The 1996

Baltimore Orioles The Baltimore Orioles are an American professional baseball team based in Baltimore. The Orioles compete in Major League Baseball (MLB) as a member club of the American League (AL) East division. As one of the American League's eight charter ...

season in which the Orioles finishing 2nd in the

American League East The American League East is one of Major League Baseball's six divisions. MLB consists of an East, Central, and West division for each of its two 15-team leagues, the American League (AL) and National League (NL). This division was created before ...

with a record of 88 wins and 74 losses and qualifying for the post-season as the Wild Card team. The Orioles broke the all-time record for most home runs hit by a team (set at 240 by the

1961 New York Yankees The 1961 New York Yankees season was the 59th season for the team. The team finished with a record of 109–53, eight games ahead of the Detroit Tigers, and won their 26th American League pennant. New York was managed by Ralph Houk. The Yankees ...

) with 257. During the season, four Orioles scored at least 100 runs, four drove in at least 100 runs and seven hit at least 20 home runs. The Orioles pitching staff allowed 209 home runs, 1,604 hits and had an ERA of 5.15. The Orioles defeated the

Cleveland Indians The Cleveland Guardians are an American professional baseball team based in Cleveland. The Guardians compete in Major League Baseball (MLB) as a member club of the American League (AL) American League Central, Central division. Since , they have ...

in the

ALDS In Major League Baseball, the American League Division Series (ALDS) determines which two teams from the American League will advance to the American League Championship Series. The Division Series consists of two best-of-five series, featuring e ...

and then lost in the

ALCS The American League Championship Series (ALCS) is a best-of-seven playoff and one of two League Championship Series comprising the penultimate round of Major League Baseball's (MLB) postseason. It is contested by the two winners of the American ...

to the

New York Yankees The New York Yankees are an American professional baseball team based in the New York City borough of the Bronx. The Yankees compete in Major League Baseball (MLB) as a member club of the American League (AL) East division. They are one ...

Offseason

*November 22, 1995:

Clay Bellinger Clayton Daniel Bellinger (born November 18, 1968) is a former Major League Baseball player. He played in MLB for the New York Yankees and the Anaheim Angels, winning the World Series twice as a member of the Yankees. His son, Cody, was the 2019 ...

was signed as a free agent with the Baltimore Orioles. *December 14, 1995: Randy Myers signed as a free agent with the Baltimore Orioles.Randy Myers Statistics
Baseball-Reference.com *December 20, 1995:

B. J. Surhoff William James "B. J." Surhoff (born August 4, 1964) is an American former catcher, outfielder, first baseman, third baseman, and designated hitter in Major League Baseball (MLB). Over his 18-year MLB career, he played every position except pitcher ...

was signed as a free agent with the Baltimore Orioles. *December 23, 1995:

Billy Ripken William Oliver Ripken (born December 16, 1964), nicknamed Billy the Kid, is an American former professional baseball infielder. He played in Major League Baseball (MLB) from – for the Baltimore Orioles (1987–92, '96), Texas Rangers (199 ...

was signed as a free agent with the Baltimore Orioles. *March 13, 1996: Sherman Obando was traded by the Baltimore Orioles to the

Montreal Expos The Montreal Expos (french: link=no, Les Expos de Montréal) were a Canadian professional baseball team based in Montreal, Quebec. The Expos were the first Major League Baseball (MLB) franchise located outside the United States. They played in ...

for Tony Tarasco.

Regular season

* On September 27 in

Toronto Toronto ( ; or ) is the capital city of the Canadian province of Ontario. With a recorded population of 2,794,356 in 2021, it is the most populous city in Canada and the fourth most populous city in North America. The city is the anch ...

, Roberto Alomar spat at home-plate umpire John Hirschbeck after getting thrown out of a game for arguing a called third strike.

Opening Day starters

Roberto Alomar Roberto "Robbie" Alomar Velázquez (; ; born February 5, 1968) is a Puerto Rican former Major League Baseball player for the San Diego Padres, Toronto Blue Jays, Baltimore Orioles, Cleveland Indians, New York Mets, Chicago White Sox, and Arizon ...

Brady Anderson Brady Kevin Anderson (born January 18, 1964) is an American former baseball outfielder and executive who played 15 seasons in Major League Baseball (1988–2002) for the Boston Red Sox, Baltimore Orioles and Cleveland Indians. He spent the majori ...

Bobby Bonilla Roberto Martin Antonio Bonilla (, born February 23, 1963) is an American former professional baseball third baseman and outfielder who played in Major League Baseball (MLB) from 1986 to 2001. Bonilla was one of the Major League's best batte ...

Jeffrey Hammonds Jeffrey Bryan Hammonds (born March 5, 1971) is an American former professional baseball player. Hammonds was an outfielder and played for the Baltimore Orioles (1993–1998), Cincinnati Reds (1998–1999), Colorado Rockies (2000), Milwaukee Bre ...

Chris Hoiles Chris Allen Hoiles (born March 20, 1965) is an American former professional baseball player and coach. He played his entire Major League Baseball career as a catcher for the Baltimore Orioles from 1989 to 1998. Although his playing career was sh ...

* Mike Mussina *

Rafael Palmeiro Rafael Palmeiro Corrales (born September 24, 1964) is a Cuban-American former Major League Baseball first baseman and left fielder. Palmeiro was an All-American at Mississippi State University before being drafted by the Chicago Cubs in 1985. ...

