Nice Palmer locker nameplate; the auto makes it even better...

Day 299 (October 25, 2020 – 299)

Might as well follow up Day 298 with further 1971 Topps Brooksie stuff… I only have two progressive proofs for card #300 from the Topps 1971 #300 card pictured below.

1971 Topps #300 progressive proofs

Attachment 423404
Attachment 423405

Mark,

Great looking proofs. I'm a big fan of the 1971 set. I'm fairly confident you have the largest collection of Brooks Robinson proofs.

I apologize in advance for deviating slightly from the Orioles theme this morning, but I need to give a shout out this morning to an old friend.

For a number of years, I coached high school baseball in Maine. During part of that time, one of my assistant coaches was Paul Lancici. Two of his sons played for me. Paul is a woodworker by trade and eventually turned his skills to bat making. He founded a company in Maine called Dove Tail Bats. Some of his clients include major leaguers. If you watch closely around the 20 second mark, you will see a DTB bat on the ground near home plate. Way to go Paul....

https://twitter.com/i/status/1320219342211080193

Mark..

Awesome proofs.....Love that kind of stuff!

Alan....The ending to the game last night was crazy & I'm very happy to hear that your friend's bat company played a part!

I'll deviate to something related to the current World Series as well. For over 10 years I volunteered at the Cal Ripken World Series (mainly as an Official Scorer & Public Address Announcer).

In 2009, last night Dodger starting pitcher Julio Urias played in the tournament for the Mexico team who ended up in the championship game vs. Forrest Hills/Tampa.

The game was televised on MLB Network and both Cal Ripken Jr. & brother Bill were the color commentators...

Here is the scorecard that Cal kept during the game showing Urias playing RF batting 5th and going 0-1 with two walks in a losing cause...After the game was over, Cal & Bill took to the field for the trophy presentatiion....While gathering my things in the Press Box, I saw someone collecting all of the paperwork in the broacast booth to discard and I asked if I could hold on to Cal's scorecard & notes from the game, which they gave me:

https://i.imgur.com/NdQ0bYb.jpg

Mark I love those 71 proofs and that photo!

Bill when you run out of room for that Palmer name plate let me know😂. Sweet item!

Day 300 (October 26, 2020 – 300)

Kingston Baseball, Inc. Banquet booklet from October 26, 1978. Their guest speaker of the banquet was Brooks Robinson and as you can see lists his name on the front cover. The banquet was for Little League Baseball.

1978 Kingston Baseball, Inc. Banquet

Attachment 423536

Quite a few years later, on October 26, 2009, an event put on by the Babe Ruth Museum called, “An Evening with Brooks”. It was an evening paying tribute to the greatest third baseman of all time.

Attachment 423537

Quote: “This man (Brooks) was the foundation of the Baltimore Orioles. He was as gracious off the field, as he was graceful on it.” Frank Deford – Baltimore sportswriter

1993 O's-Pirates program
 

Good morning,

I know several Orioles exhibition game programs have been featured but I don't think this one has. In 1993, the Orioles and Pirates played each other in an exhibition game (Revenge for the Orioles!). According to the back of the program, it was for Red Nose Day. I like the photos of Mike Mussina and Rick Sutcliffe on the front.

Attachment 423555

Attachment 423556

1990 Orioles - Cubs Game
 

Nice program Mike.

Old timers games were popular in the 1980's and 90's. Equitable sponsored games in Baltimore in 1987, 1988 and 1989.

Here are those programs. Quite easy to find.

Attachment 423557 Attachment 423558 Attachment 423559


A lesser known game took place in Phoenix, in February 1990, between the 1969 Chicago Cubs and the 1969 Orioles. It was promoted as the Dream Game and the World Series that might have been. The game benefited the Phoenix Memorial Hospital Foundation in Phoenix. In addition to the game was a dinner and banquet. I wish I knew the score..

Dinner Program

Attachment 423561


Game Program

Attachment 423560


If everyone listed in the program showed up, that's a pretty nice group of players. Look how we have lost, from that list, since 1990.

Attachment 423562


Souvenir Hat from game

Attachment 423563

Day 301 (October 27, 2020 – 301)

On January 31, 1971 the New York Baseball Writers’ held the 48th Annual Dinner. The cover is pretty cool with a drawing of Brooks’ glove with an air quote from Brooks, “Pardon my Glove, Sparky!”

