The 1982
Baltimore Orioles
The Baltimore Orioles are an American professional baseball team based in Baltimore. The Orioles compete in Major League Baseball (MLB) as a member club of the American League (AL) American League East, East division. As one of the American L ...
season was a season in American
baseball
Baseball is a bat-and-ball sport played between two teams of nine players each, taking turns batting and fielding. The game occurs over the course of several plays, with each play generally beginning when a player on the fielding tea ...
. The Orioles finished 2nd in the
American League East
The American League East is one of Major League Baseball's six divisions. MLB consists of an East, Central, and West division for each of its two 15-team leagues, the American League (AL) and National League (NL). This division was created before ...
to the eventual AL Champions Milwaukee Brewers. They finished with a record of 94 wins and 68 losses. For the second consecutive season, the Orioles recorded the most
grand slams in MLB, hitting eight in 1982. This was long time Oriole manager and future Hall of Famer Earl Weaver's last season managing the Orioles until he returned to manage them from 1985 to 1986.
Offseason
* January 28, 1982:
Doug DeCinces
Douglas Vernon DeCinces ( ; born August 29, 1950) is an American former professional baseball player. He played in Major League Baseball (MLB) as a third baseman from 1973 to 1987 for the Baltimore Orioles, California Angels and St. Louis Cardina ...
and
Jeff Schneider
Jeffrey Theodore Schneider (born December 6, 1952) is an American former professional baseball player. He appeared in 11 Major League games as a relief pitcher for the Baltimore Orioles in . A switch hitter who threw left-handed, Schneider st ...
were traded by the Orioles to the
California Angels
The Los Angeles Angels are an American professional baseball team based in the Los Angeles metropolitan area. The Angels compete in Major League Baseball (MLB) as a member club of the American League (AL) West division. Since 1966, the team ha ...
for
Dan Ford
Darnell Glenn Ford (born May 19, 1952) is a former professional baseball player. Nicknamed "Disco Dan", he played in the Major Leagues primarily as an outfielder from 1975 to 1985 for the Minnesota Twins, California Angels, and Baltimore Orioles. ...
.
* February 9, 1982: The Orioles traded a player to be named later to the
Cincinnati Reds
The Cincinnati Reds are an American professional baseball team based in Cincinnati. They compete in Major League Baseball (MLB) as a member club of the National League (NL) National League Central, Central division and were a charter member of ...
for
Paul Moskau
Paul Richard Moskau (born December 20, 1953) is a former Major League Baseball pitcher who pitched for the Cincinnati Reds, Pittsburgh Pirates and Chicago Cubs. He debuted on June 21, 1977, starting against the Philadelphia Phillies and hitti ...
. The Orioles completed the deal by sending
Wayne Krenchicki
Wayne Richard Krenchicki (September 17, 1954 – October 16, 2018) was a Major League Baseball (MLB) third baseman. He played all or parts of eight seasons in the majors from until . He was a past manager of the Evansville Otters of the independ ...
to the Reds on February 16.
* February 19, 1982: The Orioles traded a player to be named later to the
Texas Rangers for
Rick Lisi
Riccardo Patrick Emilio Lisi (born March 17, 1956 in Halifax, Nova Scotia) is a former Major League Baseball outfielder. He was drafted by the Texas Rangers in the 13th round of the 1974 amateur draft, and played for the Rangers in 1981. The 25 ...
. The Orioles completed the deal by sending
Steve Luebber
Stephen Lee Luebber is a former Major League Baseball pitcher. Luebber pitched in all or part of five seasons in the majors between 1971 and 1981. He currently serves as pitching coach for the Quad Cities River Bandits, high-A farm team for the K ...
to the Rangers on February 23.
* March 4, 1982:
John Flinn
John Richard Flinn (born September 2, 1954) is an American former professional baseball pitcher. Flinn pitched in all or part of four seasons between and . He had two separate stints with the Baltimore Orioles, the first in 1978-, and the secon ...
was signed as a free agent by the Orioles.
