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

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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
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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
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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
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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
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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
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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
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Attachment 416262
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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