Attachment 423681

Not sure if anyone had posted these earlier but here is a strip of game tickets from 2012 for all the statue dedications:

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

That's nice Bill!

Day 302 (October 28, 2020 – 302)

This is the transparency used for the 1963 Topps Brooks Robinson #345. It may have been the transparency used for the 1964 Brooks Topps card as well since it’s the same photo, but unsure. I tried to get it to look as nice as possible but didn’t want to take it out of the holder to try and do better. It’s good enough, I think…

1963 Topps #345 transparency

Attachment 423822

A signed 1963 Topps #345 entombed by PSA.

Attachment 423823

Really like the look of the back of the 1963 Brooks card; nice and clean (I guess the comic helps as well).

Attachment 423824

Here is Bill Ripken's contract with the Autographed Ball Company to give them permission to use his signature on their facsimile/printed team 'autographed' souvenir baseballs:


https://i.imgur.com/Gj5JXWY.jpg

1991 Bluefield Orioles
 

For over 50 years, the Bluefield Orioles in West Virginia served as an Orioles affiliate. In the 80's and 90's, Bluefield had some attractive programs. Surprisingly, programs from much of that period are difficult to find.

I really like the 1991 program. The Orioles finished 36-31, in the short season Appalachian League, and were managed by Gus Gil. Bluefield averaged a little over 1600 fans per game, which I believe is pretty good for a Rookie level team.

The Orioles produced five players that played in the major leagues, but only Rick Krivda played for the Orioles. The other four included Vaughn Eshelman, Scott McClain, Bobby Chouinard and B.J. Waszgis.

1991 Bluefield Program

Attachment 423832


Rick Krivda team issued photo

Attachment 423835


Scott McClain and B.J. Wazsgis Rochester Red Wings SGA photos

Attachment 423834 Attachment 423833

Day 303 (October 29, 2020 – 303)

Yesterday a couple of 1963 items were posted so I’m sticking with the theme. A small 1963 Orioles schedule calendar, around 13”x10”, put out by News-Post American.

Attachment 423943

A Topps Orioles team card #377.

Attachment 423944
Attachment 423945

1963 Programs & Yearbook
 

Mark,

Here you go. The Orioles printed three variations to their 1963 program and two editions of their yearbook. Cover variations are fairly common, but an updated yearbook didn't happen very often. I'm not a big fan of the oversized yearbook format the Orioles used from 1962-1965.

1963 Programs

Attachment 423955 Attachment 423956 Attachment 423957


1963 Yearbooks

Attachment 423958 Attachment 423959

1963 Minor League Programs
 

I thought I would also post the programs from the Orioles 1963 minor league franchises. I have five of the six, missing Stockton.

1963 Rochester Red Wings (AAA)

Attachment 423964


1963 Elmira Pioneers (AA)

Attachment 423962


1963 Fox Cities Foxes (A)

Attachment 423963


1963 Aberdeen Pheasants (A)

Attachment 423960


1963 Bluefield Orioles (Rookie)

Attachment 423961


I'm still looking for a 1963 Stockton Ports program, but here's a team photo

1963 Stockton Ports (A)

Attachment 423965

Day 304 (October 30, 2020 – 304)

Today is my wife’s birthday so I’ll sport a Venezuelan publication that was issued on October 30th of 1970 which would have celebrated her 1st birthday at the time. I posted a Venezuelan magazine on Day 87 which I’m sure the cover shot was taken during the same time frame; I do like this cover a tad better.

Sports Grafico October 30, 1970

Attachment 424148

We’ve been to a couple of events where Brooks was signing over the years and this was from one of those visits.

Attachment 424149

Man, how awesome would that shot (with the autograph) have looked on a 1972 In Action card (I mean, if the timeframe matched)?? Too bad.

If you happen to have that pic sans signature, shoot it over to me and I'll create another 'cards that never were' Brooksie example.

Mark,

Happy Birthday to Pam. You are a brave man to post your wife's date of birth.

The Orioles used that same pose for their 2007 and 2019 Alumni Postcards, as well as the ticket for Brooks statue unveiling, that Bill posted a few days ago.

