Mark, the panel proof 68 sticker is amazing. I actually prefer the proof over the actual sticker. I have two graded smaller stickers and just recently picked up a raw Brooks. The larger panels are nice but the sellers want a crazy price. I would love to own one but will settle with my smaller version. Thanks for sharing!

Bill,

You have some awesome items. Want to comment on “ALL” the great items you guys display, but it would become routine. I “had to” respond on this item.

Thanks Charlie! Think it is a nice setup on these AS stickers. I do have one panel with Brooks included, but not the finished 3 panel. Scott (quitcrab) will ultimately “give” me one of his handful of these things; what a great guy...

Mark, Scott is a generous guy. He’ll help you out.

Day 335 (November 30, 2020 – 335)

Let’s end the month of November on a high note; we’ll I guess that’s if you’re a Brooksie fan. I’ve been looking for this photo for as long as I can remember. I had a “copy” of the picture for reference (not a good one at that), but never have been able to locate an original till last year. While the photo is not in the best shape its original. It’s a Vancouver Mounties, of the Pacific Coast League, team issue photo (8x10) of Brooks Robinson.

Attachment 428536

I’m not sure if many fans, maybe not even the die-hard fans in Baltimore, know that Brooks almost ended his baseball career in Vancouver due to a freak accident while playing ball. In a game against Portland Brooks went after a foul ball near the Mounties dugout where his sleeve and part of Brooks’ muscle, under his bicep, got caught on a hook on a guardrail going for the foul ball. He was rushed to the hospital; his tendon had been severed, but thankfully the nerve was intact. Brooks was told by the doctor if the nerve had been cut, his playing days would’ve been over.

1966 Mounties Program - Brooks on inside page

Attachment 428537
Attachment 428538

Mark....Awesome Vancouver photo!

After Cal Ripken Sr.'s first year as manager, he was given the Leadership Award by the Variety Club of Baltimore and they held an event in his honor at the Omni Hotel in downtown Baltimore...

I didn't attend the event however whoever did was fortunate to get their program signed by Brooks & Cal Jr.:

https://i.imgur.com/K9NPMbF.jpghttps://i.imgur.com/kTlJnzr.jpg

Thanks Mark.....I appreciate that. I just enjoy sharing my items and the stories that go with them...

Misc Photos
 

Wow. The year is flying by and I've really enjoyed all the contributions. Mark, thanks for getting us started. I'm going to be sad to see it come to an end. One of the few highlights of 2020.

I believe everyone deserves their 15 minutes of fame, so for the next couple days, I'm going to post photos of a few guys who played for the Orioles, that we probably would have no reason to discuss otherwise. A few of the guys played for other teams, but most had very brief major league careers.

Don't feel bad if you've never heard some of these names. I'm also taking requests if there's anyone from your childhood you would like to see...

Dan Boone and Keon Broxton

Attachment 428564 Attachment 428565

Gino Cimoli and Sandy Consuegra

Attachment 428566 Attachment 428561

Mike Cook and Archie Corbin

Attachment 428562 Attachment 428563

John DeSilva and Gordon Dillard

Attachment 428567 Attachment 428568

I want to visit your “museum” one day...

Alan,

You collect those great 8X10 portrait shots. Start posting some of the players that haven’t received much Oriole love since the thread started. While these are known players I’d like to see some of the pitchers like McNally, Cuellar, Waat, Wilhelm, Miller, Barber, Pallas, Drabowsky, etc.

I’d love to see them ALL really...

By the way, just because the year will ultimately end doesn’t mean that you need to quit posting. Keep it rolling...

Hi, Mark. That Vancouver Mounties Photo of Brooks is amazing. I have been looking for that one, too. Interesting story about that accident Brooks had with the fence...a few years ago I met Brooks and mentioned that collision with the fence and out of nowhere he pulled up part of his shirt and showed me the scar. I was a bit shocked but enjoyed listening to his account of the slide and collision with the fence. What a guy! Thanks for sharing your picture.

Day 336 (December 1, 2020 – 336)

This is an early BALTIMORE one sided flag that was made by Art Flag Company in Brooklyn NY. The flag is fairly large and displays rather nicely. Hey, if anyone has any idea on the year of production that would be neat to know.

