Earl Weaver 1930-2013

All you really need to know about the "Earl of Baltimore" is this:

• His teams averaged 94 wins per 162 games managed over his career;
• His teams won 318 games over a three-year span from 1969 through 1971; and
• He influenced more managers and coaches than any of his contemporaries.

For those of us who grew up watching Earl Weaver's teams play, it's always been a high compliment to say a team is playing "Earl Weaver" baseball; or, as it was known at the time, "Oriole baseball."

Great starting pitching, a balanced lineup that includes many role players, defensive strength up the middle, and a tendency to hit timely, game-changing home runs-- that's the "Oriole Way," as Earl called it. Today we'll call it "Earl's Way," and to those who've been following the two-time World Champion San Francisco Giants lately, we'll leave it up to you as to whether you recognize the style of play we just described.

RIP Earl Weaver.