Brooks Robinson and the Baltimore Orioles

[BaltOrioles]

Originally Posted by uyu906

Very cool letter from Brooks about York, PA (close to where I live and grew-up). I was just at the Queensgate shopping center today for lunch!

Originally Posted by Mark70Z

Thanks!

Maybe you can help in the research of the Queensgate disc that Alan (BaltOrioles) posted on Post #210. Really would like to find out what that disc is. I believe it's associated with the opening of the store in the Queensgate shopping center, but unsure what is was used for.

With all the discussion lately about the Brooks Robinson Sporting Goods store and the Queensgate shopping center, it seems like a good time to update everyone on my research. The letter Mark posted was great. It means that if the disc is related to a store in the Queensgate shopping center, the time frame would be 1974-1977. Can anyone verify that a store actually opened at the mall? I contacted Bruce Genther, who was the art director for the store for many years. He mentioned the store closed in 1977. Unfortunately, he doesn't remember producing or helping produce anything like the disc. However, the design on the front of the shirt, Mark posted on 7/12, looks very much like the disc design. Bruce did say that Brooks did many appearances in York, so it's possible the disc is not related to the store, but another promotion. I've also reached out to a lady that does a blog on York County history to get her input, but no response yet.

I wish I had more info to share, but really appreciate Mark's letter.

Someday, I would love to have Brooks take a look at it to see if he remembers what it was used for. Anyone with Brooks connections, send him a note.

Here's a picture of the disc again. It's hard plastic and about the size of a KFC chicken bucket lid.


Queensgate.jpg

[uyu906]

Hi Guys,

I was born in York County, PA in 1968. My parents shopped at Queensgate Shopping Center all my life. I continue to do business there. I have been an Orioles fan all my life. I went to my first Orioles game at Memorial Stadium in 1975. To my knowledge, the Brooks Robinson Store never opened a store in Queensgate shopping center. If they did, it would have had to have been before my memories start - as Brooks was my favorite player from the start and I would certainly have taken notice if he opened a store in a Shopping plaza my family frequented regularly. So if it ever did open I would say it had to have happened before 1974, probably in the 1960s or very early 1970s and be closed by 1974-75. I started playing little league baseball in 1975, and I know there was no Brooks Sporing Goods Store in Queensgate when I got equipment for that year - or we would have went there to buy our stuff.

Queensgate, however, did bring in Orioles players to sign autographs in the mid-1970s. First ever major league autos I ever got were of Mark Belanger and Bobby Grich at Queensgate. That year was either 1975 or 1976. I still have that faded ball in my collection.

I do not know what the disk came from - but possibly one of these signings at Queensgate?

I would love to hear from anyone who can add anything to these memories.

Rich

Originally Posted by BaltOrioles

With all the discussion lately about the Brooks Robinson Sporting Goods store and the Queensgate shopping center, it seems like a good time to update everyone on my research. The letter Mark posted was great. It means that if the disc is related to a store in the Queensgate shopping center, the time frame would be 1974-1977. Can anyone verify that a store actually opened at the mall? I contacted Bruce Genther, who was the art director for the store for many years. He mentioned the store closed in 1977. Unfortunately, he doesn't remember producing or helping produce anything like the disc. However, the design on the front of the shirt, Mark posted on 7/12, looks very much like the disc design. Bruce did say that Brooks did many appearances in York, so it's possible the disc is not related to the store, but another promotion. I've also reached out to a lady that does a blog on York County history to get her input, but no response yet.

I wish I had more info to share, but really appreciate Mark's letter.

Someday, I would love to have Brooks take a look at it to see if he remembers what it was used for. Anyone with Brooks connections, send him a note.

Here's a picture of the disc again. It's hard plastic and about the size of a KFC chicken bucket lid.


Attachment 409503

[Mark70Z]

Day 199 (July 17, 2020 – 199)

The All-Star cards have made an absence for five long years and are re-introduced in the 1968 Topps set. Brooks and Frank were the Orioles in the ’68 AS set; the Brooks card as follows:

1968 Topps All-Star #365

Day 199 a 1968 Topps AS #365.jpg

The backs of the All-Star cards formed two player photos: Orlando Cepeda on the National League cards and Carl Yastrzemski on the American League.