* Cal Ripken Jr. *

* Tony Tarasco

Notable transactions

*December 21, 1995:

was signed as a free agent. *December 26, 1995: Traded Curtis Goodwin and Trovin Valdez to Cincinnati Reds for David Wells. *April 19, 1996:

Luis Polonia Luis Andrew Polonia Almonte (born December 10, 1963) is a former Major League Baseball outfielder and designated hitter. He currently resides in Santiago, in the Dominican Republic, his hometown. Signed by the Oakland Athletics as an amateur f ...

was signed as a free agent with the Baltimore Orioles.Luis Polonia Statistics
Baseball-Reference.com *June 6, 1996:

Todd Frohwirth Todd Gerard Frohwirth (September 28, 1962 – March 26, 2017) was an American professional baseball right-handed relief pitcher. He played for all or part of nine seasons in Major League Baseball (MLB) for the Philadelphia Phillies, Baltimore Ori ...

was signed as a free agent with the Baltimore Orioles. *August 12, 1996: Luis Polonia was released by the Baltimore Orioles. *August 23, 1996:

Gregg Zaun Gregory Owen Zaun (; born April 14, 1971) is an American baseball analyst, public speaker and a former professional baseball catcher. He played for nine teams over 16 seasons in Major League Baseball from 1995 until 2010, winning a World Series ...

was sent by the Baltimore Orioles to the

Florida Marlins The Miami Marlins are an American professional baseball team based in Miami. The Marlins compete in Major League Baseball (MLB) as a member club of the National League (NL) East division. The club's home ballpark is LoanDepot Park. The fran ...

to complete an earlier deal made on August 21, 1996. The Baltimore Orioles sent a player to be named later to the Florida Marlins for

Terry Mathews Terry Alan Mathews (October 5, 1964February 24, 2012) was an American professional baseball player who pitched in Major League Baseball (MLB) from to . He played for the Texas Rangers, Florida Marlins, Baltimore Orioles, and Kansas City Roy ...

. The Baltimore Orioles sent Gregg Zaun (August 23, 1996) to the Florida Marlins to complete the trade. *August 29, 1996: Traded Calvin Maduro and Garrett Stephenson to Philadelphia Phillies for Todd Zeile and Pete Incaviglia.

Season standings

Record vs. opponents

Game log

, - bgcolor="ccffcc" , 1 , , April 2 , , Royals , , 4–2 , , Mussina (1–0) , , Appier , , Myers (1) , , 46,818 , , 1–0 , - bgcolor="ccffcc" , 2 , , April 3 , , Royals , , 7–1 , , Wells (1–0) , , Gubicza , , — , , 40,068 , , 2–0 , - bgcolor="ccffcc" , 3 , , April 4 , , Royals , , 5–3 , , Rhodes (1–0) , , Pichardo , , Myers (2) , , 38,753 , , 3–0 , - bgcolor="ccffcc" , 4 , , April 5 , , @

Twins Twins are two offspring produced by the same pregnancy.MedicineNet > Definition of TwinLast Editorial Review: 19 June 2000 Twins can be either ''monozygotic'' ('identical'), meaning that they develop from one zygote, which splits and forms two em ...

, , 2–1 , , Mercker (1–0) , , Guardado , , Myers (3) , , 22,744 , , 4–0 , - bgcolor="ffbbbb" , 5 , , April 6 , , @

, , 3–8 , , Radke , , Haynes (0–1) , , — , , 22,334 , , 4–1 , - bgcolor="ccffcc" , 6 , , April 7 , , @

, , 4–2 , , Mussina (2–0) , , Robertson , , Myers (4) , , 14,580 , , 5–1 , - bgcolor="ccffcc" , 7 , , April 10 , , Indians , , 3–2 (10) , , Orosco (1–0) , , Tavarez , , — , , 45,097 , , 6–1 , - bgcolor="ccffcc" , 8 , , April 11 , , Indians , , 14–4 , , Erickson (1–0) , , Hershiser , , Rhodes (1) , , 43,189 , , 7–1 , - bgcolor="ccffcc" , 9 , , April 12 , ,

, , 3–2 , , Mussina (3–0) , , Robertson , , — , , 42,602 , , 8–1 , - bgcolor="ccffcc" , 10 , , April 13 , ,

, , 7–6 , , Benitez (1–0) , , Mahomes , , — , , 42,644 , , 9–1 , - bgcolor="ffbbbb" , 11 , , April 14 , ,

, , 1–4 , , Rodriguez , , Haynes (0–2) , , Stevens , , 42,660 , , 9–2 , - bgcolor="ccffcc" , 12 , , April 16 , ,

Red Sox The Boston Red Sox are an American professional baseball team based in Boston. The Red Sox compete in Major League Baseball (MLB) as a member club of the American League (AL) East division. Founded in as one of the American League's eight ...

, , 6–1 , , Wells (2–0) , , Clemens , , — , , 40,017 , , 10–2 , - bgcolor="ccffcc" , 13 , , April 17 , ,

, , 6–5 (12) , , Rhodes (2–0) , , Maddux , , — , , 40,258 , , 11–2 , - bgcolor="ffbbbb" , 14 , , April 18 , ,

