The Baltimore Orioles , formerly the St. Louis Browns , are an American professional baseball franchise currently based in Baltimore, Maryland. They were founded in 1894 as the Milwaukee Brewers of the Western League and joined the American League (AL) in 1901, before relocating to St. Louis the following season – a move planned by the league several years before its fruition.
The Browns generally struggled in their early years as a Major League team, never finishing higher than fourth before 1921, and in fact having only eight winning seasons before World War II. They lost over 100 games five times, and in 1939 set an unenviable MLB record for the highest earned run average against a team on record at just over 6.00 per nine innings. They did not play in a World Series until 1944 – when most other teams were decimated by the war – and had no winning seasons between 1946 and their sixth season in Baltimore as the "Orioles" in 1959. Starting in 1960, the Orioles became contenders, finishing in second place in 1960 and third place in 1961, 1964 and 1965.
After this, however, the Orioles entered their golden age between 1966 and 1983, when they won three World Series, played in the postseason eight times, and had eighteen consecutive winning seasons between 1968 and 1985. The period from 1986 to 2011, however, was another era of failure apart from a short period in the middle 1990s. The Orioles played in the postseason only twice over twenty-eight seasons and suffered fourteen successive losing seasons between 1998 and 2011, before in 2012 surprisingly winning 93 games and their first playoff series since 1997.
World Series champions † | American League champions * | Division champions ^ | Wild Card berth ¤ |
Season | Level | League | Division | Finish | Won | Lost | Win% | GB | Playoffs | Awards | |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Milwaukee Brewers | |||||||||||
1901 | MLB | AL | 8th | 48 | 89 | .350 | 35½ | ||||
St. Louis Browns | |||||||||||
1902 | MLB | AL | 2nd | 78 | 58 | .573 | 5 | ||||
1903 | MLB | AL | 6th | 65 | 74 | .467 | 26½ | ||||
1904 | MLB | AL | 6th | 65 | 87 | .427 | 29 | ||||
1905 | MLB | AL | 8th | 54 | 99 | .352 | 40½ | ||||
1906 | MLB | AL | 5th | 76 | 73 | .510 | 16 | ||||
1907 | MLB | AL | 6th | 69 | 83 | .453 | 24 | ||||
1908 | MLB | AL | 4th | 83 | 69 | .546 | 6½ | ||||
1909 | MLB | AL | 7th | 61 | 89 | .406 | 36 | ||||
1910 | MLB | AL | 8th | 47 | 107 | .305 | 57 | ||||
1911 | MLB | AL | 8th | 45 | 107 | .296 | 56½ | ||||
1912 | MLB | AL | 7th | 53 | 101 | .344 | 53 | ||||
1913 | MLB | AL | 8th | 57 | 96 | .372 | 39 | ||||
1914 | MLB | AL | 5th | 71 | 82 | .464 | 28½ | ||||
1915 | MLB | AL | 6th | 63 | 91 | .409 | 39½ | ||||
1916 | MLB | AL | 5th | 79 | 75 | .512 | 12 | ||||
1917 | MLB | AL | 7th | 57 | 97 | .370 | 43 | ||||
1918 | MLB | AL | 5th | 58 | 64 | .475 | 15 | ||||
1919 | MLB | AL | 5th | 67 | 72 | .482 | 20½ | ||||
1920 | MLB | AL | 4th | 76 | 77 | .496 | 21½ | ||||
1921 | MLB | AL | 3rd | 81 | 73 | .525 | 17½ | ||||
1922 | MLB | AL | 2nd | 93 | 61 | .604 | 1 | ||||
1923 | MLB | AL | 5th | 74 | 78 | .486 | 24 | ||||
1924 | MLB | AL | 4th | 74 | 78 | .486 | 17 | ||||
1925 | MLB | AL | 3rd | 82 | 71 | .535 | 15 | ||||
1926 | MLB | AL | 7th | 62 | 92 | .402 | 29 | ||||
