The Orioles have inducted three new players into their Hall of Fame, all of whom made their own unique impact on the franchise. Nick Markakis, Terry Crowley, and Dick Bowie all received the esteemed honor, the Orioles announced on May 3. They will all be honored before the Orioles game on August 24 against the Astros.
The newest members of the Orioles Hall of Fame. pic.twitter.com/6KUVOxWIh7
— Baltimore Orioles (@Orioles) May 3, 2024
Each player impacted the team in their own way and during separate periods. Markakis played in the 2010s, while Crowley played for the Orioles throughout the 1970s and 1980s. Bowie was a scout for the Orioles from the 1950s until the 1980s. Let’s dive deep into what each player meant for the franchise and why they are deserving of their induction into the Orioles Hall of Fame.
Nick Markakis: The Ultimate Glue Guy
When people talk about the good Orioles teams from the 2010s, they often mention star players like Manny Machado, Adam Jones, Chris Davis, or even J.J. Hardy. But when talking about the 2012 team that broke a 15-year playoff drought for the Orioles or the 2014 team that won the American League East for the first time since 1997, nobody mentions the always-reliable right fielder Nick Markakis. Although never an All-Star for the Orioles, Markakis was a key contributor to the ballclub.
He spent eight years with the Orioles, from 2006 until 2014, and in only one season, Markakis played less than 145 games. Not only was he always available, but Markakis was also a really good player. He consistently hit for a high Batting Average, having a .290 Batting Average during his time with the Orioles. He even hit double-digit home runs every year he was with the Orioles.
Markakis wasn’t just a great hitter for the Orioles but also an outstanding fielder.
Markakis won a gold glove in 2011 and again in 2014, both for right field. In addition to being a great player, Markakis was also always a respected leader in the clubhouse. Markakis is the type of player that young Oriole under-the-radar stars Colton Cowser or Jordan Westburg can learn from. Markakis’s attributes turned into a very good career that deservingly ended with an induction into the Orioles Hall of Fame.
Terry Crowley: A Longtime Oriole
Although Crowley did not have superstar statistics or play every game, he spent 12 years in Baltimore. In two stints, he was a part of some very good teams. Crowly went to 2 different World Series with the Orioles, In 1970 and 1979. In 1970, the year the Orioles won their second World Series, Crowley had one of the best years of his career. He hit .253 and had an On-Base Percentage of .384.
In 1979, the Orioles went on to lose the World Series, but Crowley had arguably the best season of his career, hitting for a Batting Average of .317 and having an OPS of .925. Even though Crowley never played more than 92 games in a season, he spent 12 years with the Orioles and made an impact in more ways than just his play. He helped contribute to a winning culture, and deservedly will now be honored in the Orioles Hall of Fame for the accomplishments he had in an Oriole uniform.
Dick Bowie: An Eye for Talent
Dick Bowie is this year’s recipient of the Herb Armstrong Award, an award given to non-uniformed Orioles personnel. He worked for the Orioles for 23 years, from 1958 up until his passing in 1981. Bowie was a scout for the Orioles and is credited with signing more than 100 players. His biggest success was successfully scouting and signing Orioles Hall of Famer Al Bumbry. Other notable players he signed include Ken Dixon and Larry Sheets. Bowie put a lot of time and effort into the Orioles Organization and will now be recognized for his impactful contributions as an Oriole Hall of Famer.
Main Photo Credits: James Lang-USA TODAY Sports
