27 * 61 Replay: 1970 Orioles

Editor’s note: The 27 * 61 Yankees Replay games are being played with Strat-o-Matic cards and dice. The designated hitter will not be used for any games. Injuries will only be used during the game when they occur.

The 1970 Baltimore Orioles dominated the American League with 108 wins to claim the East Division by 15 games over the New York Yankees.

The Orioles would go on to sweep the Minnesota Twins in three straight during the AL Championship Series before beating the Cincinnati Reds four games to one in the World Series.

Although Boog Powell had slightly better numbers the year before, the slugging first baseman was named the AL Most Valuable Player in 1970 with 35 homers and 114 RBI.

The Orioles also featured three pitchers who won at least 20 games. Mike Cuellar (24-8), Dave McNally (24-9) and future Hall of Fame hurler Jim Palmer (20-10) led manager Earl Weaver‘s staff.

McNally finished second in the Cy Young Award balloting to Minnesota’s Jim Perry.

Two more players who would make it to Cooperstown on the squad were Frank Robinson and Brooks Robinson. Those two along with the three previously mentioned pitchers and Don Buford all received MVP votes.

Primary Batting Order

Don Buford lf (17 HR, 66 RBI, 16 SB)
Mark Belanger ss (36 RBI)
Frank Robinson rf (25 HR, 78 RBI, .306)
Boog Powell 1b (35 HR, 114 RBI)
Paul Blair cf (18 HR, 65 RBI, 24 SB)
Brooks Robinson 3b (18 HR, 94 RBI)
Davey Johnson 2b (10 HR, 53 RBI)
Elrod Henricks c (12 HR, 41 RBI)
Andy Etchebarren c (4 HR, 28 RBI)

Primary Starting Pitchers

Jim Palmer (20-10, 2.71 ERA)
Mike Cuellar (24-8, 3.48 ERA)
Dave McNally (24-9, 3.22 ERA)
Jim Harden (6-5, 3.53 ERA)
Tom Phoebus (5-5, 3.07 ERA)