Day 204 (July 22, 2020 – 204)

Since Mike posted a Japanese magazine yesterday I might as well follow up with another example. This foreign magazine was pictured by Howard (hcv123) in an early post (#30) and here’s a copy I picked up after several years of searching. I don’t read Japanese so I’m unsure what the magazine is called, but I believe it’s from 10/28/71 and lists Baltimore Orioles on the cover. There’s Frank, Brooks and Boog on a super cool designed cover.

Attachment 410462

Signed game Used hat of Cal Ripken Jr. from his 1981 season in Rochester:

https://i.imgur.com/NDRhC0Y.jpghttps://i.imgur.com/8dYLpRw.jpghttps://i.imgur.com/wIF7RvJ.jpghttps://i.imgur.com/AD4BNQP.jpg

1983 World Series Baseballs
 

I'm a little slow in responding to Mark's request, but finally got pics of the baseballs. Over the next few days, I'll post pictures of each individual baseball.

Back in Post #118, I shared my collection of baseballs painted by artist Roberta Howard. I had her do the entire 1983 World Series roster. Each player is painted on an official AL baseball. I had her alternate with players in white and orange jerseys. With the cost of all the baseballs and her cost to paint them, I have about $30 in each baseball. A big investment back then, but I very happy with the results.

We will start with the Orioles pitching staff

Jim Palmer, Sammy Stewart, Dennis Martinez, Mike Boddicker, Storm Davis, Tim Stoddard, Tippy Martinez, Scott McGregor and Mike Flanagan

Attachment 410491 Attachment 410494
Attachment 410490 Attachment 410492
Attachment 410496 Attachment 410497
Attachment 410498 Attachment 410495
Attachment 410493

More Ajay Brooks Items
 

Good afternoon,

Previously, Brooks-endorsed lacing needles, flip-up glasses, and a rosin bag have been posted here. Here is another item by Ajay, this time a Brooks Robinson scorebook:

Attachment 410503

Foreign issued magazines seem to be tough to find, that’s a great one Mark!

awesome!!!

I knew you’d have to get back to Maine before you posted the painted baseballs; so thanks for remembering and posting. I can’t remember if you mentioned if you were thinking about getting them signed at the time or not.

Mike,

Thanks for adding a new one to the mix. Most Brooks items I’ve at least seen before, but I haven’t seen this Ajay item before. Thanks for showing it off!

Day 205 (July 23, 2020 – 205)

The Hostess set was distributed in three card panels on the bottom of their snack cake boxes. Brooks shares the panel with past Reds and then current fellow Oriole Lee May (with an airbrushed cap) and the great Carlton Fisk the then Boston catcher.

Attachment 410604

I’m not sure why there’s a difference, but the Brooks Hostess can be found with a fairly clear picture, which I’ve attached, and one that’s a tad bury with a redness to his face. I’m not sure if it’s something about the print setting or what the deal is with this card; maybe you guys can chime in on the reason for the difference.

Attachment 410605
Attachment 410606

Ok; now I’ve pictured a proof of the 1975 Hostess panel. Notice any difference?

Attachment 410607

Mark,

I'm not a Hostess expert, but do love the cards. I remember a lot of Twinkies and Cupcakes in the house over the summer.

The cards were issued on a variety of different products, including individual cards on single serve products. While the difference between the box cards and individual cards is noticeable (different card stock), the difference in your cards could be the product they were printed on. In 1976, the cards also were printed in black or brown on the back.

The proof with Brooks Robinson is easy to answer. Lee May was originally going to be printed as with Houston Astros, but Hostess changed his card after the trade to the Orioles.

1975 Hostess Proof of Lee May

Attachment 410614

1983 World Series Baseballs
 

Day #2 of the post of my 1983 World Series baseballs will highlight the Orioles outfielders. It's interesting to note how rosters have changed since 1983. The Orioles roster had 9 outfielders and 9 pitchers for the series. Today, teams often carry 12-13 pitchers and place a premium on bench players that can play infield and outfield.

1983 World Series Outfielders

Al Bumbry, Gary Roenicke, Benny Ayala, Dan Ford, Jim Dwyer, John Lowenstein, Ken Singleton, Tito Landrum, John Shelby

Attachment 410615 Attachment 410618

Attachment 410616 Attachment 410617

Attachment 410619 Attachment 410620

Attachment 410622 Attachment 410623

Attachment 410621


Mark,

At one point I was considering getting the baseball autographed. At that time, I had small kids and living in Maine, leaving not much access to get autographs at spring training or regular season games. Once a few players passed away, I decided to have none of them autographed rather than mix and match.

Got my signed cards back today. 9 day turnaround time! Brooks signed a baseball for me as a 12 year old boy in 1984 at an old timers game in Indianapolis right after the Hoosier Dome opened up and before the Colts moved to Indy. I still have the ball on display. One of my favorites of all time for that reason alone!

