That's a cool Ripken baseball. Here's mine: https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/202...f109bb0847.jpg

Sent from my SAMSUNG-SM-G930A using Tapatalk

Funny how they used a drawing of Brooks diving on the cover when it's actually a Brooks leaping picture from the '70 WS.

Attachment 413967

Thanks for the insight. I've seen Brooks use a H&B bat with the tape, like pictured in the on-deck photo, and wondered why was that on that type of bat.

Day 229 (August 16, 2020 – 229)

Yesterday I posted a couple of pictures with Brooks with his bat and I’ll follow it up today with a few pictures with the glove…

Brooks dives and stabs, one hit down the line.

Attachment 414016

A photo of Brooks from May of 1973 by Frank Bryan.

Attachment 414017

The last photo today of Brooks is with a GOLD GLOVE along with Bench and Gibson.

Attachment 414018

Thomas Paprocki Cartoons
 

Thomas P. Paprocki drew a daily sports cartoon and wrote an accompanying sports column for The Associated Press for almost 35 years during the hey day of printed newspapers.

He signed his cartoons “Pap” and was regarded by many as the nation's leading sports cartoonist. He had a reputation for quickness in drawing his illustrations, which were published in the sports pages of hundreds of the nation's newspapers. They were known as Sports Slants.

Here are a couple of his Orioles cartoons from 1960

Gene Stephens and Clint Courtney

Attachment 414019 Attachment 414020

In the mid 1980's I knew someone who attended the '83 ASG in Chicago and during BP scored one of the Official Balls....He gave it to me and shortly thereafter I had Cal sign it & for some reason I thought red ink was the way to go (to match the stampings) & I think it turned out pretty good...

https://i.imgur.com/C6ZLBgr.jpghttps://i.imgur.com/fngIEYd.jpg

Mark, the salesman 1962 are cool. Never seen this one before. Thanks for sharing.

Day 230 (August 17, 2020 – 230)

Unsure why, but I’m feeling like it’s a 1971 type of day. Maybe because I’m partially dyslexic and it’s the 17th, but looks like 71; possibly… Anyway, here’s a 1971 Sunpapers Orioles schedule with Brooks sliding safely into home.

Attachment 414176

Next is a 1971 cachet of the Orioles vs. the Pirates in the Series.

Attachment 414177

Scroll pennant celebrating the American League Champion Baltimore Orioles.

Attachment 414178

Lastly a 1971 World Series scroll pennant.

Attachment 414179

1971 Orioles Affiliates Programs
 

In 1971, the Orioles had six minor league affiliates....

Rochester Red Wings (AAA), Dallas-Ft Worth Spurs (AA), Stockton Ports (A), Aberdeen Pheasants (A), Miami Orioles (A) and Bluefield Orioles (Rookie)

They combined for an impressive record of 406-294, led by Miami (94-47), Rochester (86-54), Bluefield (42-27) and Dallas Ft-Worth (82-59). Aberdeen (35-36) and Stockton (67-71) finished with near .500 records.

Items from the higher level teams are fairly easy to find, but stuff from the other teams are much harder, with Stockton and Aberdeen near impossible. I was lucky to find an Aberdeen Pheasants scorecard, but I'm still looking for the 1971 Stockton Ports program, along with most of the other programs while the Ports were an Orioles affiliate.

Programs from the 1971 Orioles affiliates minus the Stockton Ports


Attachment 414189 Attachment 414187

Attachment 414185 Attachment 414188

Attachment 414186

Day 231 (August 18, 2020 – 231)

This is the transparency used to make the 1965 Topps Brooks Robinson #150. These things are difficult to scan since they are in a holder and are a negative, but hopefully you get the idea.

Attachment 414351

A 1965 Topps #150 nicely signed in ink by Brooks.

Attachment 414352

The back of the ’65 Topps card is nice looking, in my view, so I pictured that today as well.

Attachment 414353

1972 Orioles Schedule
 

Good morning,

Below is a 1972 Orioles Schedule/Season Ticket fold-out. The front is Jim Palmer and the inside contains faint images of other Orioles players. Is that number 7, Mark Belanger, on the inside photo? If so, Brooks wasn't included on this fold-out, which surprises me.