, , 7–10 , , Moyer , , Mussina (3–1) , , Slocumb , , 47,283 , , 11–3 , - bgcolor="ffbbbb" , 15 , , April 19 , , @ Rangers , , 7–26 , , Cook , , Mercker (1–1) , , Vosberg , , 41,184 , , 11–4 , - bgcolor="ffbbbb" , 16 , , April 20 , , @ Rangers , , 3–8 , , Gross , , Haynes (0–3) , , — , , 45,358 , , 11–5 , - bgcolor="ffbbbb" , 17 , , April 21 , , @ Rangers , , 6–9 , , Oliver , , Wells (2–1) , , — , , 39,456 , , 11–6 , - bgcolor="ffbbbb" , 18 , , April 22 , , @ Indians , , 3–6 , , Nagy , , Erickson (1–1) , , Mesa , , 42,236 , , 11–7 , - bgcolor="ffbbbb" , 19 , , April 23 , , @ Indians , , 8–9 , , Ogea , , Mussina (3–2) , , Mesa , , 40,770 , , 11–8 , - bgcolor="ccffcc" , 20 , , April 24 , , @ Royals , , 11–8 , , Mercker (2–1) , , Haney , , — , , 13,962 , , 12–8 , - bgcolor="ccffcc" , 21 , , April 25 , , @ Royals , , 3–2 , , Rhodes (3–0) , , Valera , , Myers (5) , , 16,090 , , 13–8 , - bgcolor="ffbbbb" , 22 , , April 26 , , Rangers , , 4–5 , , Brandenburg , , Wells (2–2) , , Henneman , , 44,022 , , 13–9 , - bgcolor="ffbbbb" , 23 , , April 27 , , Rangers , , 2–4 , , Witt , , Erickson (1–2) , , Vosberg , , 47,311 , , 13–10 , - bgcolor="ffbbbb" , 24 , , April 28 , , Rangers , , 4–5 (10) , , Heredia , , McDowell (0–1) , , Henneman , , 47,327 , , 13–11 , - bgcolor="ccffcc" , 25 , , April 29 , , Rangers , , 8–7 , , Haynes (1–3) , , Helling , , Myers (6) , , 41,503 , , 14–11 , - bgcolor="ffbbbb" , 26 , , April 30 , ,

Yankees The New York Yankees are an American professional baseball team based in the New York City borough of the Bronx. The Yankees compete in Major League Baseball (MLB) as a member club of the American League (AL) East division. They are one ...

, , 10–13 , , Nelson , , Shepherd (0–1) , , Wetteland , , 43,117 , , 14–12 , - , - bgcolor="ffbbbb" , 27 , , May 1 , ,

, , 6–11 (15) , , Pettitte , , Mercker (2–2) , , — , , 47,472 , , 14–13 , - bgcolor="ccffcc" , 28 , , May 3 , , Brewers , , 8–2 , , Erickson (2–2) , , Bones , , — , , 41,037 , , 15–13 , - bgcolor="ccffcc" , 29 , , May 4 , , Brewers , , 10–5 , , Mussina (4–2) , , Sparks , , — , , 44,175 , , 16–13 , - bgcolor="ffbbbb" , 30 , , May 5 , , Brewers , , 1–13 , , McDonald , , Haynes (1–4) , , — , , 46,027 , , 16–14 , - bgcolor="ffbbbb" , 31 , , May 7 , , @

White Sox The Chicago White Sox are an American professional baseball team based in Chicago. The White Sox compete in Major League Baseball (MLB) as a member club of the American League (AL) Central division. The team is owned by Jerry Reinsdorf, and ...

, , 2–3 , , Fernandez , , Wells (2–3) , , Hernandez , , 16,130 , , 16–15 , - bgcolor="ffbbbb" , 32 , , May 8 , , @

, , 2–11 , , Baldwin , , Erickson (2–3) , , — , , 14,974 , , 16–16 , - bgcolor="ccffcc" , 33 , , May 9 , , @

, , 6–4 , , Mussina (5–2) , , Alvarez , , Myers (7) , , 14,507 , , 17–16 , - bgcolor="ccffcc" , 34 , , May 10 , , @ Brewers , , 10–7 (12) , , Orosco (2–0) , , Garcia , , McDowell (1) , , 9,520 , , 18–16 , - bgcolor="ccffcc" , 35 , , May 11 , , @ Brewers , , 5–3 (10) , , Rhodes (4–0) , , Potts , , Myers (8) , , 21,081 , , 19–16 , - bgcolor="ffbbbb" , 36 , , May 12 , , @ Brewers , , 4–6 , , Miranda , , Erickson (2–4) , , Fetters , , 14,333 , , 19–17 , - bgcolor="ccffcc" , 37 , , May 13 , , @

Athletics Athletics may refer to: Sports * Sport of athletics, a collection of sporting events that involve competitive running, jumping, throwing, and walking ** Track and field, a sub-category of the above sport * Athletics (physical culture), competi ...

, , 4–3 , , Krivda (1–0) , , Johns , , Myers (9) , , 8,204 , , 20–17 , - bgcolor="ccffcc" , 38 , , May 14 , , @

, , 9–1 , , Mussina (6–2) , , Reyes , , — , , 8,466 , , 21–17 , - bgcolor="ccffcc" , 39 , , May 17 , , Mariners , , 14–13 , , Mills (1–0) , , Charlton , , — , , 47,259 , , 22–17 , - bgcolor="ffbbbb" , 40 , , May 18 , , Mariners , , 3–7 , , Milacki , , Mercker (2–3) , , — , , 46,434 , , 22–18 , - bgcolor="ccffcc" , 41 , , May 19 , , Mariners , , 8–7 , , Mussina (7–2) , , Hurtado , , Myers (10) , , 47,565 , , 23–18 , - bgcolor="ccffcc" , 42 , , May 20 , ,

Angels In various theistic religious traditions an angel is a supernatural spiritual being who serves God. Abrahamic religions often depict angels as benevolent celestial intermediaries between God (or Heaven) and humanity. Other roles incl ...

