Red Sox vs Orioles Quirky Rivalry Facts

Red Sox Vs Orioles

Here are some fried facts (fun, quirky, and lesser-known tidbits) about the Boston Red Sox vs. Baltimore Orioles rivalry:

1. The 'Impossible' 9th-Inning Comeback (2007)

In a wild game on August 25, 2007, the Orioles led the Red Sox 10-1 in the 9th inning. Boston then staged an 8-run rally, capped by a Kevin Youkilis walk-off single, winning 11-10. It remains one of the most improbable comebacks in MLB history.

2. The 'Wild Card Steal' (2011)

On the final day of the 2011 season, the Red Sox and Orioles played a rain-delayed thriller. Boston led 3-2 in the 9th, but Robert Andino hit a walk-off single, completing an Orioles comeback. Moments later, the Rays walked off the Yankees, eliminating the Red Sox from playoff contention in one of MLB’s craziest nights.

3. The 'Brawl Game' (2013)

In April 2013, tensions boiled over when Ryan Dempster intentionally hit Orioles’ star Manny Machado (who had homered twice earlier). A benches-clearing brawl ensued, and Dempster was later suspended.

4. The '30-3' Massacre (2007)

While not a Red Sox-Orioles game, the Texas Rangers once beat Baltimore 30-3 (2007). However, the Red Sox hold the AL record for most runs in a game (29 vs. St. Louis in 1950)—so both teams know what extreme blowouts feel like.

5. The 'Bird Mascot War'

The Orioles’ mascot, The Oriole Bird, once got into a mock fight with the Red Sox’s Wally the Green Monster during a game. It ended with Wally stealing the bird’s hat—pure mascot drama!

6. The 'Cal Ripken Jr. Streak Ended at Fenway'

Cal Ripken Jr.’s record 2,632 consecutive games streak began in 1982—but it ended in 1998 when he voluntarily sat out a game at Fenway Park, marking the end of an era.

7. The 'David Ortiz Walk-Off King'

Big Papi had 11 career walk-offs against the Orioles—the most he had against any team. His most famous? A 3-run homer in 2013 to cap a 7-run 8th-inning rally.

8. The 'Adam Jones Fenway Love-Hate'

Former Orioles star Adam Jones once said Fenway Park was his favorite road stadium, despite Boston fans sometimes heckling him. He later tipped his cap to the Fenway crowd in his final game there (2019).

9. The 'Chris Davis Pitching Gem' (2012)

In a 17-inning marathon in 2012, Orioles first baseman Chris Davis pitched two scoreless innings—and got the win! Meanwhile, Red Sox outfielder Darnell McDonald also pitched, making it a battle of position players.

10. The 'Mookie Betts 13-Pitch At-Bat' (2016)

In a 2016 game, Mookie Betts (then with Boston) fought through a 13-pitch at-bat against Dylan Bundy, ending in a home run—one of the grittiest at-bats in recent memory.

Bonus Fried Fact:

The Orioles were originally the Milwaukee Brewers (1901) and St. Louis Browns (1902-1953) before moving to Baltimore in 1954. The Red Sox once tried to trade Babe Ruth to… the Browns before dealing him to the Yankees. Imagine how history changes if that happened!

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Red Sox vs Orioles Quirky Rivalry Facts

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