Bill,

Those painted baseballs are awesome.

Mark,

The Brooks Robinson PM10 pins are extremely tough to find and costly when they show up. Even the "common" PM10 pins of the Orioles are hard to find.

I have the Jim Gentile and Gus Trianson pins. I believe there are a few other PM10 Orioles out there. Jerry Walker comes to mind. Anyone know of others for sure?


Attachment 432430

Day 359 (December 24, 2020 – 359)

A couple of photos of Connie Robinson featured with Brooks included in a couple.

Attachment 432571
Attachment 432572
Attachment 432573
Attachment 432574

I gotta ask, why is Andy Etchebarren catching lefty??? Huh??

When the Orioles would have their Players vs. Wives games all the guys would play with their opposite hand.

About 10 years ago I won this from one of the Topps Vault auctions and it's a document that Topps had a very young Cal Jr. sign three times for when they used his autograph on cards (the very first one being the '82 Topps Traded):

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

Happy Holidays Everyone!!!

Bob Bonner
 

I remember Bob Bonner with the Orioles in the early 1980's. I remember him leaving baseball to pursue his ministry activities (I AM Ministries International)

Some of you may have already seen this article posted on another thread, but I thought I would share. Very interesting story at the end of the article that I had never heard before.

https://internationalafricanmissions.org/about.html


Here's a few Bob Bonner items.


1982 Topps Bob Bonner Rookie Card

Attachment 432602


1982 Orioles Mort Tadder 8x10 photo

Attachment 432604


Orioles team issued & Mel Bailey postcards

Attachment 432603 Attachment 432605

I've had the pleasure of meeting Bobby on a couple occasions and he couldn't have been a nicer guy. He did write an autobiography a few years ago and I'd recommended it to anyone (Oriole fan or not).

Earlier in the year I did post an Orioles game used jersey of his but here is a perfect opportunity to post one from Rochester:

https://i.imgur.com/5QnzJND.jpghttps://i.imgur.com/HlG2rzg.jpghttps://i.imgur.com/hC4dxhJ.jpg

Very COOL!

Merry Christmas
 

Day 360 (December 25, 2020 – 360)

Hope you all have a very Merry Christmas!

I’ve had the opportunity, on several occasions, to visit Baltimore’s Tadder Associates, Inc. The company did Commercial Photography, but in my case Tadder Associates meant more than commercial photos. Morton (Mort) Tadder, along with his company, did a lot of the photography for the Baltimore Orioles back in the day (around 44 years’ worth). Growing up most of the team photos, programs, player portraits, yearbooks, etc. had the name TADDER on the bottom. As a kid, growing up in the Baltimore area Tadder, to me, was like one of my favorite Oriole team members.

Morton, at first, really didn’t want to sell me, just an individual and not a company, any photographs, but his assistant Lillian Crowley allowed me the opportunity to purchase a limited few. I was very happy to have a few cool Oriole pictures he had taken. Over the years both Morton and Lillian sent me some pictures for my collection until Morton retired a number of years ago. By the way Lillian and her husband own Lombard Hardware and Tool Rental in Baltimore; go see them and purchase something (they are great people!).
Why a post about Tadder Associates on Christmas? When Morton retired he gave me a gift; he sent me a Brooks Robinson picture that he had taken during a ’70 World Series game at Riverfront Stadium. The picture hung in his office, which is about 15”x40” and now resides in my house in a prominent place. So sad to hear the news this year about Mort; he'll be missed.

Attachment 432707

This picture of Brooks leaping was featured on the cover of the 1971 Sports Quarterly Baseball magazine.

Attachment 432708

Quote: “I loved acknowledging the subtle arrogance of Hall of Famer Rod Carew’s drag bunt. The sleight-of-hand of Brooks Robinson magically reducing a double into 5-3 putouts. The towering arc of a Ted Williams a monster shot deposited in the bleachers high. The classic confrontation of the best hitter against the best pitcher, and the immaculately executed bullet of a double play.” – Sportscaster Dick Enberg

End the day with a picture of my daughter from a couple years ago sporting a new white panel Orioles hat. She’s wearing her Christmas CFA (Central Florida Athletics) Panthers cheer shirt to celebrate Christmas, or in her team’s words “Clawsmas”.

Attachment 432709

I've seen a couple of these over the years, but yours is perfect in my eyes.

