Day 193 (July 11, 2020 – 193)

First up today is a letter, with The Brooks Robinson Sporting Goods Company letterhead, from Brooks to Mr. and Mrs. R. N. Wagman who are from York, PA where Brooks got his start as a minor leaguer with the York White Roses. An interesting piece of the letter discusses the possibility of soon opening a sporting goods store in the Queensgate Shopping Mall. It would make sense that this somehow relates to the plastic disc that Alan (BaltOrioles) pictured from Post #210. Would be neat to find out how the disc was used.

Attachment 408878

I picked up this sweater just for the Brooks Robinson Sporting Goods tag. I know the sporting goods store made Oriole jerseys; would be nice to have one of the jerseys they made with the Brooks tag.

Attachment 408879
Attachment 408880

Lastly, a t-shirt from the sporting goods store. Could I have ironed it? Yes.
Did I iron it? no.

Attachment 408881

Problems - NET54
 

I know the site is having issues; hopefully the pictures will ultimately come back into view...

Day 194 (July 12, 2020 – 194)

The 1964 Topps Coins set consisted of 164 metal coins inserted into the Topps wax packs. There were 120 regular coins and 44 All Star coins. The Brooks coin pictured today is the regular coin from the 1964 set. I really like the photo Topps used for this ’64 coin.

1964 Topps Coin #18

Attachment 408882

While it’s not the best of proofs, since it’s the yellow version, it’s the only front proof I have in my collection.

1964 Topps Coin proof #18

Attachment 408883

Pictured below is a proof of the back of the 1964 Brooks coin.

1964 Topps Coin back proof #18

Attachment 408884

1954 Wilson Franks
 

Esskay Hot Dogs have long been associated with the Baltimore Orioles. Over the years, Esskay has sponsored a variety of items including baseball cards on the packages in 1954-1955.

One player not included in the Esskay card sets was Vern Stephens. I can only assume that's because Stephens was part of another hot dog set.

In 1954, Wilson Franks, a hot dog company based out of Chicago, produced a 20 card set that was distributed in the midwest. The set included big names like Ted Williams, Bob Feller Gil Hodges and Roy Campanella. The only Oriole representative was Vern Stephens.

I really like the look of the cards, but condition is always an issue since the cards were packaged with hot dogs.

1954 Wilson Franks

Attachment 408900

Here is that poster that I referred to the other day which was a companion piece to the 1983 Gala Evening event program that was held in November of 2019:

https://i.imgur.com/78ibnMz.jpg

Mark...I love those Brooks Robinson Sporting Goods items...very unique!

Alan...Nice Stephens Wilson Franks card! Do you have any of the Esskay cards from that era?

Here is an cool Esskay Holiday greeting card from 1995:

https://i.imgur.com/pot13hd.jpghttps://i.imgur.com/vtFxF3B.jpg

1954-55 Esskay Hot Dogs
 

Bill,

I've picked away at the 1954 Esskay set over the years when I find examples in the price range and condition I'm happy with.

I have 21 from the 1954 set, but haven't picked up any from 1955. I don't expect to ever finish either set, but would like to eventually pick up some of the 1955 cards not in the 1954 set.

1954 Esskay Hot Dogs

Attachment 408910 Attachment 408911

Attachment 408912

Love it Bill! I wanted to go to this event so bad, but I had the job thing going and I just couldn’t make it work out (also the travel from FL). I definitely need to pick up “anything” from this awesome event.

Mark that shirt and letterhead is outstanding.

Thanks! Alan has a Queensgate Disc that I’m sure relates some way to the location they were going to have another sporting goods store.

Day 195 (July 13, 2020 – 195)

Bill (roarfrom34) has shown these credit cards before in post #1135, but I already had them scanned for today so here you go. Crown Central Petroleum Corporation 1990’s credit cards, one used and one unused.