2007 and 2019 Brooks Robinson Team Issued Postcards

Attachment 424174 Attachment 424175

Day 305 (October 31, 2020 – 305)

Let’s end October with a very cool piece in my view. It’s a peel-off sticker sign that was produced by the Fasson Easy-Off Plasticsign Company that was applied to the gas pumps. Of course this example is intact and I had the piece framed to make for a better display.

Attachment 424191

How big is the crown gas’s sticker ? Really think that is cool ! Scott

I know I just missed the 1960 Leaf post but I completed one of the team sets I thought would be nearly impossible this week.

Scott,

The pump sticker is about 13" by 21" in size.

Congrats; looks nice!

Day 306 (November 1, 2020 – 306)

The 1974 Topps stamps were distributed in the 10-cent wax packs and were issued on a perforated 12 player sheet. They are sometimes referred to as a “test issue” since it wasn’t available everywhere.

1974 Topps Stamps progressive proof

Attachment 424304
Attachment 424305
Attachment 424306

1974 Topps Stamp panel

Attachment 424307

A parking pass where the Orioles played the Red Sox at home. Bill “Spaceman” Lee was the pitcher for the Sox and Mike Cuellar for the Orioles. Cuellar pictured a 2 hit with no ER complete game; the Orioles came out on top 1-0.

1974 Special Parking Pass for September 2, 1974

Attachment 424308

That sticker is cool. How rare is it?

I’ve seen a few Johnny Unitas examples of this sticker, but have only seen one other example of Brooks since I’ve been collecting. So, unless they are in others collections that I haven’t seen it’s a rare Brooks Robinson piece. I’m sure there were several attached to the gas pumps back in the day, but those are long gone.

Day 307 (November 2, 2020 – 307)

I’ve probably posted some newspaper cutouts before now, but I’m sure you need to see more poorly cut out, tape laden, somewhat discolored, newspaper clippings. The 1st two are from the 1965 season and the last is from Brooks’ last year of putting on the regular season uniform prior to retirement.

Attachment 424442
Attachment 424443
Attachment 424444

Orioles Scrapbook Newspaper Cutouts
 

I've posted a few of these in previous posts and highlighted the sets in post #349, but thought it was a good time to revisit them for some of the new followers. Plus, Mark and I love this type of stuff.

The Baltimore News-Post inserted scrapbook cards into their newspapers, during spring training, from 1960-1963. They were designed to be cut out of the newspaper each day. The sets contain 45-50 cards each year and include many rookie prospects. The 1960 set was 4x7 and numbered, while the 1961-1963 sets were 5x8 and not numbered.

Complete checklists are available in post #349.

Here are the Brooks Robinson cards from each year.

1960 Scrapbook Card

Attachment 424459

1961-1963 Scrapbook Cards

Attachment 424460 Attachment 424461 Attachment 424462

Love the scrapbook cards!! Thanks for posting Alan...

Day 308 (November 3, 2020 – 308)

Make sure you go out and VOTE if you haven’t already.


Scott (quitcrab) has helped me so much with my Brooks collection and this piece comes from his collection; he was nice enough to part with it. Some items just stand out as keepers and this is one of those. Who knows why; it’s just the look of the thing. It’s a foldout brochure by United Citizens for Nixon for his 1968 presidential election. Nixon was the Republican nominee, and was a former Vice President, and was up against the Democratic nominee, incumbent Vice President Hubert Humphrey.

The pamphlet entitled, “Athletes for NIXON” pictures the great Arnold Palmer with Nixon on the cover and Brooks is pictured on the back cover along with other personalities of the day. Nixon had some great athletes of the day endorsing his candidacy.

1968 United Citizens for Nixon foldout brochure

Attachment 424560
Attachment 424561

Good morning Mark,

That is a great piece!

Day 309 (November 4, 2020 – 309)

Even though I really enjoy the regular issue Brooks cards I’m drawn to the odd-ball stuff for some unknown reason. The odd-ball cards are cool, but the memorabilia is VERY COOL. I’m unsure if the item I’m posting today is a common piece or is hard to come by since I’m unsure how I came across the piece and I’m sure won’t come up on any searches I conduct. It’s a 1” 3-Ring school binder with teams or individuals playing some type of sport on the front and back. I’ve pictured the front a couple different ways so you can see what it looks like up close. As you can see the logos for the most part have been air brushed out and Brooksie is sporting a stash for the cover shot.

