Day 222 (August 9, 2020 – 222)

Cal Ripken Sr. was the Orioles manager for 1987 as they went to a final record of 67-95 to finish 6th place in the AL East. There were a few Orioles that had a good year, but overall, the team didn’t put it all together. If you remember Henry Peters, the General Manager, was out of a job.

Today here’s a 1987 American League annual pass to all parks for Brooks and Party.

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I don’t see this art print come up for sale that often; it’s a print from 1987 by artist Rockstad. I didn’t take it out of the wrapping so may look a little bit weird in the picture.

Attachment 413114

1988 Starting LineUp Talking Baseball Game
 

Most of us remember the Starting LineUp figures that came out in 1988. They lasted until around 2001 and we probably have some in our collections. You may not be familiar with the Starting LineUp electronic baseball game, that also debuted in 1988. It was fairly expensive at the time and only lasted one year. The game did include baseball cards.

Here's a video of someone demonstrating the game. It's a little long, but you'll get the idea of the game quickly.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2NZIvC8Ff2w

While I didn't pickup the game, I did add the two Orioles team sets to my collection.

The original game came with American & National League All-Stars cards. Here's the three All-Star Orioles.


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You could purchase additional game cartridges of the other 1988 teams. The Orioles cartridge included the Yankees & Red Sox. I did buy the cartridge for the cards. Different cards were packaged with the cartridges.

1988 Starting LineUp Orioles Cartridge & Team Set

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Mark...nice items from 1987.....Alan, I've always loved those '88 Starting Lineup cards

One of the most significant moments from that Orioles '87 season happened on 09/14 at old Exhibition Stadium in Toronto...

With the Orioles trailing 17-3 entering the top of the 8th, Cal Ripken Jr. batted however manager Ripken Sr. replaced him at SS with future MLB manager Ron Washington in the bottom of the frame....It was the FIRST time that Cal Jr. had missed an INNING since being pinch hit for back on 06/04/82 spanning 8,264 consecutive innings (a major league record).

The Blue Jays also set a MLB record that night by hitting 10 home runs, drubbing the Orioles 18-3.

The next day I wrote the Blue Jays a letter requesting a ticket to the game & they generously responded by sending both a game program & ticket:

https://i.imgur.com/sQFKl6j.jpghttps://i.imgur.com/JRvdNKd.jpg

About 20 years ago I was able to then add the jersey that Washington wore that game as well:

https://i.imgur.com/vZ4b8a5.jpghttps://i.imgur.com/JyOPpea.jpg

Bill,

Great story that deserves a couple of Ron Washington pics.

1987 Team Issued Postcard and 8x10 Photo

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Thanks Alan!

I sent that postcard to Washington in ST of 2019 (c/o of the Braves) and I haven't gotten it back yet (fingers crossed!).

Day 223 (August 10, 2020 – 223)

While I don’t necessarily collect cachets, I do pick them up now and then. A cachet of course is just a message or design on an envelope and marked with postal stamp. The following related to Brooks’ Hall of Fame induction.

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Nice cachets Mark.....I enjoy collecting collecting these because I think they look cool signed and they don't take up a lot of space...

There was a short lived period in the mid 1980's where The Sporting News issued a publication geared toward "Young America."

In April of '84 they did a nice article on the Ripken family and put the entire clan on the cover....

https://i.imgur.com/97u7Zxm.jpg

Bill,

That is very cool. I have a nice clean copy that hasn't been written all over if you want to swap. :D

1994 Orioles Program Cards
 

In 1994, had a great idea to combine baseball cards with their Orioles Magazine programs. I only wish the Orioles had continued in future years. A sheet of 9 cards was inserted inside each program. The sheets were in a plastic bag, so they didn't need to be torn out of the program. The cards themselves are perforated. Not only did the Orioles do cards of their 40 man roster, but also included most of the minor league players in their system. A total of 12 sheets (108 players) make up the set.

Here are a few examples of the sheets.

Attachment 413255 Attachment 413256
Attachment 413257 Attachment 413258

Day 224 (August 11, 2020 – 224)

I really like the oversized, 3 3/8” by 5 3/8”, 1947-66 Exhibits which were manufactured and distributed by the Exhibit Supply Company of Chicago, Ill. As you know they are black and white with relatively heavy cardboard stock, unnumbered and blank backed.