Crown Credit Card – used

Attachment 409098

Crown Credit Card – unused

Attachment 409099

Common Crown print – signed

Attachment 409100

A couple of AIU Insurance promotional Japanese posters featuring Cal Ripken Jr. (1997):

https://i.imgur.com/52y6MWH.jpghttps://i.imgur.com/lAcWR6I.jpg

1994 Info Baseball Card Game
 

Information Games, based in Montague MA, produced a baseball playing card game in 1994. I found this brief description of the game online.

"The classic card game that provides fast paced enjoyment for the whole family, from the first card played until the last."

The Orioles Edition consists of 120 cards, each representing an Orioles player's batting or pitching record in his best year. Players from throughout the team's history are included [1954 - 1993]. You select players from your hand according to their strengths and weaknesses, and score points by playing a card with the best value in a particular category (i.e. most home runs) of all the cards played."

This game is a baseball themed trick-taking card game with two suits - pitchers and batters. A player leads with a pitcher or batter and declares which of the 5 stats will be compared (ERA, RBI, etc). The card with the best stat takes the trick. Optional rules for a trivia element of gameplay.

With 120 cards included, the game contains a fairly large mix of star and fringe players. The set includes cards of Brooks Robinson as well as Cal & Billy "Ripkin". No player photos, but still an interesting game to play.

Game Box and Player Cards

Attachment 409109

Attachment 409110

Game Instructions

Attachment 409111 Attachment 409112

Mark, the Letterhead is amazing. Would like to find a ream of it! Thanks for sharing.

Day 196 (July 14, 2020 – 196)

Brooks was the 1970 World Series MVP and one of the gifts was a new Dodge Charger. Shortly after the Series Brooks made a visit to Brenner on October 22, 1970 and did a bit of advertising and a signing for the customers. Below is one of the 8X10 Brooks signed:

1970 Brenner – signed

Attachment 409231

Alan...I knew you wouldn't let us down with the Esskay cards! Thanks

Mark....Great photo...Is Brenner a car dealership in MD?

I was remiss in that yesterday was the 29th anniversary of four Oriole pitchers contributing to a No Hitter in Oakland (their last no hitter).

After the game I wrote the A's ticket manager and asked if he could send me a ticket from the game then I had all four participants sign it (this very well may be the only complete signed ticket out there):

https://i.imgur.com/iICkah4.jpg

Orioles No-Hitters
 

Bill,

I'm guessing you are correct. That's an awesome ticket and great heads up to contact the A's.

My favorite O's no-hitter is by far the 1968 gem by Tom Phoebus. I hated the Red Sox as a kid and haven't gotten any kinder as an adult.


Here is the complete list of Orioles No-Hitters with the player's team issued photo from that year.

Hoyt Wilhelm (Sept 20, 1958 vs NY Yankees) 1-0

Attachment 409241

Steve Barber & Stu Miller (April 30, 1967 vs Detroit Tigers) Lost 2-1

Attachment 409242 Attachment 409243

Tom Phoebus (April 27, 1968 vs Boston Red Sox) 6-0

Attachment 409244

Jim Palmer (Aug 13, 1969 vs Oakland A's) 8-0

Attachment 409245

Bob Milacki, Mike Flanagan, Mark Williamson & Gregg Olson (July 13, 1991 vs Oakland A's) 2-0

Attachment 409246 Attachment 409250 Attachment 409248 Attachment 409249


It's amazing to realize that Nolan Ryan had seven no-hitters himself.

If I’m not mistaken they had a family of dealerships in Pennsylvania.

Man, that ticket is off the charts cool...

Day 197 (July 15, 2020 – 197)

Avalon Hill is a game company that started in 1954 and the name of the company was influenced by the city where the first games were sold which was Avalon, Maryland. While the company was more known for war type board games, they did make some which were sports related. The company was sold to Hasbro in 1998. Here’s a few items that relate to Avalon Hill.

