Top 50 Players In Baltimore Sports History: Countdown 20-11
14. Lydell Mitchell, RB, Baltimore Colts
Mitchell was taken in the second round of the 1972 NFL Draft out of Penn State University by the Colts with the 48th overall selection. He was a teammate of Hall of Fame running back Franco Harris of the Pittsburgh Steelers while at Penn State, and many actually thought the Steelers were going to draft Mitchell instead of Harris before the draft. He was inducted into the College Football Hall of Fame in 2004.
Mitchell established himself in the mid-1970s as one of the best all-around running backs in the NFL. Mitchell, along with teammate Bert Jones, powered the Baltimore Colts to three consecutive AFC East Division titles, replacing a powerhouse Miami Dolphins team that had captured the division for four straight years (1971–74). Mitchell topped the 1,000-yard rushing plateau in three consecutive seasons (1975–77) earning Pro Bowl honors each year. In addition to his rushing exploits, he twice led the NFL in pass receptions, in 1974 and 1977. Mitchell was named 2nd Team All-Pro in 1976 and 1977 as well as being named 2nd Team All-AFC following the 1975 campaign.
After his successful run in Baltimore, Mitchell was dealt to the San Diego Chargers after the 1977 season. He turned in a solid season in 1978 with the Dan Fouts-led Chargers and finished his career in 1980 appearing in two games with the Los Angeles Rams. Mitchell ended his career carrying 1,675 times for 6,534 yards and 30 touchdowns while catching 376 passes for 3,203 yards and 17 touchdowns.
13. Frank Robinson, OF, Baltimore Orioles
Aug 24, 2013; Chicago, IL, USA; MLB hall of fame member Frank Robinson prior to the first inning of a game between the Chicago White Sox and the Texas Rangers at US Cellular Field. Mandatory Credit: Dennis Wierzbicki-USA TODAY Sports
Robinson played for five teams from 1956 to 1976, and became the only player to win league MVP honors in both the National and American Leagues. He won the Triple crown and won two World Series championships with the Orioles (1966 and 1970). Considered to be arguably the best hitter in Orioles history, Robinson had a long and successful career. He split his best years between two teams: the Cincinnati Reds (1956-1965) and the Baltimore Orioles (1966-1971).
Prior to the 1966 season, Reds owner Bill DeWitt sent Robinson to Baltimore in exchange for pitcher Milt Pappas, pitcher Jack Baldschun and outfielder Dick Simpson. The trade is now considered among the most lopsided deals in baseball history, especially as Robinson was only 30 years old and appeared to have many productive years ahead of him. In Robinson’s first year in Baltimore, he won the Triple Crown, leading the American League with a .316 batting average (the lowest ever by a Triple crown winner), 49 home runs (the most ever by a right-handed Triple crown winner) and 122 runs batted in. The Orioles won the 1966 World Series and Robinson was named the Series MVP. In the Orioles’ four-game sweep of the defending champion Los Angeles Dodgers, Robinson hit two home runs—in Game One, which Baltimore won 5–2, and in Game Four, the only run of the game in a 1–0 series-clinching victory. Both home runs were hit off Don Drysdale.
In 1970, there was a game in which Robinson hit back-to-back grand slams (in the fifth and sixth innings). The Orioles won three consecutive pennants between 1969 and 1971, and won the 1970 World Series over his old club Cincinnati. Robinson finished his playing career with brief appearances for the Los Angeles Dodgers, California Angles, and Cleveland Indians. During a 21-year baseball career, he batted .294 with 586 home runs, 1,812 runs batted in, and 2,943 hits. At his retirement, his 586 career home runs were the fourth-best in history (behind only Hank Aaron, Babe Ruth, and Willie Mays). Robinson was elected into the Baseball Hall of Fame in 1982.