Front:
Attachment 414354

Back:
Attachment 414355

Inside:
Attachment 414356

Some of you may recall these souvenir autograph plaques that were sold in 1978 (advertised in Baseball Digest, etc.).

A few years back I acquired the entire Orioles team original autograph sheets that were used to make these plaques (here are just a few):


https://i.imgur.com/eAuwyw6.jpghttps://i.imgur.com/SmX0jba.jpghttps://i.imgur.com/JbAK0HN.jpghttps://i.imgur.com/Z7Tf88M.jpg

1978 TCMA Rochester Red Wings
 

I love minor league sets for a couple reasons. The production numbers of sets are relatively low and they provide the first cards for many future stars, as well as cards of a lot of players that never make it to the major leagues.

There were a few minor league sets produced before 1978, but not many with any consistency. In 1978, TCMA became the first company to attempt to produce sets of minor league teams on a yearly basis. Interesting, minor league sets are generally collected and sold as sets.

The only Orioles affiliate printed in 1978 were the Rochester Red Wings, but this led to more and more teams signing up. Today, all of the Orioles affiliates have sets for sale in their team stores. A few years, some teams also have update sets.

The TCMA Rochester Red Wings set in 1978 only had 17 cards, but did include HOFer Frank Robinson, the Red Wings manager that year.

Checklist - Frank Robinson, Tom Bianco, Tom Chism, Dave Criscione, Mike Dimmel, Blake Doyle, Kevin Kennedy, Wayne Krenchicki, Rafael Liranzo, Marty Parrill, Skeeter Jarquin, Ray Bare, Tony Chevez, Jeff Rineer, Earl Stephenson, Tim Stoddard and Don Cardoza

1978 TCMA Rochester Red Wings set
Attachment 414362 Attachment 414363

Day 232 (August 19, 2020 – 232)

Charles Linnett was a commercial artist and illustrator who created sports portraits. The 1973-74 baseball portrait art prints were sold in packs of three and measure 8 1/2” by 11”. I think Alan (BaltOrioles) posted the team examples, including Brooks, and I agree that it would have been better with the O's hats.

1973-74 Charles Linnett Portraits

Attachment 414464
Attachment 414465
Attachment 414466

A couple days ago was the 31st anniversary of Cal Ripken Jr. passing Steve Garvey (who holds the N.L. record) on the Consecutive Games played list (at that point, Cal only trailed Everett Scott and of course Gehrig).

Anyways back that season I decided to drive down to Baltimore each time he passed someone on that list (Joe Sewell and Billy Williams were the others) and have the Post Office apply postmarks to a few envelopes because I wanted to make my own cachets. I'd apply a sticker, type some copy and then mail them out to the other players to sign and then have Cal add his autograph.

Here is the one I did with Garvey:

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

Orioles Co-Op teams (1980-83)
 

Recently, MLB has been in discussions to reduce the number of minor league affiliates each team can have. The name most often mentioned in reference to the Orioles are the Frederick Keys. In my opinion, this would be a shame as Frederick is well run and supported by the fans in Frederick.

It's led me to wonder how a reduction in MLB affiliates will affect minor league baseball in general. There have always been independant teams, as well as co-op teams sprinkled throughout the minor leagues. Co-op teams aren't affiliated with any team, but do have fill their rosters with players borrowed from major league teams. Will independent teams increase or will cities, like Frederick, lose baseball altogether?

From 1980-1983, the Orioles were involved in co-op agreements with a different team each year (1980 Alexandria Dukes, 1981 Hagerstown Suns, 1982 Miami Marlins and 1983 San Jose Bees). The working agreement with Hagerstown, led to them becoming an Orioles affiliate until 1992.

Co-op teams don't generally get a lot of talent/top prospects from MLB teams, which usually produce poor win-lose records. Hagerstown was an exception in 1981, as 7 players ended up in Baltimore including Ken Dixon.

1980 Alexandria Dukes program (54-86)

Attachment 414472


1981 Hagerstown Suns program (70-68) League Champs

Attachment 414473


1982 Miami Marlins program (53-84)

Attachment 414474


1983 San Jose Bees program (56-84)

Attachment 414475

Bill,

Nice job. Neat idea.