Besides the hilarity of the photographer's shadow marring everything (shouldn't that be one of the don'ts on the first day of photography class??), I noticed the dot borders aren't uniform at all (on any of the three cards). In the Brooksie on the panel, there's a significant gap in the lower left side, but in the Robinson card appearing alone, the dot border seems to be full on all four sides. Perhaps those differences are unique to whether or not the card is a clear or 'red faced' version?

Alan,

They looks very nice! Think you made the right decision on the autographs. Would be tough to see both the art and auto at the same time anyway.

Kevin,

Very nice autographed cards. Thanks for sharing the TTM success.

Always thought that was funny on the shadows. Basically thought the same thing as you mentioned above. They used the same picture on the 1974 Deckle Edge, but they cropped all that mess out.

Day 206 (July 24, 2020 – 206)

Has there been anyone better in the history that has charged, scooped, and thrown out runners on choppers and/or bunts than Brooks Robinson? Of course, the answer is “NO”. Will there ever be anyone better? “NO; it’s impossible”. A color 8X10 autographed photo of Brooks doing what he does best, charging the ball.

Attachment 410733

The photo was used on the cover of the Spring/1971 issue of Complete Sports. Cover shows some of the stars of other sports of the day to include basketball’s Willis Reed, hockey’s Bobby Orr and football’s Larry Brown.

Attachment 410734

1983 World Series Baseballs
 

Here's the last group of 1983 World Series painted baseballs. The infielders and catchers.

Cal Ripken Jr, Eddie Murray, Rick Dempsey, Joe Nolan, Rich Dauer, Lenn Sakata and Todd Cruz

Attachment 410735 Attachment 410736

Attachment 410740 Attachment 410737

Attachment 410739 Attachment 410738

Attachment 410741

Official 1983 World Series ball and painted logo ball round out the display

Attachment 410742 Attachment 410743

Attachment 410745

Day 207 (July 25, 2020 – 207)

A 1972 Working Press Pass for the Orioles season.

Attachment 410913

The 1972 MLB All-Star Game was played in Atlanta Stadium on July 25, 1972. The game went into extra innings and was won in the 10th. Joe Morgan singled, scoring Nate Colbert that ended the game. The NL won the AS game 4-3.

1972 Cachet for the 1972 All Star Game.

Attachment 410914

1971 Mattel Instant Replay record player
 

In 1971, I received a Mattel Instant Replay record player for Christmas. I can't be the only person to remember these.

You inserted a plastic record into the player and an announcer replayed a highlight from the player's career. The records included players from different sports, including drag racing. I no longer have the record player, but found this picture online. I think the record players must have come in multiple colors, because I remember mine being blue. You received 4 records in the original box and could purchase additional packs of records.

Attachment 410908

The only Oriole I'm aware of was Frank Robinson. If I remember right, his 500th HR was the highlight. The records came in two variations, a single sided record and a much harder to find double sided version.

1971 Mattel Frank Robinson records

Attachment 410909 Attachment 410910


1971 Mattel Frank Robinson proof

Attachment 410907

1957/58 Orioles Exhibition Programs
 

In the 1950's & 60's, it was fairly common for teams to travel to locations outside the normal radius of their spring training home, especially near the end of spring training. Teams would often recognize and thank their minor league affiliates, by playing an exhibition game there, just before the regular season was set to start. Even today, the Orioles will sometimes travel from Sarasota to Norfolk, to play a game against the Tides, if they are scheduled to open the season at Camden Yards.

Programs from these games are cool for a couple reasons, you can pinpoint the date of the game and quantities of the programs are fairly limited.

Here are a few programs from the 1957 and 1958 seasons.

1957 Benefit game in Los Angeles

Attachment 411000


1957 Spring Training Program in San Antonio, Texas

Attachment 411001


1958 Exhibition game in Las Vegas

Attachment 411002

Those are very cool, but I especially like the Frank Robinson proof. Very unique piece.

Day 208 (July 26, 2020 – 208)

A few Brooks, late in his career, photographs; all on defense at 3rd base.

Attachment 411014
Attachment 411015

My favorite photograph pictured today is a small photo, around 5”x7”, taken by

Jerry Wachter in June of 1976.

Attachment 411016

Day 209 (July 27, 2020 – 209)

Brooks was featured on the cover of several magazines after the 1970 World Series victory and WS MVP Award. Here’s a few from 1971:

Dell Baseball 1971 – with the article “Brooks Robinson Hottest Ever at the Hot Corner”

Attachment 411164

I like the cover photo of Brooks used on this baseball magazine; the cover photo was taken by photographer Malcolm Emmons.

Cord Sportfacts Baseball News 1971

Attachment 411165

Brooks Robinson on the cover along with Phillies star Dick Allen. Very nice setup for the cover in my opinion with the bright yellow backdrop.

