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 as the Milwaukee Brewers in 1901, the franchise moved to St. Louis and became the St. Louis Browns in 1902. In 1953, the team relocated to Baltimore and was renamed the Orioles. The team is currently owned by David Rubenstein. Their home stadium is Oriole Park at Camden Yards, opened in 1992. The team's name is derived from Maryland's state bird, the oriole, and popular nicknames include the 'O's' and the 'Birds'.

1900: American League Renamed

In 1900, the Western League (WL) renamed itself the American League (AL).

1901: Franchise Win-Loss Record

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

1901: Part of the Major Leagues

From 1901 to 1960, the franchise was one of 16 teams that made up the major leagues, with 1944 being the season that Browns won their only St. Louis-based American League pennant.

1901: Orioles franchise began as Milwaukee Brewers

In 1901, the Baltimore Orioles franchise began as the Milwaukee Brewers, an American League charter team, marking their inaugural major league season in Milwaukee before relocating to St. Louis.

1901: Brewers Finished Last

In 1901, the first season the American League operated as a major league, the Milwaukee Brewers finished last among the league's eight teams.

1902: Moved to St. Louis and became the St. Louis Browns

In 1902, the Milwaukee Brewers relocated to St. Louis and were renamed the St. Louis Browns.

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

In 1902, the team moved to St. Louis and became the Browns.

1916: Robert Hedges sold the team to Phil Ball

In 1916, Robert Hedges sold the St. Louis Browns to Phil Ball, who attempted to improve the team.

1944: Orioles played in the World Series as the St. Louis Browns

In 1944, when the Orioles were the St. Louis Browns, they played in the World Series against the Cardinals.

1944: First World Series Appearance

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

1944: Browns win American League Pennant

The 1944 season saw the Browns winning their only St. Louis-based American League pennant.

1951: Bill Veeck Purchased the Browns

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

1953: Purchased by Baltimore syndicate

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

1954: Team Moved to Baltimore

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

1954: Orioles Win-Loss Record Since Moving to Baltimore

Since moving to Baltimore in 1954, the Orioles have an overall win–loss record of 5,658–5,530–12 (.506) through the end of 2024.

1960: Part of the Major Leagues

From 1901 to 1960, the franchise was one of 16 teams that made up the major leagues, with 1944 being the season that Browns won their only St. Louis-based American League pennant.

1966: World Series Win

In 1966, the Baltimore Orioles won the World Series, marking the first of three World Series wins between 1966 and 1983.

1966: Orioles win the World Series

In 1966, the 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, marking one of ten division championships.

1969: Orioles won the first-ever American League Championship Series

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

1970: World Series Win

In 1970, the Baltimore Orioles won the World Series, marking one of their three World Series wins between 1966 and 1983.

1971: Marketing to Washington D.C.

In 1971, during the era of Edward Bennett Williams, the Baltimore Orioles ownership continued to market the team to fans in the Washington D.C. region.

1971: Division Championship

In 1971, the Baltimore Orioles won a division championship, marking one of ten division championships.

1973: Division Championship

In 1973, the Baltimore Orioles won a division championship, marking one of ten division championships.

1974: Division Championship

In 1974, the Baltimore Orioles won a division championship, marking one of ten division championships.

1979: Division Championship

In 1979, the Baltimore Orioles won a division championship, marking one of ten division championships.

1980: 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. The pitching staff also broke the Orioles franchise record of single-season strikeouts on September 6. The season ended with the Orioles losing three straight games to the Texas Rangers in the American League Division Series.

1983: Experienced decline

After the 1983 World Series win, the Orioles experienced a decline.

1983: World Series Win

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

1983: Orioles Won World Series Title

In 1983, the Orioles won a World Series title.

1988: Lost the first 21 games

In 1988, the Baltimore Orioles lost the first 21 games of the season.

