Orioles All-Time "Last Gasp" Team, Part 1 (C/IF)

[TronBlaster]

 

In honor of "King" Felix Hernandez' spring fling with the Braves (a low-risk move I actually would've liked to see the Orioles make), I thought it would be fun to come up with an Orioles All-Time "Last Gasp" Team. That is, a hypothetical roster of formerly great players who tried to squeeze one or two more seasons of big league glory out in Baltimore, usually with sobering results. A few of these cases are so infamous that they're obvious choices, Sammy Sosa being the poster boy. Others are up for debate.

I tried to choose players who (A) had long, successful careers in the MLB (B) came to Baltimore as one of their last several stops in the bigs before hanging up their cleats, and (C) didn't have much success with their comeback attempt in Charm City. That's why you won't see Albert Belle or Nelson Cruz on this list. They were great in Baltimore.

While I did my best to pick the most fitting choice for each position, I'd love to hear your thoughts/arguments. Here we go:

Rick Dempsey, 1992

This may be a controversial choice, since the beloved Dempsey obviously had plenty of success with the Orioles before leaving in '87 to play for the Indians, Dodgers, and Brewers. But his triumphant return to Baltimore in 1992, at age 42, was not so triumphant, as he batted .111 in eight games before hanging up his catcher's mitt and rain delay pillow for good in exchange for the microphone.

Career highlights: 1,000+ hits in a career that spanned four different decades (1969-1992), 1983 World Series MVP, Orioles Hall of Fame

Orioles Last Gasp: 1 hit, 2 walks in 8 games

Honorable mentions: Gregg Zaun (Dempsey's newphew), 2009; Javy Lopez, 04-06

1B: Derrek Lee, 2011

The towering first baseman from The City of Trees enjoyed a stellar career from 1997 through the aughts, winning a World Series with the Marlins in 2003 before heading to the Windy City from 2004-2010 where he earned two of his three Gold Gloves, a batting title, and two All Star selections as a Cub. After an unremarkable stint in Atlanta, the Orioles gambled $7 million on D-Lee regaining his All Star form. The dice roll did not pay off, as Lee hit a meager .246 with 12 home runs in 85 games in an Orioles uniform. Lee fared a little better after being traded to Pittsburgh (.982 OPS), but called it a career at the end of the season.

Career highlights: 1,900+ hits, 330+ HR, 1,000+ RBI, 2003 World Series champion, 2005 NL batting title, two-time All Star, 3 Golden Gloves

Orioles Last Gasp: .246 AVG, 12 HR, 41 RBI, 7 errors in 85 games

Honorable mention: Will Clark, 1999-2000

2B: Harold Reynolds, 1993

Perhaps better known now as a MLB Network analyst, the speedy second baseman was a key member of the Mariners throughout the 80s and into the early 90s, earning two All Star selections, three Golden Gloves, and leading the league in stolen bases with 60 in 1987. The Orioles signed the 32-year-old to a $1.65 million contract in 1993, hoping to plug some speed and a reliable glove into the lineup. But Reynolds’ flame as a big leaguer was starting to flicker out by then. He was caught stealing 11 times in 23 attempts, committed 10 errors, and collected only 28 extra base hits in 145 games as an Oriole. He was even less effective as an Angel in 1994, and his playing days ended unceremoniously with the MLBPA strike.

Career highlights: 1,200+ hits, 230 doubles, 50+ triples, 250 SB, two-time All Star, 3 Golden Gloves, 1987 AL stolen base title

Orioles Last Gasp: .252 AVG, 12 SB, 28 XBH, 10 errors in 145 games

Honorable mentions: Delino Deshields (2001), Julio Lugo (2010)

3B: Ray Knight, 1987

After replacing Pete Rose at third base in the Big Red Machine, earning two All Star selections, and a World Series MVP award with the Mets in 1986, Knight’s 1987 season as a free agent with the struggling Orioles was very forgettable. It was the first time a World Series MVP ever ended up with a new team the following season, and he did little to make the Mets regret the decision. He struggled to a .683 OPS with 14 home runs in 150 games, and a career-high 18 errors at the hot corner. After a much worse year in Detroit in 1988, Knight’s playing days were over.

