1996 Baltimore Orioles season

Major League Baseball season March 2026 November 2013 Baltimore Orioles 1996 American League Wild Card winners American League East Oriole Park at Camden Yards Baltimore, Maryland 88–74 (.543) 2nd Peter Angelos Pat Gillick Davey Johnson WJZ-TVHome Team Sports(Mel Proctor, Josh Lewin, Mike Flanagan, Jim Palmer) WBAL (AM)(Chuck Thompson, Jon Miller, Fred Manfra) The 1996 Baltimore Orioles season was the 96th season in Baltimore Orioles franchise history, the 43rd in Baltimore, and the 5th at Oriole Park at Camden Yards. The Orioles finished second in the American League East with a record of 88 wins and 74 losses and qualifying for the post-season as the Wild Card team. The Orioles broke the all-time record for most home runs hit by a team (set at 240 by the 1961 New York Yankees) with 257. During the season, four Orioles scored at least 100 runs, four drove in at least 100 runs and nine hit at least 20 home runs (Eddie Murray hit 10 home runs with the Indians before being traded to the Orioles, where he would hit 12 more home runs for a total of 22 for the season. Todd Zeile hit 20 home runs with the Philadelphia Phillies of the National League before he was traded to the Orioles, which technically did not count for his home run total for the season after being traded to the American League Orioles). The Orioles pitching staff allowed 209 home runs, 1,604 hits and had an ERA of 5.15. The Orioles defeated the Cleveland Indians in the ALDS and then lost in the ALCS to the New York Yankees. Offseason thumb|260px|Oriole Park at Camden Yards, September 1996 November 22, 1995: Clay Bellinger was signed as a free agent with the Baltimore Orioles. https://www.baseball-reference.com/b/bellicl01.shtml Clay Bellinger Stats Baseball-Reference.com December 14, 1995: Randy Myers signed as a free agent with the Baltimore Orioles.Randy Myers Statistics Baseball-Reference.com December 20, 1995: B. J. Surhoff was signed as a free agent with the Baltimore Orioles.B. J. Surhoff Statistics Baseball-Reference.com December 23, 1995: Billy Ripken was signed as a free agent with the Baltimore Orioles.Billy Ripken Statistics Baseball-Reference.com March 13, 1996: Sherman Obando was traded by the Baltimore Orioles to the Montreal Expos for Tony Tarasco.https://www.baseball-reference.com/o/obandsh01.shtml Sherman Obando Stats Regular season On September 27 in Toronto, Roberto Alomar spat at home-plate umpire John Hirschbeck after getting thrown out of a game for arguing a called third strike.The Spit Hits The Fan Time Opening Day starters Roberto Alomar Brady Anderson Bobby Bonilla Jeffrey Hammonds Chris Hoiles Mike Mussina Rafael Palmeiro Cal Ripken Jr. B. J. Surhoff Tony Tarasco1996 Baltimore Orioles Roster by Baseball Almanac Notable transactions December 21, 1995: Roberto Alomar was signed as a free agent. December 26, 1995: Traded Curtis Goodwin and Trovin Valdez to Cincinnati Reds for David Wells. April 19, 1996: Luis Polonia was signed as a free agent with the Baltimore Orioles.Luis Polonia Statistics Baseball-Reference.com June 6, 1996: Todd Frohwirth was signed as a free agent with the Baltimore Orioles.https://www.baseball-reference.com/f/frohwto01.shtml Todd Frohwirth Stats August 12, 1996: Luis Polonia was released by the Baltimore Orioles. August 23, 1996: Gregg Zaun was sent by the Baltimore Orioles to the Florida Marlins to complete an earlier deal made on August 21, 1996. The Baltimore Orioles sent a player to be named later to the Florida Marlins for Terry Mathews. The Baltimore Orioles sent Gregg Zaun (August 23, 1996) to the Florida Marlins to complete the trade.Gregg Zaun Statistics Baseball-Reference.com August 29, 1996: Traded Calvin Maduro and Garrett Stephenson to Philadelphia Phillies for Todd Zeile and Pete Incaviglia. Season standings Baltimore Orioles Record vs. opponents BAL Game log Baltimore Orioles 1996 Game Log: 88–74 (Home: 43–38; Away: 45–36) y background:#f87217; color:black; April: 14–12 (Home: 10–6; Away: 4–6) # Date Opponent Score Win Loss Save Attendance Record |- bgcolor="ccffcc" | 1 || April 