1989: Why Not? Orioles

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

1989: Rookie of the Year

In 2023, Manager Brandon Hyde was awarded 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: Opening of Oriole Park at Camden Yards

In 1992, Oriole Park at Camden Yards opened, marking a new era for the team.

1992: Oriole Park at Camden Yards opened

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

1996: Wild Card Berth

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

1996: Returned to Playoffs

In 1996, the Orioles returned to the playoffs.

August 12, 1997: Rex Barney's Death

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

1997: Chris Ely finished the season as PA Announcer

In 1997, Chris Ely finished out the season as Camden Yards' PA Announcer.

1997: Division Championship

In 1997, the Baltimore Orioles won a division championship, marking one of ten division championships.

1997: Returned to Playoffs

In 1997, the Orioles returned to the playoffs.

1998: Dave McGowan replaced Rex Barney

In 1998, Dave McGowan replaced Rex Barney as Camden Yards' PA Announcer.

1998: Start of losing seasons

In 1998, the Baltimore Orioles began a streak of 14 consecutive losing seasons.

2011: Dave McGowan held PA Announcer position until 2011

Dave McGowan held the Camden Yards' PA Announcer position until 2011.

2011: Ryan Wagner took over as PA announcer

In 2011, lifelong Orioles fan Ryan Wagner took over as the PA announcer.

2011: End of losing seasons

In 2011, the Baltimore Orioles' streak of 14 consecutive losing seasons ended.

2012: Ryan Wagner held the PA announcer job

In 2012, Ryan Wagner held the PA announcer job.

2012: Wild Card Berth

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

2012: Orioles beat the Texas Rangers in the American League Wild Card game

In 2012, the Orioles beat the Texas Rangers in the inaugural American League Wild Card game.

2012: Made the playoffs

In 2012, the Orioles made the playoffs with Buck Showalter as manager.

2013: "Battle of the Uniforms" contest

In 2013, ESPN ran a "Battle of the Uniforms" contest between all 30 Major League clubs and the Orioles beat the Cardinals in the championship round.

2014: American League Championship Series

In 2014, the Baltimore Orioles advanced to the American League Championship Series for the first time in 17 years.

2014: Division Championship

In 2014, the Baltimore Orioles won a division championship, marking one of ten division championships.

2014: Made the playoffs

In 2014, the Orioles made the playoffs with Buck Showalter as manager.

2014: AL East Division Win

2016: Wild Card Berth

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

2016: Made the playoffs

In 2016, the Orioles made the playoffs with Buck Showalter as manager.

2017: Peter Angelos Collapsed

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

2020: Sale of the team Vetoed

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

2020: Ryan Wagner held the PA announcer job until 2020

Ryan Wagner held the PA announcer job until 2020.

2021: Adrienne Roberson became the team's announcer

In 2021, Adrienne Roberson became the Orioles' public address announcer.

2021: Ryan Wagner dismissed

In 2021, Ryan Wagner was dismissed just hours before the team's home opener.

2021: 52-110 Season

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

June 9, 2022: Louis Angelos Sues Brother and Mother

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

2022: Rutschman and Bautista Debut

In 2022, Adley Rutschman made his major-league debut, and Félix Bautista debuted as rookie closer. The Orioles had a winning season after losing 110 or more games the previous year.

2022: Series Sweep

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

April 2023: Franchise Record for Wins in April

In April 2023, the 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 to get sprayed by "Mr. Splash" following an Orioles extra base hit.

August 2023: Kevin Brown Suspension

In August 2023, play-by-play announcer Kevin Brown was suspended indefinitely by the Orioles for pregame remarks on MASN about the team's record at Tropicana Field.

2023: Awards

2023: Division Championship

In 2023, the Baltimore Orioles won a division championship, marking one of ten division championships.

2023: AL East Division Win and Strikeout Record

January 2024: Deal to sell the Orioles

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 Died

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 the Team

On August 1, 2024, the Orioles' majority ownership group led by David Rubenstein took full control of the team.

2024: Win-Loss Record