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3w ago

Billy Hunter, Last Living Member of Orioles’ 1954 Inaugural Team, Dies at 97

His passing marks the loss of the last living link to Baltimore’s inaugural Orioles roster.

Billy Hunter, manager of the Texas Rangers baseball team, Dallas, Texas, July 5 1977.
Billy Hunter demonstrates proper baserunning technique during training camp in 1973.
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Overview

  • The Baltimore Orioles announced Thursday that Hunter died at age 97, marking the end of the franchise’s direct ties to its 1954 origins.
  • Hunter earned an All-Star selection in his rookie season and played shortstop for the Browns and Orioles before joining the Yankees’ 1956 World Series roster.
  • After retiring as a player in the late 1950s, he managed in the minors and served 14 seasons as Baltimore’s third base coach, contributing to two World Series championships.
  • He led the Texas Rangers as manager in 1977–78 and later shaped collegiate athletics at Towson University as baseball coach and athletic director until 1995.
  • Hunter was inducted into the Orioles Hall of Fame in 1996 and is survived by his wife, Bev, sons Greg and Kevin, four grandchildren and four great-grandchildren.