* March 26, 1982:
Dallas Williams
Dallas McKinley Williams (born February 28, 1958), is a former professional baseball outfielder and coach. He played parts of two seasons in Major League Baseball with the Baltimore Orioles and Cincinnati Reds, and one season in Nippon Profession ...
and Brooks Carey (minors) were traded by the Orioles to the
Cincinnati Reds
The Cincinnati Reds are an American professional baseball team based in Cincinnati. They compete in Major League Baseball (MLB) as a member club of the National League (NL) National League Central, Central division and were a charter member of ...
for
Joe Nolan
Joseph William Nolan (born May 12, 1951) is an American former professional baseball catcher, who played for the New York Mets, Atlanta Braves, Cincinnati Reds, and Baltimore Orioles of Major League Baseball (MLB).
Minor Leagues
Selected in the ...
.
Regular season
Opening Day starters
*
Al Bumbry
Alonza Benjamin Bumbry (born Alonza Benjamin Bumbrey; April 21, 1947) is a former Major League Baseball (MLB) outfielder who played for the Baltimore Orioles and San Diego Padres from 1972 through 1985. Bumbry was the 1973 American League Rookie o ...
*
Rich Dauer
Richard Fremont Dauer (born July 27, 1952) is an American baseball former infielder and coach in Major League Baseball (MLB). He spent his entire 10-year MLB playing career with the Baltimore Orioles, winning the 1983 World Series. He was primaril ...
*
Rick Dempsey
John Rikard Dempsey (born September 13, 1949) is an American former professional baseball player.[Dan Ford
Darnell Glenn Ford (born May 19, 1952) is a former professional baseball player. Nicknamed "Disco Dan", he played in the Major Leagues primarily as an outfielder from 1975 to 1985 for the Minnesota Twins, California Angels, and Baltimore Orioles. ...](_bl ...<br></span></div>
*<div class=)
*
Dennis MartÃnez
José Dennis MartÃnez Ortiz (born May 14, 1955), nicknamed "El Presidente" (The President), is a Nicaraguan professional baseball pitcher. MartÃnez played in Major League Baseball (MLB) for the Baltimore Orioles, Montreal Expos, Cleveland India ...
*
Eddie Murray
Eddie Clarence Murray (born February 24, 1956), nicknamed "Steady Eddie," is an American former Major League Baseball (MLB) first baseman, designated hitter, and coach. Spending most of his MLB career with the Baltimore Orioles, he ranks fourth ...
*
Cal Ripken Jr.
Calvin Edwin Ripken Jr. (born August 24, 1960), nicknamed "Iron man (sports streak), The Iron Man", is an American former baseball shortstop and third baseman who played 21 seasons in Major League Baseball (MLB) for the Baltimore Orioles (1981â ...
*
Gary Roenicke
Gary Steven Roenicke (born December 5, 1954) is a former Major League Baseball outfielder for the Montreal Expos (1976), Baltimore Orioles (1978–85), New York Yankees (1986) and Atlanta Braves (1987–88).
Early career
He was originally drafted ...
*
Lenn Sakata
Lenn Haruki Sakata (born June 8, 1954) is an American former professional baseball player who played in the Major Leagues primarily as a utility player from 1977 to 1987 and was a member of the Baltimore Orioles 1983 World Series Championship tea ...
*
Ken Singleton
Kenneth Wayne Singleton (born June 10, 1947) is an American former professional baseball player and television sports commentator. He played in Major League Baseball as an outfielder and designated hitter from to , most prominently as a member ...
Season standings
Record vs. opponents
Notable transactions
* April 5, 1982:
Don Stanhouse
Donald Joseph Stanhouse (born February 12, 1951) is a retired American professional baseball pitcher who had an eight-year Major League Baseball (MLB) career (1972–1980) with a brief comeback in 1982. He played for the Texas Rangers and Baltim ...
was signed as a free agent by the Orioles.
[Don Stanhouse page at Baseball Reference]
/ref>
* April 5, 1982: Ross Grimsley
Ross Albert Grimsley Jr.