Attachment 409386
Attachment 409387
Attachment 409388

Good morning,

Mark- I've never seen that 8 x 10 Brenner Brooks photo before. Very nice.

I recently purchased several magazines featuring Cal Ripken from a gentleman selling his collection. Included were some oddball ones, including Fit Pregnancy Magazine and a 1999 Miami Heat Magazine.

Attachment 409393

Attachment 409394

However, also included was an issue of Wax Pack Magazine that had an article where Bill listed his Top 10 Rarest Cal Items.

Attachment 409395

Attachment 409396

Bill, do you still have that Stroh's photoball? I've certainly never seen one before.

Team Issued Photos
 

Until around 1999, the Orioles produced glossy 8x10 photos of most of their players. The vast majority of those photos were head shots. I've previously posted examples, including a few yesterday.

Occasionally the Orioles used full length photos, instead of head shots. These type of photos show up much less often than the traditional head shots.

Here are a few examples from the 1960-1963 era, including Brooks Robinson

Attachment 409415

Attachment 409414

Attachment 409416

Attachment 409417

Alan,

Very NICE! Of course I like the Brooksie example the best...

We have “another” celebrity in our mix (the other is Alan of course).

Very cool letter from Brooks about York, PA (close to where I live and grew-up). I was just at the Queensgate shopping center today for lunch!

Day 198 (July 16, 2020 – 198)

This is a program for The 10th Annual Maryland Shrine of Immortals Night on July 16, 1969. The cover features Brooks along with Gordon “Babe” Phelps. On this night Phelps became the 19th member of the Maryland Shrine of Immortals. Phelps was a native of Maryland and The Maryland Shrine of Immortals was created to recognize men with Maryland backgrounds who have distinguished themselves in professional baseball.

The 10th Annual Shrine of Immortals Night July 16, 1969

Attachment 409497

The image used on the above program may be from the same photo shoot or at least the photographer had the same idea for the shot; either way I like the look. This photograph is from 1968 of Brooks at the plate in an away game.

Attachment 409498

Thanks!

Maybe you can help in the research of the Queensgate disc that Alan (BaltOrioles) posted on Post #210. Really would like to find out what that disc is. I believe it's associated with the opening of the store in the Queensgate shopping center, but unsure what is was used for.

Hi Mike:

How ironic that a month or so ago I was going through some tabloid newspaper size pieces in my collection and I ran across that very paper!..Hard to believe that it came out over a quarter-century ago & most of the items on that list are still very desirable to this day (I've still only seen one yellow Thom Mc An disc).

Anyways, regarding the Stroh's Photo Ball, over the years I've come to the realization that it most likely was a stadium giveaway item in Rochester the day that the Orioles came to play an exhibition game (which used to be an annual thing)..The only reason I say that is that both balls I have came from Rochester area collections and both have autographs on them...One I have is signed by all three in sharpie and this one just by Altobelli:

https://i.imgur.com/T0HKUIx.jpg

These baseballs are very similar to ones produced as "Major League Picture Baseballs" from 1983 which were sold in hobby stores/card shows & picture Eddie, CRJ, Bumbry & Singleton:

https://i.imgur.com/wDWIuiT.jpghttps://i.imgur.com/IobPmTz.jpg

Queensgate Lid (Update)
 

With all the discussion lately about the Brooks Robinson Sporting Goods store and the Queensgate shopping center, it seems like a good time to update everyone on my research. The letter Mark posted was great. It means that if the disc is related to a store in the Queensgate shopping center, the time frame would be 1974-1977. Can anyone verify that a store actually opened at the mall? I contacted Bruce Genther, who was the art director for the store for many years. He mentioned the store closed in 1977. Unfortunately, he doesn't remember producing or helping produce anything like the disc. However, the design on the front of the shirt, Mark posted on 7/12, looks very much like the disc design. Bruce did say that Brooks did many appearances in York, so it's possible the disc is not related to the store, but another promotion. I've also reached out to a lady that does a blog on York County history to get her input, but no response yet.

