I learned yesterday that former Orioles pitcher Roric Harrison passed away earlier in the week at the age of 76...

Roric pitched in 39 games for the Orioles in '72 but his true claim to fame came on October 3rd of that season when he homered in a game vs. Cleveland, thus becoming the last A.L. pitcher to hit a home run in the pre DH era.

RIP Roric

Here's a super neat original photo I got yesterday. A kid with some 1961 Topps MVP and all stars. Brooks is on top!

The photo is stamped Aug 14 1961.

"Hobby card collection"https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/202...ba893a15e3.jpghttps://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/202...3adca00a1d.jpghttps://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/202...7432af26ba.jpghttps://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/202...953e9b8f18.jpg

I'm grateful that I had the opportunity to attend Brooks' memorial service yesterday morning at Camden Yards. It was a beautiful day to honor a truly beautiful man...(BTW for those who couldn't attend, it's available on YouTube).

RIP Brooks.

https://i.imgur.com/PPTEzHO.jpghttps://i.imgur.com/x4CeDUi.jpg

over the past week or so I've seen quite a few neat Brooks related things on social media...

this obviously isn't mine, but saw this on Instagram yesterday & thought members here would enjoy seeing it as well:

Glad that some of you guys were able to attend the Brooks memorial service. Of course I would have liked to as well, but was unable to make the trip. I did watch it and was a very nice gesture.

Would have liked my hero to go on forever but it’s not meant to be. I’m still saddened and don’t really like to think about Brooks’ passing. He’ll surely be missed…

Being in town for the ALDS game, I stopped by the Babe Ruth Birthplace on Sunday as I had seen on social media they had they opened a new exhibit dedicated to Brooks the day prior...

Things that I enjoyed the most were the game used jerseys, his very first first MLB contract from 1955 that was signed by both Brooks and his father (Brooks was only 18 at the time) and the original artwork from the cover of the Orioles 1983 media guide:

Great display, thanks for sharing Bill!

*sold*

While I've owned a Ticketron example of Brooks' final career HR for quite awhile, I was finally successful in extracting an Orioles' box office stub from a friend of mine (attendance was only 4826) & yes, I did take note that the ticket holder sat in Section 5, Seat 5...

https://i.imgur.com/951R95S.jpg

This particular game was always personally memorable to me because I lived in the Columbus, OH area at the time and listened to the game on the Indians radio network (not to mention it ended up being his final big moment)...

I've posted these before but here is the pitching chart that Scott McGregor kept that night:

https://i.imgur.com/jcUiXSL.jpghttps://i.imgur.com/PdpiUq4.jpg

Back in 2019, SABR put out a notice to their membership that they were looking for writers to compose an article/chapter about the biggest games in Orioles history for a book they were publishing, I offered to write the account for this event as well:

https://i.imgur.com/wlWMC0E.jpghttps://i.imgur.com/KegYi14.jpg

Another recent acquisition was this Japanese advertising flyer from 1984 that was inserted inside
the Yomiuri Shimbun newspaper, promoting the upcoming exhibition series between the Orioles and various other Japanese teams (sponsored by Fuji Film).

The reverse side features Yomiuri Giants star Sadaaki Yoshimura, who had a banner year in 1984 and was one of the Central League's best players in the mid 1980s, but tailed off later in his career.

https://i.imgur.com/avyjmSR.jpghttps://i.imgur.com/6a4DaTy.jpg

Wow Bill, great advertisement! I've never seen that one before.

Brooks Robinson Coca Cola #3 ML All Star Excise Tax West Virginia
 

Looking for the Brooks Robinson 1967/68 Coca Cola #3 ML All Star Excise Tax West Virginia. Look closely at the front and back. Front has Brooks face, #3 to left and a Star to right. On top of cap, it has an outline of WV map with a 1 at bottom. Pretty rare. Recently added to the Brooks Master Set and sadly I don’t have it…leaving me at 99.70% complete (305/306 items…I have one item at PSA for grading). I have a lot of Coca Cola Caps available to trade or happy to pay. Please dig into your collection to see if you have one and willing to sell and/or trade.