, , 13–1 , , Wells (3–3) , , Grimsley , , — , , 43,492 , , 24–18 , - bgcolor="ffbbbb" , 43 , , May 21 , ,

, , 2–5 , , Boskie , , Krivda (1–1) , , Percival , , 39,974 , , 24–19 , - bgcolor="ccffcc" , 44 , , May 22 , ,

, , 10–5 , , Haynes (2–4) , , Abbott , , McDowell (2) , , 45,817 , , 25–19 , - bgcolor="ccffcc" , 45 , , May 24 , ,

, , 5–4 (10) , , McDowell (1–1) , , Reyes , , — , , 45,024 , , 26–19 , - bgcolor="ffbbbb" , 46 , , May 25 , ,

, , 3–6 , , Johns , , Wells (3–4) , , Groom , , 47,353 , , 26–20 , - bgcolor="ccffcc" , 47 , , May 26 , ,

, , 6–1 , , Mercker (3–3) , , Chouinard , , McDowell (3) , , 47,401 , , 27–20 , - bgcolor="ccffcc" , 48 , , May 28 , , @ Mariners , , 12–8 , , Rhodes (5–0) , , Guetterman , , Haynes (1) , , 23,235 , , 28–20 , - bgcolor="ffbbbb" , 49 , , May 29 , , @ Mariners , , 8–9 , , Charlton , , Myers (0–1) , , — , , 20,253 , , 28–21 , - bgcolor="ffbbbb" , 50 , , May 31 , , @

, , 3–10 , , Langston , , Wells (3–5) , , — , , 21,603 , , 28–22 , - , - bgcolor="ffbbbb" , 51 , , June 1 , , @

, , 3–8 , , Boskie , , Haynes (2–5) , , — , , 35,350 , , 28–23 , - bgcolor="ccffcc" , 52 , , June 2 , , @

, , 14–1 , , Erickson (3–4) , , Abbott , , — , , 33,704 , , 29–23 , - bgcolor="ccffcc" , 53 , , June 4 , ,

Tigers The tiger (''Panthera tigris'') is the largest living cat species and a member of the genus ''Panthera''. It is most recognisable for its dark vertical stripes on orange fur with a white underside. An apex predator, it primarily preys on un ...

, , 10–7 , , Mussina (8–2) , , Gohr , , Myers (11) , , 43,727 , , 30–23 , - bgcolor="ccffcc" , 54 , , June 5 , ,

, , 6–4 , , Rhodes (6–0) , , Myers , , Myers (12) , , 43,087 , , 31–23 , - bgcolor="ccffcc" , 55 , , June 6 , ,

, , 13–6 , , Krivda (2–1) , , Lira , , — , , 46,269 , , 32–23 , - bgcolor="ffbbbb" , 56 , , June 7 , ,

, , 2–8 , , Fernandez , , Erickson (3–5) , , — , , 47,209 , , 32–24 , - bgcolor="ffbbbb" , 57 , , June 8 , ,

, , 1–2 , , Baldwin , , Mercker (3–4) , , Hernandez , , 47,634 , , 32–25 , - bgcolor="ffbbbb" , 58 , , June 9 , ,

, , 9–12 , , Karchner , , Mussina (8–3) , , Hernandez , , 47,352 , , 32–26 , - bgcolor="ffbbbb" , 59 , , June 10 , , @

, , 3–8 , , Olivares , , Wells (3–6) , , — , , 10,655 , , 32–27 , - bgcolor="ccffcc" , 60 , , June 11 , , @

, , 12–9 , , Coppinger (1–0) , , Lira , , — , , 10,874 , , 33–27 , - bgcolor="ccffcc" , 61 , , June 12 , , @

, , 10–7 , , Rhodes (7–0) , , Lewis , , Myers (13) , , 12,043 , , 34–27 , - bgcolor="ffbbbb" , 62 , , June 13 , , @ Royals , , 2–10 , , Linton , , Mercker (3–5) , , — , , 20,108 , , 34–28 , - bgcolor="ccffcc" , 63 , , June 14 , , @ Royals , , 6–1 , , Mussina (9–3) , , Gubicza , , — , , 28,502 , , 35–28 , - bgcolor="ffbbbb" , 64 , , June 15 , , @ Royals , , 6–7 (16) , , Magnante , , Krivda (2–2) , , — , , 24,784 , , 35–29 , - bgcolor="ccffcc" , 65 , , June 16 , , @ Royals , , 13–5 , , Coppinger (2–0) , , Jacome , , Mills (1) , , 19,437 , , 36–29 , - bgcolor="ffffff" , 66 , , June 17 , , Rangers , , 1–1 (6) , , , , , , — , , 45,581 , , 36–29 , - bgcolor="ffbbbb" , 67 , , June 18 , , Rangers , , 0–7 , , Oliver , , Mercker (3–6) , , — , , 47,318 , , 36–30 , - bgcolor="ffbbbb" , 68 , , June 19 , , Rangers , , 2–3 , , Witt , , Mussina (9–4) , , Russell , , 45,581 , , 36–31 , - bgcolor="ccffcc" , 69 , , June 20 , , Rangers , , 3–2 , , Wells (4–6) , , Gross , , Myers (14) , , 21,748 , , 37–31 , - bgcolor="ccffcc" , 70 , , June 21 , , Royals , , 9–3 , , Rhodes (8–0) , , Haney , , — , , 47,644 , , 38–31 , - bgcolor="ccffcc" , 71 , , June 22 , , Royals , , 5–3 , , Erickson (4–5) , , Montgomery , , — , , 47,534 , , 39–31 , - bgcolor="ffbbbb" , 72 , , June 23 , , Royals , , 0–4 , , Appier , , Krivda (2–3) , , — , , 47,608 , , 39–32 , - bgcolor="ccffcc" , 73 , , June 24 , , @ Rangers , , 8–3 , , Mussina (10–4) , , Witt , , — , , 39,701 , , 40–32 , - bgcolor="ffbbbb" , 74 , , June 25 , , @ Rangers , , 2–5 , , Gross , , Wells (4–7) , , Henneman , , 41,685 , , 40–33 , - bgcolor="ffbbbb" , 75 , , June 26 , , @ Rangers , , 5–6 , , Cook , , Orosco (2–1) , , Henneman , , 38,984 , , 40–34 , - bgcolor="ffbbbb" , 76 , , June 27 , , @

