• April 13, 1954: The Orioles opened their first season as the reborn Browns on the road, on April 13, 1954, at
Briggs Stadium against the
Detroit Tigers. The Tigers won, 3–0, on three solo
home runs (from
Ray Boone,
Walt Dropo and
Frank Bolling).
Steve Gromek hurled the
complete game shutout and
Don Larsen (who would lose 21 of 24
decisions that year) was the hard-luck loser. • April 15: Thousands of Baltimoreans jammed city streets as the new Orioles paraded from downtown to their new home at
Memorial Stadium. During the 90-minute parade, the new Birds signed autographs, handed out pictures and threw styrofoam balls to the crowd as the throng marched down 33rd Street West. Inside, more than 46,000 watched the Orioles beat the
Chicago White Sox, 3–1, to win their home opener and move into first place in the American League.
Clint Courtney hit the first
home run in modern Orioles history, a solo blow in the third inning. Ironically, the Orioles lost their last home game of the season, 11–0, to the same White Sox, finishing with 100 losses and games out of first place. • September 12: At Memorial Stadium,
Joe Durham hit a solo home run off
Philadelphia Athletics pitcher
Al Sima in the sixth inning, to become the first African-American position player to belt a homer in Baltimore Orioles history. • September 14:
Paul Richards, manager of the White Sox since 1951, resigns his post to join the Orioles as both field manager and
general manager. When Richards' signing was announced, ten games remained in the O's season. Dykes stayed on to finish the 1954 campaign as skipper, and Richards took over in the Baltimore dugout starting in 1955. Richards had compiled a 342–265 (
.563) won–lost record as leader of the Pale Hose, turning around the fortunes of the formerly hapless franchise.
Opening day lineup, April 13, 1954 Season standings Record vs. opponents Notable transactions • May 11, 1954:
Neil Berry,
Dick Kokos and Jim Post (minors) were traded by the Orioles to the
New York Yankees for
Jim Brideweser. • May 12, 1954:
Don Lenhardt was acquired from the Orioles by the
Boston Red Sox. • May 25, 1954:
Dick Littlefield was traded by the Orioles to the
Pittsburgh Pirates for
Cal Abrams. • June 1, 1954:
Vic Wertz was traded by the Orioles to the
Cleveland Indians for
Bob Chakales. • July 4, 1954:
Marlin Stuart was claimed off waivers from the Orioles by the
New York Yankees. • August 7, 1954:
Bob Kuzava was claimed off waivers by the Orioles from the New York Yankees.
Roster == Player stats ==