1971 Dallas-Ft Worth Spurs
 

Bill,

Great stuff. Here's a team issued photo of Mike Reinbach. He died tragically at only 39 in an automobile accident.


Attachment 394992

Mel Bailey postcards of Mike Reinbach (pre mid 70's hair style) and two others from the team, Junior Kennedy (upper right) and Mike Herson (lower left)


Attachment 394991

1971 Rochester Red Wings
 

Bill,

You might be interested to know that the 1971 program also comes with a much tougher to find B&W photo on the front.

Thanks Alan....Something for the want list! Do you think they used a color photo since it was the AAA World Series?

For a long time I thought I had heard that Reinbach's death was a suicide (or perhaps it was originally reported as such). In looking on-line recently, it now appears as if it was just an unfortunate accident..Either way, he died too soon.

Here is a Mike Reinbach game used bat and an autograph that he graciously returned to me back on New Years Eve 1982...Somewhere I have an Orioles hat of his as well (which I'll post when I find it).

https://i.imgur.com/EthsNRJ.jpghttps://i.imgur.com/OIAr7A9.jpg

1971 Rochester Red Wings
 

Bill,

My best guess is either the B&W program was a preseason sample or a late season extra printing when the team ran low on the color programs. The content of both programs is exactly the same, but printed in color in one version and B&W in the other. There's also no lucky number printed in the B&W version. I see the color version listed all the time, but this is the only B&W I've ever seen. The roster insert in the color copy is from Aug 2nd and there wasn't any roster with the B&W program.

Attachment 395022

Attachment 395023

Alan,

Such a neat endeavor. You would think it has to be "possible" and "likely" that they had some type of picture taken as an Oriole, but the short timers could definitely be a needle in a hay stack. Of course when you do pick them up you definitely have to post and hopefully someone here can help with your goal.

Day 110 (April 19, 2020 – 110)

In 1973 Johnny Pro Enterprises of Baltimore put out a set of 28 Orioles cards that are numbered by the players uniform. These are great looking “punch-out” cards in my opinion and are fairly large; they measure around 4”x6”. Love the green background with the player featured in full color.

1973 Johnny Pro batting

Attachment 395167

1973 Johnny Pro fielding

Attachment 395168

The 1972 Asheville Orioles finished the season 81-58 and won their division although they lost in the playoffs.

Notables include Cal Ripken Sr. (MGR), Paul Mitchell, Royle Stillman, Doug DeCinces, Dave Johnson (one of three Orioles to have that name), Mike Reinbach, Jim Fuller & Tim Nordbrook.

Also pictured is Mark Weems (who tragically drowned in Venezuela on New Years Day 1974 while out with Don Hood, Wayne Garland & Bob Bailor) and Don Hickey who has been mentioned by both Cal Jr. & Billy to me as being their favorite player when they were kids.

https://i.imgur.com/cVz8jAw.jpg

Their program was not a traditional one in that in was more like a folded scorecard with an insert:

https://i.imgur.com/PK8P8D5.jpghttps://i.imgur.com/XX4vzxb.jpg

For those who might be interested, here are Cal Jr.'s remembrance of that season in Ashville:

https://www.journalnow.com/sports/na...a4bcf6878.html

Orioles Photos
 

Mark,

It's a labor of love for sure. Believe it or not the Orioles themselves don't have photos of some players to appear for them. A few guys were picked up while the Orioles were on the road and released before they got back to Baltimore. As you will notice, I prefer posed or head shots over action shots, where it's difficult to see the player's face

Here are a few more toughies to find pictured as Orioles. A few had great careers after leaving Baltimore or arrived at the end of successful careers.

Lou Pinella

Attachment 395195

Tim Raines Sr

Attachment 395197

Dean Chance (Never actually pitched for the Orioles, but a pretty good pitcher)

Attachment 395196

Bob Oliver (played for the Orioles briefly in 1974)

Attachment 395198

Orlando Sanchez (1984)

Attachment 395200

Ron Jackson (1984)

Attachment 395199


Plus a couple of players that aren't as hard to find, but aren't associated with being Orioles.

Jim Thome

Attachment 395201

Joe Carter

Attachment 395202

1972 Asheville Orioles
 

Bill,

Nice story on Cal's time in Asheville. Too bad he isn't pictured in the team photo as a bat boy.

Do you just collect minor league stuff related to the Ripkens or are you more of a minor league collector than you let on? :D

In Post #1253, Mike mentioned his experiences with both Rick Dempsey and Paul Blair at the Orioles Fan Fest in 2003.

