Toughest Oriole?

[TakebackOPACY]

This was inspired by the David Hernandez: Arthur Rhodes comp thread. Rather than railroading that thread, I figured I'd comment over here.

Who, from Oriole history, would you want by your side in a fight?

Who, from Oriole history, would you not want to face in a fight?

Taking it in a different direction from fighting: Who, from Oriole history, defines the word, "tough" and why?



I have quite a few thoughts on the subject, but I'll put out a couple and then leave it open.

In a fight, I'll take Alan Mills. It was Mills who leveled Strawberry when Benitez started a brawl in New York. And Mills put himself in the middle of the Mariners fight in '94.

As for who defines toughness, I'll throw out the obvious one: Cal played in 2600+ consecutive games. In interviews with him, I don't think one thinks, "this guy is tough." He's been a millionaire for a long time now, and he's a soft spoken guy who probably has had a pedicure or two. But come on, he's the 'Iron Man' for a reason.

[RShack]

Let's not confused girly on-field so-called "brawls" with real fights.
If it was a real fight, the guy I'd want on my side is Frank Robinson.

[scOtt]

I've said this before, I'll take Conine. You see guys foul a ball off their foot, hopping around, wincing in pain. Niner would foul one off and not even react, just step back in the box ready to hit again. He was like a Terminator.

[isestrex]

I'm still thinking of the guy I'd want on my side... but as far as the dude I want no where near my side:

Glenn Davis

[scOtt]

I'm still thinking of the guy I'd want on my side... but as far as the dude I want no where near my side:

Glenn Davis

Wouldn't be a good wingman.


:rofl:

[Mike B]

Let's not confused girly on-field so-called "brawls" with real fights.
If it was a real fight, the guy I'd want on my side is Frank Robinson.

Daryl Strawberry may disagree with your girly fight description. Mills tuned him pretty good.:)
Since you already picked Frank, I will go with Don Baylor. Also tough as nails.

[weams]

I think Luke Scott. Why take any chances.


http://misterirrelevant.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/06/luke-scott-gun.jpg

[scOtt]

I think Luke Scott. Why take any chances.


http://misterirrelevant.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/06/luke-scott-gun.jpg
Gives new meaning to the baseball phrase "He's got a gun!"


Randall K might be a good choice too. Didn't he have a hand grenade in his locker?

[SammyBirdland]

That's funny, the other night I was thinking about who on the current Orioles roster I would least like to get into a fist fight with, based on physique, on-field demeanor, etc. The conclusion I came up with was: Jim Johnson

[JamesI]

Didn't Glenn Davis get hurt in a barfight when on a minor league rehab assignment?

As for toughest Oriole, give me Frank Robinson.

[ShaneDawg85]

I believe there was a case of Frank Robinson in 1967 going up to the plate after he got hurt, a concusion was it? He said when he went to bat and the pitch came in he saw three balls and didn't know which one to hit. Boog Powell told him to hit the one in th middle.

Crazy, yes. Awesome, and how.

Like him or not, I still wouldn't want to mess with Albert Belle.

[Beltwayman]

I can't answer why! But Floyd Raford. :D


Of course, the insane comando himself, Randy Myers.

[mikezpen]

Former Oriole manager Hank Bauer was WW II Marine who won a purple heart. Sometimes his players would sit along side him and, just for the heck of it, pull pieces of shrapnel out of his back.

Someone once compared his face to a clenched fist.

That says something I guess.

[Beltwayman]

Former Oriole manager Hank Bauer was WW II Marine who won a purple heart. Sometimes his players would sit along side him and, just for the heck of it, pull pieces of shrapnel out of his back.

Someone once compared his face to a clenched fist.

That says something I guess.

AL BUMBRY! found this today.

This from Baseball-Reference.com "One of only a few MLB players to have served in the Vietnam War, he earned a Bronze Star as platoon leader...."

Loved watchin' Al when I was in middle and high school. I even caught a foul ball from him once, but never knew that he served in Vietnam, nor that he was a platoon leader not the least of which he earned that Bronze Star!!!

[BRobinsonfan]

I think I'll take Albert Belle. Big and Crazy!

[Boy Howdy]

Former Oriole manager Hank Bauer was WW II Marine who won a purple heart. Sometimes his players would sit along side him and, just for the heck of it, pull pieces of shrapnel out of his back.

Someone once compared his face to a clenched fist.

That says something I guess.

Good call.

Staying on this theme, I always liked this tidbit from The Sun about 1954 Oriole Dick Kryhoski (sorry I can't find the link):

"Kryhoski’s ship, the USS Ticonderoga, had been struck in a kamikaze attack, killing more than 100 seamen. The nightmares lingered for years, accompanied by Kryhoski’s screams of ‘Fire! Fire!” that terrified his roomates on road trips.”

[Shopay]

Give me Frank Robinson or Don Baylor. I wouldn't have wanted to tangle with either of those guys.

[Trinidad]

How about Eric Davis?

The man played through cancer, and during Chemo treatments

Most people can't leave the bed during treatment, and he came out and still played ball.

[Frobby]

Since you already picked Frank, I will go with Don Baylor. Also tough as nails.

Those would be my top 2. I might go with Cal Sr. as my no. 3.

[Nigel Tufnel]

I'd take John McGraw. He'd fight dirty.

[mrbig1]

Let's not confused girly on-field so-called "brawls" with real fights.
If it was a real fight, the guy I'd want on my side is Frank Robinson.

Me too.:agree:

[PeteCanes]

Former Oriole manager Hank Bauer was WW II Marine who won a purple heart. Sometimes his players would sit along side him and, just for the heck of it, pull pieces of shrapnel out of his back.

Someone once compared his face to a clenched fist.

That says something I guess.

Fought on Okinawa. Anyone who survived that chaos has to be pretty tough.

[mikezpen]

I read though, that as tough as he'd been in the War, he was a pretty easy-going manager, maybe too easy going. The 1966 World Champs had slipped badly in 1967 and weren't doing that great in 1968. By midseason, the Front Office felt a change was needed. They brought in--Earl Weaver.

[Miller192]

Terry Matthews. Threw a wild pitch on an intentional walk, that's pretty tough to do.

[threedaysrest]

Randall K. Myers
James Ross "Jamie" Walker
Luke Scott