Miguel Tejada Wins the Home Run Derby

miguel tejada

Miguel Tejada, in a field that included Barry Bonds, Sammy Sosa, Jim Thome, Rafael Palmeiro, David Ortiz and Lance Berkman (WOW), survived by hitting a total of 27 home runs in Minute Maid Park in Houston. Tejada hit 15 in the semi-finals, which was a record for the most home runs in a round, and beat Berkman, the hometown hero, to be crowned the Home Run Derby Champion.

 

4. 1993 All-Star Game in Baltimore

camden yards all star game

The All Star Game was brought back to Baltimore in 1993, played at the new Oriole Park at Camden Yards. The Orioles representatives were Cal Ripken Jr. and Mike Mussina. Ken Griffey Jr. set the stage in the Home Run Derby the night previous, as he hit the only recorded home-run off the Warehouse on Eutaw Street. The game was also memorable as Cito Gaston, the former manager of the Blue Jays, chose to stay with closer Duane Ward, rather than put in Mussina, who was warming up in the bullpen, in the 9th inning to close the game for the AL All-Stars. The Baltimore fans booed Gaston and threw trash on the field, before Mussina had to calm the crowd.

 

3. Orioles Infield Shines

tejada all star

The 2005 All-Star Game in Detroit featured four Orioles, Melvin Mora, Miguel Tejada, Brian Roberts and BJ Ryan. It summed up a terrific 1st Half by the rebuilding Orioles, which featured the double play tandem of Roberts and Tejada. It also featured a one home run, two RBI performance by Tejada, who won the All-Star Game MVP honors.

 

2. Roberto Alomar’s MVP performance in Colorado

[youtube]https://youtu.be/VjrK92NQC_Q[/youtube]

Alomar, the starting 2nd baseman for the AL All-Stars in 1998, went 3-4 with a stolen base and a home run to lead the American League to a 13-8 victory, the highest scoring game in All-Star Game history. The O’s were represented by not only Alomar, but starting 3rd baseman Cal Ripken, who also hit a double and knocked in two runs.

 

1a) Cal Ripken’s All-Star Festivities

Cal Ripken Jr. hit 12 HRs for the American League in the 1991 Home Run Derby, which led the AL to a victory in the Derby. Ripken also hit a three-run home run in the All Star Game, helping the AL to a victory and cementing a great All-Star appearance in Toronto. He followed up his first half with a tremendous 2nd Half as he earned the 1991 MLB MVP honors.

 

1) Cal Ripken’s Legendary End

ripken rodriguez

In the 2001 All Star Game, Ripken, along with Tony Gwynn, entered Seattle to celebrate their end of their great MLB careers. Ripken was most notable in his final and 19th All-Star appearance, as Alex Rodriguez and manager Joe Torre convinced Cal to move back to his 1st position of shortstop, which became one of the most famous moments in All Star history. Ripken followed with a solo home-run in the 3rd inning to give the American League a 1-0 lead and ended his legendary career with a memorable All-Star Game.

 

That’s my personal list of the Top 10 Baltimore Oriole All-Star moments, and it’s amazing to me to see that Baltimore can maintain the spotlight among the legends. Baltimore also has the most All-Star MVPs with six Players (F.Robinson, B.Robinson, Ripken (2x), Alomar and Tejada). It’s a proud list and there are many other great moments that we can reflect on at the Midsummer Classic and Home Run Derby. Watch out for this year’s Midsummer Classic as Jones, Manny Machado, Darren O’Day and Zach Britton look to become the 7th Baltimore Oriole MVP of the All-Star Game.

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