Love the photo Mark and I hope you, your family and the rest of the Orioles fans here ave a Merry Christmas!

Merry Christmas everyone!

Mark:

Great oversized photo and back story! Ironically after seeing more of the Tadder photos you posted the other day (with the printed credits) I was going to ask you where you got those, but now I know!

Probably the only thing I have displayed in a size similar to your Tadder photo is a retail store Oakley promotional poster that came out in '96:

https://i.imgur.com/qoRqG8n.jpg

Happy Holidays!

Bill

Posted for KSfarmboy

While not the greatest photo Clint picked up this GU Brooks cap from the 1969 season. He acquired it from a former player Daryl Spencer.

Attachment 432766

That is just an awesome shot of Cal. I wish they had the photo capabilities back in the day that they do now to capture these amazing images of players.

Day 361 (December 26, 2020 – 361)

I’ve had this piece as long as I can remember and can’t seem to recall where I picked it up. It’s a small poster ad, around 11”x14”, which was posted in the Social Security Administration building in New Brunswick, NJ. It states, “Brooks Robinson has a social security card. Do you?”

1973 Brooks Robinson U.S. Department of Health, Education, and Welfare/Social Security Administration poster.

Attachment 432795

That social security poster is awesome ! Love it !

Really dig that social security poster. Mark, Bill and Alan you have some great stuff. From a guy in Kansas that got Orioles scraps as a kid it’s nice to see what I was missing out on.

Day 362 (December 27, 2020 – 362)

This is about as close as I will come to a Brooks Robinson playing career game used jersey. Possibly used as a coach’s jersey after Brooks retired from the game; I love the orange Orioles jerseys.

1978 Orioles Jersey

Attachment 432878
Attachment 432879

Sweet jersey Mark! Really like the Oranges too!

Day 363 (December 28, 2020 – 363)

Brooks throughout his career has sponsored, been a spokesperson for, and an employee of Crown Petroleum. Crown was instrumental in getting the first bronze statue of Brooks Robinson in Baltimore which is located right outside of Camden Yards. Check it out if you haven’t already.

The relatively large banner I have listed below is from late 60’s early ‘70’s and has a well-known (at least for O’s fans) headshot of Brooks with the statement, “I Choose Crown Gold for Action!” I’ve had this canvas banner for probably 20+ years. The banner was likely displayed outside the Crown gas station for all to see and over the years it had become rather dingy. I sent it out to Tom (The Art of Restoration) and had the banner cleaned. He did a great job and it looks much, much better than it did prior to sending; so glad I had this accomplished.

Attachment 433016

2020 Year in Review
 

Mark,

You saved some really nice items for the end of the year. The Mort Tadder photos, Brooksie orange uniform and Crown Petroleum banner are all very cool.

I've seen so many new Brooks Robinson and Orioles items posted this year. I can't thank you guys enough for making 2020 a little more bearable.

I've had a pretty good year collecting wise and even added a few items with the help of Net54 members.

Each year, I have some general goals for my collection, as well as some specific goals. I don't know if anyone else does this, but I thought I would take a moment to look at how I did this year.

General goals that carry over each year......

Orioles Team Issued Postcards

Started the year with 2712/2862 known postcards. The Orioles didn't produce many new postcards this year, but I did come across a couple new variations. Ending the year with 2735/2876 for a net gain of 9 postcards, including 2 glossies from 1954-56. Based upon what I still need - Great year

Orioles Team Issued Head Shot Photos

I was able to pick up photos of the new players to make their O's debut in 2020, but still no luck finding any photo of John Buzhardt from 1967. Thanks to Bill, I did add autographs to a few of my older photos.

Orioles Minor League Affiliate Programs

Mostly struck out here too. No programs added from teams I still need, but did add cover variations from a couple teams. Probably impossible to complete this one, but I keep trying.


I set specific card goals to try and complete some Orioles team sets each year. Here's how I fared this year.

