Longtime fans of the Baltimore Orioles are mourning the loss of a legend, as Hall of Fame manager Earl Weaver has passed away on Saturday at the age of 82. Weaver was traveling on an Orioles fantasy cruise when he suffered an apparent heart attack.
Weaver spent all 17 of his managerial years in Baltimore. He racked up six division titles, four American League pennants, and a World Series Championship during two separate runs in the city.
During his first run of 15 years, Baltimore finished either first or second in their division in all but three years. That gave him a .583 winning percentage, giving him the best percentage of all managers after 1960 and placing him seventh on the all-time list.
MLB Comissioner Bud Selig had the following to say about Weaver:
Having known Earl throughout my entire career in the game, I have many fond memories of the Orioles and the Brewers squaring off as American League East rivals. Earl's managerial style proved visionary, as many people in the game adopted his strategy and techniques years later.
Earl was well known for being one of the game's most colorful characters with a memorable wit, but he was also amongst its most loyal. On behalf of Major League Baseball, I send my deepest condolences to his wife, Marianna, their family and all Orioles fans.
The fiery St. Louis native was elected to the Hall of Fame in 1996, and he was further honored by the Orioles last year with a seven-foot statue outside of Camden Yards. A number of his former players, including fellow Hall of Famers Frank Robinson, Eddie Murray, Jim Palmer and Cal Ripken were on hand for the ceremony.
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