The 40 Greatest Orioles of All-Time - No. 39 - Miguel Tejada

by SC on Feb 21, 2006 5:37 PM EST in News Comment 21 comments

39. Miguel Tejada, SS (2004-2005)

All-Star: 2004, 2005
Silver Slugger: 2004, 2005

Maybe it's a little early to put Tejada on this list, but I might as well. He's going to be there before he's done.

The following list is just simple park-adjusted OPS+:

GREATEST OFFENSIVE SEASONS BY A
SHORTSTOP IN ORIOLES HISTORY
(MIN. 415 AB)
1. Cal Ripken Jr., 1991 (162)
2. Cal Ripken Jr., 1984 (145)
3. Cal Ripken Jr., 1983 (144)
4. Miguel Tejada, 2005 (133)
5. Cal Ripken Jr., 1988 (128)
6. Miguel Tejada, 2004 (126)
7. Cal Ripken Jr., 1985 (124)
8. Cal Ripken Jr., 1986 (122)
9. Cal Ripken Jr., 1982 (115)
10. Cal Ripken Jr., 1990 (114)

Before Tejada got here, this was all Ripken with a couple of houseguests: Mike Bordick's freaky 2000 (113 OPS+), and Ron Hansen's 1960 season (111 OPS+, Hansen's only good season as an Oriole). Now it's Ripken and Tejada, and it'll probably stay that way for quite a while. (Frankly, I waffled a bit as to whether or not to include Ripken's '82 season, since he played half his time at third base.)

Good shortstops are not easy to come by. The Orioles have had two outstanding offensive shortstops in Ripken and Tejada, and they've also had glovemen like Belanger, Aparicio, Bordick, etc., who could work the leather but generally weren't much at the plate.

Frankly, the Orioles have been blessed in the shortstop department. Aparicio came along in '63, Belanger took over in '68, Ripken in '82, Bordick in '97, and now Tejada since 2004. That's a pretty fine run, only interrupted by Deivi Cruz (2003) and Kiko Garcia (1979, spelling Belanger).

Now statistically, Tejada probably wouldn't make this list, but this is exactly why I didn't base this entirely on statistics. I'd rather this be a discussion than a chart, because ten players in it would get pretty boring to go, "This guy had a few good years, you might remember something cool he did."

Tejada is a superb player, will be for many more years. If all goes well and he stays in Baltimore, Tejada will be way up on this list down the road.

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yep...

hopefully hes in the top five when its all said and done

by dtran2k3 on Feb 21, 2006 5:42 PM EST reply actions 0 recs

Oooof....

Dang. Tejada just said all those nice, apologetic things today in Fort Lauderdale...and then this. I'm afraid we might have another flip flop on our hands when he logs onto CC tonight and sees himself listed one above Jeff Conine. Ouch.

I hear you though...the guy hasn't done the time to earn the place as an Oriole we're hoping he eventually attains.

by Jonnypops on Feb 21, 2006 6:52 PM EST reply actions 0 recs

LOL....

Not that the players wouldn't hang out with us, but the chance of Miggy logging on is funny.
However, maybe SC could get ahold of the PR folks and see if they could get us a guest blogger from the organization?

"What's my secret for winning? That's easy. Pitching, defense, and three run homers" Earl Weaver

by elktonfan on Feb 21, 2006 7:34 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

re:

I'd want "Chris Ray: Diary of a Young Closer," or "Tom Trebelhorn: My Arm Does What It Wants."

"My best game plan is to sit on the bench and call out specific instructions like 'C'mon Boog,' 'Get ahold of one, Frank,' or 'Let's go, Brooks.'" - Earl Weaver

by SC on Feb 21, 2006 7:43 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

Honestly...

...it's a good idea, as long as it doesn't come at the expense of keeping it real around here. I don't know how approachable MLB or the Orioles are about these sort of things, but it's certainly worth asking.

by Jonnypops on Feb 21, 2006 8:22 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

SC

Depending on how friendly the PR guy is, you might be able to atleast get a minor league running diary.

by Marc Normandin on Feb 22, 2006 8:49 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs

If he stays the whole contract....

And right now that could be a major "if", I expect Miggy to be right up there in the top 5 O's of all time. His skills and passion for the game, as well as leadership skills, all have the potential to be up there with the Robinsons and Palmer.
But, the wild card of his attitude and much publicized trade requests have tainted these chances for now.
Time will tell.