, , 2–3 , , Rogers , , Erickson (4–6) , , Wetteland , , 34,161 , , 40–35 , - bgcolor="ccffcc" , 77 , , June 28 , , @

, , 7–4 , , Rhodes (9–0) , , Rivera , , Myers (15) , , 43,515 , , 41–35 , - bgcolor="ffbbbb" , 78 , , June 29 , , @

, , 3–4 , , Pettitte , , Mussina (10–5) , , Wetteland , , 45,295 , , 41–36 , - bgcolor="ccffcc" , 79 , , June 30 , , @

, , 9–1 , , Wells (5–7) , , Mendoza , , — , , 40,200 , , 42–36 , - , - bgcolor="ccffcc" , 80 , , July 1 , , @ Blue Jays , , 7–4 , , Coppinger (3–0) , , Hentgen , , Myers (16) , , 43,377 , , 43–36 , - bgcolor="ccffcc" , 81 , , July 2 , , @ Blue Jays , , 8–2 , , Erickson (5–6) , , Quantrill , , — , , 32,150 , , 44–36 , - bgcolor="ffbbbb" , 82 , , July 3 , , @ Blue Jays , , 2–5 , , Guzman , , Krivda (2–4) , , Timlin , , 32,365 , , 44–37 , - bgcolor="ccffcc" , 83 , , July 4 , ,

, , 8–6 , , Mussina (11–5) , , Wakefield , , Myers (17) , , 47,075 , , 45–37 , - bgcolor="ffbbbb" , 84 , , July 5 , ,

, , 3–7 , , Sele , , Wells (5–8) , , — , , 47,237 , , 45–38 , - bgcolor="ccffcc" , 85 , , July 6 , ,

, , 4–3 , , Coppinger (4–0) , , Clemens , , Myers (18) , , 47,500 , , 46–38 , - bgcolor="ffbbbb" , 86 , , July 7 , ,

, , 5–7 , , Hudson , , Myers (0–2) , , Slocumb , , 47,532 , , 46–39 , - bgcolor="ffbbbb" , 87 , , July 11 , ,

, , 2–4 , , Key , , Mussina (11–6) , , Wetteland , , 46,760 , , 46–40 , - bgcolor="ffbbbb" , 88 , , July 13 , ,

, , 2–3 , , Nelson , , Wells (5–9) , , Wetteland , , — , , 46–41 , - bgcolor="ffbbbb" , 89 , , July 13 , ,

, , 5–7 , , Gooden , , Rhodes (9–1) , , Wetteland , , 46,451 , , 46–42 , - bgcolor="ffbbbb" , 90 , , July 14 , ,

, , 1–4 , , Pettitte , , Erickson (5–7) , , Wetteland , , 47,658 , , 46–43 , - bgcolor="ccffcc" , 91 , , July 15 , , Blue Jays , , 8–6 , , Haynes (3–5) , , Timlin , , — , , 43,192 , , 47–43 , - bgcolor="ffbbbb" , 92 , , July 16 , , Blue Jays , , 0–6 , , Guzman , , Mussina (11–7) , , — , , 45,851 , , 47–44 , - bgcolor="ccffcc" , 93 , , July 17 , , Blue Jays , , 11–10 , , Coppinger (5–0) , , Timlin , , — , , 45,955 , , 48–44 , - bgcolor="ccffcc" , 94 , , July 18 , , @

, , 6–3 , , Wells (6–9) , , Sele , , Myers (19) , , 33,014 , , 49–44 , - bgcolor="ffbbbb" , 95 , , July 19 , , @

, , 2–13 , , Moyer , , Erickson (5–8) , , — , , 32,262 , , 49–45 , - bgcolor="ffbbbb" , 96 , , July 20 , , @

, , 0–2 , , Wakefield , , Coppinger (5–1) , , Slocumb , , 33,590 , , 49–46 , - bgcolor="ccffcc" , 97 , , July 21 , , @

, , 10–6 (10) , , Myers (1–2) , , Stanton , , — , , 34,423 , , 50–46 , - bgcolor="ffbbbb" , 98 , , July 22 , ,

, , 5–9 , , Robertson , , Haynes (3–6) , , Trombley , , 42,129 , , 50–47 , - bgcolor="ffbbbb" , 99 , , July 23 , ,

, , 2–3 , , Aguilera , , Wells (6–10) , , Naulty , , 42,006 , , 50–48 , - bgcolor="ffbbbb" , 100 , , July 24 , ,

, , 4–11 , , Rodriguez , , Erickson (5–9) , , — , , 46,181 , , 50–49 , - bgcolor="ffbbbb" , 101 , , July 25 , , Indians , , 7–10 , , Nagy , , Coppinger (5–2) , , — , , 47,025 , , 50–50 , - bgcolor="ffbbbb" , 102 , , July 26 , , Indians , , 9–14 , , Assenmacher , , Mussina (11–8) , , — , , 46,751 , , 50–51 , - bgcolor="ccffcc" , 103 , , July 27 , , Indians , , 14–2 , , Wells (7–10) , , Hershiser , , — , , 47,360 , , 51–51 , - bgcolor="ffbbbb" , 104 , , July 28 , , Indians , , 3–6 (13) , , Mesa , , Stephenson (0–1) , , — , , 46,273 , , 51–52 , - bgcolor="ccffcc" , 105 , , July 30 , , @

