Brooks Robinson and the Baltimore Orioles

[BaltOrioles]

Ashland Oil ran a contest at their gas stations in 1967 called Grand Slam Baseball. You received a game piece when you visited the station and prizes included cash, World Series tickets and a bicycle for kids.

There were 12 different players in the set and the only Oriole was Frank Robinson. There aren't a ton of big names in the set, but it did include Al Kaline, Harmon Killebrew and Joe Torre. Jim Maloney is the toughest, since he was short printed. Others included in the set were Jim Bunning, Elston Howard, Ed Kranepool, Bill Mazeroski, Ron Santo, Leon Wagner and Pete Ward.


SCAN8135.JPG


SCAN8134.JPG

[roarfrom34]

[QUOTE=BaltOrioles;1969235]Ashland Oil ran a contest at their gas stations in 1967 called Grand Slam Baseball. You received a game piece when you visited the station and prizes included cash, World Series tickets and a bicycle for kids.

There were 12 different players in the set and the only Oriole was Frank Robinson. There aren't a ton of big names in the set, but it did include Al Kaline, Harmon Killebrew and Joe Torre. Jim Maloney is the toughest, since he was short printed. Others included in the set were Jim Bunning, Elston Howard, Ed Kranepool, Bill Mazeroski, Ron Santo, Leon Wagner and Pete Ward.

Love that Alan...

Was curious if Ashland was a national or regional gas station at the time?

[BaltOrioles]

Originally Posted by roarfrom34

Love that Alan...

Was curious if Ashland was a national or regional gas station at the time?

Bill,

I believe Ashland was a more regional gas station in the central US, like Kentucky and Ohio, but not really sure. I don't ever remember them being in Maine while I was growing up.

I don't see Boston or any west coast teams represented in the set either, which would make sense if Ashland was regional instead of national.

[Mark70Z]

Originally Posted by BaltOrioles

Ashland Oil ran a contest at their gas stations in 1967 called Grand Slam Baseball. You received a game piece when you visited the station and prizes included cash, World Series tickets and a bicycle for kids.

There were 12 different players in the set and the only Oriole was Frank Robinson. There aren't a ton of big names in the set, but it did include Al Kaline, Harmon Killebrew and Joe Torre. Jim Maloney is the toughest, since he was short printed. Others included in the set were Jim Bunning, Elston Howard, Ed Kranepool, Bill Mazeroski, Ron Santo, Leon Wagner and Pete Ward.

I’m a fan of the Frank Ashland piece!

[stevelucille]

Originally Posted by BaltOrioles

Ashland Oil ran a contest at their gas stations in 1967 called Grand Slam Baseball. You received a game piece when you visited the station and prizes included cash, World Series tickets and a bicycle for kids.

There were 12 different players in the set and the only Oriole was Frank Robinson. There aren't a ton of big names in the set, but it did include Al Kaline, Harmon Killebrew and Joe Torre. Jim Maloney is the toughest, since he was short printed. Others included in the set were Jim Bunning, Elston Howard, Ed Kranepool, Bill Mazeroski, Ron Santo, Leon Wagner and Pete Ward.


Attachment 393344


Attachment 393345

Seeing the Ashland Oil reminds me of another 1968 issue. Atlantic Oil. The Orioles were well represented. Frank and Brooks, Boog and Andy Etchebarren. The Andy card was a $5 instant winner. I've never seen one. The others are fairly easy to find.

[BaltOrioles]

Originally Posted by stevelucille

Seeing the Ashland Oil reminds me of another 1968 issue. Atlantic Oil. The Orioles were well represented. Frank and Brooks, Boog and Andy Etchebarren. The Andy card was a $5 instant winner. I've never seen one. The others are fairly easy to find.

Steve,

It's been awhile since I worked on the Atlantic Oil set. I don't ever expect to find the Etchebarren card. I've never seen it either.

While I agree examples of the others are easy to find, if you take into account condition and all the variations, putting together an Orioles set gets a little tougher.

All the cards come with the printed name on front in either black or gray. The backs come with either a Playball picture or contest rules.

This leaves Brooks Robinson and Frank Robinson with 4 different front/back combos.

1968 Atlantic #1.jpg SCAN8137.JPG


The Boog Powell has two different croppings of the photo on front. I haven't confirmed that Boog comes in all the variations, but potentially could have eight different front/back combos. Condition is always an issue. As you can see for those of us that like variations, the challenge is still there.

1968 Atlantic #2.jpg

[Mark70Z]

Day 102 (April 11, 2020 – 102)

We’re going to go back to back with newspaper inserts; this time from The Sun. The Sun newspaper in Baltimore MD put out a Sunday Magazine insert within their papers. This example is from April 11, 1965 and pictures a close up of Brooks on the cover of the newspaper type magazine. The article in the magazine is entitled, “Brooks Robinson at Home: The Oriole Star is ‘A Pretty Good Joe’”.

