Brooks Robinson and the Baltimore Orioles

[BaltOrioles]

Originally Posted by Mark70Z

Day 87 (March 27, 2020 – 087)

Brooks Robinson foreign magazines are few and far between. I’m sure there are more than I know about, but I also know there can’t be many. This is a weekly Venezuelan magazine called Sports Grafico and features Brooks on the front cover in his Baltimore away jersey. The title of the article is, “Mr. Robinson El Mejor Guante” or probably something like “Mr. Robinson the Best Glove”. The magazine is oversized and is about the size of an old school Boys Life.

1973 Sports Grafico

Attachment 390947

Mark,

Great looking magazine. I've seen a few more with other Orioles featured, including Frank Robinson and Luis Aparicio. While, I've been tempted, I've never picked any up.

On a side note, it's been speculated that the 1967 Venezuelan cards were actually printed by Sports Grafico and not Topps.

1967 Topps Venezuelan #1 - Copy.JPG

[roarfrom34]

Late in the '99 season the Orioles gave away a commemorative sheet (sponsored by Coca-Cola) with career milestones reached that season....Over the course of a few years, I was able to have it signed entirely by the six players featured:

[Mark70Z]

Originally Posted by roarfrom34

Late in the '99 season the Orioles gave away a commemorative sheet (sponsored by Coca-Cola) with career milestones reached that season....Over the course of a few years, I was able to have it signed entirely by the six players featured:

I like the design of the commemorative sheet and to have it ALL signed makes it even nicer.

[tpirate]

I am fairly new to this site, but I just wanted to join in and say how much I have enjoyed seeing the items from your collections. I especially appreciate the complimentary attitude that is shared among collectors here. Alan Strout is a friend of mine and referred me to this site. You will not find a finer person than Alan, I am thankful to call him my friend. He loves to talk about the Orioles, Postcards, Tadder Photos, Minor League Programs, etc.. But, he doesn't talk much about himself, which brings me to my first post.Scan.jpg

Alan won a contest through Topps. The contest was Be A Pro For A Day, so after he won, he spent a day as an Aberdeen Ironbird. Part of the prize package was to be included in the 2014 Topps Heritage set. It's a short print, you can find them on eBay. People send him fan mail asking for his autograph. I love it, he says he never has to buy a Sharpie. No Orioles collection is complete without an Alan Strout card.

[roarfrom34]

Originally Posted by tpirate

I am fairly new to this site, but I just wanted to join in and say how much I have enjoyed seeing the items from your collections. I especially appreciate the complimentary attitude that is shared among collectors here. Alan Strout is a friend of mine and referred me to this site. You will not find a finer person than Alan, I am thankful to call him my friend. He loves to talk about the Orioles, Postcards, Tadder Photos, Minor League Programs, etc.. But, he doesn't talk much about himself, which brings me to my first post.Attachment 391028

Alan won a contest through Topps. The contest was Be A Pro For A Day, so after he won, he spent a day as an Aberdeen Ironbird. Part of the prize package was to be included in the 2014 Topps Heritage set. It's a short print, you can find them on eBay. People send him fan mail asking for his autograph. I love it, he says he never has to buy a Sharpie. No Orioles collection is complete without an Alan Strout card.

Alan, you've been holding out on us!!! Bill, thanks for sharing this fantastic story on Alan & please post as often as you can!

Bill

[Mark70Z]

I have the not as popular non-signed version of the short print card .

2014 Topps Heritage - Alan Strout

Alan S.jpg

[Mark70Z]

Day 88 (March 28, 2020 – 088)

I was going to post these in two separate days, but they are so similar I may as well consolidate into one day…

When the Orioles won the American League Championship a plastic serving tray was produced by the Orioles sponsor, National Beer. The tray a 1966 Orioles team photo and states American League Champions 1966. The serving tray measures around 9”x14”.

1966 National Beer American League Champions serving tray

Day 88 a 1966 AL Champions Serving Tray.jpg

Shortly after the Baltimore Orioles won the 1966 World Series a plastic serving tray was produced. The tray was issued by one of their sponsors National Beer. The serving tray has a color team picture and states World Champions 1966; the hard-plastic tray measures about 9”x14”.
1966 National Beer World Champions Serving Tray

Day 88 b.jpg

I misplaced my WS plastic tray, so I had to grab a screen shot; I’m sorry I know…

[BaltOrioles]

Originally Posted by Mark70Z

I have the not as popular non-signed version of the short print card .

2014 Topps Heritage - Alan Strout

Attachment 391038

Mark,

This reminds me of a funny story I heard years ago. Do you know what the rarest Bob Feller item is? It's something he hasn't autographed. You have the rare unsigned card. If you ever want to reduce it's value, I'll autograph it for you sometime.

[BaltOrioles]

Originally Posted by tpirate

Alan won a contest through Topps. The contest was Be A Pro For A Day, so after he won, he spent a day as an Aberdeen Ironbird. Part of the prize package was to be included in the 2014 Topps Heritage set.

