

These lists are getting shorter all the time. Only four Orioles have worn #60, starting with rookie pitcher Jimmy Haynes (1995). He got the team's attention with a 2.25 ERA and 22 strikeouts in 24 innings in a September audition. But he returned in 1996 with #50 on his back, and the rest of the league seemed to figure him out. He lasted longer than Luis Rivera (2000), who pitched two-thirds of an inning after being traded from Atlanta in the B. J. Surhoff deal. Injuries brought Rivera's career to a premature end. Geronimo Gil (2001) made his September debut in #60. Most recently, bullpen coach and batting practice pitcher Orlando Gomez (2005-2007) donned the big six-oh.


Bullpen catcher and batting practice pitcher Rudy Arias (1997?-2007) stands alone in the annals of #62 for the time being. Who's next? 
Converted catcher Nerio Rodriguez (1996) pitched in eight games for the Birds as a rookie; he would return for a few games in 1997 and 1998 with #39 on his back. Outfielder Tim Raines, Jr. (2001) had the special honor of starting his career in the same outfield as his father. Outfielder Val Majewski (2004) was a surprise callup from AA Bowie, and swatted two hits in thirteen at-bats in limited exposure to major league pitching. His career has been slowed by injuries since, but Val's still young enough (26) to turn things around. Rookie catcher Gustavo Molina (2007) made his way into seven games after being claimed off of waivers from the White Sox.

Well-traveled lefty Bruce Chen (2004) parlayed a strong stint in AAA Ottowa into a promotion to Baltimore, where he was assigned #64. He pitched well in an eight-game trial (3.02 ERA), earning a spot in the O's rotation for the following season. In 2005, he switched to #27. Second baseman/designated hitter Bernie Castro (2005) hit .288 while subbing for an injured Brian Roberts, but his cavalier attitude hastened his exit.
Shortstop Ed Rogers (2005), who'd previously appeared in five games in 2002, was used primarily as a pinch-runner in his second go-round in Charm City. Rogers, wearing #67, got only one at-bat, but did stroke his first career hit...a two-run home run against the Yankees.

Catcher Robert Machado (2003-2004) was the first (and so far, the last) Oriole to put on the #72 jersey. He didn't really do anything of note, hitting .265 in part-time duty in 2003 and falling to .151 the next year. It's not clear whether he wore this number by choice; maybe he was a Carlton Fisk fan.

Reliever Alan Mills (1992-1998, 2000-2001) had several solid years with the Orioles, all in #75. The lanky righthander was famous for glaring at hitters from the mound, his hat brim pushed as low as possible to cast a deep shadow over his face. His defining moment in orange and black may have come in the infamous May 1998 brawl against the Yankees, when he jumped into the dugout and cold-cocked Darryl Strawberry. Kudos to you, Alan.
The only other Oriole in a #75 jersey was gigantic first baseman/designated hitter Walter Young (2005). Young drew comparisons to longtime White Sox slugger Frank Thomas while in the minors; however, his career seems to have stalled some 500-plus home runs short of the Big Hurt's mark.


You may know Joe Borowski (1995) as the shaky veteran closer who made things interesting for the Cubs, Marlins, and Indians at various times. But he got his start with the Orioles. Apparently the only thing luckier than #7 is two sevens, as Joe surrendered only one run in six games in Baltimore. Still, he was sent to the Braves shortly thereafter for (ahem) Kent Mercker.

When pitching coach Leo Mazzone arrived in Charm City, bullpen catcher and batting practice pitcher Sam Snider (2006-2007) moved on up to #84, becoming the only Oriole to date to wear that number. He was let go after the 2007 season, and is currently coaching the Lancaster Barnstormers in the independent Atlantic League. The Barnstormers' manager is former Phillies first baseman/outfielder Von Hayes.

Thanks to Cal Ripken, Jr.'s eternal claim on #8, the Birds have had three different players suit up in #88. The first was utility infielder
Rene Gonzales (1987-1990), who became so attached to the unusual number that he wore it even after leaving the team. He was followed by rookie first baseman Paul Carey (1993). Carey actually had to cede the number to Gonzo in Spring 1994, when they were both in O's camp. It soon became a moot point, as Gonzales was released and Carey demoted at the beginning of the season.
Number eighty-eight made a loud return on the broad back of outfielder Albert Belle (1999-2000), who had previously worn #8 throughout his career. The Orioles grabbed headlines by signing the mercurial power-hitter to an exorbitant free-agent deal, and he pulled his weight in his first season in Baltimore (37 HR, 117 RBI, .400 OBP). But Belle also publicly clashed with manager Ray Miller as the team continued to decline. The outfielder dipped to 23 home runs in 2000, then abruptly retired because of a degenerative hip condition. I hate to end this countdown on such a sour note, but it's all in the numbers.