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On this page, you'll find plenty of facts, diversions, and minutiae related to the Orioles and the numbers they've worn. Again, if you have any corrections to make, or if there's anything else you'd like to see on this page, say the word.

Retired Elsewhere    Trading Places    This Number Isn't Big Enough for the Two of Us...
One Player, Many Numbers    Most and Least Popular Numbers    Who Wore It First? Who Wore It Longest?

Retired Elsewhere

The following is a list of Orioles players who have had their uniform numbers retired by other organizations.

Player
Number
Team
Date Retired
Luis Aparicio
11
Chicago White Sox
08/14/1984 (Unretired for Omar Vizquel in 2010)
Harold Baines
3
Chicago White Sox
08/20/1989 (Unretired for Baines himself in 1996, 2000, and 2004)
Reggie Jackson
44
New York Yankees
08/14/1993
Reggie Jackson
9
Oakland Athletics
05/22/2004
Johnny Oates
26
Texas Rangers
08/05/2005
Tim Raines, Sr.
30
Montreal Expos
06/19/2004
Robin Roberts
36
Philadelphia Phillies
1962
Frank Robinson
20
Cincinnati Reds
05/22/1998 (Also retired by Orioles in 1972)

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Trading Places

On several occasions, a player acquired in a trade will end up wearing the number of the player he was traded for. In the event of a multi-player trade, only the players involved in the "number swap" are listed. To be eligible, the new player must have worn the number at the earliest possible date.

Date
Outgoing Player
Sent to
Incoming Player
Number Taken
05/12/1954
Neil (Connie) Berry
Kansas City (minors)
Jim Brideweser
2
05/25/1954
Dick Littlefield
Pittsburgh Pirates
Cal Abrams
18
06/01/1954
Vic Wertz
Cleveland Indians
Bob Chakales
20
05/27/1955
Bobby Young
Cleveland Indians
Hank Majeski
5
06/15/1955
Billy Cox
Cleveland Indians
Dave Pope
3 (Cox did not report; retired instead)
06/15/1955
Gene Woodling
Cleveland Indians
Wally Westlake
14
07/13/1955
Hoot Evers
Cleveland Indians
Bill Wight
17
05/21/1956
Dave Philley
Chicago White Sox
Bob Nieman
4
05/21/1956
Jim Wilson
Chicago White Sox Connie Johnson
36
08/17/1956
Hal Smith
Kansas City Athletics
Joe Ginsberg
22
06/13/1957
Dick Williams
Cleveland Indians
Jim Busby
23
05/26/1959
Lenny Green
Washington Senators I
Albie Pearson
21
06/15/1959
Jack Harshman
Boston Red Sox
Billy Hoeft
29
04/12/1961
Chuck Essegian
Kansas City Athletics
Dick Williams
10
06/08/1961
Gene Stephens
Kansas City Athletics
Marv Throneberry
8
11/27/1963
Jim Gentile
Kansas City Athletics
Norm Siebern
4
11/28/1967
Eddie Fisher
Cleveland Indians
John O'Donoghue
28
06/15/1968
Bruce Howard
Washington Senators II
Fred Valentine
16
06/15/1976
Ken Holtzman
New York Yankees
Dave Pagan
30
06/13/1977
Dyar Miller
California Angels
Dick Drago
37
07/28/1995
Damon Buford
New York Mets
Bobby Bonilla
26
08/10/1998
Jeffrey Hammonds
Cincinnati Reds
Willie Greene
11
03/29/1999
Danny Clyburn
Tampa Bay Devil Rays
Jason Johnson
41
12/10/1999
Jesse Orosco
New York Mets
Chuck McElroy
47
12/13/2001
John Wasdin
Philadelphia Phillies
Chris Brock
45
06/21/2004
Denny Bautista
Kansas City Royals
Jason Grimsley
16
07/19/2004
Mike DeJean
New York Mets
Karim Garcia
47
01/18/2009
Garrett Olson
Chicago Cubs
Felix Pie
18
07/19/2009
Oscar Salazar
San Diego Padres
Cla Meredith
26

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This Number Isn't Big Enough for the Two of Us...

