Though he may be going into Cooperstown without a team logo on his hat, pitcher Mike Mussina laid the foundation for his Hall of Fame career here in Baltimore.
In his 10 seasons with the Orioles, Mussina has the best winning percentage for any Baltimore pitcher with a minimum of 140 appearances (.645), and ranks second in the team history in strikeouts (1,535), third in wins (147) and fifth in ERA (3.53).
“Moose” went 2-1 with a 2.53 ERA in six career postseason starts for the O’s, was an all-star five times and won four of his seven career Gold Gloves.
The righty finished his career with the New York Yankees, pitching in the Bronx from 2001 to 2008.
To celebrate Mussina’s Hall of Fame induction, the club has invited the ace to throw out the ceremonial first pitch ahead of the June 30 game against the Cleveland Indians, the Orioles announced today.
Mussina is due to be enshrined in the National Baseball Hall of Fame on July 21 along with the late pitcher Roy Halladay, designated hitter Edgar Martinez, closer Mariano Rivera, closer Lee Smith and designated hitter Harold Baines. The last two had stints with the Orioles; additionally, Baines is a native of St. Michaels, MD.