2 || Royals || 4–2 || Mussina (1–0) || Appier || Myers (1) || 46,818 || 1–0 |- bgcolor="ccffcc" | 2 || April 3 || Royals || 7–1 || Wells (1–0) || Gubicza || — || 40,068 || 2–0 |- bgcolor="ccffcc" | 3 || April 4 || Royals || 5–3 || Rhodes (1–0) || Pichardo || Myers (2) || 38,753 || 3–0 |- bgcolor="ccffcc" | 4 || April 5 || @ Twins || 2–1 || Mercker (1–0) || Guardado || Myers (3) || 22,744 || 4–0 |- bgcolor="ffbbbb" | 5 || April 6 || @ Twins || 3–8 || Radke || Haynes (0–1) || — || 22,334 || 4–1 |- bgcolor="ccffcc" | 6 || April 7 || @ Twins || 4–2 || Mussina (2–0) || Robertson || Myers (4) || 14,580 || 5–1 |- bgcolor="ccffcc" | 7 || April 10 || Indians || 3–2 (10) || Orosco (1–0) || Tavarez || — || 45,097 || 6–1 |- bgcolor="ccffcc" | 8 || April 11 || Indians || 14–4 || Erickson (1–0) || Hershiser || Rhodes (1) || 43,189 || 7–1 |- bgcolor="ccffcc" | 9 || April 12 || Twins || 3–2 || Mussina (3–0) || Robertson || — || 42,602 || 8–1 |- bgcolor="ccffcc" | 10 || April 13 || Twins || 7–6 || Benitez (1–0) || Mahomes || — || 42,644 || 9–1 |- bgcolor="ffbbbb" | 11 || April 14 || Twins || 1–4 || Rodriguez || Haynes (0–2) || Stevens || 42,660 || 9–2 |- bgcolor="ccffcc" | 12 || April 16 || Red Sox || 6–1 || Wells (2–0) || Clemens || — || 40,017 || 10–2 |- bgcolor="ccffcc" | 13 || April 17 || Red Sox || 6–5 (12) || Rhodes (2–0) || Maddux || — || 40,258 || 11–2 |- bgcolor="ffbbbb" | 14 || April 18 || Red Sox || 7–10 || Moyer || Mussina (3–1) || Slocumb || 47,283 || 11–3 |- bgcolor="ffbbbb" | 15 || April 19 || @ Rangers || 7–26 || Cook || Mercker (1–1) || Vosberg || 41,184 || 11–4 |- bgcolor="ffbbbb" | 16 || April 20 || @ Rangers || 3–8 || Gross || Haynes (0–3) || — || 45,358 || 11–5 |- bgcolor="ffbbbb" | 17 || April 21 || @ Rangers || 6–9 || Oliver || Wells (2–1) || — || 39,456 || 11–6 |- bgcolor="ffbbbb" | 18 || April 22 || @ Indians || 3–6 || Nagy || Erickson (1–1) || Mesa || 42,236 || 11–7 |- bgcolor="ffbbbb" | 19 || April 23 || @ Indians || 8–9 || Ogea || Mussina (3–2) || Mesa || 40,770 || 11–8 |- bgcolor="ccffcc" | 20 || April 24 || @ Royals || 11–8 || Mercker (2–1) || Haney || — || 13,962 || 12–8 |- bgcolor="ccffcc" | 21 || April 25 || @ Royals || 3–2 || Rhodes (3–0) || Valera || Myers (5) || 16,090 || 13–8 |- bgcolor="ffbbbb" | 22 || April 26 || Rangers || 4–5 || Brandenburg || Wells (2–2) || Henneman || 44,022 || 13–9 |- bgcolor="ffbbbb" | 23 || April 27 || Rangers || 2–4 || Witt || Erickson (1–2) || Vosberg || 47,311 || 13–10 |- bgcolor="ffbbbb" | 24 || April 28 || Rangers || 4–5 (10) || Heredia || McDowell (0–1) || Henneman || 47,327 || 13–11 |- bgcolor="ccffcc" | 25 || April 29 || Rangers || 8–7 || Haynes (1–3) || Helling || Myers (6) || 41,503 || 14–11 |- bgcolor="ffbbbb" | 26 || April 30 || Yankees || 10–13 || Nelson || Shepherd (0–1) || Wetteland || 43,117 || 14–12 |- y background:#f87217; color:black; May: 14–10 (Home: 8–5; Away: 6–5) # Date Opponent Score Win Loss Save Attendance Record |- bgcolor="ffbbbb" | 27 || May 1 || Yankees || 6–11 (15) || Pettitte || Mercker (2–2) || — || 47,472 || 14–13 |- bgcolor="ccffcc" | 28 || May 3 || Brewers || 8–2 || Erickson (2–2) || Bones || — || 41,037 || 15–13 |- bgcolor="ccffcc" | 29 || May 4 || Brewers || 10–5 || Mussina (4–2) || Sparks || — || 44,175 || 16–13 |- bgcolor="ffbbbb" | 30 || May 5 || Brewers || 1–13 || McDonald || Haynes (1–4) || — || 46,027 || 16–14 |- bgcolor="ffbbbb" | 31 || May 7 || @ White Sox || 2–3 || Fernandez || Wells (2–3) || Hernandez || 16,130 || 16–15 |- bgcolor="ffbbbb" | 32 || May 8 || @ White Sox || 2–11 || Baldwin || Erickson (2–3) || — || 14,974 || 16–16 |- bgcolor="ccffcc" | 33 || May 9 || @ White Sox || 6–4 || Mussina (5–2) || Alvarez || Myers (7) || 14,507 || 17–16 |- bgcolor="ccffcc" | 34 || May 10 || @ Brewers || 10–7 (12) || Orosco (2–0) || Garcia || McDowell (1) || 9,520 || 18–16 |- bgcolor="ccffcc" | 35 || May 11 || @ Brewers || 5–3 (10) || Rhodes (4–0) || Potts || Myers (8) || 21,081 || 19–16 |- bgcolor="ffbbbb" | 36 || May 12 || @ Brewers || 4–6 || Miranda || Erickson (2–4) || Fetters || 14,333 || 19–17 |- bgcolor="ccffcc" | 37 || May 13 || @ Athletics || 4–3 || Krivda (1–0) || Johns || Myers (9) || 8,204 || 20–17 |- bgcolor="ccffcc" | 38 || May 14 || @ Athletics || 9–1 || Mussina (6–2) || Reyes || — || 8,466 || 21–17 |- bgcolor="ccffcc" | 39 || May 17 || Mariners || 14–13 || Mills (1–0) || Charlton || — || 47,259 || 22–17 |- bgcolor="ffbbbb" | 40 || May 18 || Mariners || 3–7 || Milacki || Mercker (2–3) || — || 46,434 || 22–18 |- bgcolor="ccffcc" | 41 || May 19 || Mariners || 8–7 || Mussina (7–2) || Hurtado || Myers (10) || 47,565 || 23–18 |- bgcolor="ccffcc" | 42 || May 20 || Angels || 13–1 || Wells (3–3) || Grimsley || — || 43,492 || 24–18 |- bgcolor="ffbbbb" | 43 || May 21 || Angels || 2–5 || Boskie || Krivda (1–1) || Percival || 39,974 || 24–19 |- bgcolor="ccffcc" | 44 || May 22 || Angels || 10–5 || Haynes (2–4) || Abbott || McDowell (2) || 45,817 || 25–19 |- bgcolor="ccffcc" | 45 || May 24 || Athletics || 5–4 (10) || McDowell (1–1) || Reyes || — || 45,024 || 26–19 |- bgcolor="ffbbbb" | 46 || May 25 || Athletics || 3–6 || Johns || Wells (3–4) || Groom || 47,353 || 26–20 |- bgcolor="ccffcc" | 47 || May 26 || Athletics || 6–1 || Mercker (3–3) || Chouinard || McDowell (3) || 47,401 || 27–20 |- bgcolor="ccffcc" | 48 || May 28 || @ Mariners || 12–8 || Rhodes (5–0) || Guetterman || Haynes (1) || 23,235 || 28–20 |- bgcolor="ffbbbb" | 49 || May 29 || @ Mariners || 8–9 || Charlton || Myers (0–1) || — || 20,253 || 28–21 |- bgcolor="ffbbbb" | 50 || May 31 || @ Angels || 3–10 || Langston || Wells (3–5) || — || 21,603 || 28–22 |- y background:#f87217; color:black; June: 14–14 (Home: 6–6; Away: 8–8) # Date Opponent Score Win Loss Save Attendance Record |- bgcolor="ffbbbb" | 51 || June 1 || @ Angels || 3–8 || Boskie || Haynes (2–5) || — || 35,350 || 28–23 |- bgcolor="ccffcc" | 52 || June 2 || @ Angels || 14–1 || Erickson (3–4) || Abbott || — || 33,704 || 29–23 |- bgcolor="ccffcc" | 53 || June 4 || Tigers || 10–7 || Mussina (8–2) || Gohr || Myers (11) || 43,727 || 30–23 |- bgcolor="ccffcc" | 54 || June 5 || Tigers || 6–4 || Rhodes (6–0) || Myers || Myers (12) || 43,087 || 31–23 |- bgcolor="ccffcc" | 55 || June 6 || Tigers || 13–6 || Krivda (2–1) || Lira || — || 46,269 || 32–23 |- bgcolor="ffbbbb" | 56 || June 7 || White Sox || 2–8 || Fernandez || Erickson (3–5) || — || 47,209 || 32–24 |- bgcolor="ffbbbb" | 57 || June 8 || White Sox || 1–2 || Baldwin || Mercker (3–4) || Hernandez || 47,634 || 32–25 |- bgcolor="ffbbbb" | 58 || June 9 || White Sox || 9–12 || Karchner || Mussina (8–3) || Hernandez || 47,352 || 32–26 |- bgcolor="ffbbbb" | 59 || June 10 || @ Tigers || 3–8 || Olivares || Wells (3–6) || — || 10,655 || 32–27 |- bgcolor="ccffcc" | 60 || June 11 || @ Tigers || 12–9 || Coppinger (1–0) || Lira || — || 10,874 || 33–27 |- bgcolor="ccffcc" | 61 || June 12 || @ Tigers || 10–7 || Rhodes (7–0) || Lewis || Myers (13) || 12,043 || 34–27 |- bgcolor="ffbbbb" | 62 || June 13 || @ Royals || 2–10 || Linton || Mercker (3–5) || — || 20,108 || 34–28 |- bgcolor="ccffcc" | 63 || June 14 || @ Royals || 6–1 || Mussina (9–3) || Gubicza || — || 28,502 || 35–28 |- bgcolor="ffbbbb" | 64 || June 15 || @ Royals || 6–7 (16) || Magnante || Krivda (2–2) || — || 24,784 || 35–29 |- bgcolor="ccffcc" | 65 || June 16 || @ Royals || 13–5 || Coppinger (2–0) || Jacome || Mills (1) || 19,437 || 36–29 |- bgcolor="ffffff" | 66 || June 17 || Rangers || 1–1 (6) || || || — || 45,581 || 36–29 |- bgcolor="ffbbbb" | 67 || June 18 || Rangers || 0–7 || Oliver || Mercker (3–6) || — || 47,318 || 36–30 |- bgcolor="ffbbbb" | 68 || June 19 || Rangers || 2–3 || Witt || Mussina (9–4) || Russell || 45,581 || 36–31 |- bgcolor="ccffcc" | 69 || June 20 || Rangers || 3–2 || Wells (4–6) || Gross || Myers (14) || 21,748 || 37–31 |- bgcolor="ccffcc" | 70 || June 21 || Royals || 9–3 || Rhodes (8–0) || Haney || — || 47,644 || 38–31 |- bgcolor="ccffcc" | 71 || June 22 || Royals || 5–3 || Erickson (4–5) || Montgomery || — || 47,534 || 39–31 |- bgcolor="ffbbbb" | 72 || June 23 || Royals || 0–4 || Appier || Krivda (2–3) || — || 47,608 || 39–32 |- bgcolor="ccffcc" | 73 || June 24 || @ Rangers || 8–3 || Mussina (10–4) || Witt || — || 39,701 || 40–32 |- bgcolor="ffbbbb" | 