Bill,

Welcome and I know you will enjoy sharing your love of the O's with us.

Nice job on your first post, but I question the subject matter. Not what I was planning to share today. Anyway, the experience was the thrill of a lifetime. As a kid, I dreamed of being a pro player like most kids. When I saw that the Ironbirds were the sponsoring team that year, I submitted an entry. Never excepted to win.

The winning essay....

SCAN8085.jpg

I did everything the players did that day, from workouts, batting practice, pre game meal and sitting in the dugout. I have the lineup card from the game at home and will post it when I get back. Two of my teammates included Dylan Bundy and current Orioles player, Stevie Wilkerson. I wore #58, my choice (5 for Brooks, 8 for Cal and I was born in 1958).

A few photos from the day

Press conference with me signing my contract and manager Matt Merullo welcoming me to the team.

Debut 3.jpg

I hadn't picked up a bat in awhile, but did get a few out of the infield

Debut 4.jpg

Signing for fans before the game

Debut 9.jpg

Delivering the line ups

Debut 14.jpg

My inspiration

Debut 2.jpg

[roarfrom34]

Alan....

What a memorable day that anyone here would have loved to have done! Congratulations on winning the contest!!

I thought it was funny seeing you talk about how your wife had to drive around in a Ripken themed license plate....My wife could relate as she had this on her car(s) for 15 years (before it was retired in 2000):



Also, I loved when Matt Merullo was the Ironbirds manager (hell of a nice guy)...Did you know his grandfather played for the Cubs in the 1940's (and played in the 1945 WS)?

Anyways, here is a neat press photo of Matt meeting Cal Ripken Jr.:



Again congratulations......

[BaltOrioles]

Originally Posted by roarfrom34

I thought it was funny seeing you talk about how your wife had to drive around in a Ripken themed license plate....My wife could relate as she had this on her car(s) for 15 years (before it was retired in 2000):



Also, I loved when Matt Merullo was the Ironbirds manager (hell of a nice guy)...Did you know his grandfather played for the Cubs in the 1940's (and played in the 1945 WS)?

Bill,

I love the license plate. Cal signed mine for me. Sounds like our wives would get along fine.

Matt Merullo was great that day. He made me feel a part of everything. After, the game he brought me into his office. We talked a lot of baseball, including his grandfather's career. At the end, he asked if I enjoyed myself. I said it was the thrill of a lifetime. His quote was "Great. I'm afraid we're going to have to let you go". I got a nice laugh out of that.

2014 Aberdeen Ironbirds #14.jpg

[Mark70Z]

Originally Posted by BaltOrioles

Bill,

Welcome and I know you will enjoy sharing your love of the O's with us.

Nice job on your first post, but I question the subject matter. Not what I was planning to share today. Anyway, the experience was the thrill of a lifetime. As a kid, I dreamed of being a pro player like most kids. When I saw that the Ironbirds were the sponsoring team that year, I submitted an entry. Never excepted to win.

I was hoping your experience would come up sooner or later this year! It's about time it did...

[Mark70Z]

Day 89 (March 29, 2020 – 089)

I think Brooks was only pictured on the cover of four Sports Illustrated magazines over the years starting with an August 31, 1964 cover. The 1964 SI cover pictures Brooks coming home with White Sox catcher Gerry McNertney blocking the plate with Orioles Earl Robinson viewing the play. To me just a great action photograph by Herb Scharfman. The Orioles/White Sox/Yankees were all in a tight pennant race in 1964 and looking back who really cares who came out on top…

Sports Illustrated August 31, 1964

Day 89 a SI.jpg

The second cover pictures Brooks and Frank published just one day after the Orioles sweep the Dodgers in the 1966 World Series. The great photo was taken by photographer John Zimmerman.

Sports Illustrated October 10, 1966

Day 89 b SI.jpg

Third cover comes during the 1969 World Series with the Mets. Cover shows Brooks at 3rd with Rod Gaspar at bat swinging away and Elrod Hendricks catching. The cover reads, “Oriole Brooks Robinson Challenges the Mets”.

Sports Illustrated October 20, 1969

Day 89 c SI.jpg

The last cover shows Brooks along with some other Orioles and Reds players during the 1970 World Series. The article inside was entitled, “Flying Start of the Big Bad Birds”. Of course by the time the magazine came out the Orioles had already won the 1970 Series.

I liked Earl’s answer to a question a reporter asked “What’s the difference between your team this year and last?” Earl’s response, “Nothing”.

Sports Illustrated October 19, 1970

Day 89 d SI.jpg

[Mark70Z]

Originally Posted by BaltOrioles

Mark,

On a side note, it's been speculated that the 1967 Venezuelan cards were actually printed by Sports Grafico and not Topps.

Whether the 1967 Venz were produced by Topps or by Sports Grafico it’s my favorite example.

Very nice rare team issue postcards today!