Dedicated to Promoting and Stimulating Interest in Baseball
******* Celebrating 60+ Years of Community Service *******
******* Celebrating 60+ Years of Community Service *******
ORIOLES HALL of FAME
The Orioles Hall of Fame was conceived in 1977 by the Oriole Advocates (Advocates) at the suggestion of two past presidents, Allen Barrett and Jack Buckley. With the encouragement and cooperation of the Orioles, the Hall was created. Brooks and Frank Robinson were the inaugural members. In 1989, the Advocates formed a Veterans Committee (Committee) to reconsider Oriole players possibly overlooked by voters who were not familiar with early player contributions to the Orioles. In 1995, the Herbert E. Armstrong** Award was established to honor non-uniformed personnel worthy of inclusion in the Orioles Hall of Fame. In 2007, the William “Wild Bill Hagy” award was established to honor fans who show devotion to the team and commitment in their support of the Orioles.
The Hall of Fame Committee consists of a group of media members, Orioles front office staff, and Advocates. The Committee reviews the Bylaws and creates a ballot containing the leading candidates for election to the Hall of Fame. Ballots are mailed to prominent media members, members of the Oriole Hall of Fame, members of the Oriole Front Office, selected |
Baltimore baseball figures, and eligible Advocate members. The nominee receiving the most votes, but at least 60% of the votes cast, shall be elected to membership in the Hall of Fame.
Veterans, Armstrong Award winners, and Hagy Award winners are elected by the Hall of Fame Committee. Plaques representing each member of the Orioles Hall of Fame can be found on a brick wall along Camden Yard's Eutaw Street walkway, behind the Eutaw Street Reserve (bleacher) sections.*** |
** Following the destruction of old Oriole Park by fire on 29th Street (July 4, 1944), Orioles Business Manager, Herb Armstrong achieved the miraculous feat of planning and supervising the conversion of the Baltimore Municipal Stadium into a baseball park in the space of ten days! Despite the tragic disruption, the Orioles went on to win the International League Pennant and the Junior World Series, breaking all Minor League attendance records, and outdrawing ten of the Major League Clubs. That achievement opened the eyes of the Major League owners and paved the way for Baltimore’s eventual return to the Majors. For his accomplishments Herb was named the International League’s Front Office Executive of Year by the Sporting News. He retired from the Orioles at the age of eighty but continued to be active for another ten years in many sports related organizations and activities, and as a consultant to the Orioles. Two significant awards are given each year in his honor: the Herbert E. Armstrong Award for outstanding service to high school or college football, given by the Great Baltimore Chapter of the National Football Foundation; and the Herbert Armstrong Award for outstanding service to baseball, given to a non-uniformed person by the Baltimore Orioles Advocates. (From Minding What Matters)