Attachment 428693

Once again, Brooks is posed in his trademark stretched out pose with the ball in his outstretched glove and shown robbing Johnny Bench of a sure hit. Unsure if this figure was very popular with fans and collectors at the time or not, but I sure liked it. It’s relatively large (12”x4” or so) for a figure, or I guess you may call it a statue, but it has pretty good detail. Of course, like many figures, the face doesn’t look much like him and looks more like GI Joe (minus the cool looking scar). The 1984 Sculpture is mounted on a wood base is made by Brenn Very along with the companion piece. I believe Brenn Very made the limited number derived by Brooks’ fielding percentage which is .971 (/971).

Attachment 428694
Attachment 428695


Quote: “You have to have some ability, but desire and determination are really what makes you a winner” - Brooks Robinson

Mark:

I picked up one of those Brenn Very pieces as well when they came out...For the time period I think it was done well...

Here is a 1987 Chicago Sun Times press photo and when I got it I thought the very large white border on the bottom was perfect for the Ripken brothers & Carlton Fisk to sign:

https://i.imgur.com/T905JfR.jpg

Here's some love for some obscure Orioles players from 2004...Autographed locker nameplates of Geronimo Gil, Eric DuBose, Bruce Chen & Matt Riley:

https://i.imgur.com/1I1QS7X.jpg

Mark,

Here you go. A few more 15 minutes of fame guys and some early Dave McNally, Steve Barber and Dick Hall photos for you. More to follow :D

Mike Dimmel and Dick Drago

Attachment 428711 Attachment 428712


Luis Exposito and Dave Gallagher

Attachment 428713 Attachment 428714


Dave McNally

Attachment 428718 Attachment 428719


Steve Barber

Attachment 428709 Attachment 428710


Dick Hall

Attachment 428715 Attachment 428717

Bill and Mark,

I also picked up a Brenn Very statue back in the day and agree that it was well done. I don't know how many were sold, but mine is #290/971.

Cool name plates. Gotta have some photos....

Geronimo Gil and Eric DuBose

Attachment 428725 Attachment 428728


Matt Riley and Bruce Chen

Attachment 428726 Attachment 428727

Mine is 66/971....

Here is another locker nameplate. This one is for John Parrish who in his MLB debut in 2000 started a game vs. the Yankees at Camden Yards and the first three batters he faced he struck out (Knoblauch, Jeter & Bernie W.; how many guys can say that?)

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

JP pitched in over 150 games for the Orioles and lives nearby & is considered a freind....Here he is with my son at our Golf Event a couple years ago:

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

Alan,

It’s a great idea to picture all of these since the portrait shots are some of my favorites. Also, even though I mainly collect Brooks I’m an O’s fan at heart and enjoy seeing the players that were on my favorite team.

Day 337 (December 2, 2020 – 337)

Brooks played some minor league ball in 1956 and 1957 for the San Antonio Missions in the Texas League. The team signed baseball is from the 1st year Brooks was on the club.

1956 San Antonio Missions team signed baseball.

Attachment 428934
Attachment 428935
Attachment 428936

Mark,

Very nice looking ball. The autographs are strong for a ball that old. I see a couple names on the ball I have photos of, Willy Quintana, Bill Diemer and Chuck Oertel.

Willy Quintana and Bill Diemer

Attachment 428970 Attachment 428968

Chuck Oertel

Attachment 428969


Also seems like a good time to repost the 1956 & 1957 San Antonio Missions programs

Attachment 428966 Attachment 428967

Orioles 20-Game Winners
 

Mark you asked for photos, so here you go.

While I was growing up, 20-game winners were common place for the Orioles. Over the years, eleven pitchers combined for twenty four 20-game winning seasons. This included an incredible run, of 13 years (1968-1980), when the Orioles had at least one 20-game winner each season and 1971 when the Orioles produced four 20-game winners. Steve Barber was the first in 1963 and Mike Boddicker the last in 1984.

Here are team issued pics of all the Orioles 20-Game winners

20-Game Winners (1 season)

Steve Barber and Mike Boddicker

Attachment 428971 Attachment 428972

Pat Dobson and Mike Flanagan

Attachment 428974 Attachment 428975

Wayne Garland and Scott McGregor

Attachment 428976 Attachment 428977

Steve Stone and Mike Torrez

Attachment 428980 Attachment 428981


20-Game Winners (4 different seasons)

Mike Cuellar and Dave McNally

Attachment 428973 Attachment 428978


20-Game Winner (8 different seasons)

Jim Palmer

Attachment 428979

Day 338 (December 3, 2029 – 338)

An artist Micheal Ricker created a statue of Brooks entitled “The Legend Lives”. The statue is a pewter casting and is about 10” in height. Of course it has Brooks’ Golden Glove as a focal point.

