The Baltimore Orioles were a Major League Baseball team that was based in Baltimore, Maryland and played from 1882 through 1899. They played in the American Association from 1882 through 1891 and in the National League from 1892 through 1899. The Orioles used 10 Opening Day starting pitchers in their 18 years as a Major League Baseball franchise. The first game of the new baseball season for a team is played on Opening Day, and being named the Opening Day starter is an honor, which is often given to the player who is expected to lead the pitching staff that season, though there are various strategic reasons why a team's best pitcher might not start on Opening Day. The Orioles had a record of 10 wins and 8 losses in their Opening Day games.
The first game in Orioles' history was played on May 2, 1882 against the Philadelphia Athletics at Oakdale Park in Philadelphia. Tricky Nichols was the Orioles' Opening Day starting pitcher for that game, which the Orioles lost by a score of 10–7. The team's first game as a member of the National League was played on April 12, 1892 against the Brooklyn Bridegrooms at Union Park in Baltimore. Sadie McMahon was the Orioles' Opening Day starting pitcher in a game the Orioles lost be a score of 13–3. The last Opening Day game in Orioles' history was played on April 15, 1899 against the New York Giants at Union Park. Frank Kitson was the Orioles' Opening Day starting pitcher and the Orioles won by a score of 5–3.
Three pitchers made multiple Opening Day starts for the Orioles. McMahon made the most Opening Day starts for the team, five, including four consecutive Opening Day starts from 1891 through 1894. Matt Kilroy was the Orioles' Opening Day starting pitcher four times, every year from 1886 to 1889. Hardie Henderson made two Opening Day starts for the Orioles, in 1884 and 1885.
The Orioles won the National League championship three times, in 1894, 1895 and 1896. McMahon was the Orioles' Opening Day starting pitcher in two of those championship seasons, in 1894 and 1896. Duke Esper was the Orioles' Opening Day starting pitcher in 1895.
Key SeasonEach year is linked to an article about that particular Orioles season.WWinLLossTTie gameND (W)No decision by starting pitcher; Orioles won gameND (L)No decision by starting pitcher; Orioles lost game(W)Orioles won game; no information on starting pitcher's decision(L)Orioles lost game; no information on starting pitcher's decisionFinal scoreGame score with Orioles runs listed first LocationStadium in italics for home gameNumber of appearances as Opening Day starter with the Orioles**Orioles were National League Champions
Pitchers
SeasonPitcherDecisionFinalScoreOpponentLocation (Stadium)References1882(L)Philadelphia AthleticsOakdale Park1883(W)New York MetropolitansOriole Park1884(W)New York MetropolitansOriole Park1885 (L)Brooklyn Trolley DodgersOriole Park1886(W)Brooklyn Trolley DodgersOriole Park1887 (W)Philadelphia AthleticsOriole Park1888 (W)Philadelphia AthleticsJefferson Street Grounds1889 (L)Columbus SolonsOriole Park1890(L)St. Louis BrownsOriole Park1891(W)Boston BeaneatersOriole Park1892 (L)Brooklyn BridegroomsUnion Park1893 (L)Washington SenatorsBoundary Field1894** (W)New York GiantsUnion Park1895**(L)Philadelphia PhilliesUnion Park1896** (L)Brooklyn BridegroomsUnion Park1897(W)Boston BeaneatersUnion Park1898(W)Washington SenatorsUnion Park1899(W)New York GiantsUnion Park
References