Top Five Wins Leaders in Baltimore Orioles History

In the history of Baltimore Orioles, the road to success has been paved with great pitching. Led by the likes of Jim Palmer and Dave McNally, the 1966 Orioles won the first World Series in since the team was founded in 1901. From 1966 to 1983, the Orioles enjoyed three World Series titles on the backs of pitchers who combined for six Cy Young Awards. Four of the top five wins leaders in Baltimore Orioles history pitched during that successful era.

5. Mike Flanagan: 141 wins

The winner of the 1979 AL Cy Young Award, Mike Flanagan ranks fifth among the Baltimore Orioles' all-time wins leaders. Flanagan had a long and successful career with the Orioles, spending two stints in Baltimore for a total of 15 seasons. In his 1979 season, he led the AL with 23 wins as he posted a 3.08 ERA in 265.2 innings. The lefty served as number three starter on Baltimore's last World Series Championship team in 1983.

4. Mike Cuellar: 143 wins

The first member of the organization to win a Cy Young Award, lefty Mike Cuellar sits fourth on the list of Baltimore Orioles' all-time wins leaders. After beginning his career in the National League, Cuellar joined the Orioles in 1969 and immediately excelled, winning the Cy Young Award in his first season in the American League. He won more than 20 games in each of his first three years with the Orioles and did so again in 1974. A four-time All-Star, Cuellar had a career ERA of 3.14 in 2,808 innings.

3. Mike Mussina: 147 wins

Mike Mussina is the most recent pitcher to crack the Baltimore Orioles' all-time wins leaders. Mussina made his Major League debut in Baltimore in 1991 and remained there through 2000. His best season came in just his second year when he put up a 2.54 ERA in 241 innings with 18 wins. As his career progressed, Mussina developed into a reliable strikeout pitcher as he totaled more than 200 K's in three of his last five years in Baltimore. He made five All-Star teams during his tenure and won at least 15 games in six separate seasons with the Orioles.

2. Dave McNally: 181 wins

Dave McNally was one of the best pitchers in baseball during his prime and he ranks second among the Baltimore Orioles' all-time wins leaders. McNally pitched all but his final season in an Orioles' uniform, spending 13 years with the team from 1962 to 1974. In 1968, he began a stretch of four consecutive 20-win seasons, topping out with a league-leading 24 wins in 1970. McNally pitched in two Orioles' World Series Championships, including a shutout in the series-clinching game in 1966.

1. Jim Palmer: 268 wins

The Baltimore Orioles' all-time wins leader is longtime ace Jim Palmer. Spending his entire 19-year career in Baltimore, Palmer became one of the greatest pitchers in baseball history. From 1970 to 1978, he won 20-plus games eight times while leading the American League in ERA twice. An owner of three championship rings with the Orioles, Palmer is one of only eight pitchers to win at least three Cy Young Awards. The Hall of Famer remains a big part of Orioles baseball today as the team's color commentator.

* Indicates the player is active with the team.

References:

Baltimore Orioles Player Career Pitching Register. Baseball-Reference.com