History of Baltimore Orioles in Timeline

The Baltimore Orioles are a Major League Baseball team based in Baltimore, Maryland, competing in the American League East Division. Founded in 1901 as the Milwaukee Brewers, they moved to St. Louis and became the St. Louis Browns before relocating to Baltimore in 1954 and being renamed the Orioles. The team is currently owned by David Rubenstein. Their home field is Oriole Park at Camden Yards, opened in 1992. The team's name is derived from the official state bird of Maryland, and popular nicknames include the "O's" and the "Birds".

1900: American League

In 1900, the Western League renamed itself the American League.

1901: Brewers Finished Last

During 1901, the first season the AL operated as a major league, the Brewers finished last among the league's eight teams.

1901: Franchise Record

From 1901 through the end of 2024, the franchise's overall win–loss record is 9,120–10,084–110 (.475).

1901: Orioles franchise as Milwaukee Brewers

In 1901, the Baltimore Orioles franchise, then known as the Milwaukee Brewers, spent its inaugural year as a major league club in Milwaukee as one of the American League's eight charter teams.

1901: Part of the major leagues

The 1944 season saw the Browns winning their only St. Louis-based American League pennant, becoming the last of the 16 teams that made up the major leagues from 1901 to 1960, to play in a World Series.

1902: Team moved to St. Louis and became the St. Louis Browns

In 1902, the franchise moved from Milwaukee to St. Louis and became the St. Louis Browns.

1902: Team moved to St. Louis

In 1902, the team moved to St. Louis and became the Browns, named after the original name of the 1880s club now known as the Cardinals.

1916: Team sold to Phil Ball

In 1916, Robert Hedges sold the team to Phil Ball, who made a considerable effort to make the Browns competitive.

1944: St. Louis Browns in World Series

In 1944, while known as the St. Louis Browns, the team played in the World Series against the St. Louis Cardinals.

1944: World Series Appearance

In 1944, while the team was still the St. Louis Browns, the franchise made its first World Series appearance, losing to the St. Louis Cardinals.

1944: Won American League Pennant

1951: Bill Veeck Purchased Browns

In 1951, Bill Veeck purchased the Browns and introduced a series of promotions and wild antics.

1953: Team Purchased

In 1953, after 52 years in St. Louis, the Browns franchise was purchased by a syndicate of Baltimore business and civic interests.

1954: Move to Baltimore

In 1954, the team moved to Baltimore and renamed themselves the Baltimore Orioles.

1960: Part of the major leagues

1966: World Series win

In 1966, the Baltimore Orioles won one of their three World Series championships between 1966 and 1983.

1966: Orioles Win World Series

In 1966, the Baltimore Orioles won the World Series, sweeping the Los Angeles Dodgers in four games.

1969: Division Championship

In 1969, the Baltimore Orioles won a division championship and a pennant.

1969: Orioles Win First ALCS

In 1969, the Baltimore Orioles won the first-ever American League Championship Series.

1970: World Series win

In 1970, the Baltimore Orioles won one of their three World Series championships between 1966 and 1983 and also won a division championship in 1970.

1971: Marketing to Washington

In 1971, after the moving of the former Washington Senators, the ownership was continuing to market the Baltimore Orioles to fans in the nation's capital region.

1971: Division Championship

In 1971, the Baltimore Orioles won both a division championship and a pennant.

1973: Division Championship

In 1973, the Baltimore Orioles won a division championship.

1974: Division Championship

In 1974, the Baltimore Orioles won a division championship.

1979: Division Championship

In 1979, the Baltimore Orioles won both a division championship and a pennant.

1980: Last 100+ Win Season

The Orioles finished the 2023 season with a record of 101–61, winning the American League East division for the first time since 2014 and claiming their first 100+ win season since 1980.

1983: Decline After World Series Win

After the 1983 World Series win, the Orioles experienced a decline, culminating in the 1988 season where they lost the first 21 games.

