masn-baseballs-orioles.jpgThe Orioles announced this afternoon that they will wear a patch honoring former manager Earl Weaver on their jersey sleeve during the 2013 season.

Weaver, the fiery skipper known for managing the Orioles’ pennant-winning teams of the late 1960s and early 1970s, died Jan. 19 at 82 on an Orioles fan cruise in the Caribbean. His passing turned FanFest at the Convention Center into a public wake, and O’s fans placed memorials from an orange lei to a can of National Bohemian to an Orioles cap at…The Orioles announced this afternoon that they will wear a patch honoring former manager Earl Weaver on their jersey sleeve during the 2013 season.

Weaver Patch.jpgWeaver, the fiery skipper known for managing the Orioles’ pennant-winning teams of the late 1960s and early 1970s, died Jan. 19 at 82 on an Orioles fan cruise in the Caribbean. His passing turned FanFest at the Convention Center into a public wake, and O’s fans placed memorials from an orange lei to a can of National Bohemian to an Orioles cap at the statue that was dedicated in his honor at Camden Yards.

The orange patch features Weaver’s iconic No. 4 with his name above the number and the words “Hall of Fame” below it.

Weaver, who was inducted into the National Baseball Hall of Fame in 1996, went 1,480-1,060 (.583) over 17 seasons at the helm of the Orioles. He managed the club from 1968-82 before retiring, then returned in 1985-86 before stepping down for a second time.

From 1969-1982, he won six American League East titles, four AL pennants and managed the Birds to the 1970 World Series, when they beat the Reds. The Orioles won 100 games five times and Weaver was named AL Manager of the Year three times.

The patch will be debuted Saturday when the Orioles host the Minnesota Twins at Ed Smith Stadium in their Grapefruit League opener. Weaver will he honored Saturday with a pregame video tribute and a moment of silence.

A memorial service for Weaver, who attended all five legends statue dedications last summer, was held last month near Miami. Plans are being made for a Baltimore-based memorial service.