Mark Belanger Baltimore Orioles Photos, Prints

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Mark Belanger was a shortstop who played almost his entire career with the Baltimore Orioles. A defensive standout, he won eight Gold Glove Awards between 1969 and 1978, leading the American League in assists and fielding percentage three times each, and retired with the highest career fielding average by an AL shortstop (.977). He set franchise records for career games, assists and double plays as a shortstop, all of which were later broken by Cal Ripken, Jr. Belanger was known as a poor hitter. His true contribution to the team was on defense, where he earned a reputation as one of the best fielding shortstops ever. He was also named to the All-Star team in 1976. Belanger was known for his intelligence and his gentlemanly demeanor on and off the field. Playing between star players such as Brooks Robinson and Davey Johnson, he was a favorite of many Baltimore fans, and came to symbolize the Orioles of the 1970s as a group of selfless, determined overachievers whose talents as a team were greater than their sum as individuals.