The Rolling Stones once said that you can't always get what you want. This holds true for uniform numbers, of course. So what happens when two players converge on the same number? Here are some examples.

Year
Player
Number
Incumbent Player
Result
1962
Robin Roberts
36
Darrell Johnson
Roberts wore 38
1962
Johnny Temple
16
Boog Powell
Temple wore 2
1964
Harvey Haddix
31
Harry Breechen (Coach)
Haddix wore 30
1968
Don Buford
7
Mark Belanger
Buford wore 9
1971
Grant Jackson
29
Dick Hall
Jackson wore 23
1974
Ross Grimsley
48
George Staller (Coach)
Grimsley wore 39; after Staller left in 1976, Grimsley switched to 48
1974
Jim Northrup
5
Brooks Robinson
Northrup wore 28, switched to 2 in 1975
1975
Lee May
23
Grant Jackson
May wore 14
1976
Reggie Jackson
9
Dave Duncan
Duncan switched to 25
1977
Dick Drago
41
Jim Frey (Coach)
Drago wore 37
1977
Nelson Briles
34
Larry Harlow
Briles wore 55; Harlow switched to 6 in 1978, giving Briles 34
1978
Elrod Hendricks
10
Terry Crowley
Hendricks wore 44
1984
Wayne Gross
10
Todd Cruz
Gross wore 14
1985
Lee Lacy
17
Joe Nolan
Lacy wore 27
1985
Don Aase
46
Mike Flanagan
Aase wore 41
1987
Rick Burleson
7
Cal Ripken, Sr. (Manager)
Burleson wore 17
1987
Terry Kennedy
16
Scott McGregor
Kennedy wore 15
1987
Ray Knight
22
Jim Palmer (Retired)
Knight wore 25; Carl Nichols switched from 25 to 26
1987
Rene Gonzales
8
Cal Ripken, Jr.
Gonzales wore 88
1989
Keith Moreland
6
Joe Orsulak
Orsulak switched to 1; Moreland retired and Orsulak wore 6 in 1990
1990
Chris Hoiles
42
Ron Kittle
Hoiles switched to 28
1991
Ernie Whitt
12
Mike Devereaux
Whitt wore 11
1991
Glenn Davis
27
Dave W. Johnson
Davis wore 37 until 1993, when he switched back to 27
1993
Harold Reynolds
4
Earl Weaver (Retired)
Reynolds wore 6, switched to 25 in April
1993
Paul Carey
8
Cal Ripken, Jr. Carey wore 88
1994
Chris Sabo
17
Dick Bosman (Coach)
Bosman switched to 27
1994
Lee Smith
47
Brad Pennington
Pennington switched to 29
1995
Andy Van Slyke
18
Damon Buford
Buford switched to 26
1995
Scott Erickson
19 Ben McDonald
Erickson wore 21; McDonald signed with MIL and Erickson wore 19 in 1996
1996
Mike Devereaux
12
Roberto Alomar
Devereaux wore 10
1996
B. J. Surhoff
5
Brooks Robinson (Retired)
Surhoff wore 17
1997
Jimmy Key
22
Jim Palmer (Retired)
Key wore 21
1997
Eric Davis
44
Elrod Hendricks (Coach)
Davis wore 24
1997
Harold Baines
3
Tony Tarasco
Baines wore 10; Tarasco later switched to 43, giving Baines 3
1999
Albert Belle
8
Cal Ripken, Jr.
Belle wore 88
1999
Jeff Conine
19
Scott Erickson
Conine wore 18
1999
Will Clark
22
Jim Palmer (Retired) Clark wore 12, switched to 23 in 2000
2001
Pat Hentgen
41 Jason Johnson
Johnson switched to 16
2001
Tim Raines, Sr.
30
Mike Hargrove (Manager)
Raines wore 11 at first; then Hargrove switched to 21, giving Raines 30
2003
B. J. Surhoff
17
Geronimo Gil
Gil switched to 9
2004
Miguel Tejada
4
Earl Weaver (Retired)
Tejada wore 10
2004
Javy Lopez
8
Cal Ripken, Jr. (Retired)
Lopez wore 18
2004
Lee Mazzilli (Manager)
13
Rodrigo Lopez
Lopez switched to 19; in 2005, Mazzilli switched to 12, giving Lopez 13
2004
Rafael Palmeiro
25
Jay Gibbons
Gibbons switched to 31
2004
Ray Miller (Coach)
31
Jay Gibbons
Miller wore 34
2005
James Baldwin
23
Alejandro Freire
Baldwin wore 19; Freire later switched to 58, giving Baldwin 23
2006
LaTroy Hawkins
32
Luis Matos
Hawkins wore 23; after Matos released July 6, Hawkins switched to 32
2006
Ramon Hernandez
55
Tom Trebelhorn (Coach)
Trebelhorn switched to 26
2007
Todd Williams
53
Chad Bradford
Williams wore 30
2008
John Shelby (Coach) 37
Chris Ray Shelby wore 38
2008
Bob McCrory
31
Kam Mickolio
Each had worn 31 earlier in season in separate stints; both promoted again on 9/2, McCrory switched to 41
2010
Miguel Tejada
10
Adam Jones
Tejada wore 9
2010
Garrett Atkins
27
Mark Hendrickson
Atkins wore 25
2010
Kevin Millwood
34 Matt Albers
Albers switched to 37
2011
Vladimir Guerrero
27 Mark Reynolds
Both joined the team for 2011 season; Reynolds wore 12 (see below)
2011
Mark Reynolds
12 Robert Andino
Andino switched to 11
2011
Chris Jakubauskas 55 Alfredo Simon Jakubauskas switched to 36
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One Player, Many Numbers