1983: World Series win

In 1983, the Baltimore Orioles won one of their three World Series championships between 1966 and 1983, and also won both a division championship and a pennant in 1983.

1983: Period of Success

The Baltimore Orioles enjoyed a period of sustained success from 1966 to 1983, winning three World Series titles and six American League pennants.

1988: Lost First 21 Games

After the 1983 World Series win, the Orioles experienced a decline, culminating in the 1988 season where they lost the first 21 games.

1989: Improved Season

In 1989, the Orioles showed improvement with the "Why Not?" Orioles finishing second in the AL East.

1989: Last ROY Winner

In 2023, Manager Brandon Hyde was awarded 2023 AL Manager of the Year, and players Adley Rutschman and Gunnar Henderson both were awarded the Silver Slugger Award. Additionally, Henderson was voted unanimous AL Rookie of the Year, marking the first time the team had a ROY winner since Gregg Olson in 1989.

1992: Oriole Park at Camden Yards opened

In 1992, Oriole Park at Camden Yards opened in downtown Baltimore, becoming the home ballpark for the Baltimore Orioles.

1992: Oriole Park Opened

The opening of Oriole Park at Camden Yards in 1992 marked a new era for the team.

1996: Wild Card Berth

In 1996, the Baltimore Orioles earned a wild card berth.

1996: Returned to Playoffs

The Baltimore Orioles returned to the playoffs in 1996.

August 12, 1997: Rex Barney's Death

On August 12, 1997, Rex Barney, the Orioles' PA announcer for 23 years, passed away. In honor of Barney, that night's game at Camden Yards against the Oakland Athletics was held without a public address announcer.

1997: Chris Ely finishes season as PA Announcer

In 1997, Chris Ely finished out the baseball season as the PA Announcer for the Baltimore Orioles at Camden Yards.

1997: Division Championship

In 1997, the Baltimore Orioles won a division championship.

1997: Returned to Playoffs

The Baltimore Orioles returned to the playoffs in 1997.

1998: Dave McGowan Becomes PA Announcer

In 1998, Dave McGowan replaced Rex Barney as the PA Announcer for the Baltimore Orioles at Camden Yards.

1998: Start of Losing Seasons

In 1998, the Baltimore Orioles began a streak of 14 consecutive losing seasons that lasted until 2011.

2011: Dave McGowan leaves PA Announcer position

In 2011, Dave McGowan left his position as the PA Announcer for the Baltimore Orioles at Camden Yards.

2011: Ryan Wagner Chosen as PA Announcer

In 2011, Ryan Wagner, a lifelong Orioles fan and former MLB Fan Cave resident, was chosen out of more than 670 applicants to be the PA announcer.

2011: End of losing seasons streak

In 2011, the Baltimore Orioles ended a streak of 14 consecutive losing seasons that began in 1998.

2012: Ryan Wagner Starts as PA Announcer

In 2012, Ryan Wagner started his job as the PA announcer for the Baltimore Orioles.

2012: Orioles Win Inaugural AL Wild Card Game

In 2012, the Baltimore Orioles beat the Texas Rangers in the inaugural American League Wild Card game, marking the first time two Wild Card teams faced each other in postseason play.

2012: Wild Card Berth

In 2012, the Baltimore Orioles earned a wild card berth.

2012: Playoffs

In the 2010s, the Orioles made the playoffs in 2012.

2013: Battle of the Uniforms

In 2013, ESPN ran a "Battle of the Uniforms" contest between all 30 Major League clubs. Despite using a ranking system that had the Orioles as a #13 seed, the Birds beat the #1 seed Cardinals in the championship round.

2014: Division Championship

In 2014, the Baltimore Orioles won a division championship.

2014: AL Championship Series

In 2014, under manager Buck Showalter and general manager Dan Duquette, the Baltimore Orioles advanced to the American League Championship Series for the first time in 17 years and also won a division title in 2014.

