Orioles Rookies: Darold Knowles / Andy Etchebarren

The 2 players featured on the 1966 Orioles Rookies card (#27) got lots of playing time in 1966.

Darold Knowles was actually traded to the Phillies prior to the 1966 season (for reliever Jack Baldschun, who was flipped to Cincinnati in the Frank Robinson trade). Knowles became the go-to guy in an otherwise aging Phillies' bullpen in 1966. He led the staff with 69 appearances, and notched 13 saves (9 more than the next guy).

After the season, Darold was traded to the Senators for outfielder Don Lock. He spent 4+ seasons toiling in Washington, then was traded to the Oakland Athletics in May 1971. Knowles appeared in the post-season for the A's in '71 and '73. After the 1974 season, Darold bounced around for 5 more years (Cubs, Rangers, Expos, Cardinals) before being released by St. Louis in May 1980.



Andy Etchebarren took over the starting catcher's job as a rookie in 1966, making the all-star team and playing in the World Series against the Dodgers. He was also the regular backstop in '67 (with another all-star appearance), but for the next 7 seasons he shared the job with Elrod Hendricks ('68-'71), Johnny Oates ('72), and Earl Williams ('73-'74). He also played in the '69, '70, and '71 World Series, and the '73 and '74 ALCS.
In June 1975, he was sold to the Angels, and was their starting catcher for the last 5 weeks of the season, and for most of 1976. After the 1977 season, he was sold to the Brewers, but only played 4 games in early April 1978 before his career was over.