1977 1” 3-Ring binder

Attachment 424750
Attachment 424751
Attachment 424752

1977 1” 3-Ring binder

Attachment 424753

Day 310 (November 5, 2020 – 310)

Memo from the Department of the Air Force dated May 3, 1965 related to the radio program “Tops in Sports”.

Attachment 424784

USAF Public Service Program Show No. 33 featuring “The Brooks Robinson Story”.

Attachment 424785
Attachment 424786

Wow.... I am guessing that Mark maybe the only Brooks collector with a Brooks Air Force album i!!! I have never seen that before and I collect records too. Thanks for sharing Mark.
Scott

Mark:

I've never seen one of these before (very cool)...I'm thinking while the logos have been airbrushed off, the mustache had to have been airbrushed on becuase I can't recall Brooks ever having one during a regular reason game at Memorial Stadium...I believe he sported one on a Japan trip

Chuck Caldwell Figures
 

If you ever visited Gettysburg, PA you might have stumbled upon a shop that sold hand made clay figures. Chuck Caldwell was an artist that created figures from a wide range of categories, including presidents, entertainment and military subjects. Chuck was commissioned by several museums to do figures for them.

I'm sad I never made it to his shop, but do have a couple of his baseball figures in my collection. Chuck passed away in 2019 and I've been corresponding with his son to see if I can get a list of Orioles figures that were made. His son believes his father kept a complete list, but hasn't found it yet. All of his figures are 1/1 and totaled over 15,000 different examples. I have to believe a Brooks Robinson could be in someone's collection somewhere.

Here's a short 3 minute video about Chuck Caldwell. Bill please take note of the 1:25 mark....

https://www.eveningsun.com/videos/ne...home/97111668/


Here are the two Orioles figures I have. The pictures don't really do them justice. They are pretty neat.


1993 Brady Anderson

Attachment 424813 Attachment 424812


1990 Gregg Olson

Attachment 424811

Alan,

Those figures look very well done. Did you choose the players or was that what was available?

Day 311 (November 6, 2020 – 311)

Heritage Sports Collectibles Auction was held on November 6, 2015. Prior to the auction a flyer for the upcoming event was sent to registered bidders. Below is the flyer I received for the upcoming auction.

Attachment 424914

Through Heritage Brooks was selling his personal collection and donated all the proceeds to benefit charity. While a lot of Brooks’ memorabilia were already in the market this auction brought the cream of the crop for collectors. One of my personal favorites was his 1955 rookie contract along with Brooks’ 1964 American League MVP award. The ’64 MVP award went for $155,350; I was one of the underbidders on that one. Of course, there were a tremendous of other awesome items as well including his ‘1966 and ’70 World Series ring. I REALLY went all out (for me at least) on the game used flip-up sunglasses but came up short; believe they went for $7k. In fact, I came up short on “everything” I bid on.

The original Norman Rockwell painting that Brooks owned was also being sold through Heritage, but it was sold by private treaty.

2015 Heritage Sports Collectibles Auction catalogue

Attachment 424915
Attachment 424916

I was fortunate enough to win a lot from the 2015 Heritage Auction, even though I never placed a bid.

I was turning 50 right around the time of the auction, and for my birthday, my brother placed the winning bid on a lot of autographed items which included a 1966 Sports Illustrated with Brooks and Frank on the cover for the World Series (which included a note from the person from SI who sent him the magazine), an autographed copy of the Orioles 30th Anniversary program, and a copy of the 1st issue of Sports Illustrated that had been presented to Brooks. It does appear to be an authentic 1st issue and not a copy as it does contain the subscription card, and of course the foldout with 1954 Topps cards.

It was the best birthday gift I have ever received as I was completely blown away by the surprise of receiving some items from Brooks' personal collection. My brother is the greatest!

Here are pictures of the items that were in the lot:

Chuck Caldwell Figures
 

No. I never made it to his store in Gettysburg, while it was open.

