The Baltimore Orioles All-Awful Lineup: 2000-2009
by Stacey on Dec 14, 2009 4:51 PM EST
in O's History
86 comments
I've encountered a number of articles around the web regarding the top 10 best things about this decade, be it movies, baseball players, or one-hit wonders. It's fair to say that I'm not above stealing someone else's idea, but given the that Orioles have spent the last decade in the toilet, it seems more appropriate to name the worst players of the decade, not the best. If there is one thing this Orioles fan likes to do, it's revel in failure. But if you're looking for a silver lining to the All-Awfuls, here it is: None of them came from the 2009 team and none of them will be on the team in 2010.
Catcher: Brook Fordyce
The candidates: Charles Johnson (2000), Brook Fordyce (2000-2003), Geronimo Gil (2002), Javy Lopez (2004-2006), Ramon Hernandez (2006-2008), Matt Wieters (2009)
Fordyce came to the Orioles in 2000, traded from the White Sox along with a handful of scrubs for Charles Johnson and Harold Baines. In 312 games from 2000-2003, Fordyce hit .257/.306/.379 (OPS+ 81). 2001 was especially awful for Fordyce as he hit just .209/.268/.322 in 95 games. Whatever the Orioles had in mind for Fordyce. it didn't work out. He was a complete failure as both offensively and defensively as he only managed to catch 58 base stealers out of 307 (18.8%) as an Oriole.
First Base: Rafael Palmeiro
The candidates: Will Clark (2000), Jeff Conine (2000-2003), Rafael Palmeiro (2004-2005), Kevin Millar (2006-2008), Aubrey Huff (2007-2009)
The numbers on the field may not back this up, but the only possible answer is Rafael Palmeiro. His positive steroid test in 2005, the subsequent denials and throwing of a fellow player under the bus, the ear plugs to drown out the boos, and his quiet departure from the team all help make the decision easy. Straight numbers-wise, the award probably goes to Aubrey Huff. He wasn't good in 2009 and league average in 2007 while splitting time at first with Kevin Millar. Although honestly, none of them was great shakes, so Palmeiro wins for emotional abuse of the fans.
Second Base: Jerry Hairston
The candidates: Delino DeShields (2000), Jerry Hairston (2001-2004), Brian Roberts (2003-2009)
This award has to go to Jerry Hairston. We all know the value of Brian Roberts, and Delino DeShields had a very solid 2000 at 2B. Hairston could never quite take advantage of his chances. He went from getting the majority of the playing time at 2B in 2001 and 2002 to losing time to Brian Roberts to being used as a utility man to being traded for Sammy Sosa. Overall he played 474 games for the Orioles in this decade with an OPS+ of 89.
Third Base: Cal Ripken
Candidates: Cal Ripken (2000-2001), Tony Batista (2002-2003), Melvin Mora (2004-2009)
Ok so here's the thing. Both Cal Ripken and Tony Batista were pretty lousy in their two year spans. I want to give the Awful Award to Tony Batista, I really do. But I don't think that I can. Cal Ripken was straight up bad in 2000 and 2001. As bad as Batista was, Cal was worse. From 2000-2001, he hit .246/.290/.347 with 29 HR and 32 2B. Batista hit .239/.290/.425 with 57 HR and 56 2B. The power is really the only difference, but it's enough to give Cal the edge in the awards voting. Argue with me if you like, but know that I feel bad enough about it already.
Shortstop: The Five Headed Monster
Candidates: Mike Bordick (2000-2002), Deivi Cruz (2003), Miguel Tejada (2004-2007), Brandon Fahey/Juan Castro/Alex Cintron/Luis Hernandez/Freddie Bynum (2008), Cesar Izturis (2009)
Deivi Cruz had this award all but locked up until 2008 rolled around. In 152 games in 2003 he hit a lousy .250/.269/.378 with 14 HR and 13 BB, a dark spot at SS between Bordick and Tejada. But after the trade of Tejada, the Five Headed Monster set out to prove that no matter how bad one player can play a position, five guys can play even worse. In 2008 they hit a combined .217/.257/.277 with 3 HR and 18 2B. Well done, guys, you put together one of the worse offensive seasons at SS in history.
