Nominated by: Sean McGowan

Why did Sean McGowan nominate Mark Belanger for the HOM?

I first remember rooting for the Orioles as a kid in Maryland during the 1969 season. I remember being terribly dissapointed by the series that year. Recovery was quick during the next season when the O's picked up a Championship. Even though I had to wait until 1983 for the next Championship, it seemed as though the Orioles were always right in the thick of things, including 2 game 7 losses to the Pirates ('71,'79) and lots of great playoff series with the A's. We called it Oriole Baseball. Defense, solid pitching, and 3-run home runs. It is not by accident that "Defense" is listed first. If it weren't for the Oriole batters getting ground ball hits through the left side, I would have grown up thinking that it was not allowed. Balls on the ground between 3rd base and 2nd base just didn't go through. Brooks or Mark Belanger got every one. I will always remember Belanger going deep in the hole and jumping in the air to turn and throw to first. I grew up loving great defensive plays and truly understanding how important it was. Brooks got all the press because he could hit too, but both of them we what baseball was all about to me. Belanger was a career .228 hitter, but most people don't know that he hit .287 (that is not a type-o!) in 1969 and was a big part of the big RBI totals for the big sticks in the lineup. Apparently, after hitting .208 in 1968, Mark spent alot of time with the hitting instructors during the '69 season, and got great results. As the stroy goes, he couldn't be bothered with it after that and spent his time perfecting his fielding. A man with real focus! Can you blame him with Brooks, Boog, Frank, Don Buford, and Paul Blair to take care of the offense?

Card Checklist

YEAR / SET              CARD

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1968 TOPPS               118

1969 TOPPS               299

1970 TOPPS               615

1971 TOPPS                99

1972 TOPPS               456

1973 TOPPS               253

1974 TOPPS               329

1975 TOPPS                74

1976 TOPPS               505

1977 TOPPS               135

1978 TOPPS               315

1979 TOPPS                65

1980 TOPPS               425

1981 DONRUSS             472

1981 FLEER               175

1981 TOPPS               641

1982 FLEER               158

1982 TOPPS               776

1982 TOPPS TRADED          5

1983 DONRUSS             514

1983 TOPPS               273

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