Retrieved August 26, 2018 (born J ...
was signed as a free agent by the Orioles.
* April 28, 1982: Traded José Morales to the Los Angeles Dodgers for Leo Hernández
Leonardo Jesús Hernández (born November 6, 1959), commonly known as Leo Hernandez (er-NAN-dez), is a former Major League Baseball third baseman and right-handed batter who played for the Baltimore Orioles (1982–83, 1985) and New York Yankees ( ...
.
* June 7, 1982: 1982 Major League Baseball Draft
First round selections
The following are the first round picks in the 1982 Major League Baseball Draft.
Compensation Picks
Other notable players
*David Wells†, 2nd round, 30th overall by the Toronto Blue Jays
* Allan Anderson, 2nd rou ...
** Dave Otto was drafted by the Orioles in the 2nd round, but did not sign.
**Walt Weiss
Walter William Weiss (born November 28, 1963) is an American former professional baseball shortstop and manager and current bench coach for the Atlanta Braves. He played in Major League Baseball (MLB) from 1987 through 2000 for the Oakland Athlet ...
was drafted by the Orioles in the 10th round, but did not sign.
**Billy Ripken
William Oliver Ripken (born December 16, 1964), nicknamed Billy the Kid, is an American former professional baseball infielder. He played in Major League Baseball (MLB) from – for the Baltimore Orioles (1987–92, '96), Texas Rangers (199 ...
was drafted by the Orioles in the 11th round. Player signed June 15, 1982.Billy Ripken page at Baseball Reference
/ref>
* July 15, 1982: Don Stanhouse was released by the Orioles.[
* July 23, 1982: Don Stanhouse was signed as a free agent by the Orioles.][
]
A classic near-miss season
The '82 season was a classic, even though it eventually was as frustrating as those that had preceded it. Eddie Murray
Eddie Clarence Murray (born February 24, 1956), nicknamed "Steady Eddie," is an American former Major League Baseball (MLB) first baseman, designated hitter, and coach. Spending most of his MLB career with the Baltimore Orioles, he ranks fourth ...
had 32 homers and 110 RBIs. Jim Palmer
James Alvin Palmer (born October 15, 1945) is an American former professional baseball pitcher who played 19 years in Major League Baseball (MLB) for the Baltimore Orioles (1965–1967, 1969–1984). Palmer was the winningest MLB pitcher in the ...
, in his last hurrah, went 15–5.
After starting slowly and falling eight games behind the Milwaukee Brewers
The Milwaukee Brewers are an American professional baseball team based in Milwaukee. They compete in Major League Baseball (MLB) as a member club of the National League (NL) National League Central, Central division. The Brewers are named for t ...
in mid-August of '82, the Orioles rallied furiously. They won seven games in a row, lost one, won ten in a row, swept five straight from the New York Yankees
The New York Yankees are an American professional baseball team based in the Boroughs of New York City, New York City borough of the Bronx. The Yankees compete in Major League Baseball (MLB) as a member club of the American League (AL) Amer ...
, won two of three in Milwaukee
Milwaukee ( ), officially the City of Milwaukee, is both the most populous and most densely populated city in the U.S. state of Wisconsin and the county seat of Milwaukee County. With a population of 577,222 at the 2020 census, Milwaukee is ...
to pull within two games of the Brewers with a week left. In the end, they needed to sweep a season-ending four-game series with the Brewers at Memorial Stadium to complete a comeback. They won the first three before roaring crowds, pulling even, and sent Palmer out to pitch the finale against the Brewers' Don Sutton
Donald Howard Sutton (April 2, 1945 – January 19, 2021) was an American professional baseball pitcher. He played in Major League Baseball (MLB) for 23 seasons as a member of the Los Angeles Dodgers, Houston Astros, Milwaukee Brewers, Oakland ...
. Fans brought brooms to the stadium, anticipating the final scene of one of the Orioles' greatest comebacks. Instead, the Brewers pounded Palmer and won the American League East title 10–2.