1927 | MLB | AL | 7th | 59 | 94 | .385 | 50½ | ||||
1928 | MLB | AL | 3rd | 82 | 72 | .532 | 19 | ||||
1929 | MLB | AL | 4th | 79 | 73 | .519 | 26 | ||||
1930 | MLB | AL | 6th | 64 | 90 | .415 | 38 | ||||
1931 | MLB | AL | 5th | 63 | 91 | .409 | 45 | ||||
1932 | MLB | AL | 6th | 63 | 91 | .409 | 44 | ||||
1933 | MLB | AL | 8th | 55 | 96 | .364 | 43½ | ||||
1934 | MLB | AL | 6th | 67 | 85 | .440 | 33 | ||||
1935 | MLB | AL | 7th | 65 | 87 | .427 | 28½ | ||||
1936 | MLB | AL | 7th | 57 | 95 | .375 | 44½ | ||||
1937 | MLB | AL | 8th | 46 | 108 | .298 | 56 | ||||
1938 | MLB | AL | 7th | 55 | 97 | .361 | 44 | ||||
1939 | MLB | AL | 8th | 43 | 111 | .279 | 64½ | ||||
1940 | MLB | AL | 6th | 67 | 87 | .435 | 23 | ||||
1941 | MLB | AL | 7th | 70 | 84 | .454 | 31 | ||||
1942 | MLB | AL | 3rd | 82 | 69 | .543 | 19½ | ||||
1943 | MLB | AL | 6th | 72 | 80 | .473 | 25 | ||||
1944 | MLB | AL * | 1st | 89 | 65 | .578 | — | Lost World Series (Cardinals) 4–2 * | |||
1945 | MLB | AL | 3rd | 81 | 70 | .536 | 6 | ||||
1946 | MLB | AL | 7th | 66 | 88 | .428 | 38 | ||||
1947 | MLB | AL | 8th | 59 | 95 | .383 | 38 | ||||
1948 | MLB | AL | 6th | 59 | 94 | .385 | 37 | ||||
1949 | MLB | AL | 7th | 53 | 101 | .344 | 44 | ||||
1950 | MLB | AL | 7th | 58 | 96 | .376 | 40 | ||||
1951 | MLB | AL | 8th | 52 | 102 | .337 | 46 | ||||
1952 | MLB | AL | 7th | 64 | 90 | .415 | 31 | ||||
1953 | MLB | AL | 8th | 54 | 100 | .351 | 46½ | ||||
Baltimore Orioles | |||||||||||
1954 | MLB | AL | 7th | 54 | 100 | .351 | 57 | ||||
1955 | MLB | AL | 7th | 57 | 97 | .370 | 39 | ||||
1956 | MLB | AL | 6th | 69 | 85 | .448 | 28 | ||||
1957 | MLB | AL | 5th | 76 | 76 | .500 | 21 | ||||
1958 | MLB | AL | 6th | 74 | 79 | .483 | 17½ | ||||
1959 | MLB | AL | 6th | 74 | 80 | .480 | 20 | ||||
1960 | MLB | AL | 2nd | 89 | 65 | .578 | 8 | Ron Hansen (ROY) | |||
1961 | MLB | AL | 3rd | 95 | 67 | .586 | 14 | ||||
1962 | MLB | AL | 7th | 77 | 85 | .475 | 19 | ||||
1963 | MLB | AL | 4th | 86 | 76 | .531 | 18½ | ||||
1964 | MLB | AL | 3rd | 97 | 65 | .599 | 2 | Brooks Robinson (MVP) | |||
1965 | MLB | AL | 3rd | 94 | 68 | .580 | 8 | Curt Blefary (ROY) | |||
1966 | MLB † | AL * | 1st | 97 | 63 | .606 | — | Won World Series (Dodgers) 4–0 † | Frank Robinson (MVP, TC, WS MVP) | ||
1967 | MLB | AL | 6th | 76 | 85 | .472 | 15½ | ||||
1968 | MLB | AL | 2nd | 91 | 71 | .562 | 12 | ||||
1969 | MLB | AL * | East ^ | 1st | 109 | 53 | .673 | — | Won ALCS (Twins) 3–0 Lost World Series (Mets) 4–1 * | Mike Cuellar (CYA) | |
1970 | MLB † | AL * | East ^ | 1st | 108 | 54 | .667 | — | Won ALCS (Twins) 3–0 Won World Series (Reds) 4–1 † | Boog Powell (MVP) Brooks Robinson (WS MVP) | |
1971 | MLB | AL * | East ^ | 1st | 101 | 57 | .639 | — | Won ALCS (Athletics) 3–0 Lost World Series (Pirates) 4–3 * | ||
1972 | MLB | AL | East | 3rd | 80 | 74 | .519 | 5 | |||
1973 | MLB | AL | East ^ | 1st | 97 | 65 | .599 | — | Lost ALCS (Athletics) 3–2 | Jim Palmer (CYA) Al Bumbry (ROY) | |
1974 | MLB | AL | East ^ | 1st | 91 | 71 | .562 | — | Lost ALCS (Athletics) 3–1 | ||
1975 | MLB | AL | East | 2nd | 90 | 69 | .566 | 4½ | Jim Palmer (CYA) | ||
1976 | MLB | AL | East | 2nd | 88 | 74 | .543 | 10½ | Jim Palmer (CYA) | ||
1977 | MLB | AL | East | 2nd | 97 | 64 | .602 | 2½ | Eddie Murray (ROY) | ||
