Brooks Robinson and the Baltimore Orioles

[Mark70Z]

Day 183 (July 1, 2020 – 183)

Not too far into collecting Brooks I ran across a Brooks Robinson watch, no band just the wrist watch. I thought it was such a neat item I had to get a band for it so I could wear the thing. It’s been quite a number of years now, but a Tom Seaver collector had the same type of watch with Seaver pictured, but he had the original packaging for the watch which included a picture of Seaver included in the package. I’ve seen a few of these pictured now, in auctions, over the years to include Banks, Aaron, and Mays. I know I’ve seen an ad for them in a magazine as well.

A little detail about the watches. The Major League Super Star watches were manufactured by the American Time Co. in Detroit Michigan. The watches were licensed by the MLB Players Association and have a Copyright of 1968. They had a cheap black band originally and instead of using crystal to cover the face of the watch it’s made of plastic, but they do have Swiss made movement (they don’t keep accurate time at all; just an FYI). The photo cards in the original packaging are about 5” x 9” and the box just a tad larger than the photo; maybe 6” x 9”. If anyone has one, I’d love to see them pictured; such a nice item for a player or team collector. Here’s one other thing; I’ve seen them with a green face and a blue face. Were they made with both colors and/or is one faded? Hopefully you guys can get it solved.

I did find a checklist of the watches. Thought I’d include even though some of them I’ve never seen: Al Kaline, Brooks Robinson, Carl Yastrzemski, Ernie Banks, Ferguson Jenkins, Harmon Killebrew, Henry Aaron, Joe Torre, Tom Seaver and Willie Mays.

Over the years I picked up a couple of the Brooks watches and FINALLY last year picked up a watch with the original packaging. I’ll just show the watch and thin photo that came along for the ride…

1968 Major League SuperStar Watch

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A photo of Ernie Banks holding Brooks’ Super Star watch packaging and
Brooks holding Ernie's Super Star watch package.

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[BaltOrioles]

Originally Posted by Mark70Z

Day 183 (July 1, 2020 – 183)



Over the years I picked up a couple of the Brooks watches and FINALLY last year picked up a watch with the original packaging. I’ll just show the watch and thin photo that came along for the ride…

1968 Major League SuperStar Watch

Mark,

Those watches are so cool. I've never seen or heard of them before. Do you have any idea what they go for in auctions? I'll definitely have to "watch" for them in the future...

[BaltOrioles]

Recently, Bill asked me if I also collected the Wichita Eagle-Beacon bubblegum-less cards. The answer is yes, but until a week ago, I hadn't found any that I was willing to bite on. This came in the mail yesterday. I couldn't resist the $15 tag on this example.

From 1983-1985, the newspaper inserted these cards in their sports sections, in groups of three. Subjects included a variety of sports beyond baseball. This panel is from April 29, 1985.

1985 Wichita Eagle-Beacon Cal Ripken Jr

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Additional Orioles included Rick Dempsey, Jim Palmer and Cal Ripken Jr in 1983. I don't believe there were any Orioles in 1984 and Cal Ripken was the only Oriole in 1985.

[ripfan008]

Mark,

Those watches and premium are great! They've been on my want list for a long time.

Here's another Orioles-related time piece from 1968. This one is an Orioles clock manufactured by Westclox, copyrighted 1968, still in the original packaging.

According to the side of the packing, several American and National League teams had Westclox Alarm Team Mate clocks created. A tag on the top contains an offer (for $1.00) for a hat with your favorite team's logo on it.

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[ripfan008]

I showed my parents the part of the thread about Linda Warehime because they graduated Overlea High School with her in 1974. They said the amount of stuff the Orioles gave her to keep (particularly if a player left the team) was amazing. At one point she had a full Luis Aparicio uniform. I hope she held on to some of it!

[Mark70Z]

Originally Posted by ripfan008

Mark,

Those watches and premium are great! They've been on my want list for a long time.

Here's another Orioles-related time piece from 1968. This one is an Orioles clock manufactured by Westclox, copyrighted 1968, still in the original packaging.

