Brooks Robinson and the Baltimore Orioles

[roarfrom34]

Brooks Robinson autographed photos are common (which is a good thing) but here is an unique one that Brooks signed to Harry Figgie. To those who don't know who Harry was, he was the owner of the Rawlings Sporting Goods Company & this is a photo from Brooks after the '70 World Series and I believe in which Figgie gifted Brooks 977 shares of ATO/Rawlings stock (which represented his lifetime Fielding %)..Interestingly, it was Figgie who commissioned Norman Rockwell to do that famous painting of Brooks (that's why you see the Rawlings logo prominently on his glove/cleats):

[Mark70Z]

Originally Posted by roarfrom34

Brooks Robinson autographed photos are common (which is a good thing) but here is an unique one that Brooks signed to Harry Figgie. To those who don't know who Harry was, he was the owner of the Rawlings Sporting Goods Company & this is a photo from Brooks after the '70 World Series and I believe in which Figgie gifted Brooks 977 shares of ATO/Rawlings stock (which represented his lifetime Fielding %)..Interestingly, it was Figgie who commissioned Norman Rockwell to do that famous painting of Brooks (that's why you see the Rawlings logo prominently on his glove/cleats):

Bill,

Very nice picture and even nicer autograph.

[Mark70Z]

Day 108 (April 17, 2020 – 108)

Early Orioles team issue postcard, 1957-59, of a young Brooks. I usually call this example a 1959 (why; it looks like a later photo than the other 1957-59 postcard), but I’m sure it was issued by the team for a couple of years. Also, the Post Office stamp on the signed, mailed version, has a 1959 date so…we’ll go with 1959.

Day 108 a Picture 1959 Orioles Team Issue unsigned.jpg
Day 108 b Picture 1959.jpg

[Mark70Z]

Posted for Clint (ksfarmboy)

Today Clint has for us a fan favorite...a Rick Dempsey jersey. This example is a 1979 Orioles game used road jersey with noticeable use. Dempsey has always been a favorite blue collar type of catcher and brings added enjoyment to the fans whether he's singing "Old Time Rock and Roll" or playing Babe Ruth in a rain delay he was ever entertaining.

Rick.jpg
Rick 1.jpg

[roarfrom34]

Here is what I suppose is a 1970 Rochester Red Wings team photo only because this is an actual photograph (has no names, sponsor info, etc.). The team won 64 games and notables on this team include Don Baylor, Bobby Grich, Tom Shopay, Jimmie Schaffer, Cal Ripken Sr. (mgr), Fred Beene, Frank Bertania, Enzo Hernandez, Ron Shelton, Mickey Scott & Al Severinson.

[BaltOrioles]

Originally Posted by roarfrom34

Here is what I suppose is a 1970 Rochester Red Wings team photo only because this is an actual photograph (has no names, sponsor info, etc.). The team won 64 games and notables on this team include Don Baylor, Bobby Grich, Tom Shopay, Jimmie Schaffer, Cal Ripken Sr. (mgr), Fred Beene, Frank Bertania, Enzo Hernandez, Ron Shelton, Mickey Scott & Al Severinson.

Bill,

You are correct. Nice job with identifying players. Here's the sponsored 1970 team picture.

1970 Rochester Red Wings.jpg

1970 Program

1970 Rochester Red Wings 1.jpg

A couple others in the team photo include Roger Freed and Ed Maras

Freed, Roger 1.jpg

Maras, Ed 1.jpg

[BaltOrioles]

Originally Posted by Mark70Z

Day 108 (April 17, 2020 – 108)

Early Orioles team issue postcard, 1957-59, of a young Brooks. I usually call this example a 1959 (why; it looks like a later photo than the other 1957-59 postcard), but I’m sure it was issued by the team for a couple of years. Also, the Post Office stamp on the signed, mailed version, has a 1959 date so…we’ll go with 1959.

Attachment 394842

Mark,

I will agree with you that your postcard is probably after 1957 and most likely 1958 or 59. The similar style, lack of any uncut sheets or proof otherwise, leads most postcard collectors to lump the issues from 1957-1959 together. Postmarks on the back can sometimes confirm a year or two.