Michael Ricker statue – Brooks Robinson “The Legend Lives”

Attachment 429206


(I copied a photo of one on-line. I have this thing packed away somewhere, but couldn’t locate it prior to posting; sorry about that…)

Alan,

Here's the other panels of the Texas League ball just in case an 8X10 photo is in your collection...

Attachment 429207
Attachment 429208
Attachment 429209

Mark,

Here you go. A few pics of guys on the ball, that I can identify.

Charley Locke and Carl Powis

Attachment 429231 Attachment 429232


Bob Caffery and Bobby Adams

Attachment 429233 Attachment 429234


Dick Luebke and Carl Scheib

Attachment 429235 Attachment 429236


I know I have a Babe Birrer photo somewhere, but must not have scanned it yet.

Thanks Alan; it's nice to put the faces with the names.

Day 339 (December 4, 2020 – 339)

On December 4, 1970 at the Baseball’s 1970 Awards Dinner in Los Angeles we have Johnny Bench the NL MVP, Bob Gibson the NL Cy Young award winner and Brooks Robinson the WS MVP.

1970 Snapshot photos – Johnny Bench, Bob Gibson and Brooks Robinson

Attachment 429391

Now this really isn’t a snapshot photo per se, or maybe it is I’m just not sure, but it’s a really small photo taken by George Brace (about the size of a normal snapshot photo). This is not like a normal snapshot due to the photo being crystal clear.

Attachment 429392

Misc Photos
 

To end the week. here are a few more photos of some guys you may or may not remember as Orioles.

Moe Drabowsky and Mike Fetters

Attachment 429429 Attachment 429430


Carlos Mendez and Kelly Paris

Attachment 429431 Attachment 429434


Justin Turner and Aurelio Rodriguez

Attachment 429436 Attachment 429435


Mike Moriarty and Ramon Nivar

Attachment 429432 Attachment 429433

Day 340 (December 5, 2020 – 340)

This Rawlings Trade Digest cover features the BIG 8 gloves of 8 great stars. The stars pictured are Mickey Mantle, Billy Williams, Warren Spahn, Dick Groat, Tommy Davis, Tom Tresh, Ken Boyer and Brooks Robinson. The features of the BIG 8 gloves were the Double-X Web, Flex-O-Matic Palm, L-Heel, “Deep Well” Pocket, Shearling Lines, Comfo-Lok Wrist Strap, Extended Finger Stalls, X-Laced Fingers, and Select Grade RT58 Leather. Now that’s a lot of features…

I’ve never owned the glove box, nor the individual cutout of Brooks, but maybe one day. I’ve never seen a high grade version of the box card since he’s pictured on the corner of the box. The Trade Digest I have was once in a 3-ring binder, but still looks good to me.

January 1964 Rawlings Trade Digest for Distributors of Rawlings Athletic Equipment

Attachment 429569

I’ve included a Sporting News ad for The Big 8:

Attachment 429570

Here's another ad:

Attachment 429571

This early photo was posted and I know you guys are WAY better than me identifying people. I got that's Brooks now the rest is up to you...

Attachment 429572


Also, if you know the year or round about that would be cool as well. My guess is late 50's.

Misc Photos
 

Here's a few more photos of some forgotten Orioles, the unsung heroes from my childhood O's.

