The 1983 Orioles were led by first-year manager Joe Altobelli, who succeeded Earl Weaver; Weaver retired to the broadcast booth after a sixteen-year managerial run from 1968 to 1982. Altobelli inherited a lineup led by first baseman Eddie Murray and shortstop Cal Ripken, Jr. Ripken (.318 BA, 27 HR, 102 RBI) and Murray (.306, 33, 111) finished first and second in the 1983 MVP voting, with Ripken out-pointing Murray, 322–290. Veteran outfielder Ken Singleton settled into the DH role, while the rest of the team was a corps of platoon players. The Orioles finished first in the AL in team home runs (168); first in OBP (.340); and second in runs, doubles, and walks. They would beat the Phillies in 5 games in what was dubbed, "The I-95 Series."

This Official Major League baseball has been signed in blue ballpoint pen by Rick Dempsey w/ "MVP 83 WS" inscription on the sweet spot, Glenn Gulliver, Cal Ripken, Jr., Eddie Murray, Jim Palmer, Sammy Stewart, Al Bumbry, Dan Ford, John Lowenstein, Joe Nolan, Benny Ayala, Mike Young, Gary Roenicke, Dan Morogiello, Tito Landrum, Mike Boddicker, Bob Bonner, Bill Swaggerty, Paul Mirabella, and Scott McGregor. 20 signatures in all. This ball is authenticated by JSA.