Baltimore Orioles: Where Have You Gone?

Baltimore Orioles: Where Have You Gone? is a unique look at what a number of former Orioles personalities have gone on to do in life since their playing careers ended. Author Jeff Seidel spoke with a wide-ranging number of former Baltimore players, from stars like Cal Ripken Jr. and Brooks Robinson, to those who had only their “15 minutes” of fame, like Dave Criscione and John Stefero. A common thread seems to be how many of the former Orioles stayed in baseball in some form, like Ripken, who started his own minor-league team in Aberdeen, Maryland, something that´s clearly close to his heart; or former catcher Andy Etchebarren, a longtime minor-league manager and coach.

All of the players had interesting stories to tell. There´s Chris Hoiles, the tough, gritty catcher forced out of the game too early by injuries, but who then found joy in helping coach a college team near his home as he watches his two boys grow up. There are guys like Criscione, who was with the team for about six weeks during the 1977 season as the Orioles were doing battle with the New York Yankees and Boston Red Sox for the American League East crown. The backup catcher came up with a few big hits, however, while also becoming a father for the first time, making him an instant fan favorite. He never made it back to the majors again but became a very successful college coach. There´s Mike Flanagan, the Cy Young Award-winning lefty who anchored the Orioles pitching staff in the late ´70s and early ´80s, finally becoming the team´s pitching coach and co-general manager.

Baltimore Orioles: Where Have You Gone? also features men like Tommy Davis, the team´s first designated hitter, who tells how he came up with a key base hit after nearly missing his at-bat because he was talking on the clubhouse telephone; Doug DeCinces, faced with the cruel task of taking over for Brooks Robinson at third base, talking about the huge pressure he faced and how he truly appreciated playing for the Orioles; and finally the legendary Robinson himself, still a fan favorite nearly 30 years after retiring, telling how he told the Chicago White Sox thanks, but no thanks, when they asked him about managing.