Terry Crowley and Clay Dalrymple

Attachment 429575 Attachment 429576


Pete Richert and Eddie Watt

Attachment 429577 Attachment 429579


Chico Salmon and Larry Haney

Attachment 429578 Attachment 429584


Fred Valentine and Marcelino Lopez

Attachment 429589 Attachment 429586


Curt Motton and Vic Roznovsky

Attachment 429587 Attachment 429588

Day 341 (December 6, 2020 – 341)

I used to love getting the small metal baseball coins growing up. Most of them are long gone and the few that I still have left from when I was young have rust, dings, scratches, etc. I probably have all the normal coins that were put out, but still trying to upgrade a few. Today is a coin that I don’t recall having growing up and that’s the 1965 Old London Coin. To me it’s the best looking coin of the bunch probably because the blue just pops and I really like the picture of Brooks used for the coin. The ’65 Old London Coins were made by Space Magic Ltd.; there were 40 unnumbered coins in the set. The coins arrived individually wrapped in cellophane and were packaged in Old London snacks. I don’t personally have one of Brooks that’s still in the cellophane, but I did get one that is entombed in plastic…

1965 Old London Coin

Attachment 429721

In regard to the Old London coins I do have the small progressive proofs used in making the 1965 Old London Brooks Robinson coin.

1965 Old London coin progressive proofs

Attachment 429722
Attachment 429723
Attachment 429724

Mark....

More fantastic Brooks proofs!

Here is a game used Brooks hat from 1976:

https://i.imgur.com/OlMzWJa.jpghttps://i.imgur.com/kRuazUB.jpg

Hi, everyone. Mark posted some pictures of the 1964 Rawlings Glove Box Big 8. I am fortunate to have the entire set of the hand cut cards. I love this set and enjoy showing it to folks. It escaped me for a few years so happy to share. I have this in the PSA Registry. The quality score is at 3.34, which is low but given the condition sensitivity of the set, it is pretty good. Mine is ranked #2 and the #1 set (707 Sports...he has a lot of stuff that is very, very expensive) is in the 7 range, which is amazing. The Brooks and Mantle are pretty nice relatively speaking and both pretty hard to find and expensive. I recently upgraded the Mantle and subsequently sold the lower graded Mantle to off set the cost. I would love to upgrade more if anyone has any "extra." Also, I included one of the two panels. Surprisingly, this is the highest graded PSA panel with Brooksie. I am looking for the Mantle panel but they are tough to find. Also, looking for the entire box. They are extremely rare but out there. Recently, i assembled 9 of the 10 1964-1966 Rawlings Premium Photographs that are identical to the Hand Cut Cards from the Big 8 Box. There are two variations. Brooks has a second picture with a Bird on Hat and Mantle with a black T-shirt. I sent these to PSA for grading. Once back, i hope to add to the Registry. Sorry if i used the word "I" too much. Thought folks would enjoy seeing these and some additional details.

P.S. for Mark...I included a pretty beat up extra Brooks Hand Cut Card if you want to trade for a certain "original" piece of Art!!!

Bill,

You really need to thin out that Brooksie stuff and focus of what you’re meant for; the Ripken family ;)

AKA - Love the cap!!

Charlie,

That’s just an awesome collection. Very tough to find the cutouts in nice shape. Are you #1 in any of the PSA registries?

I tell you what... throw in the panel with Brooks included, the graded Brooks example and I’ll let you keep the beat up version. What do you think? I know...I know... I’m giving you way too good of a deal.

Don't want to be a downer and rain on the parade, but the lack of his obligatory (southpaw) slant in that autograph would concern me, no? And the lines are real sharp, in contrast to his usual bubbly curviness (among other things, like the basic formation of the letters). You didn't happen to get it in person, did you? This all immediately jumps out at me, so I felt it was important to mention it. Hope I'm wrong.

These are my in-person signatures (from a long ass time ago)...
Attachment 429849

Darren,

Glad that you hope you’re wrong, since you’re wrong :D

Oh, and you can send those two old, outdated autographs my way...:eek:

You mean he signed/signs that way also? Wow. Who woulda thunk it? (Now you're going to point to a specific post in this thread that shows the same type of autograph. :D)

Day 342 (December 7, 2020 – 342)

While I’m not much of an autograph person I do like some items that are signed. Below is a nice signed 8x10 photo of the Orioles infield during the ‘70’s. Pictured you have Brooks, Mark Belanger, Davey Johnson and Boog Powell; what a great infield it was.

Attachment 429905

Quote: “Where I’d come from, that was a hit. Brooks was on it instantly, and without even looking, threw to second for a force. Then, there was a throw to first, double play, inning over, in half a second. I was sitting in the bullpen and my mouth fell open. I went, ‘You’ve got to be kidding me! I don’t believe what I just saw!'” – Elrod Hendricks

Attachment 429906

Ha! There's probably one in here "somewhere" that looks like the one on the cap, but I don't wanna look.