Thanks Alan....I remember each time I went I had to explain to the person at window the significance of the date lol (2131 was six years away)...

Here are the three I had done in '89 (fortunately each game was a home one):

https://i.imgur.com/ph7RN9h.jpg

Day 233 (August 20, 2020 – 233)

An Orioles Special Parking pass for a game on May 8th against the Kansas City Royals.

Attachment 414619

Plastic cup of Brooks from 1976.

Attachment 414620
Attachment 414621

1956 Orioles team issued postcards
 

When the Orioles moved from St. Louis to Baltimore, they continued the practice of printing team issued postcards, started by the Browns a few years earlier. The postcards from 1954-56 were glossy RPPC and used by players for autograph requests through the mail. Some of the postcards from those first few years are extremely difficult to find. The vast majority of Orioles postcards still on my want list are from these years.

Today, I'm posting the 1956 postcard set. The big difference between the 1956 postcards and the 1954/55 issues are the addition of a three digit number on the back. Starting with postcard #029-037, names were added to the bottom. While there are a few additions/subtractions because of roster moves, the photos used for each player over the three year period only involved slight cropping differences.

1956 Orioles Team Issued Postcards

Attachment 414635 Attachment 414636 Attachment 414637 Attachment 414638 Attachment 414639 Attachment 414640 Attachment 414641 Attachment 414642 Attachment 414643 Attachment 414644 Attachment 414645

Aside from a few variations, I'm down to needing Babe Birrer, Mel Held, Bobby Adams and Hoot Evers, to have at least one postcard of each of the players in the 1956 set.

Here are 1954/55 postcards of Dave Pope, Jim Wilson, Paul Richards and a 1957 postcard of Billy Loes. The same poses were used in 1956.

Attachment 414647 Attachment 414648 Attachment 414649 Attachment 414650

Hi, everyone. I was wondering if anyone is familiar with the Brooks Robinson 1968-70 Sports Illustrated Baseball Poster Promo Cards? I am in search of one and have a lot of nice Brooks cards to trade or willing to pay. This card is very rare and talking with some of the guys on here they have not seen it. Thanks!

Day 234 (August 21, 2020 – 234)

I believe the Brooks photos today are from the 1964 season. The first is a photo of Brooks loosening up before a game. I really like the look of the BLOCK letter uniform. Anyone want to wager a guess on who’s warming up next to Brooks?

Attachment 414789

Interesting photo of Brooks with his bat prior to a home game. Really like the look of this photo; one of my favorites.

Attachment 414790

In a photo taken by Jerry Wachter Brooks is making sure the area around third base is nice and smooth. How many times did you see Brooks doing this in the field…

Attachment 414791

I'd need to see one before I believe a Brooksie one is out there. I've seen these for other players, but not Brooks. You need to be careful with these because I have seen cutouts taken from the SI sales poster with cardboard backing. What I've heard is these salesman samples are 2 1/8" X 3 X 3/8" and are perforated. Hey, maybe someone on here has one or knows someone who does, or has at least seen one.

Gotta be Paul Blair, yeah?

1992 Orioles Scorebook
 

In my quest for all things Orioles programs and scorecards, I picked up this bound scorebook from the opening of Oriole Park in 1992. I don't know a lot about it's origin, but assume it was a give away to executives, etc as part of the stadium opening. I don't believe these were available for sale to the public. Anyone with info, feel free to enlighten me.

It has a padded cover, facts about Oriole Park on the inside, along with plenty of score sheets for the season.

1992 Orioles Scorebook

Attachment 414813

Attachment 414810

Attachment 414811

Alan.....These were given to members of the media...You are correct in that they weren't available to the public...

I believe you are correct...

Day 235 (August 22, 2020 – 235)

I’m probably in the minority, but I enjoy the larger cards put out by Topps. One of those examples was the 1971 Topps Super which was not only bigger, but thicker as well. There were 63 cards in the set measuring 3 1/8” by 5 ¼”, was borderless, and had rounded corners.

1971 Topps Super #59

Attachment 414888
Attachment 414889

Next a Super proof that has the square corners and a regular back.

1971 Topps Super #59 – proof (regular back)

Attachment 414890
Attachment 414891

Then there’s a square cut blank back version.

