Signed as an amateur free agent in 1955, Brooks Robinson debuted that year in Baltimore as an 18-year old.  It was clear from the beginning that he was a wizard with the glove, but it took him some time to develop his hitting game.  In 1960, he did that, and throughout the decade and beyond, he was considered the best Third Baseman in the game.

Playing his entire Major League career with the Baltimore Orioles, Jim Palmer overcame a lot of early arm trouble to become one of the best hurlers in the 1970s.

The selection of Cal Ropken Jr. at the top was straightforward.

Cal Ripken Jr. is, without question, the greatest Baltimore Oriole ever, and also one of the best baseball players who ever existed.

Playing his entire pro career with Baltimore, Ripken appeared in only 23 Games in 1981 and was still eligible to be a rookie in 1982.  Why do we mention this?  Because he would become the American League Rookie of the Year in '82!   This was not just a ROY year, as it was the beginning of the greatest iron man streaks of sports.  Ripken Jr. would play 2,632 consecutive games, which would shatter the 2,130 mark that was set by Lou Gehrig.

Like Gehrig, Ripken did not just play in those games, and he excelled in them.  From 1983 to 2001, he was named to the All-Star team, and the Shortstop established himself as an elite player regardless of position.  Ripken was named the MVP in 1983 and 1991, and throughout his career, he showed off his power and batting skills.  The Shortstop would have 12 20 Home Run Seasons (10 in a row) and 4 100-RBI campaigns.  Ripken also had four .300 seasons, and his leadership led the Orioles to the 1983 World Series Title and two other postseason appearances.

We also want to mention that, as celebrated as Ripken was, this was one of the greatest defensive infielders ever.  He may have only won two Gold Gloves, but he was first in the American League among all fielders in Defensive bWAR five times and was second three other times.  Seriously, how did Ripken only win two Gold Gloves?  This is the biggest baseball travesty that is not discussed.

Ripken retired with 3,184 Hits, 431 Home Runs, and 1,695 RBIs, all of which led the franchise.  He is also first all-time in bWAR (95.9), Games Played (3,001), Runs (1,647), and Doubles (603).  He was inducted into the Baseball Hall of Fame in 2007, his first year of eligibility.

His number 8 was retired by the team after he retired, and two years later, he was inducted into the Orioles Hall of Fame.

A two-time All-Star with the Chicago Bulls, Luol Deng was born in Sudan, moved to England as a child, and immigrated to the United States as a teen.  It was the latter move that allowed him to hone in skills in the game of basketball, and become the best player to come out of what is now South Sudan.