The FanShot by j.q. higgins linking to this article about the best and worst MLB team logos got me thinking about the bird. Personally, my favorite Orioles logos are the current O's logo and the classic cartoon bird. I would love to see some kind of rotation with those logos getting the most use with the lifelike bird getting used once or twice a week. While I'm 26 and have witnessed most of my Orioles baseball with the lifelike bird logo, some of my earliest baseball memories are of the cartoon bird logo.  

Historically, the Orioles had their best years wearing the cartoon bird logo. They introduced that logo in 1966, the same year they won their first World Series title. They also won it all in 1970 and 1983, with losses in 1969, 1971, and 1979. They also won 5 of the first 6 AL East division titles (1969-1971, 1973, 1974).  The years wearing this logo are undoubtedly the finest in the history of Oriole baseball, with names such as Brooks Robinson, Frank Robinson, Jim Palmer, Earl Weaver, Eddie Murray and Cal Ripken, Jr and Sr all playing/managing during this era.  Every Oriole to have his number retired came from this era. 

While a logo certainly doesn't go hand in hand with success, it would be nice to inject a little winning history back into a once proud franchise that has lost its winning way. Buck Showalter has shown interest in getting the players and fans more in touch with Oriole history, as well as getting the organization back to a high level, and on the heels of Baltimore being returned to the road jerseys 2 years ago, the cartoon bird could bring a little nostalgia and hope to a fanbase desperately needing it.  The 2011 Orioles have a team that, by most people's judgements, is better than any team Baltimore has seen during the current losing season streak, it would be nice to see (hopefully) a new, winning era brought in with a little vintage Orioles Magic.

Hey, changing logos worked for the Rays, didn't it?