Brian Roberts  
 

  • When Brian was growing up, his dad told him to model himself after Walt Weiss, a UNC player who got the most out of his diminutive size.
  • Brian left college ranked 5th all-time in NCAA history with 177 stolen bases.
  • Brian is one of more than 40 Tar Heels to play in the majors. The first was Moonlight Graham. Others include Clyde King, Paul Shuey, Scott Bradley, Walt Weiss, B.J. Surhoff and Snuffy Stirnweiss.
  • Brian hit in 15 straight games in 2001, tying Eddie Murray and Rich Coggins for the Baltimore rookie record.
  • Brian hit doubles in seven straight games in August of 2004.
  • Brian’s 50 doubles in 2004 shattered the American League’s oldest hitting record—most doubles by a switch-hitter. The mark was set in 1901 by John Anderson, who hit 46 two-baggers for the Milwaukee Brewers—the team that would become the St. Louis Browns and, ultimately, the Baltimore Orioles.
  • In 2004, Brian reached 20 steals faster than any Oriole except Luis Aparicio, swiping 20 bags in his first 54 games.
  • In a 2004 game against the Rockies, Brian hit a two-out 9th inning grand slam off Shawn Chacon to ruin his shutout and win the game 4-2.
  • Brian attributes his power surge to an adjustment in his training routine that started during the 2004 All-Star break. He began light lifting before batting practice and after games, and over the winter started doing speed and agility training at a workout center in Tempe, Arizona.
  • Brian’s first career leadoff home run came against Pedro Martinez.
  • Brian is a natural lefty at the plate.
  • Brian is deeply religious. He tries to make at least one charity appearance per homestand.
  • After 21 years at UNC, Mike Roberts coached baseball at UNC Asheville and Florida Southern. He now coaches college prospects in the Cape Cod Summer League.


 

 



Walt Weiss, 1993 Pinnacle


Eddie Murray, 1983 Fleer

 

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