If you have one, email me at charles.strite@yahoo.com

Thanks

today I learned that Dick Drago, who pitched in 36 games (earning three saves) with the Orioles in 1977 passed away the other day at the age of 78. Drago is probably most remembered as being the pitcher who surrendered Hank Aaron's final career home run (#755) the season prior:

Leo Burke, a Hagerstown, MD native who played in a dozen games for the Orioles in the late 1950's passed away in October at the age of 89:

been a difficult month or so for reporting on the passing of former Oriole players....

was recently confirmed that outfielder Joe Gaines, who played in 82 games for the Orioles in 1963-64 passed away back on May 30th of this year at the age of 86.

n the past couple of months I've acquired original artwork of Cal Ripken Jr. painted by Arthur K. Miller and Leon Wolf respectively:

https://i.imgur.com/8VxGSIp.jpghttps://i.imgur.com/ZdQ8Oww.png

“Really NICE” art pieces Bill. What’s your favorite art piece in your collection?

Thanks Mark....I think it would have to be the piece of Dick Perez original artwork I acquired about 10 years ago via an in person auction at the annual Ripken Aspire Gala .

https://i.imgur.com/Cg1DsSQ.jpghttps://i.imgur.com/RdlesKB.jpg

just a heads up that Brooks is the cover subject of Beckett's latest edition of their "Vintage Collector" magazine (nice article inside about his cards & collectibles)...My subscription copy got a little beat up so I'm going to pick up a fresh copy at Barnes & Noble...

Happy Thanksgiving!

Understand why that would be a favorite. Really like the background on this piece as well; kinda exudes the Perez vibe.

met up with a buddy to share our annual holiday season meal as well as to trade some items & I picked up from him this Country Time Lemonade drink mix from '93 which shows Brooks on the box & promotes the card set they put out in conjunction with it...

https://i.imgur.com/GidcyRr.jpg
https://i.imgur.com/eLMbErM.jpg

WTT - Orioles PSA Graded - 1954 to 1983
 

Hi - I have over 110 PSA graded Orioles (mainly commons, some stars) from 1954 to 1983. I am looking to trade with anyone that has other PSA graded O's cards - as I have many holes in my O's team sets to fill. Please let me know if you need any of these and we will work something out. Thanks!