According to the side of the packing, several American and National League teams had Westclox Alarm Team Mate clocks created. A tag on the top contains an offer (for $1.00) for a hat with your favorite team's logo on it.

Very nice clock! I'm glad you have it because if I did it would already be out of the box telling time...

[Mark70Z]

Originally Posted by BaltOrioles

Recently, Bill asked me if I also collected the Wichita Eagle-Beacon bubblegum-less cards. The answer is yes, but until a week ago, I hadn't found any that I was willing to bite on. This came in the mail yesterday. I couldn't resist the $15 tag on this example.

From 1983-1985, the newspaper inserted these cards in their sports sections, in groups of three. Subjects included a variety of sports beyond baseball. This panel is from April 29, 1985.

Additional Orioles included Rick Dempsey, Jim Palmer and Cal Ripken Jr in 1983. I don't believe there were any Orioles in 1984 and Cal Ripken was the only Oriole in 1985.

I really like the Orioles newspaper cutouts. I'd really like to one day work on the Orioles Scrapbook set; that would be fun to try to put together. I have quite a few, but know one of the years I don't have much if any.

[ksfarmboy]

Mark when I get a chance and run onto any Wichita Eagle cards I’ll send them your way if you want them. I know I have a bunch different but not sure if I have any Orioles.

[Mark70Z]

Originally Posted by ksfarmboy

Mark when I get a chance and run onto any Wichita Eagle cards I’ll send them your way if you want them. I know I have a bunch different but not sure if I have any Orioles.

Clint,

I was talking about the Orioles Scrapbook "cards" that were put in the Baltimore News-Press from in 1960 to 1963.

[Mark70Z]

Day 184 (July 2, 2020 – 184)

This is another item from the Brooks Robinson Sporting Goods Company. It’s a small fold out pamphlet from the 70’s that advertises Brooks’ 1974 autobiography, as told to Jack Tobin, called, “Third Base is my Home”. You could mail in the form and get the book for $5.95. It’s a great read by the way. There’s a couple quotes included in the pamphlet and the cover reads, “They say that when he retires he’s going to take third base with him…” – Jim Murray, Los Angeles Times

Brooks Robinson Goods Co., Inc. pamphlet

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[BaltOrioles]

Originally Posted by ksfarmboy

Mark when I get a chance and run onto any Wichita Eagle cards I’ll send them your way if you want them. I know I have a bunch different but not sure if I have any Orioles.

Clint,

If you come across any Orioles from 1983 (Rick Dempsey, Jim Palmer or Cal Ripken Jr) and Mark doesn't want them, I'm interested. I would prefer them in the original panels of three, but would consider singles.

[ksfarmboy]

Originally Posted by BaltOrioles

Clint,

If you come across any Orioles from 1983 (Rick Dempsey, Jim Palmer or Cal Ripken Jr) and Mark doesn't want them, I'm interested. I would prefer them in the original panels of three, but would consider singles.

Will do Alan. I have the whole paper, never cut them out.

[Mark70Z]

Originally Posted by BaltOrioles

Mark,

Those watches are so cool. I've never seen or heard of them before. Do you have any idea what they go for in auctions? I'll definitely have to "watch" for them in the future...

Alan,

From my experience the watch wasn't that expensive to purchase; it's just finding one was the issue. I'm sure I can help you locate one in the future, but it may not have the fancy plastic band...

[roarfrom34]

Originally Posted by Mark70Z

Alan,

From my experience the watch wasn't that expensive to purchase; it's just finding one was the issue. I'm sure I can help you locate one in the future, but it may not have the fancy plastic band...

I had to dig a little but I found my watch (purchased at The National Convention in Baltimore back whenever)....It still runs!

[Mark70Z]

Originally Posted by roarfrom34

I had to dig a little but I found my watch (purchased at The National Convention in Baltimore back whenever)....It still runs!

Bill,

NICE! They have to come in both green and blue faces.