74 || June 25 || @ Rangers || 2–5 || Gross || Wells (4–7) || Henneman || 41,685 || 40–33 |- bgcolor="ffbbbb" | 75 || June 26 || @ Rangers || 5–6 || Cook || Orosco (2–1) || Henneman || 38,984 || 40–34 |- bgcolor="ffbbbb" | 76 || June 27 || @ Yankees || 2–3 || Rogers || Erickson (4–6) || Wetteland || 34,161 || 40–35 |- bgcolor="ccffcc" | 77 || June 28 || @ Yankees || 7–4 || Rhodes (9–0) || Rivera || Myers (15) || 43,515 || 41–35 |- bgcolor="ffbbbb" | 78 || June 29 || @ Yankees || 3–4 || Pettitte || Mussina (10–5) || Wetteland || 45,295 || 41–36 |- bgcolor="ccffcc" | 79 || June 30 || @ Yankees || 9–1 || Wells (5–7) || Mendoza || — || 40,200 || 42–36 |- y background:#f87217; color:black; July: 11–16 (Home: 5–13; Away: 6–3) # Date Opponent Score Win Loss Save Attendance Record |- bgcolor="ccffcc" | 80 || July 1 || @ Blue Jays || 7–4 || Coppinger (3–0) || Hentgen || Myers (16) || 43,377 || 43–36 |- bgcolor="ccffcc" | 81 || July 2 || @ Blue Jays || 8–2 || Erickson (5–6) || Quantrill || — || 32,150 || 44–36 |- bgcolor="ffbbbb" | 82 || July 3 || @ Blue Jays || 2–5 || Guzman || Krivda (2–4) || Timlin || 32,365 || 44–37 |- bgcolor="ccffcc" | 83 || July 4 || Red Sox || 8–6 || Mussina (11–5) || Wakefield || Myers (17) || 47,075 || 45–37 |- bgcolor="ffbbbb" | 84 || July 5 || Red Sox || 3–7 || Sele || Wells (5–8) || — || 47,237 || 45–38 |- bgcolor="ccffcc" | 85 || July 6 || Red Sox || 4–3 || Coppinger (4–0) || Clemens || Myers (18) || 47,500 || 46–38 |- bgcolor="ffbbbb" | 86 || July 7 || Red Sox || 5–7 || Hudson || Myers (0–2) || Slocumb || 47,532 || 46–39 |- bgcolor="ffbbbb" | 87 || July 11 || Yankees || 2–4 || Key || Mussina (11–6) || Wetteland || 46,760 || 46–40 |- bgcolor="ffbbbb" | 88 || July 13 || Yankees || 2–3 || Nelson || Wells (5–9) || Wetteland || — || 46–41 |- bgcolor="ffbbbb" | 89 || July 13 || Yankees || 5–7 || Gooden || Rhodes (9–1) || Wetteland || 46,451 || 46–42 |- bgcolor="ffbbbb" | 90 || July 14 || Yankees || 1–4 || Pettitte || Erickson (5–7) || Wetteland || 47,658 || 46–43 |- bgcolor="ccffcc" | 91 || July 15 || Blue Jays || 8–6 || Haynes (3–5) || Timlin || — || 43,192 || 47–43 |- bgcolor="ffbbbb" | 92 || July 16 || Blue Jays || 0–6 || Guzman || Mussina (11–7) || — || 45,851 || 47–44 |- bgcolor="ccffcc" | 93 || July 17 || Blue Jays || 11–10 || Coppinger (5–0) || Timlin || — || 45,955 || 48–44 |- bgcolor="ccffcc" | 94 || July 18 || @ Red Sox || 6–3 || Wells (6–9) || Sele || Myers (19) || 33,014 || 49–44 |- bgcolor="ffbbbb" | 95 || July 19 || @ Red Sox || 2–13 || Moyer || Erickson (5–8) || — || 32,262 || 49–45 |- bgcolor="ffbbbb" | 96 || July 20 || @ Red Sox || 0–2 || Wakefield || Coppinger (5–1) || Slocumb || 33,590 || 49–46 |- bgcolor="ccffcc" | 97 || July 21 || @ Red Sox || 10–6 (10) || Myers (1–2) || Stanton || — || 34,423 || 50–46 |- bgcolor="ffbbbb" | 98 || July 22 || Twins || 5–9 || Robertson || Haynes (3–6) || Trombley || 42,129 || 50–47 |- bgcolor="ffbbbb" | 99 || July 23 || Twins || 2–3 || Aguilera || Wells (6–10) || Naulty || 42,006 || 50–48 |- bgcolor="ffbbbb" | 100 || July 24 || Twins || 4–11 || Rodriguez || Erickson (5–9) || — || 46,181 || 50–49 |- bgcolor="ffbbbb" | 101 || July 25 || Indians || 7–10 || Nagy || Coppinger (5–2) || — || 47,025 || 50–50 |- bgcolor="ffbbbb" | 102 || July 26 || Indians || 9–14 || Assenmacher || Mussina (11–8) || — || 46,751 || 50–51 |- bgcolor="ccffcc" | 103 || July 27 || Indians || 14–2 || Wells (7–10) || Hershiser || — || 47,360 || 51–51 |- bgcolor="ffbbbb" | 104 || July 28 || Indians || 3–6 (13) || Mesa || Stephenson (0–1) || — || 46,273 || 51–52 |- bgcolor="ccffcc" | 105 || July 30 || @ Twins || 16–4 || Coppinger (6–2) || Rodriguez || — || 16,708 || 52–52 |- bgcolor="ccffcc" | 106 || July 31 || @ Twins || 9–3 || Mussina (12–8) || Trombley || — || 15,897 || 53–52 |- y background:#f87217; color:black; August: 19–11 (Home: 7–4; Away: 12–7) # Date Opponent Score Win Loss Save Attendance Record |- bgcolor="ccffcc" | 107 || August 1 || @ Twins || 4–2 || Wells (8–10) || Robertson || Myers (20) || 20,379 || 54–52 |- bgcolor="ffbbbb" | 108 || August 2 || @ Indians || 1–11 || Hershiser || Erickson (5–10) || — || 42,465 || 54–53 |- bgcolor="ccffcc" | 109 || August 3 || @ Indians || 9–4 || Orosco (3–1) || Ogea || — || 42,448 || 55–53 |- bgcolor="ffbbbb" | 110 || August 4 || @ Indians || 2–14 || Anderson || Coppinger (6–3) || — || 42,349 || 55–54 |- bgcolor="ccffcc" | 111 || August 5 || @ Indians || 13–10 || Wells (9–10) || Assenmacher || — || 40,863 || 56–54 |- bgcolor="ccffcc" | 112 || August 6 || @ Brewers || 13–3 || Mussina (13–8) || McDonald || — || 17,075 || 57–54 |- bgcolor="ccffcc" | 113 || August 7 || @ Brewers || 12–2 || Erickson (6–10) || Karl || — || 20,287 || 58–54 |- bgcolor="ccffcc" | 114 || August 8 || @ Brewers || 6–4 || Coppinger (7–3) || D'Amico || Myers (21) || 18,620 || 59–54 |- bgcolor="ffbbbb" | 115 || August 9 || @ White Sox || 3–4 (10) || Simas || Myers (1–3) || — || 23,995 || 59–55 |- bgcolor="ccffcc" | 116 || August 10 || @ White Sox || 13–4 || Mussina (14–8) || Alvarez || McDowell (4) || 26,772 || 60–55 |- bgcolor="ffbbbb" | 117 || August 11 || @ White Sox || 5–8 || Tapani || Mills (1–1) || Hernandez || 27,088 || 60–56 |- bgcolor="ccffcc" | 118 || August 13 || Brewers || 4–3 || Corbin (1–0) || Lloyd || Myers (22) || 44,461 || 61–56 |- bgcolor="ccffcc" | 119 || August 14 || Brewers || 8–5 || Milchin (1–0) || Bones || Myers (23) || 47,480 || 62–56 |- bgcolor="ccffcc" | 120 || August 15 || @ Athletics || 18–5 || Mussina (15–8) || Adams || — || 14,026 || 63–56 |- bgcolor="ccffcc" | 121 || August 16 || @ Athletics || 14–3 || Erickson (7–10) || Wasdin || — || — || 64–56 |- bgcolor="ccffcc" | 122 || August 16 || @ Athletics || 5–4 (10) || Myers (2–3) || Mohler || — || 15,645 || 65–56 |- bgcolor="ffbbbb" | 123 || August 17 || @ Athletics || 1–3 || Prieto || Coppinger (7–4) || Acre || 20,231 || 65–57 |- bgcolor="ffbbbb" | 124 || August 18 || @ Athletics || 6–9 || Wengert || Wells (9–11) || — || 18,122 || 65–58 |- bgcolor="ccffcc" | 125 || August 20 || Mariners || 4–1 || Mussina (16–8) || Wagner || Myers (24) || 47,679 || 66–58 |- bgcolor="ccffcc" | 126 || August 21 || Mariners || 10–5 || Erickson (8–10) || Hitchcock || — || 47,198 || 67–58 |- bgcolor="ffbbbb" | 127 || August 22 || Mariners || 3–10 || Moyer || Coppinger (7–5) || — || 47,380 || 67–59 |- bgcolor="ffbbbb" | 128 || August 23 || Angels || 0–2 || Boskie || Wells (9–12) || Percival || 47,291 || 67–60 |- bgcolor="ccffcc" | 129 || August 24 || Angels || 5–4 || Mussina (17–8) || Abbott || Myers (25) || 46,487 || 68–60 |- bgcolor="ffbbbb" | 130 || August 25 || Angels || 0–13 || Springer || Erickson (8–11) || — || 47,239 || 68–61 |- bgcolor="ccffcc" | 131 || August 26 || Athletics || 12–11 (10) || Myers (3–3) || Acre || — || 43,361 || 69–61 |- bgcolor="ccffcc" | 132 || August 27 || Athletics || 3–1 || Wells (10–12) || Prieto || Myers (26) || 43,641 || 70–61 |- bgcolor="ffbbbb" | 133 || August 28 || Athletics || 0–3 || Wengert || Mussina (17–9) || — || 45,282 || 70–62 |- bgcolor="ffbbbb" | 134 || August 29 || @ Mariners || 6–9 || Charlton || Myers (3–4) || — || 24,915 || 70–63 |- bgcolor="ccffcc" | 135 || August 30 || @ Mariners || 5–2 || Coppinger (8–5) || Hitchcock || Mills (2) || 44,532 || 71–63 |- bgcolor="ccffcc" | 136 || August 31 || @ Mariners || 7–6 || Erickson (9–11) || Bosio || Benitez (1) || 42,092 || 72–63 |- y background:#f87217; color:black; September: 16–11 (Home: 7–4; Away: 9–7) # Date Opponent Score Win Loss Save Attendance Record |- bgcolor="ffbbbb" | 137 || September 1 || @ Mariners || 1–5 || Mulholland || Wells (10–13) || — || 50,015 || 72–64 |- bgcolor="ccffcc" | 138 || September 2 || @ Angels || 12–8 || Mussina (18–9) || Boskie || — || 20,287 || 73–64 |- bgcolor="ffbbbb" | 139 || September 3 || @ Angels || 2–10 || Harris || Coppinger (8–6) || — || 15,924 || 73–65 |- bgcolor="ccffcc" | 140 || September 4 || @ Angels || 4–2 || Erickson (10–11) || Springer || Myers (27) || 18,204 || 74–65 |- bgcolor="ffbbbb" | 141 || September 6 || Tigers || 4–5 (12) || Cummings || Mathews (0–1) || — || 46,708 || 74–66 |- bgcolor="ccffcc" | 142 || September 7 || Tigers || 6–0 || Mussina (19–9) || Thompson || — || 47,131 || 75–66 |- bgcolor="ccffcc" | 143 || September 8 || Tigers || 6–2 || Mills (2–1) || Eischen || — || 47,082 || 76–66 |- bgcolor="ccffcc" | 144 || September 9 || Tigers || 5–4 || Erickson (11–11) || Olivares || Myers (28) || 42,562 || 77–66 |- bgcolor="ccffcc" | 145 || September 10 || White Sox || 5–1 || Wells (11–13) || Tapani || — || 43,320 || 78–66 |- bgcolor="ccffcc" | 146 || September 11 || White Sox || 7–6 (10) || Mills (3–1) || Hernandez || — || 43,320 || 79–66 |- bgcolor="ffbbbb" | 147 || September 12 || White Sox || 3–11 || Fernandez || Mussina (19–10) || — || 47,342 || 79–67 |- bgcolor="ccffcc" | 148 || September 13 || @ Tigers || 7–4 || Erickson (12–11) || Miller || Mills (3) || 11,178 || 80–67 |- bgcolor="ccffcc" | 149 || September 14 || @ Tigers || 7–6 || Mathews (1–1) || Cummings || Myers (29) || 15,386 || 81–67 |- bgcolor="ccffcc" | 150 || September 15 || @ Tigers || 16–6 || Corbin (2–0) || Van Poppel || — || 13,764 || 82–67 |- bgcolor="ffbbbb" | 151 || September 18 || @ Yankees || 2–3 (10) || Rivera || Mills (3–2) || — || 40,775 || 82–68 |- bgcolor="ffbbbb" | 152 || September 19 || @ Yankees || 3–9 || Rogers || Mussina (19–11) || — || — || 82–69 |- bgcolor="ccffcc" | 153 || September 19 || @ Yankees || 10–9 || Mathews (2–1) || Rivera || Myers (30) || 54,888 || 83–69 |- bgcolor="ffbbbb" | 154 || September 20 || Blue Jays || 1–5 || Hentgen || Krivda (2–5) || Spoljaric || 47,026 || 83–70 |- bgcolor="ccffcc" | 155 || September 21 || Blue Jays || 6–3 || Coppinger (9–6) || Williams || Myers (31) || 47,270 || 84–70 |- bgcolor="ccffcc" | 156 || September 22 || Blue Jays || 5–4 || Erickson (13–11) || Flener || Benitez (2) || 46,035 || 85–70 |- bgcolor="ffbbbb" | 157 || September 23 || Brewers || 7–8 (10) || Jones || Mathews (2–2) || Fetters || 46,542 || 85–71 |- bgcolor="ffbbbb" | 158 || September 24 || @ Red Sox || 8–13 || Gordon || Wells (11–14) || Mahomes || 28,557 || 85–72 |- bgcolor="ccffcc" | 159 || September 25 || @ Red Sox || 6–2 || Krivda (3–5) || Wakefield || Benitez (3) || 28,432 || 86–72 |- bgcolor="ccffcc" | 160 || September 26 || @ Blue Jays || 4–1 || Coppinger (10–6) || Williams || Benitez (4) || 30,141 || 87–72 |- bgcolor="ffbbbb" | 161 || September 27 || @ Blue Jays || 2–3 || Flener || Erickson (13–12) || Timlin || 30,116 || 87–73 |- bgcolor="ccffcc" | 162 || September 28 || @ Blue Jays || 3–2 (10) || Myers (4–4) || Spoljaric || — || 36,316 || 88–73 |- bgcolor="ffbbbb" | 163 || September 29 || @ Blue Jays || 1–4 || Hentgen || Rodriguez (0–1) || Timlin || 38,267 || 88–74 |- |- | Legend:      #cfc = Win      #fbb = Loss      #fff = TieBold = Orioles team member Detailed records American League Opponent W L WP RS Runs scored RA Runs against AL East Baltimore Orioles Boston Red Sox 7 6 7 6 y 71 78 Detroit Tigers 11 2 11 2 y 105 68 New York Yankees 3 10 3 10 y 62 75 Toronto Blue Jays 8 5 8 5 y 58 55 Total 29 23 29 23 y 296 276 AL Central Chicago White Sox 4 8 4 8 y 58 74 Cleveland Indians 5 7 5 7 y 86 92 Kansas City Royals 9 3 9 3 y 71 49 Milwaukee Brewers 9 3 9 3 y 88 61 Minnesota Twins 7 5 7 5 y 60 55 Total 34 26 34 26 y 363 331 AL West California Angels 6 6 6 6 y 68 69 Oakland Athletics 9 4 9 4 y 86 54 Seattle Mariners 7 5 7 5 y 81 82 Texas Rangers 3 10 3 10 y 55 91 Total 25 25 25 25 y 290 296 Season Total 88 74 88 74 y 949 903 Month Games Won Lost Win % RS Runs scored RA Runs against April 26 14 12 14 12 y 141 153 May 24 14 10 14 10 y 154 145 June 28 14 14 14 14 y 166 144 July 27 11 16 11 16 y 153 160 August 30 19 11 19 11 y 192 165 September 27 16 11 16 11 y 143 136 Total 162 88 74 88 74 y 949 903 Games Won Lost Win % RS Runs scored RA Runs against Home 81 43 38 43 38 y 437 440 Away 81 45 36 45 36 y 511 462 Total 162 88 74 88 74 y 949 903 Roster 1996 Baltimore Orioles Roster Pitchers 49 Armando Benítez 27 Rocky Coppinger 41 Archie Corbin 19 Scott Erickson 50 Jimmy Haynes 38 Rick Krivda 51 Terry Mathews 31 Roger McDowell 21 Kent Mercker 21 Mike Milchin 75 Alan Mills 35 Mike Mussina 46 Jimmy Myers 28 Randy Myers 47 Jesse Orosco 53 Arthur Rhodes 63 Nerio Rodríguez 57 Brian Sackinsky 45 Keith Shepherd 52 Garrett Stephenson 36 David Wells 43 Esteban