On this date in 1983 ...

The Orioles still haven't announced whether Scott McGregor will remain the bullpen coach or return to his previous job as pitching rehab coordinator. But on this date in 1983, the left-hander stood on the mound as shortstop Cal Ripken Jr. squeezed Garry Maddox's line drive for the final out in the World Series. Can't take that away from him. The images of Ripken shaking the glove over his head and McGregor receiving a bear hug from catcher Rick Dempsey are forever etched in the minds of die-hard Orioles fans who were old enough to experience it live or have seen the countless replays. I've resisted the urge to wear a commemorative patch on my sleeve today. McGregor shut out the Phillies on five hits, walking two and striking out six. Eddie Murray homered twice off Charles Hudson. Rick Dempsey doubled, homered and was named Most Valuable Player. Dempsey went 5-for-13 (.385) with four doubles and a home run in the World Series after going 2-for-12 (.167) in the American League Championship Series. Does anyone remember who played right field for the Phillies in Game 5? Hint: He admitted to gambling on baseball and is banned from Cooperstown despite being the all-time leader in hits. Pete Rose had two hits on that day. So did Maddox, but his liner in the ninth settled into Ripken's glove. The game lasted 2 hours, 21 minutes. How is that possible? Going back to Dempsey, he also won a ring with the Dodgers in 1988. In fact, he was behind the plate when Orel Hershiser recorded the final out in Game 5 to clinch the Series. I totally forgot that Dempsey returned to the Orioles in 1992, his 24th season in the majors. He went 1-for-9 in eight games. Dempsey signed as a free agent on June 22, 1992, was released on July 31, signed again on Sept. 27 and was released again on Oct. 15. And I don't recall any of it. I haven't forgotten about Henry Urrutia. He returned to the Surprise Saguaros lineup yesterday as the designated hitter and went 1-for-4 with a walk. Jonathan Schoop collected his first hit - he's now 1-for-17 - and Dariel Alvarez had a triple and two RBIs.