Peter Angelos, the owner of the Baltimore Orioles and a successful lawyer, passed away at the age of 94 after a long battle with illness. He was born on the Fourth of July in 1929 in Maryland to Greek immigrants. Despite coming from a blue-collar background, he rose to prominence after receiving his law degree in 1961 from the University of Baltimore and eventually launching his own successful law firm.
In August 1993, Angelos led a group of investors to purchase the Baltimore Orioles for $173 million, the highest price ever paid for a sports franchise at that time. Despite his success in the legal field, Angelos took a hands-on approach to managing the Orioles. He was known for being actively involved in player acquisitions, often personally approving major decisions. Despite his reputation for not overspending on high-priced free agents, his net worth was estimated at $2.1 billion in 2017.
Apart from his ownership of the Orioles, Angelos had a successful legal career. In 1996, his law firm secured a $4.5 billion settlement in a lawsuit against tobacco giant Philip Morris on behalf of the state of Maryland. The firm also earned millions through the settlement of asbestos cases, demonstrating Angelos’ commitment to seeking justice for his clients.
Angelos made headlines in the baseball world when he refused to use replacement players during a union strike in 1995. He believed that providing major league baseball to the fans was a duty that could not be fulfilled with replacement players. This decision had a direct impact on Orioles shortstop Cal Ripken Jr., who ultimately broke Lou Gehrig’s record for consecutive games played. Additionally, Angelos fought for years to create an exhibition series between the Orioles and Cuba’s national team, ultimately achieving this goal in 1999.
In his final years, Angelos’ public role diminished as his health declined. His family announced his passing, thanking the caregivers who provided comfort in his final years. Despite his absence, his legacy in both the legal and baseball worlds lives on. His contributions to the Orioles and the legal field have left a lasting impact on those who knew him.
Overall, Peter Angelos was a visionary leader who made significant contributions to both the legal and sports industries. His legacy will be remembered for his passion, commitment, and dedication to seeking justice and excellence in all his endeavors.