1992 Orioles Debuts, #513-523

Rolling along with the debut posts because that's my main blogging focus for now, today I'm covering the new O's of 1992. Here are the previous years, if you missed them (2001, 2000, 1999, 1998, 1996, 1995, 1994, 1993).

1992 had the relatively low number of just 11 players making their Orioles debuts during the season, but I don't know why that was, can anyone out there offer any insight? Alan Mills was the only new O to go on the have much of a career with the Birds, but Rick Sutcliffe, who made the first ever start at the brand new Oriole Park at Camden Yards, and Manny Alexander, who had lots of hype, but couldn't back it up, were also notable names around Birdland in '92. 

Rick Sutcliffe #513, 4/6/92 (1992-93)

Mark McLemore #514, 4/8/92 (1992-94)

Alan Mills #515, 4/20/92 (1992-98, 2000-01)

Pat Clements #516, 7/11/92 (1992)

Pat was a relief pitcher for eight seasons between 1985-92 and played for the Angels, Pirates, Yankees, and Padres, in addition to the O's. He spent his last MLB season in the Orioles 'pen and had a very respectable 3.28 ERA over 23 appearances. 

In a strange coincidence, his high school baseball coach was the brother of former Orioles catcher, Clay Dalrymple.

Tommy Shields #517, 7/25/92 (1992)

Mark Parent #518, 7/31/92 (1992-93, 96)

Richie Lewis #519, 7/31/92 (1992, 98)

Jack Voigt #520, 8/3/92 (1992-95)

Jack played parts of four seasons in Baltimore before moving on to play for the Rangers, Brewers, and A's. 

He has stayed active around baseball after his playing career ended, serving as a minor league instructor, coach, and manager; which included a stint with the O's hi-A affiliate Frederick Keys in 2001-02 and as the Orioles base-running and outfield coordinator in 2003, a title that he currently holds in the Mets organization. 

Craig Lefferts #521, 9/6/92 (1992)

Steve Scarsone #522, 9/8/92 (1992)

It's pretty easy to forgot that a guy like Steve played for the Orioles considering that his entire tenure in black and orange was a brief 11 game stint at the tail-end of the '92 season. But it was enough for him to be immortalized on cardboard as an O in the 93 Donruss set; ah the '90s were a great time to find your players on a card as a member of your favorite team. 

Steve also played briefly for the Phillies, Cardinals, and Royals but is likely best remembered for the four seasons he spent with the Giants. Like Voigt, he has also stayed active in baseball after hanging up his spikes and is currently the manager of the A's AA Texas League team, the Midland RockHounds. 

Manny Alexander #523, 9/18/92 (1992-96)

A Return To Sanity

After thirteen-ish seasons of forcing players to remain hairless below their lips (read- mustaches only), it's official that the Orioles have relaxed their facial hair policy. It seems to have changed partially due to the addition of veterans like Derrek Lee and Vlad Guerrero who have long sported goatees but was also helped by Buck Showalter's clubhouse culture updates. Let's face it, the rule was silly and (most) baseball players look better with some sort of facial hair. It let's them show their personality and it's not like it affects the way the game is played. Former Oriole Kevin Millar championed the "Beards for Birds" effort throughout his three seasons in Birdland, but unfortunately didn't make any headway at the time.

 Crappy cell phone pic from 2010 FanFest, Markakis is on the left

 

2010 Spring Training, Credit to the Baltimore Sun on this one

Longtime O's Nick Markakis and Luke Scott have generally rocked Grizzly Adams style beards in past offseasons, but had to shave when they officially reported to Spring Training. I don't think these glorious face-warmers will still be allowed, but at least they can have some sort of whiskers to keep them happy.

The Rick Sutcliffe autograph at the top of the post is definitely the best cardboard representative showing off Orioles facial hair in my collection. Between the full beard and the mullet, Sutcliffe might have had the overall best Orioles hair in Bawlmer history.

But the Red Baron wasn't the only Orioles player pictured on cards sporting some facial hair.

 Mark McLemore sported a goatee in Baltimore and used it to collect dirt while stealing bases

 

The Fu Manchu-ness of Alan Mills' goatee helped to intimidate batters

 

And do you think Big Ben would've looked quite so badass without the facial hair? 

No, he would not.

As I'm sure you can tell, I'm thrilled that the players finally have facial hair freedom in Baltimore. It was one of those silly rules that didn't help attract players to a perennially downtrodden franchise. 

Will it help to bring any marquee free agents to the O's? Possibly not. 

But could the clean shaven rule have ever tipped a player against signing with a team that already had trouble selling itself? There's a chance.