Rich Dauer

Verified Timeline

Lore & Background

Dauer's time with the Orioles featured a unique camaraderie that defined the 1983 championship squad. Alongside infielder Todd Cruz and catcher Rick Dempsey, he formed a trio affectionately known as "The Three Stooges," a moniker coined by Ken Singleton where Dauer was "Larry," Cruz was "Curly," and Dempsey was "Moe." These three regularly occupied the bottom third of the batting order but delivered when it counted. In Game 4 of the 1983 World Series, Dauer produced his best postseason performance with a 3-for-4 night, scoring a run and driving in three runs to account for the one-run margin of victory in a 5–4 win over the Philadelphia Phillies. Earlier in his career, during the 1982 pennant race against the Milwaukee Brewers, he rallied his teammates with the cry "Let's win one for the Duck," referencing manager Earl Weaver's impending retirement. His defensive dominance was equally historic; in 1978, he set American League single-season records for a second baseman with 86 consecutive errorless games and 425 straight errorless chances.

In Their Own Story

Dauer's path to the majors included significant early struggles that tested his resolve. The following spring, his troubles deepened; starting as the second baseman in 1977, he went hitless in his first 41 at-bats and lost the starting role to Billy Smith. However, with guidance from veterans Brooks Robinson and Lee May, who told him "You can't make it in the Majors by yourself," Dauer regained his footing. By season's end, he had reclaimed second base, batting .243 with 74 hits and a .982 fielding percentage. He settled into an everyday role from 1978 through 1984, splitting time between second and third base. Despite seeing reduced playing time in 1985 due to struggles at the plate, he retired after the Orioles declined to offer him a new contract, concluding his decade-long tenure with the franchise.

Reader's Guide

Rich Dauer's career is defined by two distinct eras of success: as a player for the Baltimore Orioles and later as a coach. Fans should note his record-setting fielding streaks in 1978 and his integral role in the 1983 World Series title team. After retiring as a player, Dauer transitioned into coaching, managing the independent San Bernardino Spirit in 1988 before spending 19 seasons across the minors and majors with teams including the Indians, Padres, Royals, Brewers, Rockies, and Astros. His coaching career culminated with the Houston Astros, where he served as first base coach for their 2017 World Series victory. In 2012, he was inducted into the Baltimore Orioles Hall of Fame, becoming the 12th member of the 1983 team to receive the honor.

Did You Know?

• He was nicknamed "Wacko" by Jim Palmer due to his unique sense of humor.
• Along with Todd Cruz and Rick Dempsey, Dauer was known as "Larry" from the group "The Three Stooges," a name given by Ken Singleton.
• Dauer holds two 1978 American League records for second basemen: 86 consecutive errorless games and 425 straight errorless chances.
• He won World Series titles both as a player (1983 with the Orioles) and as a coach (2017 with the Houston Astros).