Here is what I believe to be the first team issued postcard of Brooks. It is postmarked in Aug 1957. It looks like Brooks was too nice to correct the printer on his middle name from the first to the second postcard.

195759 Postcard.JPG

[ripfan008]

Although I am too young to have seen Rick Dempsey play for the Orioles (I do remember seeing him play for the Dodgers at the end of his career), I always enjoyed the great stories people had about him and watching the videos of him sliding on the tarp during rain delays.

However, the one opportunity I had to meet Dempsey was during Orioles FanFest in 2003. When it was my turn to meet him, he turned to the table assistant and started screaming that he didn't have a cup of water on the table. He looked at her the entire time he was signing my ball. I could have been in a gorilla costume jumping up and down and he never would have noticed. It was such a disappointment.

But I did get to meet Paul Blair during the same FanFest. He may still be the nicest player I ever had the opportunity to meet.

I had every player sign the same ball during that day, so Rick Dempsey's and Paul Blair's signature are forever linked in my mind. (I display the Paul Blair side of the ball).

[roarfrom34]

Great Dempsey items Clint & Mike (i'm sorry your experience with him wasn't the best; I can assure you that it isn't typical)!

A few years back I won a small lot of 1986 Orioles worn mesh pre game tops (which included a Dempsey) in an auction. Coincidentally, I found a BP photo of Rick that I took myself that season. I subsequently had Rick sign his top after a game at his Camden Yards restaurant a couple years ago:

[roarfrom34]

The only other BP top from that auction lot that I've had signed (with help from his son) was Mike Boddicker's. Anyone who has met Mike knows he's always a class act!

[Mark70Z]

Originally Posted by ripfan008

Although I am too young to have seen Rick Dempsey play for the Orioles (I do remember seeing him play for the Dodgers at the end of his career), I always enjoyed the great stories people had about him and watching the videos of him sliding on the tarp during rain delays.

However, the one opportunity I had to meet Dempsey was during Orioles FanFest in 2003. When it was my turn to meet him, he turned to the table assistant and started screaming that he didn't have a cup of water on the table. He looked at her the entire time he was signing my ball. I could have been in a gorilla costume jumping up and down and he never would have noticed. It was such a disappointment.

But I did get to meet Paul Blair during the same FanFest. He may still be the nicest player I ever had the opportunity to meet.

I had every player sign the same ball during that day, so Rick Dempsey's and Paul Blair's signature are forever linked in my mind. (I display the Paul Blair side of the ball).

Mike,

I was worried about meeting Brooks the first time in the 80’s even though I heard about him being so nice. He was my hero growing up and if something like that happened I guarantee I wouldn’t be collecting him today. Thankfully that wasn’t the case, but it is disappointing to hear your experience with Dempsey.

[ksfarmboy]

Bill what years were those orange batting practice tops used?

[Mark70Z]

Originally Posted by BaltOrioles

Mark,

I will agree with you that your postcard is probably after 1957 and most likely 1958 or 59. The similar style, lack of any uncut sheets or proof otherwise, leads most postcard collectors to lump the issues from 1957-1959 together. Postmarks on the back can sometimes confirm a year or two.

Here is what I believe to be the first team issued postcard of Brooks. It is postmarked in Aug 1957. It looks like Brooks was too nice to correct the printer on his middle name from the first to the second postcard.

Alan,

Appreciate the detail. Do you happen to have a scan of the back of the postcard you pictured? Man, that’s one nice autograph on that postcard...

[BaltOrioles]

Originally Posted by Mark70Z

Alan,

Appreciate the detail. Do you happen to have a scan of the back of the postcard you pictured? Man, that’s one nice autograph on that postcard...

Mark,

Here's the back of the 1957 Brooks postcard. Hard to see the postmark date through the address, but it's Aug 14, 1957.

SCAN8229.JPG

[Mark70Z]

Originally Posted by BaltOrioles

Mark,

Here's the back of the 1957 Brooks postcard. Hard to see the postmark date through the address, but it's Aug 14, 1957.

Thanks! That back is “almost“ as nice as the front and all in Brooks hand. Wonder when Brooks started signing these ‘57 postcards; would be neat to know.