1947-66 Exhibits

Attachment 413402

1947-66 Exhibits signed

Attachment 413403

Back on the 1st of the month I shared my scorecards/framed display from Cal's 2000th consecutive game in Minneapolis...

Cal had another memorable event happen in Minneapolis which was back in April of 2000, when he got his 3,000th career hit (and I was very fortunate to be there).

About 10 years ago, I saw this Metrodome commemorative OMLB at the HOF gift shop and had the idea of having Cal Jr. sign it with both dates BUT when a friend got me this Metrodome used seatback (#8 no less) just a couple years ago, I had the idea of getting that signed with those accomplishments as well!

https://i.imgur.com/IdVTkGD.jpghttps://i.imgur.com/WLSSGqS.jpg

1965 Team Issued Postcards
 

I thought I would get back to my roots today, by posting the Orioles 1965 team issued postcards. The postcards are B&W and 3.25' x 5.5". The set contains 33 cards and a few HOF players, including the first postcard of Jim Palmer. However, the key postcards to complete the set are Darold Knowles and Carl Warwick. These two were printed later in the season and are a quarter inch shorter than the others.

Attachment 413408 Attachment 413409
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Bill,

Very nice items. They reminded me of a decal I picked up years ago that commemorated Cal's 3000 hits, but I can't remember the story behind it. Was this given out by the Orioles or some other source?

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Alan:

The first home stand back from Minneapolis, the Orioles had a pre-game ceremony for Cal & I believe these decals were given out with a program purchase (I know they really wanted him to get that hit at Camden Yards).

Bill

Day 225 (August 12, 2020 – 225)

I think SPORT magazine had some great looking cover shots over the years. This publication has been shown before, but it has one of the best-looking cover shots of Brooks in my view.

1972 SPORT June issue

Attachment 413488

This is another SPORT magazine with Jerry West of the Lakers featured on the cover along with a feature article on Brooks. I was a Baltimore Bullets fan growing up and while a bit farther back than I can recall, but read that Jerry West had the Bullets number in the 1965 Western Division Finals. West averaged 46.3 points per game to beat the Bullets in six games.

1965 SPORT March issue

Attachment 413489

From my experience the '65 team issue postcards are tough to find. I have a Brooks example, but it was pasted in a scrapbook and it has the paper on the back. Maybe one day I'll find one in better condition.

so cool!

Orioles Kids Magazine
 

2010 launched the beginning of a publication entitled Orioles Kids. Printed four times a year, the magazine targeted young fans with player stories, puzzles and games. Nick Markakis was on the cover of the first edition. Eventually, an Orioles Kids subscription became part of the Junior Orioles program. It was also sold at the gift shops inside Oriole Park.

I'm not sure why, but Orioles Kids ended in 2018, after 35 issues. Brooks Robinson was on the last cover of the magazine and the only retired player to be featured. Nick Markakis, Adam Jones, Manny Machado and Zach Britton all appeared on three different covers.

First Issue of Orioles Kids magazine in 2010

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Last issue in 2018 with Brooks Robinson

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I only have the Brooks example, but really like the format and photos used on these publications.

Day 226 (August 13, 2020 – 226)

The 1971 Topps coins had 153 coins in the set and were issued in three series with different backs colored backs in each series. There were several different front patterns and the Brooks coin has a blue rim with the red inner boarder.

1971 Topps Coin #114

Attachment 413624

1971 Topps Coin #114 proof

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Spring Training Programs in Norfolk
 

The Orioles moved their AAA affiliate to Norfolk, VA in 2007. Since that time, the Orioles have played several exhibition games in Norfolk at the end of spring training, especially when the O's opened the regular season in Baltimore.

Exhibition Programs in Norfolk from 2007-2018

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However, 2007 wasn't the first time the Orioles ended spring training in the Norfolk area. The Orioles played the NY Mets a couple of times during Brooks Robinson's career.

1962 spring Training program

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1971 Spring Training program

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Mark & Alan...Great pieces as always (love the coin proof especially!).

As Alan showed, it was common back in the day for MLB clubs to play their minor league affiliates in exhibition games...