1971 Topps Super #59 – proof (blank back)

Attachment 414892
Attachment 414893

I like them Mark! I like the square ones better than the rounded corner version! You guys have some great stuff!

Bluefield Orioles programs
 

From 1958-2010, Bluefield,WV was the home of the Orioles short season rookie level affiliate. Bluefield was one ballpark I never got to visit while they were an O's farm team. Bluefield is now a Toronto Blue Jay affiliate.

You would think that programs from the early years would be much more difficult to find than the newer ones. I've found the exact opposite to be true. Bluefield programs from the 60's & 70's are offered on eBay quite regularly. Programs from the 80's and 90's less often, while I never see programs from the 2000's for sale.

Bluefield and the Ottawa Lynx were probably the two toughest franchises I have dealt with. I would contact Bluefield each summer about a program. About half the time they would respond, which is why I'm still missing a few.

Sometime after 2003, the Orioles changed to a newspaper type program which also makes them hard to find, as many were probably tossed shortly after the game.

I'm still looking for 1987, 2001, 2004, 2005 and 2009 programs/newspapers

Here's a sample of some of the more recent Bluefield programs


Attachment 414920 Attachment 414921 Attachment 414922


Newspaper programs from 2006, 2008 and 2010

Attachment 414914 Attachment 414916 Attachment 414917

I know I posted this program earlier in the year but here is a better scan of the 1978 Bluefield program signed by the entire team, which included an 17 year old Cal Ripken Jr.:

https://i.imgur.com/Vg7i96A.jpg

Here is an admission ticket to the very first game in Aberdeen Ironbirds history:

https://i.imgur.com/19m41EL.jpg

1968 Topps Brooks Robinson Cards
 

Good evening. Thought to share some cards from 1968 by Topps in the Brooks Robinson Registry. Between the US, Canada, and Venezuela Topps versions, you'll see there were a few different cards Topps offered. In the Master for Brooks, other companies made their versions, too. Thought to share the Topps Cards for 1968 on this post.

Bill,

Nice ticket. I'm sure you must have the program from the game. It still amazes me, that until 2013, the Ironbirds would print a new program each day.

Attachment 415015

Bill,

That's definitely worth seeing again...

Very NICE! Really like that Topps had the different versions in 1968 especially.

Day 236 (August 23, 2020 – 236)

I really enjoy the artwork style in the 70’s. I guess that’s why I like the 1975 Topps cards so much; just a tad bit different, but you can definitely tell the era. This is a 1975 Orioles ticket information booklet entitled, Another Banner Year. It shows artwork of Brooks along with Paul Blair and I assume Ross Grimsley along with some bright colors (I really like the setup).

1975 Another Banner Year Ticket Information booklet

Attachment 415070

Mark,

I really like the booklet. I always thought that the pitcher was Mike Cuellar throwing his famous screwball.

Here are photos of Cuellar and Grimsley. Should we take a vote? :confused:

Attachment 415073 Attachment 415074

Well, now that you say Cuellar it does have the arm in a screwball motion. I vote for Cuellar :D

I'm voting for Cuellar too....I don't believe I've ever seen that booklet before..

Here is a Hank Bauer signed TIME magazine from 1964:


https://i.imgur.com/kzw0v8J.jpg

Happy 63rd Birthday to former Orioles pitcher (and overall great guy) Mike Boddicker...Here are some game tickets from iconic moments in his Orioles career:

Tickets from both the 1983 ALCS & World Series:

https://i.imgur.com/m0VV23M.jpghttps://i.imgur.com/nZMGZNK.jpg

My very first trip to Fenway Park was the last weekend of the 1984 season & I did get to see Mike win his 20th game that Saturday afternoon...Unfortunately, the Orioles haven't had a 20 Game winner since!

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

Day 237 (August 24, 2020 – 237)

I like the look of the 1969 Topps The Sporting News All Star cards and of course the Brooks Robinson example is a favorite. These were the All Stars that were selected in 1968 by The Sporting News, but not necessarily the starters. The AL got the red type boarder and the NL got the green. The backs of the AL cards show a picture of Yaz and the NL cards went with Rose.