Outfield: Jay Payton, Luis Matos, and Sammy Sosa
Candidates: Brady Anderson (2000-2001), Jeff Conine (2000-2003, 2006), B.J. Surhoff (2000, 2003-2005), Albert Belle (2000), Chris Richard (2000), Melvin Mora (2001-2003), Chris Singleton (2002), Gary Matthews Jr. (2002-2003), Jay Gibbons (2001-2007), Luis Matos (2001-2006), Larry Bigbie (2001-2005), David Newhan (2004-2006), Sammy Sosa (2005), Nick Markakis (2006-2009), Corey Patterson (2006-2007), Jay Payton (2007-2008), Adam Jones (2008-2009), Luke Scott (2008-2009), Nolan Reimold (2009), Felix Pie (2009)
The Orioles outfield has pretty much been a hot mess this entire decade. If I ever get the urge in 2010 to complain about Reimold, Jones, Markakis, or Pie, someone please direct me to this list. I mean, look at some of those names. Minus the oldest names and the newest names, it's basically a list of players I can't stand. I immediately wanted to crown Jay Gibbons the winner , but honestly he wasn't the worst, not by a long shot. That honor goes to the other Jay, Jay Payton. From 2007-2008, Jay Payton played in 258 games for the Orioles in the outfield, second only to Nick Markakis' 318 games. Over the two year span he hit .250/.292/.363 with an OPS+ of 72. That combined with his chronic whining and the time he picked a fight with Melvin Mora in the dugout give him the title of worst Oriole outfielder of the 2000s. Congrats, Jay Pay!
Much like his BFF Cal, Brady Anderson's last two years as an Oriole were nothing be proud of. Unlike Cal, there have been enough lousy outfielders since then that Brady escaped this list. Luis Matos and Sammy Sosa, come on down! From 2000-2006 the injury prone Matos played in 494 games for the Orioles with a robust line of .256/.313/.375. One decent season afforded him 2.5 more years of horridness before the Orioles finally got rid of him. Sosa only spent one year (and not even really that) as an Oriole, but it was one of the more pathetic seasons I can recall. Anyone wondering why he was obtained for the bargain price of Jerry Hairston and Mike Fontenot found out why after seeing him play. He missed a number of games due to injury, the games he played were awful, and by all accounts he stirred up quite a bit of strife in the clubhouse with Miguel Tejada. Sosa was MIA for about the last month of the season, and one of my favorite stories from the Baltimore Sun of the whole year was about how the Orioles couldn't find Sammy Sosa.
Hell of a lineup. We Orioles fans have had it rough this decade. I think we're finally due for some happiness, don't you?
(Note: I tried to include pitching in this but it was just too daunting of a task. Perhaps some other time.)
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hahaha five headed monster
Not a monster!
Check out my website, it has scouting reports for all the Orioles' top prospects and is updated daily. www.oriolesprospects.com
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My fave stat, maybe all time
2008 OPS Baltimore Orioles Shortstops: 535
2008 OPS Chicago Cubs Pitchers: 520 (not OPS allowed, actual OPS)
Librarians are hiding something
well carlos zambrano DOES hit well.....
by twistedlogic on Dec 15, 2009 9:54 AM EST up reply actions
we should trade for him
and try to negotiate a reverse DH rule where a pitcher is allowed to hit in the place of our SS…
LOL
I tried to include pitching in this but it was just too daunting of a task.
Don't give up, don't ever give up. - Jim Valvano
by BaltimoreSportsFan on Dec 14, 2009 5:45 PM EST reply actions
Albert Belle
How is it possible that he didn’t “win” all three outfield spots?
Because he was pretty damn awesome
Out of the selected period, 2000 was the only year he played. It was his worst (seeing how it was the last year he played due to injury), but .281/.342/.474 with 23 HR’s in 141 games isn’t exactly horrible. Those are roughly Nick Markakis’s career averages (he’s a bit better in BA and OBP, a bit worse in SLG and HR’s).
Here's my argument for Tony Batista
I watched him play third base and feebly attempt to get ground balls to either his right or his left.
Batista’s UZR in 2002 was -18.5. That’s bad, right? Conveniently, there doesn’t seem to be a UZR that I can find before 2002 (at least not on Fangraphs), so I can’t judge Cal’s range at the end of his career. But I don’t see how it could be worse than -18.5.
Cry havoc and unleash the Esskay hot dogs of war! - The Wayward Oriole, Opening Day 2008
by Eat More Esskay on Dec 14, 2009 6:32 PM EST reply actions
is a negative
UZR like a negative patting average? You just get an out without getting a chance to bat.
