Our countdown on baseball’s 50 greatest teams (called the best 50 balls) today poured into the 1966 Baltimore Orioles No. 12. Ranking from my new book The best team in baseball.
Here is a quick boilerplate note attached to each story I have in this series:
I compiled the best 50 by analyzing 2,544 major league teams from 1903 to 2024. (The historical percentile for a given club is the percentage of its other 2,543 teams.)
Please refer to my book to explain my TS calculations. The book also offers a separate breakdown of the best and worst clubs every decade, along with a comprehensive overview of the best 50 (including a position-by-position lineup and more information than you will find in this newsletter), and a similar summary of the 10 worst teams of all time.
Now enter today’s profile.
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Team: 1966 Baltimore Orioles
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Team Score: 89.666 points
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Ranking history: 12 out of 2,544
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Historical percentile: 99.57%
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Seasonal record: 97-63 (.606)
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Season position: No. 1 in the American League
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Final identity: World Champion
Red Army Trading Frank Robinson In December 1965, Baltimore, although the right fielder produced the highest average in Cincinnati in nine of the past 10 seasons. “Robinson is 30 years old,” Reds general manager Bill Dewitt told reporters. “He has an ancient body.”
Robinson immediately paid the dividend for the Orioles, winning the triple crown in his first season. None of the three players Dewitt received from Baltimore did to Cincinnati.
The Orioles ranked third in the AL in 1964 and 1965, but were different in 1966. The club’s strong offensive offense ranks in the league in every game (4.72), pushing Baltimore’s 13.5-game lead by July 29. The team separates its remaining 58 games. “We know that by July, we will win the championship,” the pitcher Dick Hall Explained. “We’re just on the coast.”
Get a complete low in 50 greatest (and 10 weakest) clubs of all time
Odds manufacturers installed the Dodgers as a favorite in the 1966 World Series, and pitching was the reason. Los Angeles is immortal leader Sandy Koufaxwho will win his third time soon Cy Young Awards have been presented in four years.
But it is Baltimore’s pitching prevailing. The Orioles allowed only two runs in the opening victory before sweeping the series with three straight wins Jim Palmer,,,,, Wally Bunkerand Dave McNally. Nine days away from his 21st birthday, Palmer became the youngest pitcher to abandon the World Series. Bunker only has 263 days.
Baltimore Manager Hank Bower Shared the experts’ surprise. “The odds are 8 to 5,” he said with a smile. “But the gamblers are weird. They don’t play baseball.”
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No one in Baltimore’s 1965 roster had more than 22 home runs, 80 runs or .297 hit averages. Frank Robinson easily covered these benchmarks in 1966, leading the American League with 49 home runs, 122 RBIs and .316 BA. The first batsman since his Triple Crown was the first batsman. Mickey Mantle 1956.
His new teammates believe that Robinson’s leadership is more important. “Like Frank, his performance really has an impact,” pitcher Dave McNally said. Jim Russo, the club’s chief scout, said directly: “I think Frank Robinson showed us how to win.”
The same name Brooks Robinson Anchored AL’s strongest infield. Robinson drove 100 runs and won the Golden Gloves for his acrobatic gloves at third base. Shortstop Luis Aparicio Received the same award for excellence. Boog Powella huge first baseman, ranked second in home runs (34) and RBI (109). His unique nickname has been behind him since childhood. “Neither anyone called me John,” Powell said. “I don’t know if anyone calls me and if I’ll turn around.”
Four Baltimore starters won at least 10 games in 1966. The old man in the quartet is 28 years old Steve Barbera seven-year veteran. The barbers scored 10-2 before July 6, but elbow tendonitis limited him to the remaining 21 innings. He will be turned away. “The biggest excitement of my career is being a part of the team,” the barber said. “It’s also the biggest disappointment, not participating in the World Series.”