The Sun April 11, 1965 Sunday Magazine

Day 102 a.jpg

[Mark70Z]

Posted for Clint (ksfarmboy)

Man, Clint has some nice jerseys. Will they ever run out...

Pictured today is a 1979 Sammy Stewart game used jersey.

Sammy.jpg
Sammy 1.jpg

[BaltOrioles]

For years it has been customary for players to look for ways to improve their skills during the off-season. Many MLB players have played winter ball in places like Venezuela and the Carribean.

Today, top prospects are invited to participate in the Arizona Fall League.
From the late 1950's through the late 70's, several MLB teams fielded teams in the Florida Winter Instructional League. The league was designed to give young prospects chances to receive additional instruction under the watchful eye of each team. I can find references to the Orioles fielding teams in 1959, 1962-1968, 1970-1973 and 1976-1977. It looks like most of the games were played at Al Lang Field in St.Petersburg.

I have a few programs from 1964, 1967 & 1969


1964 Program with Manager George Bamberger

Players included Jim Palmer, Mark Belanger and Lou Piniella for the O's

1964 Florida Winter League.jpg SCAN8138.jpg



1967 Programs with Manager Vern Hoscheit

Players included Terry Crowley, Al Severinsen, Bill Dillman and Roger Freed

1967 Florida Winter League #1.JPG SCAN8139.jpg


1967 Florida Winter League #2.JPG SCAN8140.jpg



1969 Program with Manager Cal Ripken Sr

Players included "Marcus" Wayne Garland, Johnny Oates and Jesse Jefferson

1969 Florida Winter League.jpg SCAN8141.jpg

[stevelucille]

Originally Posted by BaltOrioles

For years it has been customary for players to look for ways to improve their skills during the off-season. Many MLB players have played winter ball in places like Venezuela and the Carribean.

Today, top prospects are invited to participate in the Arizona Fall League.
From the late 1950's through the late 70's, several MLB teams fielded teams in the Florida Winter Instructional League. The league was designed to give young prospects chances to receive additional instruction under the watchful eye of each team. I can find references to the Orioles fielding teams in 1959, 1962-1968, 1970-1973 and 1976-1977. It looks like most of the games were played at Al Lang Field in St.Petersburg.

I have a few programs from 1964, 1967 & 1969


1964 Program with Manager George Bamberger

Players included Jim Palmer, Mark Belanger and Lou Piniella for the O's

Attachment 393744 Attachment 393748



1967 Programs with Manager Vern Hoscheit

Players included Terry Crowley, Al Severinsen, Bill Dillman and Roger Freed

Attachment 393745 Attachment 393750


Attachment 393746 Attachment 393751



1969 Program with Manager Cal Ripken Sr

Players included "Marcus" Wayne Garland, Johnny Oates and Jesse Jefferson

Attachment 393747 Attachment 393752

Also on the 1969 O's team - Ron Shelton - future director of Bull Durham etc.

[Mark70Z]

Originally Posted by BaltOrioles

This leaves Brooks Robinson and Frank Robinson with 4 different front/back combos.

Alan,

I thought the black was just light on these cards. Is it actually grey?

[BaltOrioles]

Originally Posted by Mark70Z

Alan,

I thought the black was just light on these cards. Is it actually grey?

Mark,

I believe it's considered a variation by most collectors. The color of the name is definitely lighter, whether it's gray or light black. The rest of the black print on the cards is normal, so I don't think they are print defects. Plus, there are plenty of both types. I haven't found either the black or gray tougher than the other.

1968 Atlantic #2.jpg

[Mark70Z]

Originally Posted by BaltOrioles

Mark,

I believe it's considered a variation by most collectors. The color of the name is definitely lighter, whether it's gray or light black. The rest of the black print on the cards is normal, so I don't think they are print defects. Plus, there are plenty of both types. I haven't found either the black or gray tougher than the other.

Thanks for the information. I know I only have one of each for Brooks so I'm glad I know there's more items to search. Mine aren't in the greatest shape, but I'm fine with a bit of border issues.

[Mark70Z]

Happy Easter Sunday!

Day 103 (April 12, 2020 – 103)

It’s not a very good scan and I really didn’t want to take it out of the holder (sorry about that), but at least you can somewhat see the Brooksie item. This is a 1965 Bazooka transparency used to make the Brooks Robinson #30 portrait. I don’t have the Bazooka box or the panel (which includes Ron Santo #28, Elston Howard #29 along with Brooks Robinson #30), nor do I even have the individual cutout (I’m a slacker; I know). I’ve seen them available a few times over the years, but just wasn’t on the top of my priority list (or likely didn’t have any money) at the time.

1965 Bazooka Brooks Robinson #30

Day 103 a 1965 Bazooka.jpg

I pictured in B&W as well to maybe view a tad better.

Day 103 z.jpg