Here is a signed program from May of 1998 when the Orioles played their Class A Level Delmarva Shorebirds....Ironically both Cal Ripken Jr. & Ryan Minor are pictured on the cover and just four months later, Minor would play third base in a game that ended Cal's consecutive game streak:

https://i.imgur.com/vHErYK3.jpg

Bill

I love that program, but if I'm not mistaken, the game was actually in Bowie and the Orioles played an All-Star team from all their affiliates. Correct me if I'm wrong.

Alan...you are absolutely correct! The photo with Minor in a Shorebirds uniform threw me off!

Thanks

Day 227 (August 14, 2020 – 227)

This 1962 Brooks Robinson Topps card looks a bit rough. This was the middle card, which of course has been cut out, on a 1962 Topps Salesman Sample three-card advertising panel. I’ve seen some complete three-card salesman sample panels for the 1962 Topps cards, but not a sample with this Brooks card included.

1962 Topps Salesman Sample – cutout

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I probably need an upgrade to my '62 Topps Brooks signed card, but might as well picture the thing...

1962 Topps #45 - signed

Attachment 413738

1962/1963 Orioles Team Photos
 

In addition to the Orioles team issued 8x10 B&W head shot photos, that I've posted numerous times, the Orioles also had some nice team photos. Most of these are 11x14. Here are a couple photos from 1962 & 63. I love the 1963 photo with the block letter uniforms.

1962 Team Photo

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1963 Team Photo

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Day 228 (August 15, 2020 – 228)

Today seems like a good day for a couple Brooks photos with his lumber.
A 1971 photograph by Tadder of Brooks at home in Memorial Stadium waiting on-deck with some eye black, B. Robinson on his back, BR on the knob, and his signature short brim helmet with the cut ear flap, just reading the pitcher. That looks like a H&B bat, but it’s has the circle like Adirondack; which is it?

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Color photo taken by George Brace of Gene Woodling, Brooks Robinson and Gus Triandos in their away uniforms ready for some batting practice.

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Baltimore Sun wire photo of 15-year-old Brooks in his backyard with a clothesline in the background taking a swing for the camera.

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Love the 15 year old Brooks. I think that’s the earliest picture I have ever seen of him playing baseball. Great stuff. Keep it coming Mark .

Bowie BaySox - Prince George's Stadium
 

In 1993, the Orioles moved their AA affiliate from Hagerstown, MD to Bowie, MD. Bowie is still the Orioles AA affiliate.

However, Prince George's Stadium, the home of the BaySox, wasn't ready for the 1993 season. While the stadium was being finished, the Baysox played one full season (1993) at Memorial Stadium and a few series in 1994 at fields belonging to the United States Naval Academy in Annapolis, and the University of Maryland, College Park, as well as the minor league stadiums of the Frederick Keys and Wilmington Blue Rocks.

1993 BaySox Program from Memorial Stadium

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Prince George's Stadium opened June 16, 1994. Its capacity for baseball is listed at 10,000, but when the Double-A All-Star Game was held there in 2000, the attendance was about 14,000. Until a couple weeks ago, I was only aware of one 1994 BaySox program. You can imagine my excitement when I found a program from the opening weekend at the stadium.

1994 BaySox Program

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1994 BaySox Program from the opening of Prince George's Stadium

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Mark:

It wasn't uncommon for players who had contracts with Adirondack to apply dark tape half way up H&B bats to make it look from afar (and on TV) that they were indeed using their bats.

When Cal Ripken Jr. announced he was retiring back in June of 2001, people quickly looked at the Orioles schedule and noted that the last game of the season was slated for September 30th at Yankee Stadium.

Rawlings began producing commemorative baseballs that were going to be used in that game.

The tragic events of 09/11, pushed back the season for awhile and as it turned out the Orioles closed out the '01 season on October 6th at home vs. Boston therefore rendering these Rawlings baseballs obsolete:

https://i.imgur.com/6an5YkF.jpg

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.

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

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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.

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

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Scroll pennant celebrating the American League Champion Baltimore Orioles.

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Lastly a 1971 World Series scroll pennant.

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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


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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.

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

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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:
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Back:
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Inside:
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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

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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

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1982 Miami Marlins program (53-84)

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1983 San Jose Bees program (56-84)

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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.

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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

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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.

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