Oh, what a night: Remembering the 1983 champion Orioles

When the Orioles took the field against the Philadelphia Phillies for the 1983 World Series, there was plenty of motivation, and not just to win the championship. The Orioles were also out to avenge two heartbreakers - losing a 3-1 lead in the 1979 World Series and losing the 1982 American League East title on the season's final day.

The Orioles lost the series opener 2-1 to the Phillies at Memorial Stadium, but that would be their only loss. They took the series in five games, completing the third World Series title in Orioles history, following up on 1966 and 1970.

We didn't know it then, but we haven't seen another World Series win in Baltimore since '83.

So that made it even more special recently when some former players from that year got together at a downtown Baltimore hotel in front of 900 admiring guests who still remembered some of their exploits as if they had happened yesterday. "An Evening with the '83 Orioles" was put together by and served as a fundraiser for the Maryland Sports Boosters and the Babe Ruth Museum.

I was there, and it was an awesome and emotional night.

Scotty McGregor pitched a complete-game, five-hit 5-0 shutout in the clinching game and was thrilled to get together again with this group.

"I never even went to one of my high school reunions, but these guys I would never miss. That was a very special time, and very grateful for these opportunities," McGregor said.

McGregor remembered dealing with nerves early in Game 5.

"I just remember at one time I stepped off the mound and looked around and saw 66,000 people and said, 'Oh man, I can't do this.' I had to get focused. But they got me five runs early and all I could do was just take it one pitch, one out at a time. It was a great culmination with a great bunch of guys. We didn't get it done in '79, and we weren't about to lose it in '83."

That's the way former lefty reliever Tippy Martinez remembered it too.

"In '79 when we lost, we all looked around and felt we had the nucleus to do it again and again," he said. "When we finally got back, we weren't going to let it go. Of course, in '82 we came close. On that '83 team, someone always took control or came through for us, and we always found a way to win."

Former AL umpire Al Clark attended the reunion and remembered how good the Orioles were back in those days.

"Back then it was the Oriole Way. Cal (Ripken) Sr. had a lot to do with that. Everyone came up and did things the same way. I think the attitude in our game was different back then than it is, perhaps, today," he said.

Clark worked the plate for Game 3 of that series, which featured Mike Flanagan facing Steve Carlton. At the time, it was the first matchup of former Cy Young Winners in World Series history. That game was also won in relief by Jim Palmer, and that was his last win in any major league game.

So, yep, it's 35 years later and the Orioles are still looking for another World Series title.

"I can recall that final out," said Ken Singleton. "That soft line drive Gary Maddox hit to Cal Ripken. Scotty pitched a helluva game. It's been a long time. I would have thought the Orioles would have put it over the top between then and now. In fact, until they win again Eddie (Murray) said they're going to bring us back every five years."

Rich Dauer, the second baseman from the 1983 team, didn't expect that theirs would be the last O's World Series win all these years later.

"No, not at all," he said. "Back then we were one of the winningest teams. I was so fortunate to be around such a great team, and my whole career and coaching career was emulated after Earl Weaver. The Oriole Way was the only way to play."

And it was the winning way in 1983.

Three members of that team have died. Mike Flanagan, Todd Cruz and Sammy Stewart are gone, but certainly not forgotten.

That was a special season filled with Orioles magic. Wild Bill Hagy led the "roar from section 34" and he's passed away now also. But on a cold, almost winter night in downtown Baltimore, the magic was back for the 900 fans in attendance. Their heroes still looked great, and a wonderful time was fondly remembered.

"Some of the best times of my life were spent with the Orioles, Singleton said. "It's a very special night. To get us back together and relive some of the memories is very special. Jumping up in the air in the celebration on the field that day I remember thinking, 'At this moment, no one is better than us.' We'll have this bond forever.".

The boys were back in town for the reunion of the 1983 #Orioles! 🤩

Watch Ken Singleton, Dennis Martínez and Brooks Robinson reminisce about bringing the World Series title to Baltimore. pic.twitter.com/0CDKfF8N56

-- Orioles on MASN (@masnOrioles) November 16, 2018