1954 Topps 19 JOHNNY LIPON PSA 6
1954 Topps 152 MIKE BLYZKA PSA 6
1957 Topps 14 BOB NIEMAN PSA 6
1957 Topps 194 HAL BROWN PSA 6
1960 Topps 190 GENE WOODLING PSA 6
1960 Topps 267 JIM MARSHALL, BOSTON PSA 6
1960 Topps 317 PUMPSIE GREEN, BOSTON PSA 6
1965 Topps 427 BOB SAVERINE PSA 8
1966 Topps 390 BROOKS ROBINSON PSA 8 (OC)
1968 Topps 82 SAM BOWENS PSA 6
1968 Topps 293 BRUCE HOWARD PSA 8
1968 Topps 403 JOHN BUZHARDT, HOUSTON PSA 6
1968 Topps 409 ORIOLES ROOKIES F. PETERS/R. STONE PSA 6
1968 Topps 416 BILL RIGNEY, ANGELS PSA 6
1968 Topps 513 HANK BAUER PSA 4
1969 Topps 11 AL STRIKEOUT LEADERS PSA 9 (OC)
1969 Topps 550 BROOKS ROBINSON PSA 8 (OC)
1970 Topps 285 PAUL BLAIR PSA 8
1971 Topps 63 A.L. RBI LEADERS HOWARD/CONIGLIARO/POWELL PSA 7
1971 Topps 65 AL HOME RUN LEADERS HOWARD/KILLEBREW/YSTRZMSKI PSA 8 (OC)
1971 Topps 206 CHECKLIST 264 - 393 PSA 8
1971 Topps 249 CHICO SALMON PSA 8
1971 Topps 328 WORLD SERIES GAME 2 PSA 8
1971 Topps 329 WORLD SERIES GAME 3 PSA 7
1971 Topps 330 WORLD SERIES GAME 4 PSA 8
1971 Topps 331 WORLD SERIES GAME 5 PSA 7
1971 Topps 331 WORLD SERIES GAME 5 PSA 8 (OC)
1971 Topps 331 WORLD SERIES GAME 5 PSA 8
1971 Topps 595 DAVE JOHNSON PSA 8 (ST)
1972 Kellogg's 4 MICKEY COCHRANE ALL-TIME BASEBALL GREATS PSA 9
1972 Topps 212 GRANT JACKSON PSA 8
1972 Topps 270 JIM PALMER PSA 7
1972 Topps 370 DON BUFORD PSA 8
1972 Topps 418 TOM SHOPAY PSA 8
1973 Topps 174 RICH GOSSAGE, CHICAGO PSA 7
1973 Topps 556 YANKEES TEAM PSA 7
1974 Topps 193 TOM WALKER, MONTREAL PSA 9 (OC)
1974 Topps 306 ORIOLES MGR./COACHES PSA 9 (OC)
1974 Topps 375 EARL WILLIAMS PSA 9
1974 Topps 459 REDS TEAM PSA 9 (OC)
1974 Topps 492 MIKE ROGODZINSKI, PHILADELPHIA PSA 9 (OC)
1975 Topps 303 GRANT JACKSON PSA 8
1975 Topps 641 JIM NORTHRUP PSA 8
1976 Topps 25 MIKE TORREZ PSA 9
1976 Topps 149 TOMMY DAVIS PSA 9
1976 Topps 149 TOMMY DAVIS PSA 9
1976 Topps 192 AL BATTING LEADERS R. CAREW/F. LYNN/T. MUNSON PSA 9 (OC)
1976 Topps 638 DOYLE ALEXANDER PSA 9
1977 Topps 285 BROOKS ROBINSON PSA 8 (OC)
1977 Topps 380 LEE MAY PSA 9
1978 Topps 4 BROOKS ROBINSON PSA 8
1978 Topps 9 DOUG DeCINCES PSA 9
1978 Topps 65 KEN SINGLETON PSA 9
1978 Topps 119 DENNY MARTINEZ PSA 9
1978 Topps 160 JIM PALMER PSA 8
1978 Topps 160 JIM PALMER PSA 8
1978 Topps 188 AL BUMBRY PSA 9
1978 Topps 201 BATTING LEADERS R. CAREW/D. PARKER PSA 9
