Baltimore Orioles
From the National Baseball Hall of Fame and Museum’s collection containing tens of thousands of artifacts, our curators have created each team’s Starting Nine by hand-picking nine must-see pieces for each of the 30 MLB teams. This limited-time list is the perfect introduction to the Museum for every Baltimore Orioles fan. Don’t wait to make your visit to Cooperstown to take the Hall of Fame Starting Nine challenge.
Original Orioles Souvenir Handkerchief
This souvenir handkerchief celebrates the 1894 National League champion Baltimore Orioles. Though today’s major league club in Baltimore traces its roots back to the old St. Louis Browns, the club adopted the “Orioles” nickname, which had long been associated with various professional clubs that called Charm City home.
Taking the Field: 19th Century
Frank Robinson: 500th Home Run Bat
Orioles slugger Frank Robinson wielded this bat to blast his 500th career home run, a shot over the left field wall at Memorial Stadium in the second game of a doubleheader against the Tigers, September 13, 1971. With the clout, Robinson became just the 11th big leaguer to reach the 500-home-run milestone.
Baseball Timeline: 1930-1970
Earl Weaver: Managerial Jersey
Baltimore manager Earl Weaver wore this jersey in 1982, the season he announced his retirement from the game. However, two-and-a-half years later Weaver returned to Orioles dugout, managing through the 1986 season and ultimately posting a club-record 1,480 victories at the helm.
Baseball Timeline: 1930-1970
Jim Palmer: Shoes
These shoes of pitching great Jim Palmer will be hard to fill. During his 19 big league seasons, all with the Orioles, the handsome, hard-throwing right-hander tallied 268 wins, 2,212 strikeouts and 211 complete games, all franchise records that will remain unmatched for years to come.
Baseball Timeline: 1930-1970
Cal Ripken Jr.: Game #2,131 Helmet
Baltimore's Cal Ripken Jr. wore this helmet on September 6, 1995, the day he broke Lou Gehrig’s "unbreakable" mark of 2,130 straight games played. Ripken ultimately played 2,632 games before voluntarily ending his astonishing streak.
One for the Books
Rick Dempsey: World Series Cap
Rick Dempsey wore this cap during Baltimore’s five-game rout of the Philadelphia Phillies in the 1983 World Series. With a .385 batting average, five hits, and flawless defense behind the plate, the veteran Orioles catcher earned that year’s World Series MVP Award.
Autumn Glory
Dave McNally: Grand Slam Bat
Orioles southpaw Dave McNally entered the record books in Game 3 of the 1970 World Series when he homered with the bases loaded, becoming the only pitcher to hit a grand slam in the Fall Classic. He achieved the feat by swinging this Curt Motton model bat.
Autumn Glory
Brooks Robinson: Infielder's Glove
No third baseman has racked up more games, assists, putouts or double plays than Orioles great Brooks Robinson. Nicknamed “The Human Vacuum Cleaner” for his jaw-dropping glovework at the hot corner, Robinson also holds the record for most Gold Glove Awards as a third baseman with 16.
One for the Books
John Means: No-hitter cap
Baltimore’s John Means almost tossed a perfect game while wearing this Orioles cap in Seattle on May 5, 2021. The 28-year-old fashioned a 6-0 no-hit victory over the Mariners with the only blemish coming on a third-strike wild pitch that allowed his opponent to reach base. As the runner was retired trying to steal second, Means ultimately faced the minimum 27 batters over his nine-inning gem.
Your Team Today
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