1971 Countrywide Sports August Edition

Attachment 411166

This is still going on daily? :eek: I barely have the energy or focus to update once every few weeks anymore.

You guys have some impressive staying power

Picking up where Alan left off the other day, here is an exhibition game program from April 1991 where the Orioles and the Red Sox played a two game series at RFK Stadium in DC prior to the season opener:



https://i.imgur.com/KIqswc5.jpg

Orioles Exhibition Programs
 

Bill,

I love these type of programs. 1991 was actually in the middle of a string of years that the Orioles played exhibition games at RFK Stadium. Here are programs from 1988 - 1993.

1988 Program

Attachment 411176


1989 Programs (2 different cover variations for April 1st & 2nd)

Attachment 411177 Attachment 411178


1992 Program

Attachment 411179


1993 Program

Attachment 411180

Day 210 (July 28, 2020 – 210)

I enjoy looking at the Topps 1977 Orioles Team #546 with the orange jerseys. While a lot of people don’t like the orange jerseys I sure do. I wasn’t as crazy about the orange pants to go along with the jersey, but still liked the look (a little).

1977 Topps #546

Attachment 411312

1977 Topps #546 back

Attachment 411313

A 1976 B&W team photo for the 1977 Topps card. Notice the Jim Palmer cutout is placed in a different location.

Attachment 411315

Mark..I've always wondered where Jim Palmer was when they took that 1976 team photo!

Here is another Spring Training program, this one from 1989 where the Orioles played three exhibition games at the recently completed Joe Robbie Stadium in Miami (future home of the Marlins):

https://i.imgur.com/baK8nxE.jpg

Joe Robbie Spring Training Programs
 

Bill,

You've awoken the sleeping dog. I love Orioles programs, especially unusual ones, and could post them everyday. :D

Here are some other Orioles spring training programs from Joe Robbie Stadium

1988 Program

Attachment 411323


1991 Program

Attachment 411324


1992 Program

Attachment 411325

Day 211 (July 29, 2020 – 211)

A couple of larger, and fairly common, pinbacks from 1966. The first is a GO-GO Baltimore Orioles pinback.

Attachment 411424

Below is the 1966 American League Champions pinback with the Orioles team pictured.

Attachment 411425

I don’t have a great picture of my 1966 Orioles Press Pin, but you get the idea.

Attachment 411426


Man, you guys have some cool looking programs; keep them coming!

Mark...Great Pins!

OTD in 2007, Cal Ripken Jr. was inducted into the HOF...I was fortunate enough to be there and it was one of the most memorable days of my life:

https://i.imgur.com/Uxa5GZW.jpg

Spring Training Programs
 

Mark,

Here you go. Over the years, the Orioles have played a couple games in Louisville, KY at the end of spring training.

1990 Scorecard vs St. Louis Cardinals

Attachment 411434


2002 Scorecard vs Cincinnati Reds

Attachment 411435


Here's one last spring training program that took place in Mark's backyard. In 1975, the Orioles played the Braves in Jacksonville, FL.

1975 Program vs Atlanta Braves

Attachment 411436

Bill,

My wife and I were there that weekend, too. We had to stay in a tent at a camping area near Cooperstown, because all the motels and hotels were full for miles.

The amount of Orioles fans, compared to Padres, that day was unbelievable. I felt a little bad for Tony Gwynn. We were about in the middle of the crowd in front of the stage. I think it was the largest crowd to attend the induction ceremony, at least to that point. People were also watching from a an area overflow across the street.

I didn't get a ball from Cal :confused: , but did pick up some nice items from the weekend. My best pick up was a 2007 HOF brown bat.

Here's a program from the ceremony.

2007 HOF Induction Program

Attachment 411444


The Aberdeen Ironbirds also played that weekend at Doubleday Field. We set beside Joe Mahoney's parents at the game. Joe played a couple games for the Orioles in 2012 and the Marlins in 2013. The Ironbirds were managed by former O's Andy Etchebarren.

2007 Ironbirds program from HOF Weekend

Attachment 411445

Great items Alan.....It certainly was a crazy weekend (wish I would have known you back then!)...

That weekend, I was fortunate to get one of those brown bats signed by both Tony & Cal (was a thank you gift from Ripken Baseball for helping out):

https://i.imgur.com/Rcqxvo5.jpg

Cal HOF Induction
 

Hi Alan and Bill,

I was at Cal's induction too. I was part of a bus trip from Baltimore that stayed at Turning Stone Casino and Resort. I missed the day before the induction when the HOFers present were signing autographs because I went on a hot streak at Caribbean Stud Poker and it paid for my entire weekend.

It's funny, I had the same thought too about Tony Gwynn, I felt sorry that there were so many Orioles fans present.