Baseball Cards

1954 Dixie Lids (Clint Courtney) - added three new backs, including one large size lid

1963 Jello - added 1 card, still need Russ Snyder

1970-71 Dayton Daily News cards - didn't add any to my 1970 set, but did pick up the 1971 Frank Robinson. Still need four from 1970 and the 1971 Boog Powell

1971 Kelloggs - completed the master set with all back variations

1971 Milk Duds - completed the master set of unopened boxes

1972 Milton Bradley Game - completed


O-Pee-Chee sets

1965 - only 1 left (AL Batting Leaders card #1)
1967 - 2 left (Bob Johnson #38 and John Miller #141)
1968 - 1 left (AL Batting Leaders #2)
1974 - Completed
1976 - Completed
1981 - Completed master set of white backs and tougher gray backs

Topps Venezuelan sets

1964 - Completed
1967 - only 1 card left (Dave McNally #248)

Got closer on a couple other Venezuelan sets. Hoping to finish 1962 or 1966 set this year.


I would love to hear how others did.....

Picked up two tough Orioles items. 1969 Topps four in one Dillman and Johnson card.
Scott

I did try to save a few good items for the last of the year to end on a good note.

I’m very thankful that this thread was far better then expected... Thanks everyone for all your input.

Scott,

Very nice. That's a set I've never started. They are tough. Congrats.

Mark I love that crown piece and still kick myself for not getting the half poster that was on eBay.

My Orioles collecting goals for the year usually consists of adding 3-4 game used items for my 70, 79 and 83 teams. Unfortunately this year was more about saving money for other projects. I did add an 80’s warm up jersey from Bill and made a trade for a great 69-74 batting helmet.

My favorite Robinson
 

58 Topps signed.

The Crown banner that was cut was at one of the National events in Baltimore. Even though it was cut it still was large and looked pretty good. Unsure why someone would do this unless the bottom portion was tore up which is possible since they were likely displayed outside.

Ethan,

That Brooks signature looks to be a pretty early auto.

Agreed.

1990 MLB Tour of Japan Dream Game program
 

Good evening,

Mark, I really like the Crown Gas Brooks poster and the Millers Falls Power Tools postcard. I want to thank you again for helping me acquire the 1969 Topps Deckle Edge Brooks proof card this year.

Below is a 1990 MLB Tour of Japan Dream Game program. Although no Orioles went on that tour, there is a list of previous MLB/Japan games, including a photo of the 1971 Orioles tour. I believe that is Pat Dobson.

Attachment 433079

Attachment 433080

Mike,

Appreciate it on the Crown piece and the Millers Falls postcard. I really regret not going higher on the other MF postcard; I really didn’t know at the time how rare it would be to find one. I haven’t seen another example since.

No problem on the Deckle proof. I’m happy I was able to add to your great collection.

Definitely Dobson...

Orioles Helmet
 

Posted for ksfarmboy

Clint has some great GU items; here's two helmets today. The one on the left is a late 60's example that carried over into the 70's. The one on the right is is a 69-71 model.

Attachment 433129

Day 364 (December 29, 2020 – 364)

A small photo, around 5x7, of Brooks in spring training showing Brooks wearing an early Orioles jersey.

Attachment 433130

This is one of my favorite and earliest pieces in my Brooksie collection. Thanks to my friend Scott Roemer (quitcrab) who helped me pick this item up since I saw it last minute and didn’t have an account with the auction house (Thanks Scott…love this item). This is a baseball statistic sheet that was put out by William J. Weiss who was a statistician for the Pacific Coast League. The form was mailed to the player, completed, and sent back. Brooks completed the questionnaire and it was sent back with most of the information requested. There are quite a few things that are particularly neat about this item that’s filled out in Brooks’ 18 year old hand:

1. Lists his home address in Little Rock

2, Position - 2nd base

3. Signed his complete name “Brooks Calbert Robinson Jr.”

4. Stamped Jun 20, 1955

1955 Baseball Questionnaire:

Attachment 433131


Quote: "He didn't look fast, in fact he was kinda slow, but he was always there. On double plays when he had to come a long way, he had this way of just rolling across the bag and flipping the ball under his arm. He was the best second baseman (Cuban Winter League) I have ever seen." - Orlando Pena

Wow Mark that’s an amazing photo. My new favorite photo of Brooks!

Day 365 (December 30, 2020 – 365)

This has to be a fairly early booklet that was given to new ballplayers coming on with the Baltimore Orioles concerning basically how to conduct yourself as a professional ballplayer. It has one of my favorite B&W shots of Brooks on the cover; love the old school bird on the sleeve.