The start of 2,632 consecutive games
For his first full season in Major League Baseball, Cal Ripken Jr.
Calvin Edwin Ripken Jr. (born August 24, 1960), nicknamed "Iron man (sports streak), The Iron Man", is an American former baseball shortstop and third baseman who played 21 seasons in Major League Baseball (MLB) for the Baltimore Orioles (1981â ...
started off slowly, gathered himself, and ended up as the AL Rookie of the Year
In Major League Baseball, the Rookie of the Year Award is given annually to two outstanding rookie players, one each for the American League (AL) and National League (NL), as voted on by the Baseball Writers' Association of America (BBWAA). The aw ...
, hitting .264 with 28 homers and 93 RBIs. After all the debate about where he should play, he started the year at third base, switched to shortstop in July, and never looked back.
On May 29, Ripken sat out of the second game of a double header against the Toronto Blue Jays; little did anyone know that it would be his last missed game for the remainder of this season and the 16 seasons to come. The following day (also against the Blue Jays), his monumental consecutive-games streak got underway.
Weaver's farewell
After the final out of the loss to the Brewers, an emotional spectacle unfolded at Memorial Stadium. The disappointed sellout crowd rose and started to cheer, and kept cheering for 45 minutes. The Orioles' players left the clubhouse and came back out onto the field to wave, and then Weaver did, too, setting off the biggest roar. The cheers were mostly for him.
Weaver announced in March that the 1982 season would be his last managing the Orioles. he was retiring after that and moving to Florida
Florida is a state located in the Southeastern region of the United States. Florida is bordered to the west by the Gulf of Mexico, to the northwest by Alabama, to the north by Georgia, to the east by the Bahamas and Atlantic Ocean, and to ...
to play golf. An era was ending. The news had been in the headlines and the back of everyone's mind all season, yet it was almost forgotten as the Orioles chased the Brewers down the stretch. Now, suddenly, the moment was at hand. Weaver was pulling off his uniform for the last time. And the fans weren't going to let him go without a salute.
Roster
Player stats
Batting
Starters by position
''Note: Pos = Position; G = Games played; AB = At bats; H = Hits; Avg. = Batting average; HR = Home runs; RBI = Runs batted in''
Other batters
''Note: G = Games played; AB = At bats; H = Hits; Avg. = Batting average; HR = Home runs; RBI = Runs batted in''
Pitching
Starting pitchers
''Note: G = Games pitched; IP = Innings pitched; W = Wins; L = Losses; ERA = Earned run average; SO = Strikeouts''
Other pitchers
''Note: G = Games pitched; IP = Innings pitched; W = Wins; L = Losses; ERA = Earned run average; SO = Strikeouts''
Relief pitchers
''Note: G = Games pitched; W = Wins; L = Losses; SV = Saves; ERA = Earned run average; SO = Strikeouts''
Awards and honors
* Cal Ripken Jr., American League Rookie of the Year
* Ken Singleton, Roberto Clemente Award
The Roberto Clemente Award is given annually to the Major League Baseball (MLB) player who "best exemplifies the game of baseball, sportsmanship, community involvement and the individual's contribution to his team", as voted on by baseball fans a ...
All-Star Game
An all-star game is an exhibition game that purports to showcase the best players (the "stars") of a sports league. The exhibition is between two teams organized solely for the event, usually representing the league's teams based on region or div ...
* Eddie Murray
Farm system
LEAGUE CHAMPIONS: Bluefield
Notes
References
*
1982 Baltimore Orioles team page at Baseball Reference
1982 Baltimore Orioles season at baseball-almanac.comThe 1982 Baltimore Orioles: Earl Weaver's Last Hurrah
{{DEFAULTSORT:1982 Baltimore Orioles Season
Baltimore Orioles seasons
Baltimore Orioles season
Baltimore Orioles
The Baltimore Orioles are an American professional baseball team based in Baltimore. The Orioles compete in Major League Baseball (MLB) as a member club of the American League (AL) American League East, East division. As one of the American L ...