, , 16–4 , , Coppinger (6–2) , , Rodriguez , , — , , 16,708 , , 52–52 , - bgcolor="ccffcc" , 106 , , July 31 , , @

, , 9–3 , , Mussina (12–8) , , Trombley , , — , , 15,897 , , 53–52 , - , - bgcolor="ccffcc" , 107 , , August 1 , , @

, , 4–2 , , Wells (8–10) , , Robertson , , Myers (20) , , 20,379 , , 54–52 , - bgcolor="ffbbbb" , 108 , , August 2 , , @ Indians , , 1–11 , , Hershiser , , Erickson (5–10) , , — , , 42,465 , , 54–53 , - bgcolor="ccffcc" , 109 , , August 3 , , @ Indians , , 9–4 , , Orosco (3–1) , , Ogea , , — , , 42,448 , , 55–53 , - bgcolor="ffbbbb" , 110 , , August 4 , , @ Indians , , 2–14 , , Anderson , , Coppinger (6–3) , , — , , 42,349 , , 55–54 , - bgcolor="ccffcc" , 111 , , August 5 , , @ Indians , , 13–10 , , Wells (9–10) , , Assenmacher , , — , , 40,863 , , 56–54 , - bgcolor="ccffcc" , 112 , , August 6 , , @ Brewers , , 13–3 , , Mussina (13–8) , , McDonald , , — , , 17,075 , , 57–54 , - bgcolor="ccffcc" , 113 , , August 7 , , @ Brewers , , 12–2 , , Erickson (6–10) , , Karl , , — , , 20,287 , , 58–54 , - bgcolor="ccffcc" , 114 , , August 8 , , @ Brewers , , 6–4 , , Coppinger (7–3) , , D'Amico , , Myers (21) , , 18,620 , , 59–54 , - bgcolor="ffbbbb" , 115 , , August 9 , , @

, , 3–4 (10) , , Simas , , Myers (1–3) , , — , , 23,995 , , 59–55 , - bgcolor="ccffcc" , 116 , , August 10 , , @

, , 13–4 , , Mussina (14–8) , , Alvarez , , McDowell (4) , , 26,772 , , 60–55 , - bgcolor="ffbbbb" , 117 , , August 11 , , @

, , 5–8 , , Tapani , , Mills (1–1) , , Hernandez , , 27,088 , , 60–56 , - bgcolor="ccffcc" , 118 , , August 13 , , Brewers , , 4–3 , , Corbin (1–0) , , Lloyd , , Myers (22) , , 44,461 , , 61–56 , - bgcolor="ccffcc" , 119 , , August 14 , , Brewers , , 8–5 , , Milchin (1–0) , , Bones , , Myers (23) , , 47,480 , , 62–56 , - bgcolor="ccffcc" , 120 , , August 15 , , @

, , 18–5 , , Mussina (15–8) , , Adams , , — , , 14,026 , , 63–56 , - bgcolor="ccffcc" , 121 , , August 16 , , @

, , 14–3 , , Erickson (7–10) , , Wasdin , , — , , — , , 64–56 , - bgcolor="ccffcc" , 122 , , August 16 , , @

, , 5–4 (10) , , Myers (2–3) , , Mohler , , — , , 15,645 , , 65–56 , - bgcolor="ffbbbb" , 123 , , August 17 , , @

, , 1–3 , , Prieto , , Coppinger (7–4) , , Acre , , 20,231 , , 65–57 , - bgcolor="ffbbbb" , 124 , , August 18 , , @

, , 6–9 , , Wengert , , Wells (9–11) , , — , , 18,122 , , 65–58 , - bgcolor="ccffcc" , 125 , , August 20 , , Mariners , , 4–1 , , Mussina (16–8) , , Wagner , , Myers (24) , , 47,679 , , 66–58 , - bgcolor="ccffcc" , 126 , , August 21 , , Mariners , , 10–5 , , Erickson (8–10) , , Hitchcock , , — , , 47,198 , , 67–58 , - bgcolor="ffbbbb" , 127 , , August 22 , , Mariners , , 3–10 , , Moyer , , Coppinger (7–5) , , — , , 47,380 , , 67–59 , - bgcolor="ffbbbb" , 128 , , August 23 , ,

, , 0–2 , , Boskie , , Wells (9–12) , , Percival , , 47,291 , , 67–60 , - bgcolor="ccffcc" , 129 , , August 24 , ,

, , 5–4 , , Mussina (17–8) , , Abbott , , Myers (25) , , 46,487 , , 68–60 , - bgcolor="ffbbbb" , 130 , , August 25 , ,

, , 0–13 , , Springer , , Erickson (8–11) , , — , , 47,239 , , 68–61 , - bgcolor="ccffcc" , 131 , , August 26 , ,

, , 12–11 (10) , , Myers (3–3) , , Acre , , — , , 43,361 , , 69–61 , - bgcolor="ccffcc" , 132 , , August 27 , ,

, , 3–1 , , Wells (10–12) , , Prieto , , Myers (26) , , 43,641 , , 70–61 , - bgcolor="ffbbbb" , 133 , , August 28 , ,

