Earl Weaver has passed away at the age of 82. Fans of baseball and the Baltimore Orioles who grew up in the 1970's and 80' s know that Weaver was one of the best. Weaver died Friday night while on a cruise, according to Monica Barlow, the team’s public relations head.
Earl had a swagger about him that you don't see in many managers today. "On my tombstone just write, ‘The sorest loser that ever lived,’ " he once said.
Weaver didn't lose much when he was in charge of the Birds. In his 17 seasons he was and still is the all-time winningest manager in Orioles history with 1,480 victories under his cap.
"Earl Weaver stands alone as the greatest manager in the history of the Orioles organization and one of the greatest in the history of baseball," Orioles owner Peter Angelos said. "This is a sad day for everyone who knew him and for all Orioles fans. Earl made his passion for the Orioles known both on and off the field. On behalf of the Orioles, I extend my condolences to his wife, Marianna, and to his family."
Weaver's run in Baltimore lasted from 1968-1982, and again in 1985-86 and his accomplishments will go down as some of the best in MLB history.
Five times in his managerial career, the Orioles won at least 100 games or more under Weaver. That is something we don't see much of in today's game.
Known on the field as "the little genius" and "the Earl of Baltimore," Weaver will be remembered as one of the greatest managers of all time.
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