Yan Catchers 59 César Devarez 23 Chris Hoiles 24 Mark Parent 24 Gregg Zaun Infielders  6 Manny Alexander 12 Roberto Alomar 30 Jeff Huson 25 Rafael Palmeiro  3 Billy Ripken  8 Cal Ripken Jr. 17 B. J. Surhoff 14 Todd Zeile Outfielders  9 Brady Anderson 26 Bobby Bonilla 30 Brent Bowers 10 Mike Devereaux 11 Jeffrey Hammonds 55 Pete Incaviglia 40 Gene Kingsale 29 Luis Polonia 34 Mark Smith  1 Tony Tarasco Other batters 33 Eddie Murray Manager 15 Davey Johnson Coaches 37 Pat Dobson 48 Rick Down 55 Andy Etchebarren 44 Elrod Hendricks  2 Sam Perlozzo 18 John Stearns Player stats = Indicates team leader Batting Note: G = Pos = Position; Games played; AB = At bats; H = Hits; HR = Home runs; RBI = Runs batted in; Avg. = Batting average Pos Player G AB H HR RBI Avg. C Chris Hoiles 127 407 105 25 73 .258 1B Rafael Palmeiro 162 626 181 39 142 .289 2B Roberto Alomar 153 588 193 22 94 .328 3B B. J. Surhoff143 537 157 21 82 .292 SS Cal Ripken Jr.163 640 178 26 102 .278 LF Jeffrey Hammonds 71 248 56 9 27 .226 CF Brady Anderson149 579 172 50 110 .297 RF Bobby Bonilla 159 595 171 28 116 .287 DH Eddie Murray64 230 59 10 34 .2571996 Baltimore Orioles Statistics and Roster Baseball-Reference.com Other batters Note: G = Games played; AB = At bats; H = Hits; HR = Home runs; RBI = Runs batted in; Avg. = Batting average Player G AB H HR RBI Avg. Mike Devereaux 127 323 74 8 34 .229 Luis Polonia 58 175 42 2 14 .240 Billy Ripken 57 135 31 2 12 .230 Todd Zeile 29 117 28 5 19 .239 Gregg Zaun 50 108 25 1 13 .231 Tony Tarasco 31 84 20 1 9 .238 Mark Smith 27 78 19 4 10 .244 Manny Alexander 54 68 7 0 4 .103 Brent Bowers 21 39 12 0 3 .308 Pete Incaviglia 12 33 10 2 8 .303 Mark Parent 18 33 6 2 6 .182 Jeff Huson 17 28 9 0 2 .321 César Devarez 10 18 2 0 0 .111 Gene Kingsale 3 0 0 0 0 .--- Pitching Position Name Games Pitched Games Started ERA Wins Losses Saves Innings Pitched Strikeouts Starting Pitchers Mike MussinaMike Mussina Statistics Baseball-Reference.com 36364.8119110243.1204Scott EricksonScott Erickson Statistics Baseball-Reference.com34345.0213120222.1100David WellsDavid Wells Statistics Baseball-Reference.com34345.1411140224.1130Rocky CoppingerRocky Coppinger Statistics Baseball-Reference.com23225.181060135.0104Kent MerckerKent Mercker Statistics Baseball-Reference.com14127.7636058.022Relief PitchersJesse OroscoJesse Orosco Statistics Baseball-Reference.com6603.4031055.252Roger McDowellRoger McDowell Statistics Baseball-Reference.com4104.2511459.120Arthur RhodesArthur Rhodes Statistics Baseball-Reference.com2804.0891153.062Alan MillsAlan Mills Statistics Baseball-Reference.com4904.2832354.252Archie CorbinArchie Corbin Statistics Baseball-Reference.com1802.3020027.120Keith ShepherdKeith Shepherd Statistics Baseball-Reference.com1308.7101020.217Terry MathewsTerry Mathews Statistics Baseball-Reference.com1403.3822018.213Armando BenítezArmando Benítez Statistics Baseball-Reference.com1803.7710414.120Jimmy MyersJimmy Myers Statistics Baseball-Reference.com1107.0700014.06Esteban YanEsteban Yan Statistics Baseball-Reference.com405.790009.17Mike MilchinMike Milchin Statistics Baseball-Reference.com1305.7310011.010Garrett Stephenson3012.790106.13Brian SackinskyBrian Sackinsky Statistics Baseball-Reference.com303.860004.22Jimmy HaynesJimmy Haynes Statistics Baseball-Reference.com26118.2936089.065Rick KrivdaRick Krivda Statistics Baseball-Reference.com22114.9635081.254Nerio RodríguezNerio Rodríguez Statistics Baseball-Reference.com814.3201016.212Manny AlexanderManny Alexander Statistics Baseball-Reference.com1067.500000.20CloserRandy Myers6203.53443158.274 Return of Eddie Murray On July 21, 1996, the Baltimore Orioles re-acquired longtime Oriole Eddie Murray from the Cleveland Indians in exchange for pitcher Kent Mercker.Prodigal Slugger Murray To Return to the Orioles; Encore Murray, a member of the 1983 World Series Champion Baltimore Orioles, would subsequently hit his 500th career home run later in the season. As a commemoration of this event, an orange seat was installed in the outfield stands where Murray's 500th home run landed. The Orioles had a record of 49 wins and 