Another 50th Reunion! By Alice Laird Rapport

1966 was a great year to graduate from Aberdeen’s Central High School and it was a great year for the Aberdeen Pheasant's Major League Baseball affiliate, the Baltimore Orioles.  In 1966, the Orioles won baseball’s World Series in a stunning upset over Sandy Koufax’s Los Angeles' Dodgers.  In that championship series, several former Pheasant players made important contributions.

Growing up in Aberdeen, especially during our high school years, left many of our Class of '66 with captured memories, including spending Summer evenings at the former Pheasants’ Municipal Ball Park.  We saw some good baseball as well as having fun being with our friends.  As players moved up through the Orioles farm system, we followed their progress and felt connected when they made the majors.

Recently, on July 8, 2016, prior to a home game, the Orioles honored members of their 1966 championship team by celebrating the 50^th anniversary of that 1966 World Series Victory.  How lucky was I to attend another 50^th reunion one month following the 50th reunion of our Class of '66?

1964 Northern League Champions - Aberdeen Pheasants

There were seven former Pheasant players on the 1966 Oriole team, although only two were at the anniversary game, Jim Palmer and Eddie Watt.  Both players were star pitchers of the 1964 Northern League Champion Pheasants.  Palmer starred for the Orioles over 16 years and was inducted into Baseball’s Hall of Fame in 1990.  Eddie Watt was the star pitcher for the ’64 Pheasants with a 14-1 win-loss record and spent 10 years in the majors.  The remaining former Pheasants on the 1966 Oriole team included Steve Barber, Mark Belanger, Frank Bertaina, Andy Etchebarren and Tom Phoebus.

Jim Palmer's 1966 Rookie Card

Eddie Watt's 1966 Rookie Card

Enjoy the pictures of these memorable Pheasants, and the 50th anniversary of their World Series championship.  Please share your baseball memories, 
and please don't forget..Let's Go O's