Don't let the sunshine fool ya. - Townes Van Zandt
not to mention he gets the "goofiest batting stance ever" award
watching that guy at the plate always annoyed me. its kinda like watching jim furyk golf. such a good player (furyk that is), but such an odd swing.
by twistedlogic on Dec 14, 2009 7:33 PM EST up reply actions
Tony Batista
will be remembered by most outside of Baltimore, as the guy not named Luis Gonzalez with that stupid open batting stance.
Maybe in order to understand mankind, we have to look at the word itself: "Mankind". Basically, it's made up of two separate words—"mank" and "ind". What do these words mean? It's a mystery, and that's why so is mankind.
-Jack Handey
Worst utility player?
Considering that guys like Gomez and Newhan were good, that one easily goes to Freel.
"There's only one cure for what's wrong with all of us pitchers, and that's to take a year off. Then, after you've gone a year without throwing, quit altogether." -Jim Palmer
agreed.
freel was also trying to break the record of most ballclubs in a single season
by twistedlogic on Dec 14, 2009 7:31 PM EST up reply actions
What?
Freel, Gomez, and Newhan were downright decent compared to the horror that was Brandon Fahey.
Dear God, can he win an award for ‘Oriole that Most Looked Like an Infant’?
hahahah i totally forgot about fahey (i do my best to block these guys out)
he compares to freel although i think freel still has the record for most teams in one year.
freddie bynum was pretty shitty too.
by twistedlogic on Dec 14, 2009 9:41 PM EST up reply actions
I will forever love Bynum because of the nickname Padres announcers gave him...
Shoes.
He wore these gold, flashy-ass shoes. Did he think they made him Michael Johnson or something?
My brightest memory of Bynum
is when he pretty much tackled an Athletics second baseman (Mark Ellis?) to break up a double play.
Maybe in order to understand mankind, we have to look at the word itself: "Mankind". Basically, it's made up of two separate words—"mank" and "ind". What do these words mean? It's a mystery, and that's why so is mankind.
-Jack Handey
Same here
At least Freddie tried and wanted to be a shortstop.
Fahey was just too caught up in his own looks.
"There's only one cure for what's wrong with all of us pitchers, and that's to take a year off. Then, after you've gone a year without throwing, quit altogether." -Jim Palmer
And his big brother's jersey....
"(Brock Lesnar) is never in good spirits and he's not in good spirits now." - Dana White
oh and i meant to add that fahey was already in the selection of shitty shortstops
so he doesnt really count as utility
by twistedlogic on Dec 14, 2009 9:42 PM EST up reply actions
I guess Fahey and Bynum were utility guys
But I kinda consider them to be a failed shortstops turned what-do-we-do-with-you-now?
Freel, on the other hand, was brought in to be a spark off the bench.
"There's only one cure for what's wrong with all of us pitchers, and that's to take a year off. Then, after you've gone a year without throwing, quit altogether." -Jim Palmer
All five of those lameos hit a collective 3 home runs and 18 doubles?
I remember all too well what a nightmare they were… but that is unbelievable.
This post was very entertaining.
But as for Cal, I just have this point to make: You make Raffy the worst 1B based not on numbers but on what he did emotionally to the team and to the fans. Cal, though you show that he didn’t hit as much for power as Batista, was still the heart and soul of the team. Ergo, Cal should get the edge over Batista, because he IS Cal. Q.E.D. (Ok, not the best counter-argument, just echoing your discomfort at having Cal’s name in a list with “Awful” in the title.)
Great point
if Palmeiro’s emotional destruction of the team makes the list, than Cal surely should stay off it for emotionally saving this team. Cal kept fans attached while the world was falling around the O’s. Bautista was a major part of what went wrong with the O’s. The choice seems clear in my eyes.
this
i wore number 8 in every sport i played growing up in cal’s honor. sure he faded in the close, but i could never call him awful in any way.
by twistedlogic on Dec 14, 2009 8:30 PM EST up reply actions
If you're not gonna penalize Albert Belle for being a jerk....
why are we penalizing Rafael Palmeiro for it?
"Real Orioles don't pout. Real Orioles don't gloat. Real Orioles just win."
by NewYorkOriole on Dec 14, 2009 11:49 PM EST up reply actions
Belle didn’t humiliate the team with his actions. He was just an ass.
Palmeiro cheated and lied about it, thus destroying his and partly the team’s credibility.
Fair enough...
