Brooks Robinson and the Baltimore Orioles

[David W]

Is that proof thinner than a regular card?

I have a couple and they are not as thick as a regular “Super ”.

[quitcrab]

Originally Posted by David W

Is that proof thinner than a regular card?

I have a couple and they are not as thick as a regular “Super ”.

Yes mine is on a thinner card stock then the regular issue.

[BaltOrioles]

I grew up in Maine and have been an Orioles fan since 1964. Major League players from the state of Maine aren't that plentiful. Cold weather and even snow in the spring make it difficult for most youth to compete with the players from the south. Maine has produced a few players over the years, most notable are Billy Swift, Danny Coombs, John Cumberland, Bob Stanley, Carlton Willey, Bert Roberge, Pete Ladd and Matt Kinney. If most of these names are unfamiliar to you, they are well known by baseball fans in Maine. All of these guys are pitchers. It's very tough for a position player to develop enough to reach the majors.

In recent years, the Orioles have had a good Maine connection in their organization. Surprisingly, all position players.

Mike Bordick was the first Oriole from Maine when he joined the O's, as Cal Ripken Jr transitioned to 3B. Mike grew up a short distance from me. I coached high school baseball for many years and Mike's dad would umpire many of our games. Mike is a great guy. He stills works the Orioles as a spring training coach and broadcaster.

Ryan Flaherty was an Orioles Rule 5 pick from the Cubs. Buck Showalter loved Ryan's versatility and he was the O's super utility during Buck's tenure. In 2004, Ryan's American legion team from Portland, ME won the national championship. Unheard of for a team from Maine.

Ryan McKenna is a current Orioles prospect that is moving quickly through the O's system and could make his Orioles debut soon.

Gary Thorne is the Orioles broadcaster. Gary was a lawyer by trade, but made a name for himself doing University of Maine hockey broadcasts. That led to doing NHL games and finally MLB games.

Mike Bordick and Ryan Flaherty

Bordick, Mike 1 - Copy.jpg Flaherty, Ryan 1 - Copy.jpg


Ryan McKenna and Gary Thorne

McKenna, Ryan 1 - Copy.jpg 2008 Postcards 12 - Copy.jpg


Footnote: Two other players from Maine include Louis Sockalexis and Clyde Sukeforth. Anyone know their significance to baseball history??

[Mark70Z]

Originally Posted by quitcrab

Yes mine is on a thinner card stock then the regular issue.

Scott,

Is yours a blank back or regular back?

[quitcrab]

Originally Posted by Mark70Z

Scott,

Is yours a blank back or regular back?

Blank back

[BaltOrioles]

In recent years, the Orioles have been very active in the annual MLB rule 5 draft and and are expected to pick at least one player again today.

Held each December, the Rule 5 Draft allows clubs without a full 40-man roster to select certain non-40-man roster players from other clubs. ... Players signed at age 18 or younger need to be added to their club's 40-Man roster within five seasons or they become eligible for the Rule 5 Draft.

Last year the Orioles selected Michael Rucker and Brandon Bailey, but sent both back to their original clubs during spring training. I wonder if the Orioles had known the season would have been shortened, with expanded rosters, if they would have tried to keep one or both. I thought both pitchers looked good in spring training.

Brandon Bailey (2019) and Michael Rucker (2019)

Bailey, Brandon 1 - Copy.jpg Rucker, Michael 1 - Copy.JPG


Here are the most recent Orioles Rule 5 picks that stuck with the Orioles.
Some longer than others......

Richie Martin (2018) and Drew Jackson (2018)

Martin, Richie 1 - Copy.JPG Jackson, Drew 1 - Copy.JPG


Pedro Araujo (2017) and Nestor Cortes Jr (2017)

Araujo, Pedro 1 - Copy.JPG Cortes, Nestor 1 - Copy.JPG


Anthony Santander (2016) and Joey Rickard (2015)

Santander, Anthony 1 - Copy.JPG Rickard, Joey 1 - Copy.jpg


Jason Garcia (2014) and Logan Verritt (2014)

Garcia, Jason 1 - Copy.jpg Verrett, Logan 1 - Copy.JPG


T.J. McFarland (2012) and Ryan Flaherty (2011)

McFarland, TJ 1 - Copy.jpg Flaherty, Ryan 1 - Copy.jpg

[Mark70Z]

Day 345 (December 10, 2020 – 345)

I believe this National Beer advertising piece is from 1967 following the sweep of the Los Angeles Dodgers in the 1966 World Series. A similar sign was posted earlier in the thread (#377) which is from the 1960’s with the same saying, “A team a man can call his own!”. These signs have plastic fronts, which are prone to cracking, with an easel back for display purposes.

1967 National Beer Advertising Sign

Day 345 National Beer Ad.jpg

I really like this photo of Brooks on the steps in the dugout from May 16, 1967 taken by a Boston Globe photographer Danny Goshtigian.

Day 345 Photo 1967 Danny Goshtigian Boston Globe May 16.jpg

[BaltOrioles]

The Orioles used to send me a Christmas card each year as a spring training season ticket holder. I haven't received one for a while, but here are a few from years past.

Happy Holidays to you and your families..

2011 Orioles Christmas Card.JPG

2012 Orioles Christmas Card.jpg

Orioles Christmas Card.jpg