The Baltimore Orioles are a professional baseball franchise located in Baltimore, Maryland. They compete in the American League (AL) East division of Major League Baseball (MLB). The organization was founded in 1901 as the Milwaukee Brewers, relocated to St. Louis in 1902 where they were known as the St. Louis Browns, and eventually moved to Baltimore in 1954, adopting the name Orioles.
Home games for the Baltimore Orioles take place at Oriole Park at Camden Yards, which is celebrated for its retro-style architecture and scenic backdrop of downtown Baltimore. Opened on April 6, 1992, this stadium has been the site of many historic events, including Cal Ripken Jr.'s legendary consecutive games record set in 1995 and the MLB All-Star Game held there in 1993. Throughout its history, the franchise has secured three World Series titles and recorded multiple playoff entries. Their inaugural World Series appearance occurred in 1944 when they faced off against the St. Louis Cardinals and were defeated, and then won three World Series in 1966, 1970, and 1983.
Baltimore Orioles Logo Change
In 2012, the Baltimore Orioles unveiled a new logo to mark the 20th anniversary of Oriole Park at Camden Yards and stir nostalgia for one of their most prosperous periods. This updated logo revived the beloved cartoon bird head that had been part of team caps and uniforms from 1966 until 1988. It served as a tribute to the franchise's golden era, during which they claimed three World Series championships (in 1966, 1970, and 1983) and established themselves as one of Major League Baseball's powerhouse teams.
Baltimore Orioles Logo Change History
The Baltimore Orioles have a long history of evolving logos, each reflecting a specific era of the team’s development and successes (via the official MLB website):
The Lead-Off Bird (1954-1962) The original Orioles bird logo appeared on the team’s uniform caps for their first nine seasons after moving to Baltimore. This bird, perched proudly on the cap, bears a genealogical resemblance to the later Ornithologically Correct Bird logo used between 1989 and 1997.
The Shoulder Patch Bird (1955-1962) This bird design was used exclusively as the official shoulder patch on Orioles uniforms. It adorned the jerseys of early Orioles stars such as Gus Triandos, Milt Pappas, and Jim Gentile, as well as future legends like Brooks Robinson and Boog Powell.
Orange Letter "B" (1963) In 1963, the Orioles replaced the bird logo with an orange letter “B” on their caps, making it the only season in Orioles history where the caps were birdless. This minimalist design was short-lived and quickly replaced the following year.
The Chirping Bird (1964-1965) The bird logo returned in 1964 with a new design that featured a chirping expression. It appeared on the team’s caps for two seasons, during which the Orioles had strong performances, including a 97-win season in 1964.
The Cartoon Bird (1966-1988) This iconic bird, known simply as the Cartoon Bird, became synonymous with the Orioles’ most successful era. Worn by legends such as Brooks Robinson, Frank Robinson, Boog Powell, and Cal Ripken Jr., the logo was featured on the caps throughout the team’s three World Series victories (1966, 1970, and 1983). The design itself remained largely consistent, though variations in the caps occurred over the years.
The Ornithologically Correct Bird (1989-1997) In 1989, the Orioles introduced a new, more realistic bird logo, designed to be more of an actual Baltimore oriole bird. This logo came to be known as the Ornithologically Correct Bird and was used during a time when political correctness in branding was emphasized.
The Lifelike Bird (1998-2008) An updated version of the previous bird, the Lifelike Bird had a more detailed and lifelike appearance, representing a proud and stately interpretation of the real oriole bird. The bird was given a slight facelift in 1999, becoming even more majestic in its stance.
The Traditional Bird (2008-2011) The Traditional Bird was introduced along with the Baltimore road jersey redesign in 2008. This new bird logo evoked the shape and feel of some of the team’s historical logos. The design was simplified to include only the traditional black, orange, white, and grey colors.
The "New" Cartoon Bird (2012 - Present) To celebrate the 20th anniversary of Oriole Park at Camden Yards in 2012, the Orioles brought back a modernized version of the beloved Cartoon Bird logo from the 1960s and 1970s.
FAQs on Baltimore Orioles
A. The Orioles are part of the American League (AL) East division in Major League Baseball (MLB).
A. The Orioles play their home games at Oriole Park at Camden Yards, located in downtown Baltimore, Maryland.
A. The team’s name, “Orioles,” is derived from the state bird of Maryland, the Baltimore oriole.
A. The Orioles’ team colors are black, orange, and white.
A. The Orioles’ mascot is "The Oriole Bird," which has been part of the team’s identity since 1979.
