The minor leaguer's pitch count performance continued to be impressive in 1964, again leading the International League with 120 bases on balls while playing for the Rochester Red Wings.

Phoebus began his major league career with the Baltimore Orioles, pitching complete-game shutouts in his first two starts,[3] on September 15 and 20, 1966, against the Angels and Kansas City A's.

Meanwhile, third baseman Brooks Robinson helped at bat and made a great catch to rob a hit from Rico Petrocelli in the eighth inning.

[6] Phoebus won a career-high 15 games in that season, and 14 in 1969, including the American League Eastern Division clincher over Cleveland.

"[3] Phoebus was traded along with Enzo Hernández, Fred Beene and Al Severinsen from the Orioles to the San Diego Padres for Pat Dobson and Tom Dukes on December 1, 1970.