I wish I had more info to share, but really appreciate Mark's letter.

Someday, I would love to have Brooks take a look at it to see if he remembers what it was used for. Anyone with Brooks connections, send him a note. :D

Here's a picture of the disc again. It's hard plastic and about the size of a KFC chicken bucket lid.


Attachment 409503

Bill,

Nice story.

Just curious if your top ten list has changed since the article was printed. I'm excited that I have 5 items off the list.

Ajax Dog Food
 

For anyone interested, here's the ugly Ajax Dog Food card of Cal Ripken Jr, mentioned in Bill's article. Depending on who you talk to, it's either worthless or highly sought after. :confused:

1983 Ajax Dog Food

Attachment 409504

Queensgate
 

Hi Guys,

I was born in York County, PA in 1968. My parents shopped at Queensgate Shopping Center all my life. I continue to do business there. I have been an Orioles fan all my life. I went to my first Orioles game at Memorial Stadium in 1975. To my knowledge, the Brooks Robinson Store never opened a store in Queensgate shopping center. If they did, it would have had to have been before my memories start - as Brooks was my favorite player from the start and I would certainly have taken notice if he opened a store in a Shopping plaza my family frequented regularly. So if it ever did open I would say it had to have happened before 1974, probably in the 1960s or very early 1970s and be closed by 1974-75. I started playing little league baseball in 1975, and I know there was no Brooks Sporing Goods Store in Queensgate when I got equipment for that year - or we would have went there to buy our stuff.

Queensgate, however, did bring in Orioles players to sign autographs in the mid-1970s. First ever major league autos I ever got were of Mark Belanger and Bobby Grich at Queensgate. That year was either 1975 or 1976. I still have that faded ball in my collection.

I do not know what the disk came from - but possibly one of these signings at Queensgate?

I would love to hear from anyone who can add anything to these memories.

Rich

Day 199 (July 17, 2020 – 199)

The All-Star cards have made an absence for five long years and are re-introduced in the 1968 Topps set. Brooks and Frank were the Orioles in the ’68 AS set; the Brooks card as follows:

1968 Topps All-Star #365

Attachment 409620

The backs of the All-Star cards formed two player photos: Orlando Cepeda on the National League cards and Carl Yastrzemski on the American League.

Attachment 409621

There were also the All-Star cards included for the Venezuela issue in 1968.

1968 Venezuelan All-Star #365

Attachment 409622
Attachment 409623

I only have one progressive proof for the 1968 Topps AS #365 pictured below.

Attachment 409624

AND here’s the 1968 transparency used for the photo on the Topps All Star card.

Attachment 409625

Mark...cool transparency & progressive proof!

Here are the two versions of the Ripken Thom McAn discs I mentioned in that 1993 article. The blue disc I obtained early on and for awhile thought that was the only version.

Interesting story was at some point I was introduced to a collector who informed me about the Ripken yellow version and was trying to obtain the entire set himself (with all color variations) who traveled often on business. What he did was simply buy one pair of Thom McAn shoes and in his travels and he would exchange that pair of shoes at one of their stores (wherever his travels took him) for another and get two new discs.

He promised me that if he ever gave up trying to complete the set that he'd sell the yellow Cal Jr. to me. Fortunately (for me anyways), he gave up on trying to complete it:

https://i.imgur.com/qWt1nR8.jpg

As I mentioned in the article as well these discs can be differentiated from the Subway discs in that these have the Thom McAn/Jox logo on the back.

Rich,

Thanks so much for your post. I think it adds a few pieces to the puzzle. From Mark's letter (Post #1901), it's obvious that during 1974, plans were being developed to open a store in the Queensgate Shopping Center. Rich seems to confirm that the store never materialized, which is why I haven't been able to find any information about it. I can only assume that financial and/or other delays contributed to the store never opening. Bruce Genther, who worked the store, confirmed that Brooks Robinson Sporting Goods closed in 1977. Perhaps, the disc was going to be used as part of a store opening promotion, that never happened.