1978 Topps 202 HOME RUN LEADERS G. FOSTER/J. RICE PSA 9
1978 Topps 205 VICTORY LEADERS CARLTON/GOLTZ/LNRD/PALMER PSA 9
1978 Topps 206 STRIKEOUT LEADERS P. NIEKRO/N. RYAN PSA 9
1978 Topps 207 E.R.A. AVG. LEADERS J. CANDELARIA/F. TANANA PSA 9
1978 Topps 207 E.R.A. AVG. LEADERS J. CANDELARIA/F. TANANA PSA 9
1978 Topps 207 E.R.A. AVG. LEADERS J. CANDELARIA/F. TANANA PSA 9
1978 Topps 211 EARL WEAVER PSA 9
1978 Topps 262 RUDY MAY PSA 9
1978 Topps 315 MARK BELANGER PSA 9
1978 Topps 367 RICK DEMPSEY PSA 9
1978 Topps 393 TIPPY MARTINEZ PSA 9
1978 Topps 418 TONY MUSER PSA 9
1978 Topps 442 ELLIOT MADDOX, METS PSA 9
1978 Topps 466 DENNIS BLAIR PSA 9
1978 Topps 535 CHECKLIST 485 - 605 PSA 9
1978 Topps 543 LARRY HARLOW PSA 9
1978 Topps 543 LARRY HARLOW PSA 9
1978 Topps 548 BILLY HUNTER, TEXAS PSA 9
1978 Topps 593 DAVE SKAGGS PSA 9
1978 Topps 616 PAT KELLY PSA 9
1978 Topps 640 LEE MAY PSA 9
1978 Topps 666 BILLY SMITH PSA 9
1978 Topps 691 ROSS GRIMSLEY PSA 9
1979 Topps 6 STRIKEOUT LEADERS N. RYAN/J.R. RICHARD PSA 9
1979 Topps 65 MARK BELANGER PSA 9
1979 Topps 188 PAT KELLY PSA 9 (OC)
1979 Topps 411 HITS LEADERS SISLER/COBB PSA 9
1979 Topps 411 HITS LEADERS SISLER/COBB PSA 9
1979 Topps 412 ALL-TIME RBI LDRS H. WILSON/H. AARON PSA 9
1979 Topps 413 ALL-TIME HOME RUNS R. MARIS/H. AARON PSA 9
1979 Topps 414 BATTING AVERAGE LDR R. HORNSBY/T. COBB PSA 9
1979 Topps 416 ALL-TIME RECORD J. CHESBRO/C. YOUNG PSA 9
1979 Topps 416 ALL-TIME RECORD J. CHESBRO/C. YOUNG PSA 9
1979 Topps 417 STRIKEOUT LEADERS RYAN, JOHNSON PSA 9
1979 Topps 418 ALL-TIME ERA LEADER D. LEONARD/W. JOHNSON PSA 9
1979 Topps 640 EDDIE MURRAY PSA 9 (OC)
1979 Topps 701 ORIOLES PROSPECTS M. COREY/J. FLINN/S. STEWART PSA 9
1980 Topps 91 RICK DEMPSEY PSA 9
1980 Topps 91 RICK DEMPSEY PSA 9
1980 Topps 160 EDDIE MURRAY PSA 9
1980 Topps 188 TERRY CROWLEY PSA 9
1980 Topps 211 DAVE SKAGGS PSA 9
1980 Topps 237 SCOTT McGREGOR PSA 9
1980 Topps 237 SCOTT McGREGOR PSA 9
1980 Topps 237 SCOTT McGREGOR PSA 9
1980 Topps 241 CHECKLIST 122-242 PSA 9
1980 Topps 367 BILLY SMITH PSA 8
1980 Topps 490 LEE MAY PSA 9
1980 Topps 706 TIPPY MARTINEZ PSA 8
1983 Topps 163 CAL RIPKEN, JR. PSA 8
1983 Topps 490 JIM PALMER PSA 9
1989 UD 467 CAL RIPKEN JR. PSA 9
2007 Topps RC 2 KEVIN DURANT ORANGE, SEATTLE PSA 8