1969 Topps All Star #421

Attachment 415218
Attachment 415219

1969 Topps All Star #421 (wrong back)

Attachment 415220
Attachment 415221

I like the 68 and 69 Topps issues of Brooks. It depends how you look at life and baseball cards. Is that 1969 All Star Brooks card with the wrong back , as Mark stated, or with the wrong front ?
There has to be a Carroll Sembera collector out there.

Day 238 (August 25, 2020 – 238)

This is a cartoon style drawing of Brooks that I picked up on eBay. I liked the look of the drawing and it had a nice autograph (what else do you need). That’s about all I know about this piece since it’s not signed by the artist.

Attachment 415365

Next up is an art print by artist Doug West with a nice Brooks autograph.

Attachment 415366

I picked up this Brooks Robinson signed legal document many years ago off eBay...Anyone familiar with Creative Sports Designs of Wellesley?

https://i.imgur.com/04eoVpO.jpg

As an aside if anyone is interested in this, please DM me

Alan Maver Drawing
 

Mark,

I really like the Brooks drawing. It reminds me of an Alan Maver drawing of Jack Harshman that I have.

I don't think yours was done by Maver, even though they both have a similar look. I think Maver signed all his stuff. I can't understand why someone would do such a nice piece and not want to get some kind of credit for it.

Alan Maver drawing of Jack Harshman

Attachment 415381

Day 239 (August 26, 2020 – 239)

I believe this was pictured before, but this is an American Airlines 5” mug that salutes Brooks Robinson’s as an American League All-star and the winner of the 1970 World Series MVP. I’ve only seen this mug a few times since collecting Brooks items.

Attachment 415533

I’ll go ahead and post another, common mug, from Rookie Ball Inc., which shows Brooks’ 1957 rookie card.

Attachment 415534
Attachment 415535

I know the Crown Gasoline Action Stand Ups have been posted before but here is one of their Gas Pump Advertising signs promoting the set with a "puffy" Brooks affixed to it:

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

Cal Ripken Jr Bobblehead
 

I was planning to post this a couple of days ago for Cal's 60th birthday, but never got around to it.

In post #1460, I shared a photo of my 3 ft Brooks Robinson bobblehead. I was also lucky enough to pick up a 3 ft bobblehead of Cal Ripken Jr to keep Brooks company.

In 2007, Forever Collectibles (FOCO) did the bobblehead to highlight Cal's election to the Hall of Fame. There are actually three different 3 ft bobbles of Cal that I've seen. Maybe someday??? If anyone has either of the other two versions, please post them.

My bobblehead is # 19/100, but I my understanding is that 100 weren't made, only the amount that were pre-ordered.

2007 Cal Ripken Jr 3 Ft Bobblehead

Attachment 415547

I love that 1975 Ticket Booklet!! Great graphics

Day 240 (August 27, 2020 – 240)

The Sporting News from August 27, 1966 with the feature article,) “A DAY WITH THE HIGH-FLYING ORIOLES!”

Attachment 415679

Below is an original photo of the Orioles deplaning that was used on the cover of TSN. Paul Blair, Frank Robinson, Brooks Robinson, Sam Bowens? Gene Brabender?

Attachment 415680

Mark...

Great photo!

Here is a neat photo of the Orioles starting lineup running out to their positions before the last game at Memorial Stadium in 1991...It took awhile, but I finally was able to get it signed by all of them:


https://i.imgur.com/jiw6hWG.jpg

1991 Orioles team issued postcards
 

Bill,

That is a fantastic piece. Seems like the perfect time to post the Orioles 1991 team issued postcards.

The real keys to the set are the late season B&W postcards, especially Kevin Hickey. The Orioles also included a Brooks Robinson postcard in the set. I'm not really sure why, but it seems the Orioles would include Brooks every fews years. Sorry about the pics, my scanner is a little flaky today. The postcards don't have wavy yellow lines.... :confused:

1991 Orioles team issued postcards

Attachment 415689 Attachment 415690 Attachment 415691 Attachment 415692 Attachment 415693 Attachment 415694 Attachment 415695 Attachment 415696 Attachment 415697

I was luck enough to attend the final game at Memorial Stadium. I use to go to a bb card shop in Severna Park Md. called Front Row Sports in the early 90s . They had a huge (10 to 12 ft wide) panoramic photo of all the players after the game stretched from left field to right. The owner would not sell it to me. I can never find this image on the internet. Has anyone ever seen it? Love to see the photo again.

