Brian Roberts elected to the Baltimore Orioles Hall of Fame
Former Baltimore Orioles second baseman Brian Roberts has been elected to the Baltimore Orioles Hall of Fame. Roberts was orginally drafted by the Orioles in the first round of the 1999 MLB draft. Roberts would play for the Orioles from 2001 to 2013.
Roberts was a two-time All-Star for the Orioles. Roberts was a base stealer with rare pop for a small switch hitting second baseman. Roberts hit 97 home runs in his career. Roberts 285 stolen bases and 367 doubles highlighted his career.
Roberts also spent a lot of time hurt for the Orioles as injuries plagued his career. At one point Roberts gave himself a concussion by slamming his bat against his head.
Roberts was a bright spot for the Orioles during the longest down period for the franchise and was loyal to the Orioles. Roberts finished his career with the New York Yankees before retiring.
Off the field Roberts made a huge impact on the community. Roberts was very active with charity events and his foundation. Roberts was an outspoken and devout Christian athlete.
Here is the Orioles press release.
Brian Roberts elected to Orioles Hall of Fame
Longtime Orioles broadcaster Fred Manfra named Herb Armstrong Award winner
The Orioles today announced that former Orioles second baseman Brian Roberts has been elected to the Orioles Hall of Fame. Additionally, long-time Orioles Radio broadcaster Fred Manfra will be inducted as this year’s Herb Armstrong Award winner. Roberts and Manfra will be honored at a luncheon at Oriole Park sponsored by the Oriole Advocates, founders of the Orioles Hall of Fame, on Friday, August 10 at noon, as well as during an on-field ceremony prior to the Orioles game on Saturday, August 11, against the Boston Red Sox.
Roberts played 13 seasons with the Orioles from 2001-2013, compiling a .278 batting average and 1,452 hits. He ranks first in Orioles history as a second baseman in all major offensive statistical categories. Roberts is also among the club’s overall career leaders in stolen bases (2nd, 278), doubles (4th, 351), runs (6th, 810), triples (6th, 35), extra-base hits (7th, 478), walks (7th, 581), hits (9th, 1,452), at-bats (10th, 5,214), total bases (10th, 2,149), and games (12th, 1,327).
Drafted by Baltimore in the first round of the 1999 First-Year Player Draft (No. 50 overall), Roberts made his debut with the Orioles on June 14, 2001. He appeared in 51 games at shortstop his first season with the O’s, before making the transition to second base the following year. He made his first Opening Day roster in 2004, starting at second base for the Orioles. He led the O’s in hitting (.314) in 2005 and led the team in stolen bases six different times (2003, 2004, 2005, 2007, 2008, 2009), tying for the American League lead in 2007 with 50 stolen bases. Roberts was a two-time All-Star (2005 and 2007) and was also named AL Player of the Month in April of 2005.
Roberts will provide analysis for select games on the Orioles Radio Network this season, having previously served as a guest analyst on MASN in 2016 and on FOX’s MLB broadcasts, as well as in studio on MLB Network. Roberts is a supporter of the Orioles Health & Fitness Challenge, which promotes healthy lifestyles for middle-school aged children in Sarasota County Schools. As a player, Roberts was a strong supporter and ambassador for the University of Maryland Children’s Hospital and hosted the annual Brian’s Baseball Bash.
Before retiring this past season, Manfra spent 24 years with the Orioles Radio Network. The East Baltimore native and Patterson High School graduate joined Orioles Radio broadcasts in 1993. He was on the call both nights when Cal Ripken, Jr. tied and broke Lou Gehrig’s 2,130 consecutive games played record. He broadcasted five different Orioles playoff appearances during his tenure. In his 47-year broadcasting career, Manfra covered NBA Finals and NBA All-Star Games, the Olympics, NHL Stanley Cup Finals and All-Star Games, the Breeder’s Cup, and Triple Crown races, among other marquee events.
We caught up with @1brianroberts after this morning’s #Orioles Hall of Fame election announcement. #Birdland pic.twitter.com/sS4pFG3dRC
— Baltimore Orioles (@Orioles) March 22, 2018