I’m just blindled by my intense dislike of Albert Belle. I never liked him when he was with the Indians and White Sox, and I hated it when the Orioles got him. To his credit, he DID put up decent numbers, though….
"Real Orioles don't pout. Real Orioles don't gloat. Real Orioles just win."
by NewYorkOriole on Dec 15, 2009 7:53 AM EST up reply actions
I didn't like him either
I liked Palmeiro thought and now I want to slap him while crying and thinking about my first mitt.
YOU RUINED BASEBALL FOR ME!
To his credit, he DID put up decent numbers, though….
Only his first season was great. His second season was nothing special. Completely average and actually below average for a corner OF.
Vizzini: Let me put it this way. Have you ever heard of Plato, Aristotle, Socrates?
Man in Black: Yes.
Vizzini: Morons.
this
i kinda liked matos tho. other than the fact that he couldnt hit worth a damn.
by twistedlogic on Dec 15, 2009 3:03 PM EST up reply actions
Best Matos memory
Early 2000s, listening to a post-game radio call-in show on WBAL. Some guy calls in and was talking about how much he likes Matos, and says, “He reminds me of a young Roberto Clemente out there.” The host seemed to make a sound like he was spitting out his drink and said something like “Let’s not get ahead of ourselves here.”
Just the other day, on “Wall to Wall Baseball” on 105.7, Phil Wood said that the Nats table at the winter meetings was trying to decide who’s been the worst Washington Nationals player ever. They all decided on Matos.
He had one good season
I imagine that banner, torn and faded, being used as a blanket at an underpass somewhere.
by CoachOfEarl on Dec 15, 2009 10:10 PM EST up reply actions
Eh
destroying the team’s credibility??? Don’t see how the team is responsible for an individual’s decisions. Also who gives a shit about his credibility? He’s a baseball player.
Baseball teams are a business. If a player/worker is cheating, it reflects negatively on your club/business. Tons of companies have been defaced by the actions of one man.
I don’t think ANY baseball team has been even remotely “defaced” by any of their players being involved in steroids allegations. Yankees? Just fine. Giants? Just fine. Red Sox? Just fine. I think you’re comparing real world companies (and situations where people actually do something that people care about – like steal money, sexual harassment, etc) with the magical world of sports where things are just not that comparable.
CAL INTANGIables
while cal wasn’t the greatest 3b ever you gotta add he was/‘is a stand-up guy and saved baseball in baltimore, after the strike look at attendace #’s since he left plus the interaction with the youing fans was priceless on the other hand you have whats that guys name that he edged out as worst? exactly
YOu ArE so RIght
he was definitely a stand up guy he was a great team player he was the leader of the team he definitely saved baseball in baltimore put up great #s and is a hero for all your wright that whats his name was worse. sure.
by O'sFan21 on Dec 15, 2009 10:59 AM EST up reply actions 1 recs
Say what you will about Luis Matos
But I will always have a soft spot in my heart for him because I would absolutely mash with that guy in MVP Baseball (2004 I believe, maybe 2005).
And blasphemy for adding Cal to the list. The man can not simply be reduced to numbers and statistics!!!
Pitching...
How about Sidney Ponson by a nose ahead of Daniel Cabrera. I am sure Steve Trachsel has his partisans. For relievers, it is indeed a crowded field. Turd Williams anyway. Actually he was not so bad first two years, but the second two…
Aw, Cal?? How could you!?
"Killing a Yankee fan -- is that illegal in this state?" -- Homicide Life on the Street
haha yea
rick helling deserves a shot too
by twistedlogic on Dec 14, 2009 9:43 PM EST up reply actions
Kline, Steve
For attitude and sucktitude (ok, that is the last time I will say that word).
by sickuvitall on Dec 14, 2009 11:54 PM EST up reply actions
That just happened
You know that feeling when all the air of the world gets sucked out into the void of space?
Thanks for reminding me of that bastard.
Also, Jorge Julio, Buddy Groom, and John Bale.
In 26.2 IP, John Bale gave up 14 runs, 9 earned with a BB/SO of 17/21. How was his ERA lower than 4?
Mike Trombley’s 2001 season was pretty bad too.
Me too
I can’t remember him at all.
Maybe in order to understand mankind, we have to look at the word itself: "Mankind". Basically, it's made up of two separate words—"mank" and "ind". What do these words mean? It's a mystery, and that's why so is mankind.