Booklet “To Tomorrow’s Oriole” by Brooks Robinson

Attachment 433224
Attachment 433225


Quote: “He was generous and humble, and as great as he was at his position, he always understood his role as a baseball player, give the team, the fans everything you have, and then when it’s over give them more.” – Journalist Roy Firestone

Brooks Robinson and the Baltimore Orioles
 

Day 366 (December 31, 2020 – 366)


Well, it is “time” for my last post of the year in the Baltimore Orioles and Brooks Robinson thread…


Attachment 433328


Of course, I had to choose a leap year for the Brooks Robinson and Baltimore Orioles thread and so I’ll need to post for one more day this year; Day 366.

Brooks was very productive with the bat (and the field as usual) in 1964. This is a photo of Brooks coming home in a game against the White Sox on June 11, 1964 where he hit an 8th inning home run. The Orioles win the game 3-1.


Attachment 433329


So, for the last day of the year below is the 1964 Sid Mercer Memorial Award plaque presented to Brooks Robinson by the New York Chapter Baseball Writers Association of America for being the player of the year.


Photo of Brooks receiving the 1964 Sid Mercer Memorial Award


Attachment 433330


1964 Sid Mercer Memorial Award


Attachment 433331


There’s a quote that I really like to end the year that John Steadman, of The News American, said about Brooks, “There’s not a man who knows him who wouldn’t swear for his integrity and honesty and give testimony to his consideration for others. He’s an extraordinary human being, which is important, and the world’s greatest third baseman of all time, which is incidental.”


I hope you have a Happy New Year and I also hope you have enjoyed the ride…

Good stuff Mark. I have to get myself an Oriole alarm clock! The year was so much more enjoyable and bearable with this thread to look forward to everyday. Great job Mark and all the others who contributed on a regular basis.
Scott

Thanks Scott. I appreciate the kind words. Glad we could post items from the hobby we enjoy for all to see.

Hope you have a GREAT New Year!

I echo Scott's words. 2020 has been a tough year for many people on many different levels. A big thank you to Mark for taking the leap of faith that there were others that would be willing to share their collections and love of Brooks Robinson and the Orioles.

As 2020 closes, a final tribute to those in the Orioles family we lost this past year. I hope I didn't leave anyone out.

Foster Castleman and Gil Coan

Attachment 433353 Attachment 433354

Steve Dalkowski and Ed Farmer

Attachment 433355 Attachment 433361

Chico Fernandez and Dick Hyde

Attachment 433356 Attachment 433358

Don Larsen and Mike McCormick

Attachment 433359 Attachment 433360

John Miller and Bob Oliver

Attachment 433362 Attachment 433363

Hal Smith and Jim Frey

Attachment 433364 Attachment 433357

Bob Brown (long time PR Director)

Attachment 433352

Morton Tadder (Orioles Team Photographer) and Mo Gaba (Orioles HOFer and Super Fan)


Lets hope for a better 2021. Stay safe. I hope we will continue to post new items as we add to our collections. Here's an open invitation .. When Orioles spring training gets back to some sort of normal, please stop by section 106 at Ed Smith Stadium and say hi. I'd love to talk O's with you.

I’ve thoroughly enjoyed this thread all year. It’s provided a great opportunity to escape from all that’s been going on this year. Thank you to all that have participated and a big shout out to Mark for alerting us in to his Brooks collection! Happy New Year to all and keep posting new pick ups.

Thanks, Mark. Awesome posts from an awesome guy. Now that you’ve posted your last post, you should have a fire sale! Happy New Year!

Alan,

One of the concerns was that no one would post or comment when I started the thread. I made a commitment to do it so I would have went ahead either way, but it sure was a nice surprise that so many posted and a few (like yourself) really showcased their awesome collections. Thanks so much for doing so and just keep it going. I’d love to view more great items!

Clint,

You’re welcome. Keep up with that GU collection of yours. Also, now I’ll have a bit of spare time to get you that card I owe you...

Happy New Year!

Charlie,

Now it’s the New Year and you “need” to delve in wholeheartedly to acquiring some displayable O’s items for that cool looking room. Possibly even add some proof stuff this year.

Fire sale = get your checkbook out and let me know what you want! Do you know I don’t think I’ve sold anything from my collection. Gave several items away and may have traded a couple times, but that’s about it. I’m definitely no salesman.

I’m rooting for you to be # 1 in 2021; make it happen...

