Brooks Robinson and the Baltimore Orioles

[BaltOrioles]

Today, I'm highlighting the 1965 Elmira Pioneers. The Pioneers were the AA affiliate of the Orioles from 1962-1968. The 1965 team was led by Earl Weaver and finished 83-55. Some notable future Major Leaguers included Mark Belanger, Dave Leonhard, Larry Haney, Bill Dillman and Lou Pinella.

1965 Elmira Pioneers 1.jpg

1965 Elmira Pioneers.jpg

[roarfrom34]

1986 Un-Used Meadow Gold Chocolate Milk Carton of Cal Ripken Jr.:

[BaltOrioles]

Originally Posted by roarfrom34

1986 Un-Used Meadow Gold Chocolate Milk Carton of Cal Ripken Jr.:

Bill,

That is one tough item to find. I've been looking for one forever. I guess chocolate milk wasn't as popular as I remember as a kid.

Great item...

[Mark70Z]

Originally Posted by roarfrom34

1986 Un-Used Meadow Gold Chocolate Milk Carton of Cal Ripken Jr.:

Bill,

How and when did you acquire the Ripken carton? Very neat item.

[roarfrom34]

Originally Posted by Mark70Z

Bill,

How and when did you acquire the Ripken carton? Very neat item.

Mark:

Back in '86 I found this pint sized carton at an area convenience store (I recall it being the only Ripken they had) and when I got home, I carefully put a small hole in the bottom to empty the milk to keep the carton intact.

Shortly thereafter, I wrote a letter to Beatrice Meadow Gold asking for a flat, unused carton and they (thankfully) accommodated me.

[BaltOrioles]

Some random thoughts on why I’m enjoying this thread so much, beyond the fact it’s Orioles related.

While some items being posted could be classified as high end big ticket items, many are ordinary items that have meaning to the contributor. I’ve been amazed at all the interesting stories behind some items. Many, if not most, of my posts are items that my kids aren’t going to retire on, but that’s ok with me. I don’t get many opportunities to share my collection, with those who would appreciate it. I’m sure that’s the case with most of us.

Close to 40 yrs ago now, I got rid of most of my 1950’s – 1960’s Topps sets and yes even a 1952 Mickey Mantle, to concentrate on what had meaning to me, the Orioles. I’ve never collected with a dollar sign attached to items. If I liked it, I added it to the mix. Do I wish I still had that Mantle, I sold for $800 (a good price at the time)? Not for my collection, because it didn’t mean anything to me then and still doesn’t. I wouldn’t change a thing. I have Orioles collecting buddies that I’ve been trading and dealing with for years and years and can’t remember the last time money exchanged hands between us. Remember it’s just a hobby.

As I ponder what to post each day, I hope you are enjoying my items as much as I am yours. Mark, thanks so much for letting me connect with others that I probably wouldn’t have otherwise. I’ve even acquired some new items because of the thread, that I greatly appreciate. As we continue throughout the year, don’t be afraid to share an item, because you feel it’s not interesting enough.

[BaltOrioles]

For today's offering, a couple random newsletters from 1969. I don't have a ton of these in my collection, but will pick them up cheap at shows when I come across them.

It would be interesting to see how the fans would vote now on the All-time Orioles teams. I'm betting Brooks would still lead the way.

1969 Junior Orioles Bird Call Newsletter (August).jpg

Frank Robinson was certainly the missing piece to that first World Series team..

1969 Orioles News Newsletter (Aug-Sept).jpg

[Mark70Z]

Originally Posted by BaltOrioles

Some random thoughts on why I’m enjoying this thread so much, beyond the fact it’s Orioles related.

While some items being posted could be classified as high end big ticket items, many are ordinary items that have meaning to the contributor. I’ve been amazed at all the interesting stories behind some items. Many, if not most, of my posts are items that my kids aren’t going to retire on, but that’s ok with me. I don’t get many opportunities to share my collection, with those who would appreciate it. I’m sure that’s the case with most of us.

Close to 40 yrs ago now, I got rid of most of my 1950’s – 1960’s Topps sets and yes even a 1952 Mickey Mantle, to concentrate on what had meaning to me, the Orioles. I’ve never collected with a dollar sign attached to items. If I liked it, I added it to the mix. Do I wish I still had that Mantle, I sold for $800 (a good price at the time)? Not for my collection, because it didn’t mean anything to me then and still doesn’t. I wouldn’t change a thing. I have Orioles collecting buddies that I’ve been trading and dealing with for years and years and can’t remember the last time money exchanged hands between us. Remember it’s just a hobby.

As I ponder what to post each day, I hope you are enjoying my items as much as I am yours. Mark, thanks so much for letting me connect with others that I probably wouldn’t have otherwise. I’ve even acquired some new items because of the thread, that I greatly appreciate. As we continue throughout the year, don’t be afraid to share an item, because you feel it’s not interesting enough.

Alan,

Thanks for your perspective on collecting. Mine is much the same as yours since I collect what I enjoy, not really what is valuable even though some pieces may be worth decent money to others. Take the piece I posted today; I don't think it's valuable, but I personally love the Rawlings Trade Digest.

While I enjoy seeing other individuals collection of cards, like Mantle, Clemente, Koufax, etc. I just doing get the same enjoyment of collecting them myself. I know I followed the Clemente thread all last year and was a great time seeing all of the items posted.

So thankful others are contributing to the thread and personally I love seeing all the great Oriole items posted. I'm glad that we can connect as collectors and help one another out.

[roarfrom34]

I'll stick with the Cal Ripken Jr. milk carton theme & post these half pint cartons from Rutters Convenience Store (1989).....They also offered a half gallon carton as well..They too generously assisted me with flat/un-used examples.

[Mark70Z]

Originally Posted by roarfrom34

Mark:

Back in '86 I found this pint sized carton at an area convenience store (I recall it being the only Ripken they had) and when I got home, I carefully put a small hole in the bottom to empty the milk to keep the carton intact.

Shortly thereafter, I wrote a letter to Beatrice Meadow Gold asking for a flat, unused carton and they (thankfully) accommodated me.

Bill,

Great back story to the Ripken carton; so interesting. I'm surprised they answered your request, but I'm glad they did.

[Mark70Z]

Originally Posted by BaltOrioles

Today, I'm highlighting the 1965 Elmira Pioneers. The Pioneers were the AA affiliate of the Orioles from 1962-1968. The 1965 team was led by Earl Weaver and finished 83-55. Some notable future Major Leaguers included Mark Belanger, Dave Leonhard, Larry Haney, Bill Dillman and Lou Pinella.

Alan,

Enjoying the minor league items that you are posting. Some I have never even heard of before. It is nice that some of these guys made the bigs and some of those made a tremendous contribution to the Baltimore Orioles.