Here's a screen grab that looks similar, or at least I can tell (maybe not you :eek:) It seems when Brooks signs GU items he sometimes will just use the line for the B and the R; probably to not get the area messed up with the roll in the B and R. In Bill's cap example you can see that and likely didn't want his signature within the "5" under the bill.

In the early days the slant was in the opposite direction typically going from down to up.

Attachment 429907

Elrod Hendricks
 

Mark's quote from Elrod Hendricks reminded me that I haven't given Ellie much love during the year. Brooks Robinson is considered "Mr Oriole". In my opinion, second place should go to Elrod Hendricks. For 37 years, 9 as a player and 28 as a coach, Elrod wore the Orioles uniform. He was truly an ambassador for the Orioles and baseball. He was great with fans, always taking time to interact with them, giving autographs and smiling. I can't believe it's been 15 years since he passed away. He is truly missed each year at spring training.

Here are some Elrod Hendricks items

2005 Program from his funeral

Attachment 429936


1976 English Chicken Lid

Attachment 429937


Team Issued 8x10 photos as player and coach

Attachment 429938 Attachment 429939

Attachment 429940 Attachment 429941

Attachment 429942 Attachment 429943

Attachment 429944 Attachment 429945

I rec'd this autograph and a couple others from Brooks in-person about 5-6 years ago when I was helping out at a MAB show in MD....I think because of what he was signing (underneath the bill of a hat) and the way he had to hold it, he didn't use any slants....

Alan....Thanks for remembering Elrod...So many kids in Baltimore (and elsewhere) got their very first autograph from him!

Bill I was at a KC game against the Orioles in KC and Elrod was a bench coach. I’m the only guy in KC with an Orioles jersey on and probably the only one who knew who he was. I asked for his auto after the game and got snubbed. I didn’t hold it against him but come on man show a little love.��

Great hat by the way!

Alan,

Thanks for posting the Elrod items; really liked him as both a player and coach.

Day 343 (December 8, 2020 – 343)

Brooks looks so happy in The Sporting News 1962 Topps American League All Star card #468. Love the look of this card.


Attachment 430092
Attachment 430093

This is a 1962 Topps AS #468 blank back proof version. This example is a bit different since it has the black on the card but notice it doesn’t have the black 3 base on the bottom of the card.

Attachment 430094
Attachment 430095

To go along with the above we’ll need a signed version of the ’62 AS card.

Attachment 430096

Ok; then we’ll need at least one progressive proof of the 1962 Topps All Star (which is all I have...).

Attachment 430097

AND last but not least a 1962 Topps All Star #468 printing plate. That’ll be enough for one day…

Attachment 430098

It was nice of the Orioles to memoralize Elrod by placing his #44 on the sleeve of their jerseys in 2006:


https://i.imgur.com/cUIiY79.jpg

Orioles Photos
 

For some reason, I enjoy portrait photos much more than action shots. I love the simplicity of the older B&W head shots.

Here are a few more from the 1950's. Some should be familiar, a couple may not.


Hoot Evers and Tito Francona

Attachment 430127 Attachment 430128


Billy Hunter and Lou Kretlow

Attachment 430129 Attachment 430130


Bob Kuzava and Don Lenhardt

Attachment 430131 Attachment 430132


Dick Littlefield and Gus Triandos

Attachment 430133 Attachment 430134

Day 344 (December 9, 2020 – 344)

On May 18, 1975 the Orioles played the California Angels at home. Nolan Ryan was the pitcher for the Angels this day and pitched 8.2 innings and gave up 2 hits and 1 ER. Ryan also picked off Al Bumbry at 2nd base during the game. Mike Torrez was the O’s picture and did a pretty good job even though the home team came up short.

Here’s the daily parking pass from the Orioles vs. Angels game.

Attachment 430216

I’ve had this rack pack as long as I can remember. It was a tad yellowed when I purchased likely from being displayed, but the cards still look nice. Brooks is sharing the front with Ron Cey and Vida Blue; some pretty good company.

1975 Topps Rack Pack

Attachment 430217

Super Proof
 

A nice Super Proof of the all time best 3rd baseman to play the game !

Is that proof thinner than a regular card?

I have a couple and they are not as thick as a regular “Super ”.