2014: Playoffs

In the 2010s, the Orioles made the playoffs in 2014.

2014: Last AL East Division Win

The Orioles finished the 2023 season with a record of 101–61, winning the American League East division for the first time since 2014 and claiming their first 100+ win season since 1980.

2016: Wild Card Berth

In 2016, the Baltimore Orioles earned a wild card berth.

2016: Playoffs

In the 2010s, the Orioles made the playoffs in 2016.

2017: Peter Angelos Health Issues

In 2017, Peter Angelos collapsed due to heart problems and established a trust with his wife and sons as co-trustees.

2020: Ryan Wagner Dismissed

In 2020, Ryan Wagner was dismissed as the PA announcer for the Baltimore Orioles.

2020: Sale negotiations

In 2020, an advisor attempted to negotiate a sale of the team, but John Angelos vetoed the potential deal.

2021: Adrienne Roberson Becomes PA Announcer

In 2021, Adrienne Roberson, who was the public address announcer for the Bowie Baysox and Ryan Wagner's primary substitute, became the team's PA announcer. She is the second woman to be named an MLB team's primary PA announcer.

2021: Ryan Wagner Dismissal

In 2021, Ryan Wagner was dismissed hours before the team's home opener, reportedly because of his conduct on Twitter.

2021: 52-110 record

In 2021, the Baltimore Orioles finished with a 52-110 record.

June 9, 2022: Lawsuit Filed

On June 9, 2022, Louis Angelos sued his brother, Orioles chairman and CEO John P. Angelos, and mother Georgia Angelos in Baltimore County Circuit Court claiming that their father intended for the brothers and their mother to share control of the team.

2022: Rutschman and Bautista Debut

In 2022, anticipated first-round pick catcher Adley Rutschman made his major-league debut in addition to rookie closer Félix Bautista. Also the team finished with a winning season in 2022.

2022: End Of Series Sweep

The team's successful 2023 season ended in the postseason American League Division Series, with the Orioles losing three straight games to the Texas Rangers, marking the first time since the 2022 season that the Orioles had been swept in a series.

April 2023: Franchise Record for Wins

In April 2023, the Baltimore Orioles went 19–9, setting a franchise record for wins in the month of April.

May 2023: Bird Bath splash zone

In May 2023, Camden Yards created a Bird Bath splash zone in left field, where fans in one section had the opportunity get sprayed by the water hose-wielding "Mr. Splash" following an Orioles extra base hit, following the team's new water-themed celebrations.

August 2023: Kevin Brown Suspension

In August 2023, it was reported that play-by-play announcer Kevin Brown had been suspended indefinitely by the Orioles for his pregame remarks on MASN.

2023: Manager of the Year

2023: Division Championship

In 2023, the Baltimore Orioles won a division championship.

2023: AL East Title

In 2023, the Orioles went 101-61, winning the AL East for the first time since 2014.

January 2024: Sale Deal Reached

In January 2024, John Angelos reached a $1.7 billion deal to sell the Orioles to a group led by David Rubenstein.

March 23, 2024: Peter Angelos' Death

Peter Angelos died aged 94 on March 23, 2024; his death occurred four days before the sale of the Orioles was finalized.

August 1, 2024: Full Control of Team

On August 1, 2024, the Orioles' majority ownership group led by David Rubenstein took full control of the team when a deal closed for the group to purchase the remainder of the organization.

2024: Overall Win-Loss Record

From 1901 through the end of 2024, the franchise's overall win–loss record is 9,120–10,084–110 (.475).

2024: Wild Card Berth

In 2024, the Baltimore Orioles earned a wild card berth.

2024: Moratoriums on Numbers Lifted

In 2024, the moratoriums on Cal Ripken Sr.'s number 7 and Mike Flanagan's number 46 were lifted when they were worn by Jackson Holliday and Craig Kimbrel respectively.