It doesn't answer all my questions concerning the disc, but gives me hope that the mystery will be solved someday. :)

1976 Charlotte Orioles
 

Yesterday, I noticed a 1976 Charlotte Orioles program listed on eBay. It reminded me that I haven't posted much minor league stuff lately.

1976 was an interesting year for Charlotte programs. They printed three different covers, but also included the opponents name on the front. It was very unusual, at that time, for a team to get that detailed with it's programs.

I have five different covers and still need the Montgomery and Columbus versions.

FYI, Eddie Murray played for Charlotte that year.

1976 Charlotte Orioles Programs

Attachment 409640

Attachment 409641

Attachment 409642

Attachment 409643

Attachment 409644


Bonus:

Program from an exhibition game played in Charlotte that year - Atlanta Braves vs the Southern League All-Stars

Attachment 409645

Day 200 (July 18, 2020 – 200)

The Carolina’s Greatest Sportscard Show was held for three days in Charlotte, NC: July 19th, 20th and the 21st. A print ad was produced for the 1996 show which had a reunion of some of the 1966 Orioles Champion team which are pictured within the ad.

Attachment 409781

A picture of two of the show’s guests; the 1966 photo below was taken by Jay Spencer.

Attachment 409782

Here is a ticket from the first home game in the history of the Charlotte O's...
Interestingly the ballpark hadn't been renamed Crockett Park yet.

Alan, could you please check one of those programs to see if they opened the season on the home or the road that year..

As an aside, Jimmie Schaffer was the manager of that club that season (who lives near me) and I saw him at the local diner last week having breakfast:

https://i.imgur.com/DJBslm9.jpg

Bill,

Charlotte did indeed open the season at home against the Chattanooga Lookouts. It's interesting to note that 19 yr old Eddie Murray is listed as 1B-3B in the program. Was he supposed to be the heir to Brooks at 3B ??

A couple of Jimmie Schaffer postcards, managing the Lodi Orioles and at Orioles spring training

Attachment 409810

1974-75 Bluefield Orioles
 

Low level minor league teams often work with very limited budgets. Bluefield, the Orioles representative in the short season Appalachian League for over 50 years, was no exception.

If a minor league team has several different program covers each year, I try to collect each front cover.

In 1974, the Bluefield Orioles finished with a record of 37-32. The team didn't produce any future O's. Here's their 1974 program.

Attachment 409811

The 1975 Bluefield team finished much worse at 26-43, but did produce three players that played in Baltimore. Sammy Stewart, Dave Ford and Jeff Rineer (if for only 1 game in 1979)

Here's the regular program from 1975.

Attachment 409812

As I mentioned, limited budgets. I thought this was another cover variation, but when I received it, I realized the Orioles had just reused old 1974 programs with a 1975 sticker over the year. I have since seen multiple other years where Bluefield did the same thing. In 1959, they just took a marker and changed the 8 into a 9.

If you were at a trivia contest and someone asked you to name the Opening Day third baseman for the Orioles in 1978, most people would answer Doug DeCinces.

Surprisingly, Eddie Murray started the first three games for the Orioles at 3B that year, while DeCinces played second base.

It was deemed a failed experiment as the Brewers swept the Orioles & fortunately Eddie headed back to 1B.

Day 201 (July 19, 2020 – 201)

July 19th, 1982 in Washington, D.C., within RFK Memorial Stadium, held the 1st Annual Cracker Jack Old Timers Game. One of the most memorable things that occurred this day was that Luke Appling, former Chicago White Sox, homered off of the great Warren Spahn – at the age of 75.

Below is an advertising poster for the 1982 Cracker Jack game.