Career highlights: 1,300+ H, 595 RBI, two-time All Star, 1986 World Series MVP

Orioles Last Gasp: .256 AVG, .683 OPS, 14 HR, 18 errors

Honorable mentions: Chris Sabo (1994), Garrett Atkins (2010)

SS: Ozzie Guillen, 1998

The outspoken Venezuelan enjoyed a long, successful tenure with the White Sox from 1985 until 1997 (1985 Rookie of the Year, 3-time All Star) when he was amicably granted free agency status. The Orioles took a $450,000 chance on the aging veteran and came up empty handed when Guillen batted .063 in 12 games with just one hit and one walk before jettisoning the soon-to-be commentator and coach to the Braves, who took him to his one and only World Series (though he didn’t record a hit against the Yankees in five at-bats). Guillen did manage to stretch his playing days into the new millennium by joining the upstart Devil Rays for a forgettable season to end a memorable playing career.

Career highlights: 1,700+ H, 370+ XBH, 600+ RBI, 169 SB, 1985 Rookie of the Year, 3-time All Star, 1990 Gold Glove

Orioles Last Gasp: .063 AVG, 1 H, 1 CS, 2 Ks, 1 GDP, 1 E, in 12 games

Honorable mentions: NA

Stay tuned for Part 2, the Outfield and DH! I think everyone knows who one of the outfielders will be...

[Moose Milligan]

Man, these are hard to argue with.  I forgot about Ozzie Guillen, he was miserable. 

First base, honorable mention (or maybe worse than D-Lee depending on how you look at it) is Rafael Palmeiro.  He was actually decent but finger wagging, testing positive, earplugs, etc.

Also at first base, '96 Eddie Murray.  Felt good to have him hit his 500th homer here (a year to the day Ripken broke the Streak) but it wasn't great.  

 

[Moose Milligan]

Derrick Lee was a longtime Orioles Hangout man-crush that everyone wanted for YEARS but by the time we got him it was too late.  

[Moose Milligan]

I'm also assuming Part 3 will cover pitchers, of which they'll be plenty to pick from.  

[Can_of_corn]

Just now, Moose Milligan said:

Derrick Lee was a longtime Orioles Hangout man-crush that everyone wanted for YEARS but by the time we got him it was too late.  

As opposed to his teammate Vlad Guerrero who was an Angelos man-crush.

[Moose Milligan]

Just now, Can_of_corn said:

As opposed to his teammate Vlad Guerrero who was an Angelos man-crush.

Vlad's gotta be one of the outfielders, along with Sammy Sosa and Fred Lynn.  

[BohKnowsBmore]

I like the concept, but I'm not sure Javy Lopez deserves to be HM even. By WAR he had the second best season of his career in 2004 (4.8) and still posted a solid 2.0 in year-2. He was meh for the O's in 2006, but wheels didn't really come off until he was dealt to BOS. Additionally, he came to Baltimore with much acclaim IIRC.

[Can_of_corn]

Just now, Moose Milligan said:

I'm also assuming Part 3 will cover pitchers, of which they'll be plenty to pick from.  

You could go by decade.

I'm voting for Dontrelle Willis and Johan Santana.

[BohKnowsBmore]

3 minutes ago, Can_of_corn said:

You could go by decade.

I'm voting for Dontrelle Willis and Johan Santana.

Kevin Millwood

[Moose Milligan]

2 minutes ago, Can_of_corn said:

You could go by decade.

I'm voting for Dontrelle Willis and Johan Santana.

Those guys never made it to Baltimore which I'm not sure if it's part of the criteria or not.  

Doug Drabek is leading my rotation.  He was painful to watch.  My bullpen is being anchored by Norm Charlton.

[interloper]

Honorable Mention IF: Miguel Tejada (2010)?

[Moose Milligan]

Just now, BohKnowsBmore said:

Kevin Millwood

Don't you go blaspheming in here!  I got into a beef last year with someone who absolutely wasn't having it that Kevin Millwood was bad.  Kevin Millwood has some defenders on here, tread lightly.

[Can_of_corn]

1 minute ago, Moose Milligan said:

Those guys never made it to Baltimore which I'm not sure if it's part of the criteria or not.  

Doug Drabek is leading my rotation.  He was painful to watch.  My bullpen is being anchored by Norm Charlton.

Which is why I was advocating for them. 

[Can_of_corn]

1 minute ago, Moose Milligan said:

Don't you go blaspheming in here!  I got into a beef last year with someone who absolutely wasn't having it that Kevin Millwood was bad.  Kevin Millwood has some defenders on here, tread lightly.

He did make it in the majors for two more years after he left Baltimore, not sure we count as a last gasp.

[TronBlaster]

Vlad wasn't great in Baltimore, and it was borderline painful watching him run the bases, but he did bat .290 over 560+ at-bats with 30 doubles, which is actually pretty impressive for a final season (though he only walked 17 times