-Jack Handey
Fond Memories of Brook Fordyce
I went to an O’s-Phils game at the vet in 2002. We got there really early, like 5:00 and Brook Fordyce was catching someone in the Bullpen. I yelled out something to Brook Fordyce, probably just his name and he looked up at me, with I assume a puzzled look on his face underneath the mask.
Okay, I swear to god, it was cool when it happened.
And good piece Stacey. It kept a smile on my face the entire time I read it. You really have to live through this stuff to find some of the humor in it. Case in point, Sammy Sosa’s 2005 wasn’t funny at the time but looking back on it….
Maybe in order to understand mankind, we have to look at the word itself: "Mankind". Basically, it's made up of two separate words—"mank" and "ind". What do these words mean? It's a mystery, and that's why so is mankind.
-Jack Handey
never make a “bobblehead bet” where you do not get to chose said bobblehead. you will end up with a not-so-slammin’ sammy
Don't let the sunshine fool ya. - Townes Van Zandt
Explain?
Maybe in order to understand mankind, we have to look at the word itself: "Mankind". Basically, it's made up of two separate words—"mank" and "ind". What do these words mean? It's a mystery, and that's why so is mankind.
-Jack Handey
ah! I can replyu today!!!
My friend and I bet a bobble head on the braves / Os matchup last season. But I never specified which O and he obviously wasn’t going to allow me to pick. So I now have a 6-7 inch tall sammy sosa oriole bobblehead.
Don't let the sunshine fool ya. - Townes Van Zandt
This was pre-white face, right?
Can someone find out if a post-white face Sammy Sosa bobble-head exists?
I just want to compare skin tone change.
Awesome list
I would add Fernando Lunar who once had an OBP and SLG of 287 in 167 ABs (246/287/287/574 for an OPS+ of 56) in 2002.
Librarians are hiding something
how dare you
Come on Cal and awful? As an Orioles fan I would role Cal out there everyday even if he didn’t get a hit. I realize he had a bad year but it was the end of his great career and probably the best player to put on an O’s jersey. For that alone he never deserves to be on this kind of list. I hope you do feel bad
the rest of the list is pretty funny though.
by Garyland1177 on Dec 15, 2009 5:18 AM EST up reply actions
Best player to put on an Os jersey?
I’d make an argument for a certain man and his package.
by Dr Orpheus on Dec 15, 2009 5:53 AM EST up reply actions 1 recs
Welcome!
And it’s not even close, I don’t think. Frank Robinson is one of the best to put on a uniform, period.
Not the best player to put on a O's jersey
Today is the day I admit I’ve never worshiped at the Church of Cal. I thought he was, at times, arrogant (your own hotel room, in a separate hotel? Please. Get over yourself), self-centered (admit it, that streak should have been broken more than a few times in Augusts), put himself over the team and the manager (who else got to decide when they played and where?) and he just wasn’t that good a hitter the last few years of his career. He hung on too long.
Let’s face it, the man’s career BA is .276. Al Bumbry’s was .281 and Brian Roberts is .285. Yes, he averaged 91 RBI and 23 HR. Yes, he was the face of the franchise from 1983-2001.
But best player to ever don the uniform? I’ll take Frank or Jim.
Flame away, people. Flame away.
"(Brock Lesnar) is never in good spirits and he's not in good spirits now." - Dana White
I agree, to an extent
Cal isnt the greatest O ever, but remember when you compare him to others that he was a SS most of his career, and that SS’s with those kinds of offensive numbers simply were not as prevelant in those days. He broke a stereotype. He also was better defensively than alot of people want to give him credit for. Sure, he didn’t put up the numbers of a Frank Robinson or a Eddie Murphy, but they played power positions. Compared to other SS’s before him and in his era, he was pretty damn beastly.
Not only was he a SS
but he was the first SS to ever be anything other than a little slap hitter. He totally changed the way the position is thought about. If not for him, then no Jeter/Arod/Nomar/etc.
As far as whether the streak should have ended I don’t know if I buy that – as he used to say, was there somebody who would have made the team more likely to win that day if they played SS instead? I don’t think so.
certain players deserve to be better at baseball
“I can do anything and everything you want to do on a baseball field. If you want me to run the catcher over I can run him over. If you want me to drop kick somebody I’ll drop kick them. I am ready. I am ready to play ball.”
— Freddie Bynum, Jr.
freddie bynum jr. is one of those players
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