1978 | MLB | AL | East | 4th | 90 | 71 | .559 | 9 | |||
1979 | MLB | AL * | East ^ | 1st | 102 | 57 | .642 | — | Won ALCS (Angels) 3–1 Lost World Series (Pirates) 4–3 * | Mike Flanagan (CYA) | |
1980 | MLB | AL | East | 2nd | 100 | 62 | .617 | 3 | Steve Stone (CYA) | ||
1981 | MLB | AL | East | 2nd | 31 | 23 | .574 | 2 | |||
4th | 28 | 23 | .549 | 2 | |||||||
1982 | MLB | AL | East | 2nd | 94 | 68 | .580 | 1 | Cal Ripken Jr. (ROY) | ||
1983 | MLB † | AL * | East ^ | 1st | 98 | 64 | .605 | — | Won ALCS (White Sox) 3–1 Won World Series (Phillies) 4–1 † | Cal Ripken Jr. (MVP) Rick Dempsey (WS MVP) | |
1984 | MLB | AL | East | 5th | 85 | 77 | .524 | 19 | |||
1985 | MLB | AL | East | 4th | 83 | 78 | .515 | 16 | |||
1986 | MLB | AL | East | 7th | 73 | 89 | .451 | 22½ | |||
1987 | MLB | AL | East | 6th | 67 | 95 | .413 | 31 | |||
1988 | MLB | AL | East | 7th | 54 | 107 | .335 | 34½ | |||
1989 | MLB | AL | East | 2nd | 87 | 75 | .537 | 2 | Gregg Olson (ROY) Frank Robinson (MOY) | ||
1990 | MLB | AL | East | 5th | 76 | 85 | .472 | 11½ | |||
1991 | MLB | AL | East | 6th | 67 | 95 | .413 | 24 | Cal Ripken Jr. (MVP) | ||
1992 | MLB | AL | East | 3rd | 89 | 73 | .549 | 7 | |||
1993 | MLB | AL | East | 3rd | 85 | 77 | .525 | 10 | |||
1994 | MLB | AL | East | 2nd | 63 | 49 | .562 | 6½ | Playoffs canceled | ||
1995 | MLB | AL | East | 3rd | 71 | 73 | .493 | 15 | |||
1996 | MLB | AL | East | 2nd ¤ | 88 | 74 | .543 | 4 | Won ALDS (Indians) 3–1 Lost ALCS (Yankees) 4–1 | ||
1997 | MLB | AL | East ^ | 1st | 98 | 64 | .605 | — | Won ALDS (Mariners) 3–1 Lost ALCS (Indians) 4–2 | Davey Johnson (MOY) | |
1998 | MLB | AL | East | 4th | 79 | 83 | .487 | 35 | |||
1999 | MLB | AL | East | 4th | 78 | 84 | .481 | 20 | |||
2000 | MLB | AL | East | 4th | 74 | 88 | .456 | 13½ | |||
2001 | MLB | AL | East | 4th | 63 | 98 | .391 | 32½ | |||
2002 | MLB | AL | East | 4th | 67 | 95 | .413 | 36½ | |||
2003 | MLB | AL | East | 4th | 71 | 91 | .438 | 30 | |||
2004 | MLB | AL | East | 3rd | 78 | 84 | .481 | 23 | |||
2005 | MLB | AL | East | 4th | 74 | 88 | .456 | 21 | |||
2006 | MLB | AL | East | 4th | 70 | 92 | .432 | 27 | |||
2007 | MLB | AL | East | 4th | 69 | 93 | .425 | 27 | |||
2008 | MLB | AL | East | 5th | 68 | 93 | .422 | 28½ | |||
2009 | MLB | AL | East | 5th | 64 | 98 | .395 | 39 | |||
2010 | MLB | AL | East | 5th | 66 | 96 | .407 | 30 | |||
2011 | MLB | AL | East | 5th | 69 | 93 | .426 | 28 | |||
2012 | MLB | AL | East | 2nd ¤ | 93 | 69 | .574 | 2 | Won ALWC (Rangers) Lost ALDS (Yankees) 3–2 | ||
2013 | MLB | AL | East | T-3rd | 85 | 77 | .525 | 12 | |||
2014 | MLB | AL | East ^ | 1st | 96 | 66 | .593 | — | Won ALDS (Tigers) 3–0 Lost ALCS (Royals) 4–0 | Buck Showalter (MOY) | |
2015 | MLB | AL | East | 3rd | 81 | 81 | .500 | 12 | |||
2016 | MLB | AL | East | 3rd ¤ | 89 | 73 | .549 | 4 | Lost ALWC (Blue Jays) | ||
2017 | MLB | AL | East | 5th | 75 | 87 | .463 | 18 | |||
2018 | MLB | AL | East | 5th | 47 | 115 | .290 | 61 | |||
2019 | MLB | AL | East | 5th | 54 | 108 | .333 | 49 | |||
2020 | MLB | AL | East | 4th | 25 | 35 | .417 | 15 | |||
2021 | MLB | AL | East | 5th | 52 | 110 | .321 | 48 | |||
2022 | MLB | AL | East | 4th | 83 | 79 | .512 | 16 | |||
2023 | MLB | AL | East ^ | 1st | 101 | 61 | .623 | — | Lost ALDS (Rangers) 3–0 | Gunnar Henderson (ROY) Brandon Hyde (MOY) | |