My memories of that day include both hearing of the NASA Space Shuttle Columbia accident and meeting Orioles pitcher Steve Bechler who would unfortunately pass away from the misuse of Ephedra only two weeks later:

https://i.imgur.com/sNF6xFW.jpg

Bill,

What a tragic story of Steve Bechler's death. I think the Orioles were very high on his talent.

Do you remember if Tippy Martinez was at that fanfest signing autographs? I'm missing the team issued postcard of him from 2003 that was supposedly given out at the event.

Alan:

I think it would be great if Cal Jr. had been in that team photo as the bat boy. My suspicion is the team picture might have been taken while the family was still in Aberdeen waiting for school to end.

Regarding Minor League things, I always liked the Rochester Red Wings just due to their rich long term relationship with the Orioles & the # of players who played with both clubs.

When it comes to the Ripken Family, I like to collect things related to any portion of their career (including minor leagues).

As you know the Orioles (Coke & Crown Oil sponsored) in 1991 issued a card set with every Orioles player who ever appeared in a game with them (I believe it was a 502 card set).

Obviously the set included Ron Jackson (whose photo you posted was the first one I've seen with him in an Oriole uniform; thank you).

I had Ron sign his card (with the inscription of "Not Me" lol), but do you have any idea on who is pictured??

https://i.imgur.com/eMRztpi.jpg

Fun Fact: Bob Oliver was the last Oriole to wear #33 prior to Eddie Murray!

Here is the first page of a letter written by Vi Ripken in May of 1963 to a former babysitter's family that she kept in contact with (she comments on just putting the children in bed & that 'Calvin' was away in Winnipeg). Love the stationary!

https://i.imgur.com/ww1JdKW.jpg

1971 Red Wings Little World Series
 

Your guess is correct! The Denver Bears got kicked out of their stadium by the Broncos so all 7 games were played in Rochester. By game 4 or so they ran out of color programs (the same ones used all year), so a quick trip to the printer brought the B&W versions for remaining games. I was lucky enough to see all the games.

Cool note #1 the Rochester fans gave the Denver Bears big ovations when they were introduced as the "home" team in the series in the even numbered games.
Cool note #2 Bobby Grich who would be named minor league player of the year in 1971 was called up after game 5 (Mark Belanger was injured) and he didn't want to go. Joe Altobelli had to talk him into it. Grich felt the Orioles were way ahead and didn't need him. The Red Wings did. The Wings won in 7 games.

Thanks for posting all of the first hand knowledge. Being from Kansas I’m pretty much in the dark and I find the stories fascinating.

1971 Rochester Red Wings
 

Steve,

Thanks so much for the information. I've never seen another B&W version, so I knew they were scarce. Nice to know it was from the playoffs and the story behind it.

Bill,

I love the Vi Ripken letter and stationary. I remember waiting for the 1991 Crown Oil set with excitement and being so disappointed that so many of the cards pictured players in uniforms other than the Orioles. They got the Ron Jackson card half right. It is Ron Jackson. Just the Ron Jackson that played mainly for the White Sox from 1954-1960. Unbelievable... :rolleyes:

Attachment 395255

Thanks Alan....I suppose they got the name right lol

BTW do you have any Orioles photos of the recently deceased Ed Farmer or Keith Moreland (I believe that Moreland was photographed in an Orioles uniform on his Crown card)?

Ed Farmer & Keith Moreland
 

I have a team issued 8x10 of Keith Moreland and a postcard of Ed Farmer.
I believe there is a photo of Moreland currently listed on eBay.

Attachment 395263

Attachment 395264

Dave McNally
 

Posted for Clint (ksfarmboy)

Pair of Dave McNally 70's Adidas game used cleats.

Attachment 395317

Day 111 (April 20, 2020 – 111)

An organization was developed and formed by a group of volunteers, area businessmen and a few Oriole officials called The Orioles Advocates. I’m sure if you’re an Orioles fan you’ve heard of this group that promotes the interest of baseball to not only adult fans, but also to young people. One of the organizations they formed was the Junior Orioles which today is called the O’s Dugout Club. Today I’m picturing part of a mailing that was sent by the Junior Orioles in 1974.

Attachment 395406
Attachment 395407
Attachment 395408
Attachment 395409

Coincidentally, just last week a hobby friend of mine sent me a scan of these 1966 Junior Orioles tickets (he also has a strip from 1970) asking me if I had seen them before (which I hadn't) and how collectible they were. Any info I can pass on to him would be appreciated:


https://i.imgur.com/W22V1bv.jpg

The 1973 Rochester Red Wings went 79-67 which earned them a First Place finish in their division, however they did lose to Charleston in the playoffs.