Great piece and the autographs make it even better...

Day 241 (August 28, 2020 – 241)

I really don’t collect Brooks Robinson endorsed gloves as a rule; for some reason don’t desire them, but there are exceptions to the self-imposed rule. On August 28, 1974 an individual walks into the Brooks Robinson’s Sporting Goods store on 122 S. Howard St. and purchases, with cash, a Rawlings Brooks Robinson XFCB-17 model glove along with a can of glovolium.

Brooks Robinson’s Sporting Goods, Inc. receipt for XFCB-17 glove and glove dressing

Attachment 415791

Rawlings glove box for the XFCB-17 mitt

Attachment 415792
Attachment 415793

Rawlings glove XFCB-17

Attachment 415794

Glovolium

Attachment 415795

Finally, the plastic bag that the glove box was in…

Attachment 415796

Wow Mark! Impressive!
Now all you need is the little kid who bought the glove!

Thanks Mark....What I like about it is that there is a story behind every autograph on it...For example back in '07, I took it to a game where the Orioles were playing the Diamondbacks to try to get Bob Melvin. It was so hot that day, the D-Backs didn't work out pre-game but I saw a buddy of mine who was a local radio guy on the field & explained my dilemma who in turn grabbed former pitcher Dave Johnson (who was nearby) and asked him if he could take it into the D-Backs clubhouse to have Melvin sign it (which he did).

Here is the companion piece to that photo (same photographer), a great shot of Cal Jr. (of all things) grounding into a Double Play to end the game..I should get Tanana to sign it too sometime:

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

Scott:

That afternoon was one of the most amazing days of my life (wide array of emotions; pretty much saw my entire childhood before me). Anyways, I am familiar with the photo you speak of & ironically a few years back I was introduced to the photographer's (who is now deceased) step son who sold me a couple prints of it that the family still owned..Problem is I don't really know what to do with them due to their size.

1991 Orioles Programs
 

Bill,

Some great pieces from that final game at Memorial Stadium.

These are fairly easy to find, but the Orioles did two different program covers for the final weekend.

Program commemorating the last weekend

Attachment 415803

Program from last game

Attachment 415804


The Orioles actually had seven different program cover variations in 1991. Because I currently have too much time on my hands, here are the other five covers.

1991 Firepower (Last Opening Day)

Attachment 415805


1991 Firepower (1st Edition)

Attachment 415806


1991 Firepower (2nd Edition)

Attachment 415807


1991 Johnny Oates

Attachment 415808


1991 Memorial Stadium Memories

Attachment 415809

Glovolium???
Is that just Rawling's product name for linseed oil?

I'm not sure since the can doesn't have the ingredients listed.

Day 242 (August 29, 2020 – 242)

Here’s another Cooperstown Bear; this one is commemorating the 1964 Baltimore Orioles. This has the BLOCK letter Orioles, Brooks’ #5, as well as the 1964 Sesquicentennial patch.

Attachment 415882
Attachment 415883

Day 243 (August 30, 2020 – 243)

VHS was a thing for a while. I have a few of these VHS tapes with Brooks pictured and this is from Front Row Video, Inc. This one is Greatest Sports Legends from 1988 and shows Brooks hitting on the front and is hosted by George Plimpton.

Attachment 416037
Attachment 416038

Now here’s a bit more modern a 2014 DVD, Series 3, called The Boys in the Hall. These are short, but interesting, spots chronicling some memories of their career. It’s narrated by news anchor Tom Brokaw.

Attachment 416039
Attachment 416040

Here's that Last Opening Day program signed by all the guys on it:

https://i.imgur.com/kvcBQV8.jpg

Unique postal cachet postmarked on the date of the final game of Memorial Stadium signed by both Bob Turley & Mike Flanagan, who were the first and last Orioles pitchers there:

https://i.imgur.com/QdfKBb9.jpg

Dean Chance - What might have been ??
 

The Orioles won their first World Series in 1966, but unlike the 1967 "Impossible Dream" Boston Red Sox, the Orioles rise to the AL Pennant shouldn't have been a big surprise to most baseball fans. They had been making steady improvement for a number of years.