while perusing eBay this morning I noticed this 1972 Red Sox program which shows a couple pictures of Brooks in the upper left corner & while I don't recall ever seeing this before, I thought some people may be interested in picking this one up.

I did pick this Red Sox example years ago. I thought it odd that the Red Sox would put, not one, but two images of Brooks on their program.

Think you all will like this one.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GvaXRXR3myE

Brooks Robinson 1970 board game (Shufbaseball)
 

NFS - Anyone wanna play Shufbaseball (Brooks Robinson) by Shufflesports Industries? Pretty cool baseball game from 1970 featuring Brooks. Anyone seen before?

Shuffbaseball
 

Great piece! And no, I've never seen it before.

I’ve never seen this game as well. It just mind blowing that lately I’ve seen several Brooks/Orioles items I’ve never seen before. Just cool to see these items.

crazy
 

For me, this is even crazier because I live in the same postal code as the company that made that Brooks item. I have been collecting since 1976 and have never see one before either!

Great pickup...I can remember seeing early 1970's souvenir pricelists from the Orioles (yearbooks, etc.) and seeing a Brooks Robinson Game listed & never knowing what it was (now I do)...

Of course I know we all learned of the sad passing of Ryan Minor & thought I'd share a dual signed signed picture with Cal, game used bat & a triple signed streak baseball of Rayford, CRJ and Minor that I had done a few years ago...

https://i.imgur.com/PwkyVZJ.jpghttps://i.imgur.com/uDTk0v0.jpghttps://i.imgur.com/W4nu8XB.jpghttps://i.imgur.com/Yb5g85r.jpg

On a somewhat happier note, I recently acquired the scorecard that Red Sox HOF broadcaster Ken Coleman kept on 06/25/88, which happened to be Cal's 1000th Consecutive Game (which Coleman noted and had signed)...It's a neat companion piece to the lineup card that I own to this game:

https://i.imgur.com/34j4sjQ.jpg

Happy Holidays to All!

Brooks Robinson 1963 Jell-o Box
 

Day 1 – 1 January 2024

Happy New Year! I have decided to pick up where Mark Comer left off in 2020. I am going to post something each day for 2024 about Brooks Robinson or the Baltimore Orioles from years past. My collection is all over the place but by far it is dominated by items that PSA grades but don’t worry, I will not bore you with “PSA!” I believe I have plenty of different items to share. I felt compelled to do this for several reasons, but my inspiration comes from the recent passing of “Mr. Oriole” Brooks Robinson this past September. Like many of you, I was born in Maryland and followed Brooks from the early 1970s, through his broadcasting days, card shows, local advertisements, and visits to Memorial Stadium and Camden Yards. I have collected Brooks stuff all my life but while I served in the Army and raised kids, it was hard to consistently keep pace with all the things out there. Through this group on Net54 and newfound friends, I have learned so much, which is another reason to do this…meet new people, share my limited knowledge, make a trade or two and share my average collection hoping others will catch the Brooks / Orioles collecting bug and decide to collect! I will try to group my postings by week with a theme as much as I can. Mark warned me to organize myself, so we’ll see how this goes.

My first posting will be from 1963. Nothing too exciting (I am lying)! I recently decided to let go of some of my more expensive / non-Oriole / Topps cards in my collection and focus on Brooksie. I am happy to share what I believe is the nicest complete 1963 Jell-o box on planet earth. This “pick-up” came at a cost, a lot of stress, and years of looking. I know…no complaining about a crazy purchase and I am sure there is another one out there, so please share. Every time I visit the local Grocery Store (Martins in Hagerstown, MD) and walk past the Jell-o section, I envision these boxes on the shelf featuring our baseball heroes of the 1962 and 1963 season. I have seen one other complete 1963 Strawberry Jell-o box featuring Brooks but it was in horrible shape (torn, flat and rough edges) and it was open. Someone asked me if I was going to have this box graded and of course, I quickly said no. It is proudly displayed with other unique items of Brooks in my curio cabinet…Top Shelf, for sure. I have also included my graded single card of Brooks from the 1963 Jell-o box. Again, Happy New Year!

Jello
 

WOW; this year started out with a BANG! I never even imagined seeing a complete Jello box in this shape.

I’m really looking forward to viewing Charlie’s collection every day thru the year. I hope others will share their collections as well.

Thanks so much for doing this Charlie and congrats on that once in a lifetime pickup.

Happy New Year to all and an amazing Jello box Charlie!

Unbelievable! That jello box looks brand new !
Museum Quality ! PSA 11!
I am going to enjoy following the thread and thanks for sharing Charlie.

Great box Charlie, love it! Look forward to seeing your collection throughout the year.

great!
 

Very Happy you are doing this Charlie!! Looking forward to this throughout 2024.

