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This was a landmark season in Baltimore for the Baltimore Orioles, as Cal Ripken announced that it would be his last in the Major Leagues. What was another rebuilding season for the Baltimore Orioles transformed into a farewell tour for the most durable player in the history of the game. Ripken received numerous gifts and accolades as he stopped by visiting Major League parks for the final time. The season ended at home and the Baltimore Orioles and Major League baseball agreed to switch the season finale to Saturday, and Ripken played his final game on Oct. 6, 2001. He finished the year hitting .239 with 14 homers and 68 RBI. He capped his career by hitting a home run in the All-Star Game and winning the MVP award.
A young Baltimore Orioles club took the field and was one of the league's surprises through the first 126 games, winning 63 and seemingly en route to a winning season. A 4-32 finish put a damper on the year, but there were some bright spots. Rodrigo Lopez was named Team MVP and the Sporting News American League Rookie Pitcher of the Year while Jay Gibbons hit 28 home runs. It was the fifth consecutive fourth place finish for the Baltimore Orioles, who finished the year on a 12-game losing streak.
The Baltimore Orioles introduced first-year manager Lee Mazzilli and free-agent signees Miguel Tejada and Javy Lopez as well as old friends Rafael Palmeiro and Sidney Ponson. The O's set several offensive records and finished 78-84, their best record since 1999. Rookie Daniel Cabrera emerged on the scene by winning 12 games in his first Major League exposure. Tejada set a club record for RBIs in a season and Brian Roberts set a club record for doubles, as the Baltimore Orioles finished with a .281 average.
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