Lefthanded pitcher Billy O'Dell is the first Oriole to ever wear four different numbers as a player. The "bonus baby" joined the team in June 1954 almost immediately after being signed; he wore 24. After seven appearances, he was sent to the minors for more seasoning. He would rejoin the team in 1956, wearing 18 for a four-game cameo. In 1957 O'Dell finally stuck, splitting the season between the starting rotation and the bullpen. He pitched effectively with number 38 on his back (2.69 ERA), in spite of his 4-10 W-L record. In 1958, O'Dell switched to 41 and had a year to remember. The highlight was appearing in the All-Star Game in front of the hometown fans in Memorial Stadium. He earned the save with three spotless innings, baffling such greats as Willie Mays, Hank Aaron, Stan Musial, and Ernie Banks! If it ain't broke, don't fix it - O'Dell stayed in the 41 jersey in 1959 and made a return trip to the Midsummer Classic, although he was touched up for a run in one inning of work this time. On the strength of his back-to-back All-Star seasons (24 wins, 9 saves, 2.95 ERA), the Orioles traded Billy O'Dell along with pitcher Billy Loes to the San Francisco Giants. In return, the O's received catcher Roger McCardell (who never played in the majors again), pitcher Gordon Jones, and talented but enigmatic outfielder Jackie Brandt. Brandt was the centerpiece of the deal for the Birds, and made the All-Star squad himself in 1961 (.297 AVG, 16 HR, 72 RBI). However, his performance was never quite up to that standard afterward. O'Dell, meanwhile, notched 19 wins in 1962. His career was otherwise solid but unspectacular. He added two more uniform numbers to his post-Baltimore career: 31 with the Giants and Pirates and 33 with the Braves.

