1st January 1881
The fans of the Orioles are having to digest a busy off season for their team. The owner has made changes to the front office again this year. Manager Mike Escarcega saw his contract run out and not be renewed. His replacement is the team's current bench coach Alvin Cook. Cook has been with the team as bench coach for only one season, having been the manager of the AAA Gwinnet Braves previously. The fans hope that he has enough experience and skill to bring the Orioles back to the top spot in the AL.
The awards dinner saw a few Orioles players honoured as they picked up Golden Glove awards for being in the AL defensive team of the year. These were Second Baseman George Wright, Short Stop Jacob Doye, Left Fielder Dan Brouthers and Right Fielder Jake Evans.
The fans have seen a major overhaul of the squad this winter as the Orioles look to make changes to the playing staff.
The first change was the trading of 30 year old Right Fielder Roger Fraley to the Cleveland Blues in exchange for 24 year old Second Baseman John Haldeman and 20 year old minor league First Baseman Bill White. Fraley was acquired in 1875 through a trade and his 5 years with the club produced solid if unspectacular numbers which the fans will hope can be more than replaced by the exciting new prospect in 24 year old Second Baseman John Haldeman
The Orioles also went to add some experience to the team as they traded 23 year old minor league First Baseman John McGuinness and 21 year old minor league Catcher John Kelly to the Philadelphia Athletics in exchange for the 32 year old First Baseman Jim Foran. Foran may be starting to show his age when he plays but will bring that added experience that the team requires.
The fans were sad to see one of their favourites decide to call it quits on his career this year. The team announced that likeable Centre Fielder Lip Pike was hanging up his cleats and leaving baseball. Pike, a 6 time all star and 1 time batter of the year, spent his whole 10 year career with the Baltimore organisation. In that time he played in 488 games with all but 7 as a starter. He claimed 576 hits, 364 runs and 298 RBI's for an overall average of .287. (real life stats 425 games for 637 hits, 433 runs and 332 RBI's with an average of .321)
The team also announced that bit part player Bub McAtee was also retiring. McAtee played 102 games for the Orioles in his 10 years with the club 9 of which were starts. He had 29 hits, 15 runs and 15 RBI's for an average of .290 (real life stats 51 games 56 hits, 64 runs and 25 RBI's with an average of .246)
The team took a full part in the First Year Player draft this year even though it was a small draft class. They took Pitcher Jack Lynch with their first choice. The full draft log is below
All the Draftees signed by the deadline.