The Orioles today announced that former Orioles second baseman Brian Roberts has been elected to the Orioles Hall of Fame. Additionally, long-time Orioles Radio broadcaster Fred Manfra will be inducted as this year's Herb Armstrong Award winner. Roberts and Manfra will be honored at a luncheon at Oriole Park sponsored by the Oriole Advocates, founders of the Orioles Hall of Fame, on Friday, August 10 at noon, as well as during an on-field ceremony prior to the Orioles game on Saturday, August 11, against the Boston Red Sox.
Roberts played 13 seasons with the Orioles from 2001-2013, compiling a .278 batting average and 1,452 hits. He ranks first in Orioles history as a second baseman in all major offensive statistical categories. Roberts is also among the club's overall career leaders in stolen bases (2nd, 278), doubles (4th, 351), runs (6th, 810), triples (6th, 35), extra-base hits (7th, 478), walks (7th, 581), hits (9th, 1,452), at-bats (10th, 5,214), total bases (10th, 2,149), and games (12th, 1,327).
Drafted by Baltimore in the first round of the 1999 First-Year Player Draft (No. 50 overall), Roberts made his debut with the Orioles on June 14, 2001. He appeared in 51 games at shortstop his first season with the O's, before making the transition to second base the following year. He made his first Opening Day roster in 2004, starting at second base for the Orioles. He led the O's in hitting (.314) in 2005 and led the team in stolen bases six different times (2003, 2004, 2005, 2007, 2008, 2009), tying for the American League lead in 2007 with 50 stolen bases. Roberts was a two-time All-Star (2005 and 2007) and was also named AL Player of the Month in April of 2005.
Roberts will provide analysis for select games on the Orioles Radio Network this season, having previously served as a guest analyst on MASN in 2016 and on FOX's MLB broadcasts, as well as in studio on MLB Network. Roberts is a supporter of the Orioles Health & Fitness Challenge, which promotes healthy lifestyles for middle-school aged children in Sarasota County Schools. As a player, Roberts was a strong supporter and ambassador for the University of Maryland Children's Hospital and hosted the annual Brian's Baseball Bash.
Before retiring this past season, Manfra spent 24 years with the Orioles Radio Network. The East Baltimore native and Patterson High School graduate joined Orioles Radio broadcasts in 1993. He was on the call both nights when Cal Ripken, Jr. tied and broke Lou Gehrig's 2,130 consecutive games played record. He broadcasted five different Orioles playoff appearances during his tenure. In his 47-year broadcasting career, Manfra covered NBA Finals and NBA All-Star Games, the Olympics, NHL Stanley Cup Finals and All-Star Games, the Breeder's Cup, and Triple Crown races, among other marquee events.
Tickets for the luncheon on Friday, August 10 are available by calling ANN SERIO at 410-247-2703. Tickets for the pregame induction ceremony and the Orioles-Red Sox game on Saturday, August 11 are available at www.orioles.com or by calling 1-888-848-BIRD.
A complete list of members of the Orioles Hall of Fame and Herb Armstrong Award recipients can be found at www.orioles.com/hof.
Photographs of Brian Roberts and Fred Manfra are available for download via Photoshelter (password: Media2018), courtesy of the Orioles. Additionally, b-roll of Roberts playing for the Orioles and participating in the Health and Fitness Challenge is available at baltimore.brickftp.com (Media2018|orioles2018).