Eddie Murray Inducted As A Baltimore Oriole’s Legend With Bronze Statue
By: Richard Webster
Today, former Baltimore Oriole and Hall of Famer Eddie Murray was the fourth Oriole honored as part of the Orioles Legends Celebration Series.
Prior to 6 ballgames this summer at Oriole Park at Camden Yards, the O’s are celebrating their 6 greatest Birds of all time: Frank Robinson, Earl Weaver, Jim Palmer, Eddie Murray, Cal Ripken Jr., and Brooks Robinson.
Each of the former Oriole players are being honored with a ceremony before the game of the day, and an unveiling of a larger-than-life bronze sculptures in their image to stand in the Center Field Garden. All fans coming to the games on those days are receiving exact miniature replica sculptures of the Bird of the day.
Today, for one more day at the park, fans in attendance chanted the familiar mantra “EDDIE. EDDIE. EDDIE. EDDIE,” and gave Eddie Murray a thunderous applause.
Eddie was always a fan favorite in Baltimore; and expectations for an Eddie Murray homerun were high every time he came to the plate.
At the unveiling of his statue, Eddie took the podium and addressed the crowd:
“You always wonder what you’re going to say when you come up here. All I can say is Wow. That’s pretty impressive . . . This is awesome.”
And although it was a beautiful, sunny, summertime day for Eddie’s unveiling ceremony which began around 5:30 p.m., the clouds and rain rolled into Baltimore afterwards, which postponed Eddie’s throwing out the ceremonial first pitch prior to this evening’s O’s vs. Kansas City Royals game.
As of this writing, the game is in rain delay. But the on-field ceremony for Eddie Murray will take place eventually this evening.
So far this year, the Orioles have honored Frank Robinson, Earl Weaver and Jim Palmer.
Two more Legends ceremonies are scheduled this season: Cal Ripken Jr. on September 6, and Brooks Robinson on September 29.
Eddie Clarence Murray played 13 seasons for the Orioles. He also played for the Dodgers, Mets, and Indians during his MLB career.
Eddie Murray was one of the most feared switch-hitting homerun hitters that ever played the game. He hit his 500th career home run on September 6, 1996 while wearing the O’s uniform. Eddie retired after the 1997 season with 504 home runs.
Well dererved Mr. Murray, well deserved!!!
Can’t wait until I see the statue in person! It’s about time the Orioles got some statues at OPACY.
Matt- I am going to have to plan a family vacation out there someday. I need to go to see them and that ballpark too!
I went to Baltimore in 2010 and 2011, wish they had these statues then. The Park is gorgeous. Brian, when you go, plan to spend some time at the Baltimore Sports Legends Hall of Fame and the Babe Ruth Birthplace Museum.