, , 0–3 , , Wengert , , Mussina (17–9) , , — , , 45,282 , , 70–62 , - bgcolor="ffbbbb" , 134 , , August 29 , , @ Mariners , , 6–9 , , Charlton , , Myers (3–4) , , — , , 24,915 , , 70–63 , - bgcolor="ccffcc" , 135 , , August 30 , , @ Mariners , , 5–2 , , Coppinger (8–5) , , Hitchcock , , Mills (2) , , 44,532 , , 71–63 , - bgcolor="ccffcc" , 136 , , August 31 , , @ Mariners , , 7–6 , , Erickson (9–11) , , Bosio , , Benitez (1) , , 42,092 , , 72–63 , - , - bgcolor="ffbbbb" , 137 , , September 1 , , @ Mariners , , 1–5 , , Mulholland , , Wells (10–13) , , — , , 50,015 , , 72–64 , - bgcolor="ccffcc" , 138 , , September 2 , , @

, , 12–8 , , Mussina (18–9) , , Boskie , , — , , 20,287 , , 73–64 , - bgcolor="ffbbbb" , 139 , , September 3 , , @

, , 2–10 , , Harris , , Coppinger (8–6) , , — , , 15,924 , , 73–65 , - bgcolor="ccffcc" , 140 , , September 4 , , @

, , 4–2 , , Erickson (10–11) , , Springer , , Myers (27) , , 18,204 , , 74–65 , - bgcolor="ffbbbb" , 141 , , September 6 , ,

, , 4–5 (12) , , Cummings , , Mathews (0–1) , , — , , 46,708 , , 74–66 , - bgcolor="ccffcc" , 142 , , September 7 , ,

, , 6–0 , , Mussina (19–9) , , Thompson , , — , , 47,131 , , 75–66 , - bgcolor="ccffcc" , 143 , , September 8 , ,

, , 6–2 , , Mills (2–1) , , Eischen , , — , , 47,082 , , 76–66 , - bgcolor="ccffcc" , 144 , , September 9 , ,

, , 5–4 , , Erickson (11–11) , , Olivares , , Myers (28) , , 42,562 , , 77–66 , - bgcolor="ccffcc" , 145 , , September 10 , ,

, , 5–1 , , Wells (11–13) , , Tapani , , — , , 43,320 , , 78–66 , - bgcolor="ccffcc" , 146 , , September 11 , ,

, , 7–6 (10) , , Mills (3–1) , , Hernandez , , — , , 43,320 , , 79–66 , - bgcolor="ffbbbb" , 147 , , September 12 , ,

, , 3–11 , , Fernandez , , Mussina (19–10) , , — , , 47,342 , , 79–67 , - bgcolor="ccffcc" , 148 , , September 13 , , @

, , 7–4 , , Erickson (12–11) , , Miller , , Mills (3) , , 11,178 , , 80–67 , - bgcolor="ccffcc" , 149 , , September 14 , , @

, , 7–6 , , Mathews (1–1) , , Cummings , , Myers (29) , , 15,386 , , 81–67 , - bgcolor="ccffcc" , 150 , , September 15 , , @

, , 16–6 , , Corbin (2–0) , , Van Poppel , , — , , 13,764 , , 82–67 , - bgcolor="ffbbbb" , 151 , , September 18 , , @

, , 2–3 (10) , , Rivera , , Mills (3–2) , , — , , 40,775 , , 82–68 , - bgcolor="ffbbbb" , 152 , , September 19 , , @

, , 3–9 , , Rogers , , Mussina (19–11) , , — , , — , , 82–69 , - bgcolor="ccffcc" , 153 , , September 19 , , @

, , 10–9 , , Mathews (2–1) , , Rivera , , Myers (30) , , 54,888 , , 83–69 , - bgcolor="ffbbbb" , 154 , , September 20 , , Blue Jays , , 1–5 , , Hentgen , , Krivda (2–5) , , Spoljaric , , 47,026 , , 83–70 , - bgcolor="ccffcc" , 155 , , September 21 , , Blue Jays , , 6–3 , , Coppinger (9–6) , , Williams , , Myers (31) , , 47,270 , , 84–70 , - bgcolor="ccffcc" , 156 , , September 22 , , Blue Jays , , 5–4 , , Erickson (13–11) , , Flener , , Benitez (2) , , 46,035 , , 85–70 , - bgcolor="ffbbbb" , 157 , , September 23 , , Brewers , , 7–8 (10) , , Jones , , Mathews (2–2) , , Fetters , , 46,542 , , 85–71 , - bgcolor="ffbbbb" , 158 , , September 24 , , @

, , 8–13 , , Gordon , , Wells (11–14) , , Mahomes , , 28,557 , , 85–72 , - bgcolor="ccffcc" , 159 , , September 25 , , @

, , 6–2 , , Krivda (3–5) , , Wakefield , , Benitez (3) , , 28,432 , , 86–72 , - bgcolor="ccffcc" , 160 , , September 26 , , @ Blue Jays , , 4–1 , , Coppinger (10–6) , , Williams , , Benitez (4) , , 30,141 , , 87–72 , - bgcolor="ffbbbb" , 161 , , September 27 , , @ Blue Jays , , 2–3 , , Flener , , Erickson (13–12) , , Timlin , , 30,116 , , 87–73 , - bgcolor="ccffcc" , 162 , , September 28 , , @ Blue Jays , , 3–2 (10) , , Myers (4–4) , , Spoljaric , , — , , 36,316 , , 88–73 , - bgcolor="ffbbbb" , 163 , , September 29 , , @ Blue Jays , , 1–4 , , Hentgen , , Rodriguez (0–1) , , Timlin , , 38,267 , , 88–74 , - , - , ''Legend: = Win = Loss = Tie
Bold = Orioles team member''

