When he retired, Luis Aparicio was considered the best defensive shortstop ever. At that time, he had played the most games, had the most assists and double plays, and had the best (they were not invented yet) best Dwar and zone range of any shortstop in MLB history. Since retiring, he has fallen…
On October 6, 1998, former major league infielder Mark Belanger dies from lung cancer at the age of 54. Nicknamed “The Blade” for his tall, angular appearance, Belanger was considered one of the best fielding shortstops of all time. He won eight Gold Gloves for the Baltimore Orioles and later became an influential assistant to…
Veteran free agent infielders Joe Morgan and Mark Belanger sign one-year contracts with the Giants and Dodgers, respectively.
1978 – The Sporting News announces the Gold Glove winners. Shortstop Mark Belanger wins for the eighth and final time, while first baseman Keith Hernandez and catcher Bob Boone are each honored for the first time.
Leading by two runs in the bottom of the ninth inning, the Orioles escape a no-out, bases-loaded jam when John Wathan hits into a run-scoring triple play to end the game, giving the team a 7-6 victory over Kansas City at Royals Stadium. The Kansas City pinch-hitter’s sac fly to right field (1) is deep enough to score Al Cowens from third base, but Freddie Patek, the runner on first, is caught in a run-down on the throw (2) and Dave Nelson, stranded off third base, is tagged out (3) by Mark Belanger, completing the 9-6-4-6 triple killing.
1976 – Jim Palmer one-hits the Twins, as the O’s win, 2 – 0. Mike Cubbage’s single in the 2nd is the only hit.
1973 – In a 10 – 1 win over the Royals, Oriole Paul Blair hits an inside-the-park grand slam off Paul Splittorff. Amos Otis and Steve Hovley collide in midair while chasing Blair’s ball to help the O’s win their 13th straight.
Special Memory or Event? Want to have some fun? Advertise your business? Dedicate this page On October 11, 1969 At Memorial Stadium featured game 1 of the 1969 World Series. Baltimore Oriole Don Buford hit Tom Seaver’s second pitch of the game for a home run, which just evaded Ron Swoboda’s leaping attempt at…
The Orioles defeat Minnesota in Game 2 of the ALCS, 1-0, with the game’s lone run coming from a Mark Belanger single, two groundouts, and a bunt single by Paul Blair in the bottom of the 11th inning at Memorial Stadium. Dave McNally goes the distance in the longest complete-game shutout in postseason history.
Baltimore wins the ten-inning pitching duel that includes Detroit’s Denny McLain retiring 21 straight batters and Baltimore’s Mike Cuellar getting 20 consecutive hitters when Mark Belanger’s single plates Ellie Hendricks, who had doubled to start the final frame, snapping the Tigers’ right-hander’s streak. At season’s end, both starters will share the Cy Young Award when the writers’ choice for the prestigious honor results in a tie in the ballot box.