"What's my secret for winning? That's easy. Pitching, defense, and three run homers" Earl Weaver

by elktonfan on Feb 21, 2006 7:32 PM EST reply actions 0 recs

maybe

a few guys are already here and no one knows! Tejada 39? Like you said not yet but maybe. The fun part is going to see how you rank the top 5? I think that will be harder to get everyone to agree on

PLay like you want it, Live like you need it

by merdon1332000 on Feb 22, 2006 12:02 AM EST reply actions 0 recs

re:

I am still rearraging the top five almost every hour. It's hard to really decide. I think you can all guess the top five, but putting them in order is tough.

"My best game plan is to sit on the bench and call out specific instructions like 'C'mon Boog,' 'Get ahold of one, Frank,' or 'Let's go, Brooks.'" - Earl Weaver

by SC on Feb 22, 2006 12:50 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs

The burning question for me is...

...where in the top 5 will Alan Wiggins place?

by zknower on Feb 22, 2006 9:40 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs

Looks like I'm busted...

okay guys, I admit it....I am really Sidney Ponson.

I want to thank all of you for your prayers and good wishes during my illness. You will be happy to know that after my stint in rehab, I no longer drink, but I am still extremely fat.

Anyway, I am really looking forward to playing in St. Louis. I am not at all worried about the fact that I have to drive by the Budweiser factory everyday on my way to work. Temptation just strengthens the character. Anyway, gotta go I think I just heard the doughnut guy.....

by rebop on Feb 22, 2006 10:53 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs

Just a guess

Something tells me Eric Byrnes isn't up there.

by Jlubby on Feb 22, 2006 1:45 AM EST reply actions 0 recs

but

what about Raffy? Top five seems a bit too high but it'll be interesting to see where he falls.

by birdman on Feb 22, 2006 2:21 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs

I bet

Jay Gibbons is, but only the Gibbons that faces NY and Boston.

by Marc Normandin on Feb 22, 2006 8:49 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs

Well

I think Ripken, Murray and Palmer will be in it.

PLay like you want it, Live like you need it

by merdon1332000 on Feb 22, 2006 2:59 AM EST reply actions 0 recs

maybe

brooks, boog?

by zknower on Feb 22, 2006 9:33 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs

and

probably the Robinson "brothers"?

Although maybe Frank wasn't here for long enough.

by jprevas on Feb 22, 2006 9:34 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs

My top 5, In order

Dave Mc Nally
Frank Robinson
Jim Palmer
Cal Ripken Jr.
Brooks Robinson

"What's my secret for winning? That's easy. Pitching, defense, and three run homers" Earl Weaver

by elktonfan on Feb 22, 2006 10:02 AM EST reply actions 0 recs

4 out of 5 ain't bad

I can't see putting McNally in above Eddie Murray.

My top five:

Cal
Brooks
Palmer
Eddie
Frank

Cal, Brooks and Palmer all spent their entire careers with the Orioles, and all three are hall-of-famers (or will be). I don't think many will argue about those as the top three (the order yes).

Eddie and Frank are hall-of-famers, and spent their best years as Orioles (Eddie more so than Frank). Dave McNally was a hell of a pitcher and had a great run with the Orioles, but Eddie is one of Baseball's immortals.

If anyone were to get pushed out by McNally (for me) it would be Frank. Frank only spent 6 years with the Orioles--but what years those were!

by rebop on Feb 22, 2006 11:19 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs

Whoever ends up there...

Will bring about much discussion and opinion.
I cut my teeth, so to say, on the O's in the 60's and Dave was one of the top 5 left handers of his generation. His stats may even rival some other HOF members.
While Eddie was a super ball player, and his place in Cooperstown was richly deserved, I was there as an 8 yr old on October 9, 1966 when Dave beat Drysdale 1-0, faced three over the minimum, and clinched our first World Series. That day cemented for me his spot in O's greatness.

"What's my secret for winning? That's easy. Pitching, defense, and three run homers" Earl Weaver

by elktonfan on Feb 22, 2006 2:07 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

Moving up

I've got a feeling when the dust finally settles on Tejeda's career we're all ranking him MUCH higher than this. For now I agree. He's only been around a couple years. Youv'e got to put some time in to break the top 20.

by Mike Boehm on Feb 22, 2006 9:10 PM EST reply actions 0 recs