After six non-winning seasons in the majors, the team is in first place in the American League despite a lineup laced with youngsters. Three-fourths of the infield is rookies, and five starting pitchers are 22 years old or younger.
On this particular afternoon, the kids come through again, beating Kansas City, 9-2. Right-hander Chuck Estrada, 22, no-hits the A’s for seven innings and rookie Jim Gentile hits two home runs in consecutive innings — one a grand slam. Afterward, club president Lee MacPhail offers this blunt assessment of his brash, upstart team:
“Ask me if the Orioles will win the pennant and .