Totals | Wins | Losses | Win% | ||||||||
48 | 89 | .350 | Milwaukee Brewers all-time regular season record (1901) | ||||||||
3,414 | 4,465 | .433 | St. Louis Browns all-time regular season record (1902–1953) | ||||||||
5,567 | 5,459 | .505 | Baltimore Orioles all-time regular season record (1954–2023) | ||||||||
52 | 43 | .547 | Baltimore Orioles all-time postseason record (1954–2023) | ||||||||
54 | 47 | .535 | All-time postseason record | ||||||||
9,029 | 10,013 | .474 | All-time regular and postseason record |
The following table describes the MLB win–loss record by decade of the Milwaukee Brewers (1901) / St. Louis Browns (1902-1953) / Baltimore Orioles (1954-present).
Decade | Wins | Losses | Pct |
---|---|---|---|
1900s | 599 | 721 | .454 |
1910s | 597 | 892 | .401 |
1920s | 762 | 769 | .498 |
1930s | 578 | 951 | .378 |
1940s | 698 | 833 | .456 |
1950s | 632 | 905 | .411 |
1960s | 911 | 698 | .566 |
1970s | 944 | 656 | .590 |
1980s | 800 | 761 | .512 |
1990s | 794 | 757 | .512 |
2000s | 698 | 920 | .431 |
2010s | 755 | 865 | .466 |
2020s | 261 | 285 | .478 |
All-time | 9,029 | 10,013 | .474 |
These statistics are from Baseball-Reference.com's Baltimore Orioles History & Encyclopedia, [1] and are current as of the end of the 2022 MLB regular season.
The Orioles have made the postseason fourteen times in their history, with their first being in 1944 (their only appearance as the St. Louis Browns) and the most recent being in 2016.
Year | Finish | Round | Opponent | Result | ||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
1944 | American League Champions | World Series | St. Louis Cardinals | Lost | 2 | 4 |
1966 | World Series Champions | World Series | Los Angeles Dodgers | Won | 4 | 0 |
1969 | American League Champions | ALCS | Minnesota Twins | Won | 3 | 0 |
World Series | New York Mets | Lost | 1 | 4 | ||
1970 | World Series Champions | ALCS | Minnesota Twins | Won | 3 | 0 |
World Series | Cincinnati Reds | Won | 4 | 1 | ||
1971 | American League Champions | ALCS | Oakland Athletics | Won | 3 | 0 |
World Series | Pittsburgh Pirates | Lost | 3 | 4 | ||
1973 | American League East Champions | ALCS | Oakland Athletics | Lost | 2 | 3 |
1974 | American League East Champions | ALCS | Oakland Athletics | Lost | 1 | 3 |
1979 | American League Champions | ALCS | California Angels | Won | 3 | 1 |
World Series | Pittsburgh Pirates | Lost | 3 | 4 | ||
1983 | World Series Champions | ALCS | Chicago White Sox | Won | 3 | 1 |
World Series | Philadelphia Phillies | Won | 4 | 1 | ||
1996 | American League Wild Card | ALDS | Cleveland Indians | Won | 3 | 1 |
ALCS | New York Yankees | Lost | 1 | 4 | ||
1997 | American League East Champions | ALDS | Seattle Mariners | Won | 3 | 1 |
ALCS | Cleveland Indians | Lost | 2 | 4 | ||
2012 | American League Wild Card | Wild Card Game | Texas Rangers | Won | 1 | 0 |
ALDS | New York Yankees | Lost | 2 | 3 | ||
2014 | American League East Champions | ALDS | Detroit Tigers | Won | 3 | 0 |
ALCS | Kansas City Royals | Lost | 0 | 4 | ||
2016 | American League Wild Card | Wild Card Game | Toronto Blue Jays | Lost | 0 | 1 |
2023 | American League East Champions | ALDS | Texas Rangers | Lost | 0 | 3 |
15 | Totals | 12–12 | 54 | 47 |
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