After losing 100 games in 1954, the Orioles reached .500 by 1957, finishing 76-76. By 1960, the Orioles were very competitive going 89-65 in 1960 and 95-67 in 1961, but couldn't quite over take the Yankees. After a down 1962, the Orioles would win 86, 97 and 94 games from 1963-1965, before winning the pennant in 1966 with a 97-63 record.

Certainly, the trade to acquire Frank Robinson, before the 1966 season, was the piece that put the Orioles over the top. However, as a kid collecting cards at the time, I was unaware of another player that could have made the Orioles a dominate team through much of the 1960's. I had cards of Dean Chance, but never knew his connection to the Orioles.

Dean Chance was a pretty good pitcher for the Angels and Twins from 1962-68, winning 20 games twice and throwing an incredible 11 shutouts in 1964, on his way to the Cy Young Award.

Dean was actually originally signed by the Orioles around 1959 and pitched well in the minors for a couple years. He was drafted by the Washington Senators on Dec 14, 1960 as part of the expansion draft and traded to the Angels that same day. It's interesting to dream about how good the Orioles might have been had they been able to keep Dean Chance. The Orioles could have easily won a couple more pennants with him in the rotation.

There's not much out there with Dean pictured as an Oriole, but here's a couple items.

1959 Orioles team issued 8x10 photo

Attachment 416054


1960 Baltimore News-Post Scrapbook card

Attachment 416055

I have thought about that many times before of how having Chance in the rotation would have made the Orioles even better than they already were.

I believe that this was the panoramic photo Scott was referring to...Its 10" tall & six feet long:

https://i.imgur.com/WYgFxhO.jpghttps://i.imgur.com/NJW6a3I.jpg

That's pretty cool; never seen that before...

Day 244 (August 31, 2020 – 244)

In 1969 Topps created an insert set that were B&W and featured a ‘deckle’, or some people call them ‘scalloped’, edge. Think these were made that way to give the look of the old school snapshot photos (did I tell you before that I LOVE snapshots). The cards are slightly smaller than a regular card at 2 ¼” by 3 ¼”. There were O-Pee-Chee Deckle Edge cards as well; they have a black facsimile autograph, instead of blue like the Topps, and are blank backed.

1969 O-Pee-Chee Deckle Edge

Attachment 416259

I do have a few Topps Deckle Edge proofs as follows:

Attachment 416260
Attachment 416261
Attachment 416262
Attachment 416263

I also have one of the ’69 Deckle printing plates used to make the card.

Attachment 416264

Mark,

As a kid, I always liked the inserts that Topps did each year and the deckle edge were one of my favorites.

The other Oriole in the set was Boog Powell.

1969 Topps & OPC Deckle Edge Boog Powell

Attachment 416277 Attachment 416279


In 1967/68 Topps also did a test run of 9 Deckle Edge cards. Included with that test was Bob Johnson pictured as a Rochester Red Wing, the only minor leaguer. Topps used a photo of Johnson from when he was with the Red Wings in 1961. The biggest name in the test group included Carl Yastrzemski. The tests came in several autograph color variations. I have the red autograph. There are also blue and black versions.

Deckle Edge Test of Bob Johnson

Attachment 416278

Attachment 416284

Mark & Alan...Great Deckle Edge cards! For some reason I always remember Brooks was card #1 in the set,,,

Few years back I picked up this Maryland Stadium Authority Project Manager protective helmet off eBay for 0.99 (it had a very poorly written description and I was the only bidder):

https://i.imgur.com/EL6Qn6O.jpg

Day 245 (September 1, 2020 – 245)

1977 Beisbol award from Caracas, Venezuela.

Attachment 416422

Mark,

That's pretty cool. I would love to hear the background story on the piece and how you acquired it.

2002 Orioles team issued postcards
 

Not a lot of newer stuff (after 2000) gets posted, so I thought I would post the Orioles team issued postcard set from 2002. It was the last year that Cal Ripken Jr was included, as well the Orioles included a Brooks Robinson postcard in the set.

The postcard of Cal Ripken Jr was a reprint of the 2001 issue, with a minor cropping difference on the front and the addition of Jr to his name on the back.