46 losses before the trade, and 39–28 after the trade, not including the playoffs. During the 1996 playoffs, Eddie Murray hit .333 and hit a home run while producing 3 RBI. The trade for Eddie Murray sparked the Orioles to have a better record after his arrival, than before. One can attribute that to his great leadership, which is well documented, as a Sporting News correspondent, Michael P. Geffner said, "To think of Murray as anything other than a great player these days is not to have a dissenting opinion anymore but to be dead wrong, blind not only to the inner game but to an understanding of what truly raises baseball to something classic and beautiful--when the game is executed purely and seamlessly. Which is Eddie Murray to a T.".Eddie Murray: Biography and Much More from Answers.com The Orioles success after the trade can also be attributed to the theory of "Power, worth, and recognition,International Journal of Reality Therapy 26 (2007): 39-40. EBSCO. 29 Feb. 2008 " which Thomas S. Parish who is an associate professor of psychology at Upper Iowa University, Fayette, Iowa, describes as a type of motivation where athletes attempt to out do or "show off" to each other, which leads to better statistics, and more wins. In Eddie Murray's last at-bat with the Orioles he hit a home run off of New York Yankee pitcher, Andy Pettitte. ALDS Game 1, October 1 1996 American League Division Series Oriole Park at Camden Yards, Baltimore, Maryland Cleveland Cle 0 1 0 2 0 0 1 0 0 4 10 0 Baltimore Bal 1 1 2 0 0 5 1 0 X 10 10 1 David Wells (1-0) Charles Nagy (0-1) Manny Ramírez (1) Brady Anderson (1), B. J. Surhoff (1, 2), Bobby Bonilla (1) Game 2, October 2 Oriole Park at Camden Yards, Baltimore, Maryland Cleveland Cle 0 0 0 0 0 3 0 1 0 4 8 2 Baltimore Bal 1 0 0 0 3 0 0 3 X 7 9 0 Armando Benítez (1-0) Eric Plunk (0-1) Randy Myers (1) Albert Belle (1) Brady Anderson (2) Game 3, October 4 Jacobs Field, Cleveland, Ohio Baltimore Bal 0 1 0 3 0 0 0 0 0 4 8 2 Cleveland Cle 1 2 0 1 0 0 4 1 X 9 10 0 Paul Assenmacher (1-0) Jesse Orosco (0-1) B. J. Surhoff (3) Manny Ramírez (2), Albert Belle (2) Game 4, October 5 Jacobs Field, Cleveland, Ohio Baltimore Bal 0 2 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 1 4 14 1 Cleveland Cle 0 0 0 2 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 3 7 1 Armando Benítez (2-0) José Mesa (0-1) Randy Myers (2) Rafael Palmeiro (1), Bobby Bonilla (2), Roberto Alomar (1) ALCS 1996 American League Championship Series GameScoreDate1 Baltimore 4, New York 5October 92 Baltimore 5, New York 3October 103 New York 5, Baltimore 2October 114New York 8, Baltimore 4October 125New York 6, Baltimore 4October 13 Jeffrey Maier incident During Game 1 of the ALCS, New York Yankees shortstop Derek Jeter hit a deep fly ball to right field. Orioles outfielder Tony Tarasco camped under the ball and prepared to make a catch. However, a 12-year-old boy seated in the first row of the bleachers named Jeffrey Maier reached over the wall and caught the ball just above Tarrasco, costing the Orioles an out. Although it was fan interference, the umpire ruled the ball to be a home run. While Maier became a hero to Yankees fans, he immediately became a "symbol of the Orioles futility."From Way Out in Right Field – washingtonpost.com The Orioles would go on to lose the series in five games. Farm system AAA Rochester Red Wings International League Marv Foley AA Bowie Baysox Eastern League Bob Miscik and Tim Blackwell A High Desert Mavericks California League Joe Ferguson A Frederick Keys Carolina League Tim Blackwell and Julio Garcia Rookie Bluefield Orioles Appalachian League Bobby Dickerson Rookie GCL Orioles Gulf Coast League Tommy ShieldsLEAGUE CHAMPIONS: BluefieldJohnson, Lloyd, and Wolff, Miles, ed., The Encyclopedia of Minor League Baseball, 3rd edition. Durham, North Carolina: Baseball America, 2007 References External links 1996 Baltimore Orioles team at Baseball-Reference 1996 Baltimore Orioles season at baseball-almanac.com Category:Baltimore Orioles seasons Baltimore Baltimore Orioles Category:American League Wild Card winner seasons