My only regret that weekend is that it was probably my one chance to meet Willie Mays and I didn't get to. I remember people in my bus group complaining that he was charging $325 for autographs. It was Willie Mays!

Day 212 (July 30, 2020 – 212)

The Daily Star newspaper type insert from Saturday, July 30, 1983. Pictures HOF inductees Juan Marichal, George Kell, Walter Alston as well as Brooks.

Attachment 411603

I know I pictured the 1983 HOF induction brown bat, but here it is again…

Attachment 411604

I have a couple advertising cards picturing Brooks, one mailed and one not mailed, for a baseball card memorabilia show held during the 1983 HOF weekend. I have a small poster ad as well which I’ll post in a few days.

Attachment 411605
Attachment 411606

Mark...That Brooks HOF Induction bat is difficult to find (I believe it was the first year they made them)...

On the subject of Brooks bats, this is my last BiCentennial bat to show (I know Mark shared his back on the 4th of July)....I wish I could have the personalization removed:

https://i.imgur.com/r5SPCFf.jpg

This is one of the most amazing threads I have seen. Totally awesome stuff!!

Orioles Red Cross Bobbleheads
 

I don't know how many of you collect bobbleheads, but according to my wife I have way more than I need, including 3 ft bobbleheads of Brooks Robinson and Cal Ripken Jr.

In 2006, Brooks was part of a Red Cross blood drive promotion that included an appearance by him and a bobblehead giveaway. For bobblehead collectors, it is a highly sought after item. Only about 200 were produced.

Here is a flyer advertising the event and the bobblehead. Ironically, a Cal Ripken Jr bobblehead is pictured on the flyer. :confused:

Attachment 411614 Attachment 411617


In 2007 and 2010, Red Cross bobbleheads of Boog Powell and Matt Wieters were also given out at blood drives. The Powell and Wieters bobbleheads are just as hard to find as the Brooks Robinson. I'm lucky to have picked up all three.

Attachment 411615 Attachment 411618

Still looks good. Can the sharpie be removed w/o affecting the bat?

While I don’t really collect bobbleheads I do have a few. I know the Brooks Red Cross can be costly. Sure looks good though.

Day 213 (July 31, 2020 – 213)

The Forty-Fourth Annual Program for the National Baseball Hall of Fame in Cooperstown, New York. The cover of the program features the 1982 Induction ceremony at Cooperstown and pictures Travis Jackson, Happy Chandler, Frank Robinson and Hank Aaron. The 1983 inductees to the HOF were Walter Alston, George Kell, Juan Marichal and Brooks Robinson.

1983 Hall of Fame Program

Attachment 411751

To go along with the program is the National Baseball Hall of Fame and Museum Yearbook. The cover features artwork by Dick Perez of the 1983 inductees (Alston, Kell, Marichal, and Brooks).

1983 Hall of Fame Yearbook

Attachment 411752

Below is a Press Pass for CBS News to the HOF Induction Ceremonies on July 31, 1983.

Working Press Pass July 31, 1983

Attachment 411753

Day 213 (July 31, 2020 – 213) cont.

AND...You have to have a shirt to commemorate the day!

Attachment 411754

Mark...Great '83 HOF Induction pieces!

Alan...Congrats on getting all three of those American Red Cross Bobbleheads

I believe the Orioles first bobblehead giveaway was a Cal Ripken Jr. one back in 2000....Here is a postcard they sent promoting the occassion:

https://i.imgur.com/LObBjH5.jpg

Cal Ripken Jews for Jesus pamphlet
 

Maybe Bill has more info on this?? I found it sorting through some stuff. It's a pamphlet with a short quiz about Cal Ripken Jr sponsored by Jews for Jesus in Rockville, MD. I'm guessing after he retired, early to mid 2000's.

It's a much brighter orange than the scans show.

Attachment 411755


Here are the pages unfolded (8 1/2" x 11)

Attachment 411756

Attachment 411757

[QUOTE=BaltOrioles;2004560]Maybe Bill has more info on this?? I found it sorting through some stuff. It's a pamphlet with a short quiz about Cal Ripken Jr sponsored by Jews for Jesus in Rockville, MD. I'm guessing after he retired, early to mid 2000's. QUOTE]

Bill,

That's both COOL and unique...

Brooks Oddball Cards
 

Hi, everyone. New to posting. I thought to show a couple of my favorite oddball Brooks Cards part of the PSA Brooks Master Set. Took me a while to find these two. I am told the 1968 Disc might be missing a color or two. Regardless, they are pretty rare and tough to find.

Mark, thanks for getting me up an running!!!

Two very nice Topps test issues! The 3D card from 68, the 61 Dice Game are by far the toughest to obtain... and those disc are right up there. Scarce !

Great cards! Did you get the '68 from a dealer named Steve? One of my favorite Orioles oddball dealers and he had a '68 Brooks disc for sale earlier this year.