I came across both figures at a card show around 20 years ago and thought they were cool. I don't think I paid more than $20 each and researched them afterward. I know Caldwell did a Ripken, but don't know about a Brooks Robinson. I've been trying to get a list of Orioles from his son, but no luck so far.

At least someone won something from the Heritage Auction. What a great brother! Very nice items...

Day 312 (November 7, 2020 – 312)

The 1974 Topps All Star Third Baseman #334 pictured Brooks in the AL and Ron Santo from the NL. The card isn’t one of my favorites but has two great third baseman pictured. I’ll start off with a 1974 Topps blank back.

1974 Topps #334 blank back

Attachment 425023
Attachment 425024

Really don’t have a good-looking example of this card, but here’s an off center, lopsided, example for your viewing pleasure.

1974 Topps #334

Attachment 425025
Attachment 425027

1974 OPC #334 – back

Attachment 425026

Oh, and how bout a magazine insert…

Attachment 425028

Nice cards Mark and I love the fact you’re up at 3 getting today’s Brook’s post going😁.

What magazine did the 3 card strip come from? Tell me more about them !
Blank back ? Thanks Scott

Brooks Robinson Rawlings 1964-1966 Premium & Rawlings Advisory 1950-1970 Photoso
 

Hi, everyone. Thought to share these photos from Rawlings featuring our favorite 3d sacker, Mr. Brooks Robinson.

The Colored Photos are from 1964-1966 with Rawlings. The version with his glove on his knee is the same as the one on the Big 8 Glove Box. There are 2 Brooks and 2 Mantles along with 6 other players from the 1964-1966 Rawlings Premium Photos collection. I hope to add all of these to PSA Registry soon. The graded versions here are excellent depictions of Brooks. The version with the "Bird Head Cap" with glove at waste is pretty rare. Not sure if another one is out there. Both are part of the Brooks PSA Master Set.

The 1950-1970 Rawlings Advisory Photos (black and white) are part of the Brooks PSA Master Set (well, not the "signed" copy just yet). The two on the right are pretty rare. I just recently received the "signed" photo top left with glove at chest back from PSA. Anyone know who "Carl" is? These are amazing photos and fun to collect. The two on the right on the steps are out there occasionally for sale on ebay but not so sure about the two on the left.

Enjoy!

I remember the kids magazine "Dynamite" would always have a strip of uncut Topps cards in their Spring issues...

Minor League Media Guides
 

An area of collectibles, that I fear are disappearing, are printed media guides. A couple years ago, the Orioles transitioned to electronic guides.

In addition to looking for programs of Orioles minor league affiliates, I also collect media guides of affiliates, when I come across them. Over the years, like the Orioles media guides, minor league guides can be found in several different forms.

Early guides included traditional type guides, as well as record books and spring training rosters.

1959 Vancouver Mounties, 1957 Stockton Ports and 1959 Miami Marlins

Attachment 425049 Attachment 425047 Attachment 425048




More recent guides are more typical and include plenty of interesting information, if you're into that type of thing.

1981 Rochester Red Wings, 2004 Ottawa Lynx, 2013 Aberdeen Ironbirds and 2019 Bowie BaySox

Attachment 425050 Attachment 425055 Attachment 425056 Attachment 425057



For a few years, from 1997-2000, the Bowie BaySox, Frederick Keys and Delmarva Shorebirds all shared a media guide.

1997 and 1999 Combined Media Guides

Attachment 425052 Attachment 425058



Many teams didn't print their own media guide each year. For those years, I try and pick up the media guide printed by the league.

1988 Carolina League (Hagerstown Suns), 2002 South Atlantic League (Delmarva Shorebirds) and 2000 Appalachian League (Bluefield Orioles)

Attachment 425051 Attachment 425060 Attachment 425054

Rawlings Advisory Photos
 

Some very nice photos. I don't begin to understand what or why PSA includes some items in their master sets, but not others.

I love the advisory photos from Rawlings, Wilson and Spalding. I believe the Brooks Robinson photo in the top right can also be found with the name box on the right side.

Here are a couple other Rawlings photos of Orioles

Boog Powell

Attachment 425061


Dave McNally

Attachment 425062


Mark Belanger

Attachment 425063