Catcher Chris Hoiles was the only other Baltimore player to suit up in four different numbers with the Birds for quite some time. He wore #17 during a few cups of coffee in 1989. Pete Harnisch switched to #17 in 1990, so Hoiles took Harnisch's old #42 after being called up in June that year. He was sent away in July, but returned in August. In the interim, the O's acquired designated hitter Ron Kittle, who claimed the #42 he'd worn throughout his career. Hoiles settled into #28. Chris was in Charm City to stay in 1991, this time in the #23 he'd wear for the rest of his playing days. In 2010, outfielder Lou Montanez joined the four-number club.
The following list contains players who wore at least three different numbers during their time with the Orioles.

Player
Numbers Worn
Billy O'Dell
18, 24, 38, 41
Chris Hoiles
17, 23, 28, 42
Lou Montanez
2, 3, 14, 16
Bob Saverine
1, 2, 33
Manny Alexander
1, 6, 48
Tony Tarasco
1, 3, 43
Clint Courtney
2, 10, 11
Brooks Robinson
5, 21, 34
Bob Hale
6, 10, 20
Jerry Adair
6, 7, 8
Larry Harlow
6, 34, 51
Wayne Krenchicki
6, 12, 45
Mark Parent
6, 24, 27
Corey Patterson
6, 17, 42
Geronimo Gil
9, 17, 60
Scott Moore
9, 40, 43
Terry Crowley
10, 11, 37 (Also wore 48 as a coach - see below)
Ed Rogers
11, 16, 67
Matt Riley
12, 25, 35
Jim Busby
16, 23, 33
Boog Powell
16, 26, 30
Fred Valentine
16, 20, 27
Tim Raines, Jr.
16, 38, 63
Chris Hoiles
17, 23, 28
Frank Bertaina
18, 23, 40
Alberto Castillo (P)
23, 24, 53
Pete Incaviglia
26, 29, 55
Ryan Kohlmeier
30, 50, 59
Rick Krivda
37, 38, 62
Don Ferrarese
39, 46, 51
Jim Johnson
43, 47, 59

The following list features players who have worn three or more different numbers during separate stints as Orioles players and coaches.

Player
Numbers Worn
Terry Crowley
10, 11, 37 (player); 48 (coach)
Ken Rowe
17, 35 (player); 31, 42 (coach)
Don Buford
9 (player); 2, 13 (coach)
Johnny Oates
12 (player); 26 (coach/manager); 46 (coach)
Curt Motton
21, 43 (player); 47 (coach)

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Most and Least Popular Numbers

"Popular" might be a misnomer; if a number has been issued with high frequency, there's a good chance that most of the occupants of that number weren't very memorable or at least didn't stick around for too long. Nick Markakis has already had the most success in #21, for instance; he's only been with the team for three years! Meanwhile, numbers in the high thirties are usually among the lowest numbers available in the middle of a season and are often given to players called up from the minors, or attached to fringe guys in the bullpen. Below is a listing of the uniform numbers that have been issued to the most1983 World Series players in Orioles history.1971 World Series

Number
How many players have worn it?
37
31
23
30
39 30
21
29
40 29
16 28
9 28
25 28
38 27
30 27
27 27
28
26
35 26

Meanwhile, the numbers that have been issued the least are all oddball high numbers (54, 67, 72, etc.). Throwing those out, as well as numbers that are retired, we get the following least issued numbers between 1 and 49.

Number
How many players have worn it? Notes
7
6
Taken out of circulation in 1999 for Cal Ripken, Sr. after his death
48 9
Worn for 20 total years by Orioles coaches
31
10
Worn for 43 total years by Orioles coaches
44
11
Worn for 28 consecutive years by Elrod Hendricks; taken out of circulation in 2006 after his death
46
11
Worn for 17 total seasons by Mike Flanagan
49
14
Not issued from team's inception in 1954 until August of 1965 (Mark Belanger first to wear 49)
45
15 Between 1954 and 1973, only issued to one player (also issued to one coach and one manager in that time)
19
16
Worn for 13 consecutive seasons by Dave McNally (1962-1974); not issued again until 1985 (Fred Lynn)
26 17 Worn for 18 total years by coaches and for 12 consecutive years by Boog Powell (1963-1974)
13
17 Not issued between 1977 and 1985
1
17
Worn for thirteen total seasons by Al Bumbry and eight by Brian Roberts
48 18 Issued twice between 1954 and 1975; worn for ten consecutive years by Cal Ripken, Sr. (1976-1985)
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Who Wore It First? Who Wore It Longest?