Notables in this photo include Tom Shopay, Mark Weems, Royle Stillman, Paul Mitchell, Ray Miller, Joe Altobelli, Jim Hutto, Wayne Garland, Dyar Miller, Dave Johnson, Doug DeCinces, Mike Reinbach, Don Hood, Randy Stein, Sergio Robles, Tim Nordbrook & Jim Fuller:

https://i.imgur.com/XsfQ6O5.jpg

Bill,

I know there were the strip of tickets within in the envelope received from the Junior Orioles; I just didn’t scan them.

Junior Orioles Program
 

Bill and Mark,

Thanks for sharing some of your Junior Orioles items. I know just enough about the program to be dangerous. Not growing up in Baltimore, I never got to chance to use the benefits of being a Junior Oriole, but I did join for a few years as a kid. I have some stuff at home, but here's what I could find for scans of items on my computer.

My best guess would be that the program probably started around 1965, but not sure. My reasoning is that I have some Junior Orioles newsletters from 1966 and 1967. They are labeled Volume 2 and 3, which would have made Volume 1 printed in 1965. I remember receiving some stuff like a membership card, schedule, stickers, postcards, etc along with tickets to select Junior Orioles games. I assume your parents could buy tickets to these games at reduced prices. The Orioles still have the program today. The gifts have gotten a little better since those early. For a few years there were lunch boxes. I'll try and post more items when I get home. As far as interest in this kind of stuff, I like them, but a lot of people think I'm a little crazy. :rolleyes: I don't think most of the stuff is widely collected.

Newsletters

Attachment 395449 Attachment 395450

Attachment 395451 Attachment 395452


Flyer from 1986 promoting the program

Attachment 395453


Junior Orioles Dugout Club Kits from the early to mid 2000's

Attachment 395454 Attachment 395455

Orioles Hall of Fame
 

In addition to the Junior Orioles, the Oriole Advocates have a variety of programs they are involved with including the Orioles Hall of Fame. The first inductees to the Orioles HOF were Brooks and Frank Robinson in 1977. Beginning in 1984, a luncheon has been held each year to recognize the newest members. I love collecting the programs from the event and have 20 so far.

Here a little description of what the Advocates are all about, the HOF and a few programs from the luncheons.

Attachment 395460 Attachment 395459

Attachment 395461 Attachment 395463
Attachment 395462

I heard the news this AM that Dick Hyde (who pitched in a handful of games for the Orioles in 1961) had passed away last week at the age of 91.

I was wondering if Alan could honor him by posting his picture?

RIP Dick

Dick Hyde
 

Bill,

My pleasure. Thanks for passing the information on to us.

I don't have much, but here are a couple postcards and his newspaper scrapbook card.

Attachment 395495

Attachment 395498

Great stuff as always Alan!

Here is my signed/inscribed Crown card

https://i.imgur.com/cnHmZmL.jpg

Bill

Thanks to Bill for sharing the 1966 Junior Orioles tickets I recently picked up. Here is a pic of the full 1970 Junior Orioles ticket sheet I also picked up. Some of the games include Brooks Robinson's 200th career HR, Dave McNally's 100th career win, two Jim Palmer shutouts and Palmer winning 20 games for the first time in his career.

If anyone is interested, I'm selling the remaining six 1966 Junior Orioles tickets I have for $25 shipped. PM me if you are interested. This is the game info:

4/16 vs Yankees: Elston Howard HR, Brooks Robinson HR, Curt Blefary HR, Paul Blair HR, Dave McNally Win
5/22 vs Tigers: Mickey Lolich Win, Brooks & Frank Robinson Hits
6/5 vs Athletics: Bert Campaneris HR, Jim Dickson Final Career Win, Brooks & Frank Robinson Hits, Aparicio 2 Hits
7/3 vs Twins: Jim Perry Career HR #1, Brooks Robinson HR, Boog Powell HR, Dave McNally Win
7/10 vs Angels: Bobby Knoop 1 Hit/1 RBI, Luis Aparicio Hit
8/28 vs Red Sox: Carl Yastrzemski 1 Hit/1 RBI, Tony Conigliaro 2 Hits

Dewey,

That's a nice grouping of '70 Junior Orioles tickets; thanks for sharing the item.

Bobby Grich
 

Posted for Clint (ksfarmboy)

Pair of Bobby Grich 70's Adidas game used cleats.

