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  6. article_body => "<p>BALTIMORE &ndash; Joe Durham, the first African American position player with the Orioles, and a longtime presence around the team, died on Thursday at 84, the team announced.&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>Durham, was signed by the St. Louis Browns in 1953, the year before they moved to Baltimore, made his Orioles debut in Sept. 1954, the team&rsquo;s first year.&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>He hit .225 with a home run and three RBIs in 10 games for a team that went 54-100.&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>After two years of military service, Durham played 77 games for the Orioles in 1957. He finished his major league career with the St. Loui Cardinals in 1959.<\/p>\n<p>Durham played several more years in the Orioles system and spent many years working for the team as a batting practice pitcher and then as a minor league coach.<\/p>\n<p>For many years, Durham, who lived in Baltimore, regularly attended games at Memorial Stadium and Oriole Park, sitting in the press box and sharing stories.&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>Pitcher Jay Heard was the first African American player with the Orioles. He pitched in two games early in the 1954 season.<\/p>\n<p>The Orioles will hold a moment of silence for Durham before Thursday night&rsquo;s game.&nbsp;<br \/>&nbsp;<\/p>\n"
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Orioles

Orioles

BALTIMORE – Joe Durham, the first African American position player with the Orioles, and a longtime presence around the team, died on Thursday at 84, the team announced. 

Durham, was signed by the St. Louis Browns in 1953, the year before they moved to Baltimore, made his Orioles debut in Sept. 1954, the team’s first year. 

He hit .225 with a home run and three RBIs in 10 games for a team that went 54-100. 

After two years of military service, Durham played 77 games for the Orioles in 1957. He finished his major league career with the St. Loui Cardinals in 1959.

Durham played several more years in the Orioles system and spent many years working for the team as a batting practice pitcher and then as a minor league coach.

For many years, Durham, who lived in Baltimore, regularly attended games at Memorial Stadium and Oriole Park, sitting in the press box and sharing stories. 

Pitcher Jay Heard was the first African American player with the Orioles. He pitched in two games early in the 1954 season.

The Orioles will hold a moment of silence for Durham before Thursday night’s game.