Forty-three years ago today, on Sept. 22, 1966, the Orioles clinched their first American League pennant with a 6-1 victory over the Kansas City Athletics.It was the modern Orioles' first-ever pennant, and the franchise's first pennant since the St. Louis Browns won their only one in 1944.
Jim Palmer, then in his second year in the majors, picked up a complete-game victory for the Birds, allowing five hits and one earned run while striking out eight and walking one against the A's.
It was Palmer's 15th and final regular-season victory. He went on to pitch a complete-game shutout in Game 2 of the 1966 World Series against the Dodgers.
Four Orioles batters registered multi-hit days against the Athletics' Lew Krausse, led by Frank Robinson's 3-for-5 effort with two doubles and two RBI. Russ Snyder, Boog Powell, and Davey Johnson picked up two hits a piece.
The O's outlasted Minnesota for the pennant, finishing nine games ahead of the Twins.
For a pleasant change of pace from current times, the Yankees finished in last place in the 10-team American League in 1966 with a record of 70-89. New York was a half-game behind the ninth place Boston Red Sox.
Image source: Here.
Really cool post. Who knew? (Well, you did, I suppose.) At any rate, I can always count on Roar from 34 to drop some cool O's knowledge.
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