1979 Baltimore Orioles season

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The 1979 Baltimore Orioles season involved the Orioles finishing 1st in the American League East with a record of 102 wins and 57 losses.

[edit] A New Owner

The 1979 season represents a divided line in Orioles history. Attendance was poor before it and terrific after it, steadily rising to unthinkable heights in the 1990s in a new ballpark at Camden Yards. Also, ownership changed hands in 1979, with a twelve-million-dollar sale marking the change from the familiar stability of Jerry Hoffberger's Baltimore Baseball Group to the edgy, hands-on command of Edward Bennett Williams, a powerhouse attorney from Washington D.C. with ideas about moving the club to the nation's capital.

Gone forever were the days of the Orioles as a local, family-oriented operation.

Against the backdrop of noise and tension, the club played brilliantly, winning 102 games and the American League East title for the first time since 1974. The season was a return to glory days of the late '60s and early 70s under manager Earl Weaver. but this club was different in nature and spirit. The talent wasn't as dominant, but a blend of heart, skills, and original personalities produced a team a s compelling and effective as any in Orioles history.

The team had won 90 games and drawn 1.05 million fans in 1978, maintaining a depressing attendance level that hadn't changed in 25 years. With player salaries rising and profits falling, Hoffberger was under pressure form his family to sell. He announced in 1978 that he would entertain offers, and Williams's purchase was completed in August '79. The lawyer said he would move to Washington only if attendance continued to disappoint. Ironically, crowds had already begun to swell earlier in the season, before Williams laid down his challenge.

[edit] Orioles Magic

Years later, it's still hard to say what happened in the Summer of 1979, what caused Orioles games at Memorial Stadium to become more popular.It didn't hurt that pro football's Baltimore Colts, long more popular, were coming apart under owner Robert Isray; with the tem losing and Irsay threatening to move, fans were abandoning the franchise and looking for an alternative. Another factor was a change in the Orioles' flagship radio station: After 22 years on WBAL, the games were now on WFBR, a smaller, hipper station with a younger audience. The change helped recruit younger fans, which led to a Woodstock atmosphere, particularly in the cheaper seats in the upper deck.

In section 34 down the right-field line, a bearded cab driver named "Wild" Bill Hagy became the symbol of the awakening. He would rise from his seat, stand in front of his section, and spell out O-R-I-O-L-E-S with his body, twisting his arms and legs into recognizable facsimiles of the letters. When other, nearby sections joined in the cheer, it grew in popularity until the entire ballpark was following Hagy's lead, sending roaring cheers into the night.

[edit] A Blend of All-Stars

The '79 Orioles didn't have a high payroll, but they won with a blend of intelligence, strong fundamentals, and guile. An amalagam of All-Stars and role players who jelled under Weaver's forceful hand, they pitched well, made key plays in the field, hit in the clutch, came from behind, and won games in unusual ways. The phenomenon was given a nickname -Oriole Magic- and it stuck.

Those carrying the heaviest loads were outfielder Ken Singleton, who had a career-best year with 35 homers and 111 RBIs and finished second in the American League MVP voting; first baseman Eddie Murray, who had 25 homers and 99 RBI; and pitcher Mike Flanagan, whose 23-9 record, 3.08 ERA, and 16 complete games earned him the AL Cy Young Award.

[edit] True role players

Numerous other players had their roles, large and small. Rich Dauer, Kiko Garcia, and Doug DeCinces filled out the infield, with Garcia, a farm-system product, taking over for aging Mark Belanger at shortstop. Al Bumbry batted leadoff, stole 37 bases, and ran down balls in center field. Rick Dempsey hit just .239, but his get-dirty style behind the plate made him a fan favorite.

Don Stanhouse, a closer acquired in a six-player deal with the Montreal Expos before the 1978 season, made the AL All-Star team despite a habit of narrowly escaping jams; Weaver nicknamed Stanhouse "Full Pack," as in the full pack of cigarettes Weaver nervously smoked to help him get through Stanhouse's appearances.

Weaver's idea of platooning veteran John Lowenstein and rookie Gary Roenicke in left field succeeded beyond his wildest dreams. Roenicke, acquired in the Montreal deal, had 25 homers and 64 RBI in his first full season in the majord. Lowenstein, acquired from the Texas Rangers on waivers after the '78 season, added 11 homers and 34 RBIs. Their combined totals of 36 homers and 98 RBIs represented one of Weaver's greatest managerial feats.

[edit] Pitching's Still the Heart of the '79 Team

Not only did Weaver adroitly push those buttons all season; he also found places to plug in reserve outfielder Pat Kelly, who batted .288; pinch hitter deluxe Terry Crowley, who batted .317; and Benny Ayala, a reserve outfielder with a knack for extra-base hits. Lee May still received the majorityy of the designated hitter at-bats, producing 19 homers and 69 RBIs.

But pitching was still the heart of the club. The Orioles had the AL's lowest team ERA and limited opponents to a .241 average, the league's lowest by 12 points. After Flanagan, there was Dennis Martinez (15-16, 18 complete games), Scott McGregor (13-6), Steve Stone (11-7), and Jim Palmer (10-6), who was injured and failed to win 20 games for only the seconfd time in the 70s. The bullpen, with Stanhouse, left-hander Tippy Martinez, and right-handers Tim Stoddard and Sammy Stewart, had 28 wins and 30 saves.

[edit] Regular Season

[edit] Season Standings

[edit] Roster

[edit] Player stats

[edit] Batting

Note: G = Games played; AB = At Bats; H = Hits; Avg. = Batting Average; HR = Home Runs; RBI = Runs Batted In

[edit] Other batters

[edit] Starting pitchers

[edit] Other pitchers

[edit] Relief pitchers

[edit] ALCS

[edit] Baltimore Orioles vs. California Angels

Orioles win the Series, 3-1

[edit] World Series

NL Pittsburgh Pirates (4) vs. AL Baltimore Orioles (3)

[edit] References

• 1979 Baltimore Orioles team page at Baseball Reference
• 1979 Baltimore Orioles season at baseball-almanac.com