Quote:
Originally Posted by roarfrom34
Unfortunately, I'm actually not surprised that Belanger had a cigarette in his hand at that game because we all know he died of lung cancer and in a documentary about him it was mentioned how much his family had been bothered by his smoking and had tried to get him to quit for years (unfortunately when he did, it was too late).
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My understanding was that Belanger was a heavy smoker. I think we might be surprised how many players from our childhoods were smokers.
Belanger was from Pittsfield, Mass and when I was in high school (around 1973-74), he was a guest at a baseball camp I attended at Colby College in Waterville, ME. He was giving tips on fielding, not hitting.

He was the first Oriole I ever met in person.
Here are a few Mark Belanger items through the years
B&W 8x10 Photos
Belanger, Mark 1 - Copy.jpg Belanger, Mark 5 - Copy.jpg
Belanger, Mark 9 - Copy.jpg Belanger, Mark 13 - Copy.jpg
Belanger, Mark 1.jpg
1963 Baltimore News-Post Scrapbook card & 1971 Baltimore Sun Poster
1963 Baltimore News-Post Scrapbook (Belanger, Mark) - Copy.jpg 1971 Baltimore Sun Newspaper Poster #8 (Mark Belanger) - Copy.jpg
1976 English Chicken Lid & Rawlings Sporting Goods Premium
1976 Englsh Lids (SmallMark Belanger) - Copy.JPG Belanger, Mark (Rawlings Sporting Goods) - Copy.jpg