Attachment 410030

1982 Cracker Jack Old Timers Game program

Attachment 410031

1982 Cracker Jack set
 

Mark,

I really like the poster and program. Cracker Jack also produced a 16 card set of All-Time Greats that included Brooks Robinson.

Attachment 410041

Uncut sheets of the complete 1982 Cracker Jack set

Attachment 410042 Attachment 410044

James Elder postcard of Luke Appling

Attachment 410043

Associated Press wirephoto from 09/30/76 showing Brooks pre-game in the locker room noting that it might be his last game as an Oriole...We all know that he did come back in 1977 as a player-coach:

https://i.imgur.com/Tz18Bck.jpg

While Alan did a great job last week compiling all of the Orioles No-Hitters, here are press photos from three of them:

https://i.imgur.com/nyGW81o.jpghttps://i.imgur.com/jTyuf19.jpghttps://i.imgur.com/pXp7J78.jpg

While recently sorting through some pieces in my collection I ran across this signed gov't postcard that I acquired in a trade many years ago.

From what I've now learned from this thread is that it was most likely signed at an Orioles "Shrine of Immortals Night" from 1966 (has Foxx & Carey).

My question for you guys is:

-does anyone have a program from that game?
-anyone idea on who the autograph might be between Watt & Lau?
-the only name that confuses me is Rettenmund who debuted in '68 (though he may have been up in Baltimore for a reason...I'm thinking of writing him for his recollection):

https://i.imgur.com/JEB5omy.jpghttps://i.imgur.com/BQ3pfoT.jpg

Misc Monday
 

Day 202 (July 20, 2020 – 202)

Thought it would be fun to have a “Miscellaneous Monday”. Just a random couple Brooks and/or Oriole items for this day.

Brooks Robinson Superball

Attachment 410210

Orioles World Series win sticker

Attachment 410211

1970 Orioles ruler

Attachment 410212

2010 MD-7 Pin

Attachment 410213

Orioles light switch cover

Attachment 410214

1974-75 Charles Linnett Drawings
 

Around 1974-1975, artist Charles Linnett produced some really drawings of baseball players and other sports stars. While I wish the drawings included hats, I still like the quality of his art. Several players were done after they left the Orioles, but without caps I still include them in my collection.

The main difference between years, is the addition of a printed name in the lower left corner. There is still a Rich Coggins drawing I would like to pick up, but I think I have the most of the rest of the Orioles.

1974 Charles Linnett Drawings

Attachment 410233 Attachment 410232

Attachment 410230 Attachment 410231


1975 Charles Linnett Drawings

Attachment 410234 Attachment 410235

Attachment 410236 Attachment 410237

Attachment 410238

Day 203 (July 21, 2020 – 203)

I saw this piece when I first started collecting Brooks, but missed out. I failed to get a picture of the item at the time and just had an image in my mind of what the item looked like, but wasn’t positive who was on the cover with Brooks. A few years ago it was posted again, I believe on eBay, with a low BIN and I couldn’t get it fast enough. I’m sure for most people this is not something they may even want in their collection, but I think these type of things are both fun and unique.

TV Week from the newspaper The Sun in Baltimore with a picture of Curt Gowdy interviewing Brooks; the July 21, 1974 edition.

Attachment 410332

A 1974 All Star Game team photo that I’ve had on my wall for quite some time now.

1974 All-Star Game team photo.

Attachment 410333

Pennant from the 1974 All Star Game played at Three Rivers Stadium.

Attachment 410334

Slugger Magazine (Japan) with Cal
 

Good afternoon,

I keep meaning to mention, Bill, I love that Esskay Christmas card. And Mark, that 1970 Orioles ruler is really cool.

I've posted several Japanese magazines featuring Cal Ripken before but I was recently able to acquire another one.

1998 Slugger Magazine with Cal:

Attachment 410392

Always liked the foreign publications. Cool Rip cover...

Mark love the Brooks oldball stuff !