Pitching, Defense, and Three-Run Homers - (Memorable Teams in Baseball History) by Sabr (Paperback)

Book Synopsis

For the Baltimore Orioles, the glory days stretched to decades. Through the 1960s and 1970s, the team arguably had the best players, the best manager, the best Minor League teams, the best scouts and front office--and, unarguably, the best record in the American League. But the best of all, and one of baseball's greatest teams ever, was the Orioles team of 1970. Pitching, Defense, and Three-Run Homers documents that paradoxically unforgettable yet often overlooked World Champion team.

Led by the bats of Frank Robinson and Boog Powell and a trio of 20-win pitchers, the Orioles won 108 regular season games and dropped just 1 postseason game on their way to winning the World Series against the Reds. The club featured three future Hall of Fame players (Frank Robinson, Brooks Robinson, and Jim Palmer), a Hall of Fame manager (Earl Weaver), and several other star players in the prime of their careers. Featuring biographical articles on Weaver, his coaches, the broadcasters, and the players of the 1970 season, this book tells what happened in and out of the game. It details highlights and timelines, the memorable games, spectacular plays, and the team's working philosophy, "the Oriole Way"--and in sum recreates the magic of one of the greatest seasons in baseball history.

Mark Armour, the director of the Society for American Baseball Research's Baseball Biography Project, is the author of three books on baseball, most recently Joe Cronin (Nebraska, 2010).

Baltimore native Malcolm Allen has served as associate editor of La Prensa del Beisbol Latino, the quarterly newsletter of the Society for American Baseball Research's Latino baseball committee.

Review Quotes

"If you are a fan of baseball, this is a great book to pick up. If you are an Orioles fan, especially one that can remember the 1970 team, it's essential."--cardinal70.com-- (3/7/2012 12:00:00 AM)

"After the embarrassment of the year before and the shock of losing to the Miracle Mets, the 1970 Orioles couldn't wait to avenge that defeat and show the baseball world what the fans of Baltimore already knew. Brooks Robinson and his cast of All-Stars were knocking on dynasty's door. The Oriole Way was alive and well on 33rd Street."--Ted Patterson, Orioles history expert -- (9/26/2011 12:00:00 AM)

"I'll never forget the men whose efforts earned the 1970 Orioles consideration as one of the best ball clubs of all time and after reading Pitching, Defense, and Three-Run Homers, you won't either."--Brooks Robinson, Hall of Fame third baseman -- (9/26/2011 12:00:00 AM)

About the Author

Mark Armour, the director of the Society for American Baseball Research's Baseball Biography Project, is the author of three books on baseball, most recently Joe Cronin (Nebraska, 2010).
Baltimore native Malcolm Allen has served as associate editor of La Prensa del Beisbol Latino, the quarterly newsletter of the Society for American Baseball Research's Latino baseball committee.