Detailed records

Roster

Player stats

Batting

''Note: G = Pos = Position; Games played; AB = At bats; H = Hits; HR = Home runs; RBI = Runs batted in; Avg. = Batting average'' 1996 Baltimore Orioles Statistics and Roster
''Baseball-Reference.com''

Other batters

''Note: G = Games played; AB = At bats; H = Hits; HR = Home runs; RBI = Runs batted in; Avg. = Batting average''

Pitching

Return of Eddie Murray

On July 21, 1996, the Baltimore Orioles re-acquired longtime Oriole

Eddie Murray Eddie Clarence Murray (born February 24, 1956), nicknamed "Steady Eddie," is an American former Major League Baseball (MLB) first baseman, designated hitter, and coach. Spending most of his MLB career with the Baltimore Orioles, he ranks fourth ...

from the

in exchange for pitcher

Kent Mercker Kent Franklin Mercker (born February 1, 1968) is an American former Major League Baseball left-handed pitcher. He played for nine teams over his 17-year career. Career Mercker was born in Brownsburg, Indiana and lived in several different citi ...

. Murray, a member of the

1983 World Series The 1983 World Series was the championship series of Major League Baseball's (MLB) 1983 season. The 80th edition of the World Series, it was a best-of-seven playoff played between the American League champion Baltimore Orioles and the National ...

Champion

, would subsequently hit his 500th career home run later in the season. As a commemoration of this event, an orange seat was installed in the outfield stands where Murray's 500th home run landed. The Orioles had a record of 49 wins and 46 losses before the trade, and 39–28 after the trade, not including the playoffs. During the 1996 playoffs, Eddie Murray hit .333 and hit a home run while producing 3 RBI. The trade for Eddie Murray sparked the Orioles to have a better record after his arrival, than before. One can attribute that to his great leadership, which is well documented, as a ''Sporting News'' correspondent, Michael P. Geffner said, "To think of Murray as anything other than a great player these days is not to have a dissenting opinion anymore but to be dead wrong, blind not only to the inner game but to an understanding of what truly raises baseball to something classic and beautiful--when the game is executed purely and seamlessly. Which is Eddie Murray to a T.". The Orioles success after the trade can also be attributed to the theory of "Power, worth, and recognition, " which Thomas S. Parish who is an associate professor of psychology at Upper Iowa University, Fayette, Iowa, describes as a type of motivation where athletes attempt to out do or "show off" to each other, which leads to better statistics, and more wins. In Eddie Murray's last at-bat with the Orioles he hit a home run off of New York Yankee pitcher,

Andy Pettitte Andrew Eugene Pettitte (; born June 15, 1972) is an American former professional baseball pitcher who played 18 seasons in Major League Baseball (MLB), primarily for the New York Yankees. He also pitched for the Houston Astros. Pettitte won fiv ...

ALDS

Game 1, October 1

Oriole Park at Camden Yards The Oriole Park at Camden Yards is a baseball stadium located in Baltimore, Maryland. It is the home field of Major League Baseball's Baltimore Orioles, and the first of the "retro" major league ballparks constructed during the 1990s and early ...

Baltimore, Maryland Baltimore ( , locally: or ) is the most populous city in the U.S. state of Maryland, fourth most populous city in the Mid-Atlantic, and the 30th most populous city in the United States with a population of 585,708 in 2020. Baltimore wa ...

Game 2, October 2

Game 3, October 4

Jacobs Field {{Infobox stadium , name = Progressive Field , nickname = ''"The Jake"'' , logo_image = Progressive_Field_Logo.svg , logo_caption = , image = , caption = Progressive Fiel ...

Cleveland, Ohio Cleveland ( ), officially the City of Cleveland, is a city in the U.S. state of Ohio and the county seat of Cuyahoga County. Located in the northeastern part of the state, it is situated along the southern shore of Lake Erie, across the U.S ...

Game 4, October 5

Jacobs Field {{Infobox stadium , name = Progressive Field , nickname = ''"The Jake"'' , logo_image = Progressive_Field_Logo.svg , logo_caption = , image = , caption = Progressive Fiel ...

ALCS

Jeffrey Maier incident

During Game 1 of the ALCS,

shortstop

Derek Jeter Derek Sanderson Jeter ( ; born June 26, 1974) is an American former professional baseball shortstop, businessman, and baseball executive. As a player, Jeter spent his entire 20-year Major League Baseball (MLB) career with the New York Yankees ...

hit a deep fly ball to right field. Orioles outfielder Tony Tarasco camped under the ball and prepared to make a catch. However, a 12-year-old boy seated in the first row of the bleachers named

Jeffrey Maier Jeffrey Maier (born 1983) is an American baseball fan who received media attention for an incident in which he was involved as a 12-year-old at a baseball game. During Game 1 of the 1996 American League Championship Series between the New York Y ...

reached over the wall and caught the ball just above Tarrasco, costing the Orioles an out. Although it was fan interference, the umpire ruled the ball to be a home run. While Maier became a hero to Yankees fans, he immediately became a "symbol of the Orioles futility." The Orioles would go on to lose the series in five games.

Farm system

Johnson, Lloyd, and Wolff, Miles, ed., ''The Encyclopedia of Minor League Baseball, 3rd edition''. Durham, North Carolina: Baseball America, 2007

References

External links

1996 Baltimore Orioles team
at ''Baseball-Reference''
1996 Baltimore Orioles season
at baseball-almanac.com {{DEFAULTSORT:1996 Baltimore Orioles Season Baltimore Orioles seasons

Baltimore Baltimore ( , locally: or ) is the most populous city in the U.S. state of Maryland, fourth most populous city in the Mid-Atlantic, and the 30th most populous city in the United States with a population of 585,708 in 2020. Baltimore was ...