Cal Ripken Jr postcards from 2001-2002 and 2002 Brooks Robinson postcard

Attachment 416441 Attachment 416442

Beginning in 1992, the Orioles went to more action shots and no printed names at the bottom on their postcards. I really never have gotten used to the change and much prefer the head shot style. I'm only missing a Tony Batista variation from the complete set.

2002 Orioles team issued postcards

Here's the checklist, left to right, top to bottom, for those who don't want to guess...

Tony Batista (missing), Tony Batista, Rick Bauer, Erik Bedard

Attachment 416427

Larry Bigbie, Mike Bordick, Chris Brock, Jeff Conine

Attachment 416428

Jeff Conine, Marty Cordova, Marty Cordova, Terry Crowley

Attachment 416429

Sean Douglass, Travis Driskill, Joe Durham, Scott Erickson

Attachment 416430

Brook Fordyce, Luis Garcia, Jay Gibbons, Geronimo Gil

Attachment 416431

Buddy Groom, Jerry Hairston Jr, Jerry Hairston Jr, Willie Harris

Attachment 416432

Jason Johnson, Jorge Julio, Rodrigo Lopez, Calvin Maduro

Attachment 416433

Luis Matos, Gary Matthews Jr, Ryan McGuire, Melvin Mora

Attachment 416434

Mike Moriarty, John Parrish, John Parrish, Sam Perlozzo

Attachment 416435

Sam Perlozzo, Sidney Ponson, Sidney Ponson Tim Raines Jr

Attachment 416436

Cal Ripken Jr, Brian Roberts, Brian Roberts, Brooks Robinson

Attachment 416437

BJ Ryan, David Segui, Chris Singleton, Bill Swaggerty

Attachment 416438

Josh Towers, Tom Trebelhorn, Mark Wiley, Camden Yards

Attachment 416439

Oriole Bird (5x7)

Attachment 416440

Mark, great 1969 Deckle Edge proofs. For some reason the '69 Brooks Deckle Edge proof is one of the those cards that keeps eluding me. I guess everyone has the odd card that shouldn't be but is their white whale.

Mike,

I acquired a few of the '69 Deckle Edge proofs over the years so if I can help you're collection out just let me know.

Alan,

I sure wish I could remember where I purchased the award. I know I've had this for quite some time. It had to be around the time of browsing through the SCD looking for Brooks items and far before eBay hit the scene.

I only have two Brooks awards and this is one of them.

Day 246 (September 2, 2020 – 246)

Jay Mazzone joined the Orioles in the thrilling 1966 season as the Orioles batboy. Jay, as a 2-year-old, lost his hands after his snow suit caught on fire, so he used hooks instead of hands to get the job accomplished. Jay retired as a bat boy after the 1971 season.

Attachment 416586

As a Baltimore fan we all know about the kangaroo court with Frank Robinson the self-appointed judge of the court. “Da Judge”, with his judicial wig, would dole out fines for any indiscretion as long as the man who brought the charge had a witness to support it. Of course, Frank had the last say and was basically the judge AND the jury. Jay Mazzone stated, “He was running his kangaroo court and calling a vote among the players, whether to fine someone or not, it was either thumbs up or thumbs down. After the vote, he said, ‘Jay, your fine for not voting.’ After that I was treated like everyone else.”

Attachment 416587

1988 Orioles Olde Philadelphia Inn Boot
 

Good morning,

I started following the Orioles at the age of 7 in 1988 (I know, I picked a great year to start), so I buy as much 1988-related Orioles items as possible, as it was my first year of collecting as well.

My parents know this and picked this 1988 Olde Philadelphia Inn (OPI) Boot up for me at a yard sale.

Does anyone know if this was an SGA item or if the OPI made some of these for the restaurant?

Thanks!

Attachment 416598

Attachment 416599

OTD in 1999, Cal Ripken Jr. became the 29th player in MLB history to hit his 400th Home Run, when he launched a three run shot off the Devil Rays' Rolando Arroyo at Camden Yards.

The next evening they had a pre-game ceremony for Cal when they presented him with a commemorative bat & jersey.

Here is that jersey:

https://i.imgur.com/kdBOjUs.jpghttps://i.imgur.com/myMPcw0.jpghttps://i.imgur.com/VkJ5faS.jpg