Brooks Robinson PSA Master Registry Set - 1957
 

Greetings. Mark and Scott have inspired me to share some of my Brooks Robinson "card" collection on this forum. I have decided to add something each week from Brooks' playing days that is part of the PSA Brooks Robinson Master Registry Set. Some of you do not like PSA / grading in general, which I get. I like the Set Registry process as it feeds my quest to find quality cards and compare where my collection is with others...a bit childish perhaps, but it keeps me busy. I also like "raw" cards. I have all the Topps Sets from 1951 - 2021 and Bowman 1948 - 1955 "raw." I enjoy looking, touching and upgrading those cards like many of you. Back to Brooks and the Registry. If you are not familiar, most players have a set on the PSA Registry. Brooks has a Basic Set, which includes his playing days from 1957 - 1977 that is mostly the regular Topps cards. Mixed in there is the 1960 Leaf and 1963 Fleer. (24 cards total...I am #3 on that list and is it competitive). The Master Registry includes 274 "items" including cards, pictures, hand cut items, test issues, panels, stamps, boxes, coins, coke caps, and stickers. Not everything is gradable. The item must have the player's picture and be about him. Each item must be graded by PSA and receives a "weighted score" between 1 - 10...10 being the highest and 1 being the lowest. Some items only grade "authentic" which is a 1 so the highest possible score on the Brooks Master Registry is 9.638. Logically, the more rare items would receive the highest weight but that is not always the case. The current leader has a quality score of 7.80 while mine (#2 on the Registry) is 6.89. If you go to the PSA web site, click on set registry and search for Brooks Master you can find my set with pictures. My quest is not necessarily to be number one but to find all of the items at the highest grade in my price range. I am missing 1 item (1975 Japan Nagashima Card with Brooks in his uniform)...I have two items at PSA for grading, which will be added soon. This will be educational for some of you while others may be annoyed or turned off. So...what I will do each week is share a year of items in the Registry expanding the knowledge of some on here, while boring others. Before I started the Registry, I had no idea Brooks had so many items from his playing days. Last week, I had a Brooks collector tell me he had all of Brooks' cards...I showed him about 10 cards he never heard of...I think I turned him off...he never responded.

This week we will start with 1957. Two items are in the Registry for Brooks for 1957, which most of you have seen...his Rookie and the Orioles Team Card, both from Topps. His rookie card is plentiful but at the PSA 8 level, they are out there but pretty pricy. This card is by far my favorite but surprisingly, not the most expensive. What a beautiful card. Later, in the 60s, one year may have 10-15 items so the weekly posts should be fun. This forum has taught me a lot so thought to share what little I have in my collection to pay it forward. I love talking about Brooks and the Registry so drop me a line if interested. I have developed a network of folks if you are missing an item and perhaps you can help me upgrade or find something new. Enjoy!

Thanks Charlie for posting ! That Rookie card is super nice. Looking forward to seeing all the oddball pieces in the registry!
Scott

Great idea Charlie! I learned quite a bit from your registry set earlier this year, and the multi-item Orioles trade we made. Looking forward to see nice images of all your cool registry items.

Thanks,
Rich

Charlie,

LOVE the idea! I think it will be great to see your Brooks Robinson Registry items on this thread and of course you can include other Orioles items from your collection as well. I’m sure we’ll “all” enjoy your amazing collection.

Charlie,

Took a look through your registry.

You have some very nice Brooks Robinson cards/items and I wish you success in completing the master registry. I have to admit that I'm one of those guys that doesn't completely embrace the whole PSA registry thing. I've always been happy with raw cards with good eye appeal and have broken out more Orioles cards than I can name.

Perhaps, it's my lack of knowledge on the whole PSA process. Maybe you can answer some questions to help educate me and others.

Who determines what items are part of the master PSA registry? I notice that a 1971 team issued postcard is part of the set, but none of the other team issues. I would think that some of the early B&W postcards would be included. I also see that the registry recognizes some variations, but ignores others. Both 1963 Topps Peel-Offs are included, but the 1962 Post Cereal, 1967 Topps 7th Series checklists, 1976 Hostess, and 1977-79 Sportscasters cards variations (to name a few) aren't included.

I also don't understand why items that are part of panels (Bazooka, etc) include both the individual cut cards and panels. I would hope someone wouldn't take uncut panels and cut them up to get a high grade individual cards.

Anyway, this isn't to a post to complain about graded cards. I'm just trying to understand the whole master registry process.