As you know by now, several Orioles players have laid claim to various uniform numbers. But only one player can be the first to wear a number, and only one player can wear it for the longest. The table below indicates which player was the first to wear each number in Baltimore, and which player is the Dean of that number.

Number
First Player
Year First Worn
Longest Tenured Player
Total Years Worn (Date Range)
1
Chico Garcia
1954
Al Bumbry
13 (1972-1984)
2
Neil (Connie) Berry
1954
Bob Johnson
4+ (1963-May 10, 1967)
3
Eddie Waitkus
1954
Billy Ripken
6+ (1987-Apr 1988; 1989-1992; 1996)
4
Vern Stephens
1954
Jim Gentile
4 (1960-1963)
5
Bobby Young
1954
Brooks Robinson
21 (1957-1977)
6
Billy Hunter
1954
Paul Blair
12 (1965-1976)
7
Frank Kellert
1954
Mark Belanger
15+ (Sept 1966-1981)
8
Dick Kryhoski
1954
Cal Ripken, Jr.
20+ (Aug 1981-2001)
9
Ray Murray
1954
Brady Anderson
13 (1989-2001)
10
Les Moss
1954
Elrod Hendricks
8+ (1968-Aug 18, 1972; 1973-June 15, 1976)
11
Clint Courtney
1954
Gus Triandos
8 (1955-1962)
12
Joe Durham
1954
Mike Devereaux
6 (1989-1994) Note: Lenn Sakata also played 6 years (1980-1985), but did not join the team until May 1980.
13
Bill Miller
1955
Steve Barber
6.5 (1961-July 4, 1967)
14
Don Lenhardt
1954
Lee May
6 (1975-1980) Note: Merv Rettenmund also played 6 years (1968-1973), but Lee May also wore 14 as hitting coach in 1995.
15
Sam Mele
1954
Davey Johnson
8 (1965-1972)
16
Gil Coan
1954
Scott McGregor
10+ (1978-May 2, 1988)
17
Jim Fridley
1954
B. J. Surhoff
7.5 (1996-July 31, 2000; 2003-2005)
18
Dick Littlefield
1954
Jeff Conine
5 (1999-Aug 31, 2003)
19
Dick Kokos
1954
Dave McNally
12+ (Sept 1962-1974)
20
Vic Wertz
1954
Frank Robinson
6 (1966-1971)
21
Jim Fridley
1954
Curt Motton
6 (1967-1971; 1974)
22
Dave Koslo
1954
Jim Palmer
18+ (1965-1967; 1968-May 23, 1984)
23
Lou Kretlow
1954
Tippy Martinez
10.5 (June 15, 1976-1986)
24
Vern Bickford
1954
Rick Dempsey
10.5+ (June 15, 1976-1986; June-July 1992; Sept 1992)
25
Jim McDonald
1955
Rich Dauer
8 (1978-1985)
26
Marlin Stuart
1954
Boog Powell
12 (1963-1974)
27
Don Larsen
1954
Benny Ayala
6 (1979-1984)
28
Duane Pillette
1954
Hal Brown
7.5 (July 14, 1955-Sept 7, 1962)
29
Ray Moore
1955
Ken Singleton
10 (1975-1984)
30
Bob Mabe
1960
Dennis Martinez
9.5 (1977-June 16, 1986)
31
Brad Havens
1985
Jay Gibbons
4 (2004-2007)
32
Chuck Diering
1954
Milt Pappas
9 (1957-1965)
33
Bob Turley
1954
Eddie Murray
12.5 (1977-1988; July 21-Oct 1996)
