Orioles rookie breaks franchise mark held by Ripken Jr.

Gunnar Henderson Robert Edwards-USA TODAY Sports

Orioles rookie breaks franchise mark held by Cal Ripken Jr.

By Mike Santa Barbara | Last updated 8/22/23

Baltimore Orioles infielder Gunnar Henderson had himself a day against the Oakland Athletics, finishing 4-of-5 from the plate to shatter a Hall of Famers franchise mark.

In the O's 12-1 victory on Sunday, Henderson tallied four extra-base hits, becoming the youngest (22 years, 52 days) Orioles player in history to do so, eclipsing the "Iron Man" Cal Ripken Jr. (23 years, 10 days) who set the mark in his third season with Baltimore back in 1983.

at 22 years & 52 days old, Gunnar Henderson is the youngest player in Orioles/Browns history with 4 extra-base hits in a game

prior youngest: Cal Ripken Jr. at 23 y, 10 d on 9/3/83 https://t.co/PhbGqZqx7i
— Sarah Langs (@SlangsOnSports) August 20, 2023

Oddly enough, Henderson traded one historic feat for another. Lacing a double in the top half of the eighth inning to top Ripken, Henderson needed only a single to complete the cycle. Instead, he'll have to settle for bettering one of the game's all-time greats.

Henderson also extended a modest hit streak to seven games. Over that period, Henderson has gone 12-of-32 with two doubles, a triple, two home runs and 10 RBI.

Selected in the second round of the 2019 MLB Draft by Baltimore, Henderson made his MLB debut last August, but in his first full season with the Orioles, he's proving he'll likely be a fixture in the lineup moving forward. Through 113 games, the 22-year-old has 20 home runs and 59 RBI while slashing .242/.326/.462.

The Orioles are having a miraculous season due in large part to the injection of youth throughout the team. While many thought Baltimore would eventually cool off, they haven't.

At 77-47, the Orioles own the best record in the American League and remain in the driver's seat for the AL East crown. Following Sunday's victory, they lead the second-place Tampa Bay Rays (75-71) by three games for the division lead.

More must-reads: