The Baltimore Orioles were a 19th-century professional baseball team that competed from 1882 to 1899, first in the American Association and later in the National League.

This early Orioles franchise, which featured six players (Wilbert Robinson—C, Dan Brouthers—1B, Hughie Jennings—SS, John McGraw—3B, "Wee Willie" Keeler—RF, and Joe Kelley—LF) and a manager (Ned Hanlon) who were later inducted to the National Baseball Hall of Fame, finished in first place for three consecutive seasons (1894–1896) and won the Temple Cup national championship series in 1896 and 1897.

The team, formally the "Baltimore Base Ball and Exhibition Company",[1] was founded in 1882 as a charter member of the American Association (AA), considered a major league.

After finishing last in the league in 1892 and eighth in 1893, the Orioles won three consecutive pennants during 1894–1896,[2] featuring several future Hall of Famers under manager Hanlon.

[2] Accordingly, they participated in all four editions of the post-season Temple Cup series, held from 1894 through 1897 between the NL's top two teams, winning in 1896 and 1897.

These minor-league Orioles included local product and future baseball icon Babe Ruth and Lefty Grove.

Starting in 1883, the team played at the old Oriole Park, in Harwood, south of the Waverly neighborhood at 29th and Barclay Streets, just a block west from Greenmount Avenue, remaining there into the 1891 season.

Managed by Ned Hanlon, they won NL pennants in 1894, 1895, and 1896, and sported some of the most colorful players in history including John McGraw, Wee Willie Keeler, Hughie Jennings, Joe Kelley, Wilbert Robinson, and Dan Brouthers.

Like the style known today as "small ball", the "inside baseball" strategy of Orioles featured tight pitching, hit and run tactics, stolen bases, and precise bunting.