34
Mike Blyzka
1954
Storm Davis
6 (1982-1986; 1992)
35
Joe Coleman
1954
Mike Mussina
9 (1992-2000)
36
Jim Wilson
1955
Tim Hulett
6 (1989-1994)
37
Howie Fox
1954
John Shelby
6+ (1981-May 22, 1987)
38
Jay Heard
1954
John Lowenstein
7 (1979-1985)
39
Don Ferrarese
1956
Eddie Watt
8 (1966-1973)
40
Bob Kennedy
1954
Dave Leonhard
5 (1968-1972)
41
Babe Birrer
1956
Don Aase
4 (1985-1988)
42
Gordie Sundin
1956
Lenny Webster
2.5 (1997-July 21, 1999)
43
Chuck Locke
1955
Sidney Ponson
7.5 (1998-July 31, 2003; 2004-Sept 1, 2005)
44
Tito Francona
1956
Jim Hardin
5 (June 1967-May 28, 1971)
45
Bill Dillman
1967
Jim Poole
4.5 (July 30, 1991-1994)
46
Don Ferrarese
1955
Mike Flanagan
14 (Sept 1975-Aug 31, 1987; 1991-1992)
47
Bob Harrison
1955
Jesse Orosco
5 (1995-1999)
48
Jack Fisher
1959
Jose Bautista
3+ (1988-Apr 1991; Aug 1991)
49
Mark Belanger
1965
Tim Stoddard
6 (1978-1983)
50
Fred Beene
1964
Jorge Julio
5 (2001-2005)
51
Don Ferrarese
1957
Jamie Moyer
3 (1993-1995)
52
Bob Bailor
1975
B. J. Ryan
6.5 (Aug 1999-2005)
53
Dave Pagan
1976
Arthur Rhodes
8+ (Aug 1991-1999)
54
John Habyan
1985
John Habyan
3 (1985-1987)
55
Nelson Briles
1977
Ramon Hernandez
3 (2006-2008)
56
Mike Oquist
1993
Brian Burres
2+ (Sept 7, 2006-2008)
57
Jeff Schneider
1981
Juan Guzman
1 (July 31, 1998-July 31, 1999)
58
Francisco De La Rosa
1991
Hector Carrasco
0.5 (June 29-Sept 27, 2003)
59
Dave Ford
1978
Eric DuBose
2 (2002-2003)
60
Jimmy Haynes
1995
Geronimo Gil
one month (Sept-Oct 2001)
61
Dennis Martinez
1976
Dave Borkowski
0.5 (July 5-Oct 3, 2004)
62
Rick Krivda 1995
Radhames Liz
3.5 months (June 2-July 28, 2008; Aug 22-30, 2008; Sept 2-28, 2008; Apr 15-20, 2009)
63
Nerio Rodriguez
1996
David Hernandez
0.5 (May 28-June 11, 2009; June 28-July 10, 2009; July 20-Oct 4, 2009)
64
Bruce Chen
2004
Bruce Chen
one-plus months (Aug 25-Oct 3, 2004)
67
Ed Rogers
2005
Ed Rogers
one month (Sept 1-Oct 2, 2005)
70
Jeff Fiorentino
2009
Jeff Fiorentino
one month (Sept 1-Oct 4, 2009)
72
Robert Machado
2003
Robert Machado
1.5 (July-Sept 2003; May-Sept 2004)
75
Alan Mills
1992
Alan Mills
8.5 (1992-1998; July 13, 2000-2001)
77
Joe Borowski
1995
Joe Borowski
0.5 (July 1995; Aug-Sept 1995)
78
Guillermo Rodriguez
2009
Guillermo Rodriguez
one month (Sept 8-Oct 4, 2009)
83
Justin Turner
2009
Justin Turner
one month (Sept 8-Oct 4, 2009)
88
Rene Gonzales
1987
Rene Gonzales
4 (1987-1990)

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