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Orioles Mourn Death of Franchise Great

Originally posted on Athlon Sports | By Jake Elman | Last updated Jul 5, 2025 10:27 AM ET

Baltimore Orioles saw plenty of Bill Hunter over the years, between his All-Star shortstop days and his nearly 14 seasons on the club's coaching staff.

Hunter, a 1996 inductee into the Orioles Hall of Fame, died earlier this week at 97. The Orioles announced his passing on Thursday night.

"The Orioles extend their sympathies to his wife, Bev, his sons Greg and Kevin, and his four grandchildren and four great-grandchildren," the club wrote on Twitter/X.

Hunter hit .219 with 16 homers, 144 RBIs, and a .559 OPS over six big-league seasons. He broke into the majors on a 100-loss St. Louis Browns team, the club's final year before becoming the Baltimore Orioles.

The Orioles mourn the passing of Bill Hunter, the last surviving member of the 1954 inaugural Orioles team and the St. Louis Browns franchise, at age 97.

Bill was the Orioles’ first shortstop and later spent 13 ½ seasons as the Orioles third base coach, 1964-77. He was elected… pic.twitter.com/U0fAIKBqyn
— Baltimore Orioles (@Orioles) July 3, 2025

Hunter was the last surviving St. Louis Browns player.

Although he only batted .219 as a rookie, Hunter nonetheless earned All-Star honors and played every game. Baltimore traded him to the New York Yankees in 1955, and he won a World Series ring the following year.

Hunter closed his career with the then-Kansas City Athletics and a 76-game stint in Cleveland. He joined the Orioles' coaching staff after the 1963 season and spent nearly 14 years as their third base coach. Baltimore won four pennants and two championships in that time.

Then came the summer of 1977, when Hunter left to become the Texas Rangers' full-time manager. Hunter went 146-108 until the team fired him with one day left in the next season.

Hunter spent the next two decades in college, serving as Towson's head baseball coach (1979-88) and athletic director (1984-95) before retiring.

Athlon extends its condolences to Hunter's family and loved ones.

This article first appeared on Athlon Sports and was syndicated with permission.

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