Attachment 395608

Clint,

Those set of cleats would make a great display piece with added McNally and Grich items. Now lets get that curio and set it up for all to see...:D

Attachment 395607

Day 112 (April 21, 2020 – 112)

Anyone want to wager a guess in what this somewhat ugly piece is?

Attachment 395609

Brooks Robinson
 

It looks like some sort of proof from the back of his 1962 Topps card. Cool item.

Attachment 395613

Wow-Good Eye Alan! That's right on !

1970 Orioles Team Issued Postcards
 

Starting in 1970, the Orioles switched from B&W postcards to color postcards. From 1970-1972, the Orioles used the same photos for most of their postcards. Postcards from 1970 are easy to identify, because the font used for the player's name is much smaller in 1970 than 1971-72. The backs of the postcards are blank. I believe several different printings were done throughout the season, as many of the more popular players have several different cropping or name placement variations. Postcards were also sold as individual postcards or sets through the Orioles.

I have 50 of the 51 known postcards. A few years ago, a new Elrod Hendricks postcard was found. It appeared to have been cut from a sheet. It's the only known copy, so it's unlikely it was ever distributed to fans and probably part of a sample sheet from the printers.


Attachment 395614 Attachment 395615 Attachment 395616 Attachment 395617 Attachment 395618 Attachment 395619 Attachment 395620 Attachment 395621 Attachment 395622 Attachment 395623 Attachment 395624 Attachment 395625 Attachment 395626

The missing Elrod Hendricks postcard

Attachment 395627

Here is a 1971 Rochester Red Wings (AAA Champs) team signed ball


https://i.imgur.com/5Yi3f59.jpg

Bill,

That's amazing... I can actually read the signatures. Nice ball.

Day 112 (April 21, 2020 – 112)

Anyone want to wager a guess in what this somewhat ugly piece is?

Attachment 395703


Well, I guess Alan is extremely close and I'll give it to him. It's one of the metal printing plates for the back of the 1962 Topps #45 Brooks Robinson card.


Attachment 395704

Hey, 50 out of 51 isn't bad at all... So, someone has that Elrod; do you know who and is it obtainable?!?

So, the next question would be do you like the B&W postcards OR the color postcards better?

1970 Orioles Team Issued Postcards
 

Mark,

Yes, I know who has it. Bill will know him, Wayne Johnson. And no chance of getting it from him.. :(

I'm a B&W postcard guy all the way. I also didn't like it when the Orioles when from portraits to action shots for the postcards in 1992.

Mark,

I should have recognized that they were the metal plates. I have two myself.

Dick Hall and Billy Hitchcock

Attachment 395705

Mark unfortunately I don’t own any other Grich or McNally items other than the cards and such.

The only printing plates I've ever seen for the vintage cards are from 1962. The others from the different years must have been destroyed after production or reused for different jobs.

Hey, they'd look great displayed by themselves as well...

Day 113 (April 22, 2020 – 113)

This is a Crown gas pump display advertising the Special Edition Orioles Baseball Cards with Brooks card shown. States that “Set #1 is here now!” and it’s “featuring every Orioles player in the team’s modern history.” Sounds like a lot of cards but would be a fun set to collect.

Attachment 395796

Here’s a sheet of 1991 Crown/Coca Cola cards with Brooks included.

Attachment 395797

Mark:

I have to admit that I've never seen that Brooks Crown card set ad sign previously (looks like they would have been placed above the pumps)..Very nice..

When that set came out in 1991, there were 502 cards in the set and by my count at the time, 450 of the players were still living.

Being an Orioles autograph guy, I decided to get them signed with my "goal" at the time to get at least 400 of them auto'd (I pretty much started my project as the cards were released).

Well here I sit today with 445 of the cards signed:

https://i.imgur.com/1S3nFnW.jpg

Sad to report that I learned this morning that Bob Oliver passed away on the 19th at the age of 77..

https://i.imgur.com/kY9k1iQ.jpg

I mentioned in an earlier post that Bob had the distinction of being the last Oriole to wear #33 prior to Eddie (you can probably win a beer or two with that trivia question)

Bob Oliver
 

Bill,

Sad to hear that. Oddly enough, in post #1258 on the 19th, I shared a photo of Bob Oliver. I was never 100% sure the photo used by Crown was actually Bob Oliver, but it looks like he signed it for you without the "Not me" quotation.

Quite an accomplishment to get that many Crown cards signed. I wish all the cards used photos of players in Orioles uniforms.


Here's the Bob Oliver photo again

Attachment 395840