540. Jiggle Junkie
A spirited collector of Jell-O cards and boxes.


Happy Drool Year!!!!!!!!
You got 'em all salivating now. Great pick-up!!!!!!!

Brooks Robinson 1961 Post Cereal
 

Day 2 – 2 January 2024

The Post Cereal cards in 1961 – 1963 included 200 player cards each year. They are bigger than the Jell-o cards from 1962 and 1963. In 1961, Brooks appeared on a Rice Krinkles sugar coated cereal box. You could also receive your favorite 10 player team perforated sheet via mail order. Today, I am including both versions or panels Brooks appeared on plus the individual cards. My Rice Krinkles sheet does not include the advertisement but presents very nicely. Would love to find a more complete version. The perforated sheet of the Orioles team is too large to grade. Both sheets or panels are hard to find and will cost you. The entire set includes 200 different players but with the variations, it is over 350 cards. This set is a reasonable set to collect. I have the set but not all the variations.

Brooks Robinson Post Cereal 1962
 

Day 3 – 3 January 2024

The 1962 Post Cereal set includes 200 different players. Brooks appeared on Canadian Panel, which I have never seen, but aways looking! Not sure one exists. I do have the highest graded Canadian hand cut card. Brooks appeared on an 8 Ounce Alpha Bits box and a 8.5 Ounce Crispy Critter Box. The Alpha Bits box has the word “all” in the black box. The Crispy Critter box does not include the word “all.” The back side of the boxes are different as well. Also, I have a complete unassembled Crispy Critter Box. I am tempted to assemble it; it would make an excellent display. For some reason, PSA believes Brooks appears on a 3 panel cereal box, but he does not. Someone convinced PSA otherwise so I was able to find a damaged panel and had the 3 panel version graded. The single hand cut card is also displayed.

Great looking items Charlie. Those are some tough items to come by. I really like the perforated O’s panel. Do you think they’ll encase this someday? Seems like PSA continues to encapsulate in bigger slabs and hopefully you’ll be able to have that one done as well.

1962 Orioles Post Panel
 

Mark, I hope so but it would be a big slab. I actually have 2. One is a nice display in a frame and then this one ready for grading!

Charlie,

Very nice panels. There are two variations of the 1962 Post Cereal Brooks Robinson. I can't tell for sure from your pictures, but is one version on each of the two different boxes? If not, does that mean Brooks appeared on another unknown box.

Here are the two variations I'm referencing ...

Attachment 603898

1962 Post Brooks Robinson variation
 

Alan, my understanding is he only appeared on the boxes I referenced. I am familiar with your variations and believe I have them. Too many variations to collect within Post sets. Thanks for sharing.

1963 Post Cereal Brooks Robinson
 

Day 4 – 4 January 2024

The 1963 set includes 200 different players, too. Brooks appeared on a Bran Flakes box with a purple background. The Bran Flakes panel was very difficult to find. He also appeared on a blue Oat Flakes box. This box is not as hard to find. I have an extra graded version if anyone is interested. Also, I have included the single hand cut card.

What is the difference in the two cards Alan posted ?

Alan,

Is the photo the only variation between the two?

The photos are cropped differently. Check out the lower left.

Interesting. I haven't done any real research of the Post sets, but my understanding from what I have read was the variations were a result of being printed on different products. I hadn't heard that there was multiple printings. Either way, the Post cereal and Jello sets can be very challenging, even for a team collector. Almost all of my Post Orioles have variations of some sort.

I'm still looking for decent looking 1962 Jello cards of Marv Breeding and Hoyt Wilhelm.

Brooks Robinson 1975 Hostess
 

Day 5 – 5 January 2024
Today I am featuring the 1975 Hostess Box, Panels and single card. This box included Twinkies. This set includes 150 different players. The box makes a nice display. The panels are not easy to grade. My PSA 8 is the 3rd one I have graded. The single card is also included and grades easily. Not sure why the condition on the panels is so difficult.