Day 199 b 1968 Topps AS #365 back.jpg

There were also the All-Star cards included for the Venezuela issue in 1968.

1968 Venezuelan All-Star #365

Day 199 c 1968 Topps Venezuelan AS #365.jpg
Day 199 d 1968 Topps Venezuelan AS #365 back.jpg

I only have one progressive proof for the 1968 Topps AS #365 pictured below.

Day 199 e 1968 Topps AS Progressive Proof.jpg

AND here’s the 1968 transparency used for the photo on the Topps All Star card.

Day 199 f 1968 Topps AS transparency.jpg

[roarfrom34]

Mark...cool transparency & progressive proof!

Here are the two versions of the Ripken Thom McAn discs I mentioned in that 1993 article. The blue disc I obtained early on and for awhile thought that was the only version.

Interesting story was at some point I was introduced to a collector who informed me about the Ripken yellow version and was trying to obtain the entire set himself (with all color variations) who traveled often on business. What he did was simply buy one pair of Thom McAn shoes and in his travels and he would exchange that pair of shoes at one of their stores (wherever his travels took him) for another and get two new discs.

He promised me that if he ever gave up trying to complete the set that he'd sell the yellow Cal Jr. to me. Fortunately (for me anyways), he gave up on trying to complete it:



As I mentioned in the article as well these discs can be differentiated from the Subway discs in that these have the Thom McAn/Jox logo on the back.

[BaltOrioles]

Originally Posted by uyu906

Hi Guys,

I was born in York County, PA in 1968. My parents shopped at Queensgate Shopping Center all my life. I continue to do business there. I have been an Orioles fan all my life. I went to my first Orioles game at Memorial Stadium in 1975. To my knowledge, the Brooks Robinson Store never opened a store in Queensgate shopping center. If they did, it would have had to have been before my memories start - as Brooks was my favorite player from the start and I would certainly have taken notice if he opened a store in a Shopping plaza my family frequented regularly. So if it ever did open I would say it had to have happened before 1974, probably in the 1960s or very early 1970s and be closed by 1974-75. I started playing little league baseball in 1975, and I know there was no Brooks Sporing Goods Store in Queensgate when I got equipment for that year - or we would have went there to buy our stuff.

Queensgate, however, did bring in Orioles players to sign autographs in the mid-1970s. First ever major league autos I ever got were of Mark Belanger and Bobby Grich at Queensgate. That year was either 1975 or 1976. I still have that faded ball in my collection.

I do not know what the disk came from - but possibly one of these signings at Queensgate?

I would love to hear from anyone who can add anything to these memories.

Rich

Rich,

Thanks so much for your post. I think it adds a few pieces to the puzzle. From Mark's letter (Post #1901), it's obvious that during 1974, plans were being developed to open a store in the Queensgate Shopping Center. Rich seems to confirm that the store never materialized, which is why I haven't been able to find any information about it. I can only assume that financial and/or other delays contributed to the store never opening. Bruce Genther, who worked the store, confirmed that Brooks Robinson Sporting Goods closed in 1977. Perhaps, the disc was going to be used as part of a store opening promotion, that never happened.

It doesn't answer all my questions concerning the disc, but gives me hope that the mystery will be solved someday.

[BaltOrioles]

Yesterday, I noticed a 1976 Charlotte Orioles program listed on eBay. It reminded me that I haven't posted much minor league stuff lately.

1976 was an interesting year for Charlotte programs. They printed three different covers, but also included the opponents name on the front. It was very unusual, at that time, for a team to get that detailed with it's programs.

I have five different covers and still need the Montgomery and Columbus versions.

FYI, Eddie Murray played for Charlotte that year.

1976 Charlotte Orioles Programs

1976 Charlotte Orioles #1.jpg

1976 Charlotte Orioles #2.jpg

1976 Charlotte Orioles #3.jpg

1976 Charlotte Orioles #4.jpg

1976 Charlotte Orioles #5.jpg


Bonus:

Program from an exhibition game played in Charlotte that year - Atlanta Braves vs the Southern League All-Stars

1976 Charlotte Orioles (Exhibition).jpg

[Mark70Z]

Day 200 (July 18, 2020 – 200)

The Carolina’s Greatest Sportscard Show was held for three days in Charlotte, NC: July 19th, 20th and the 21st. A print ad was produced for the 1996 show which had a reunion of some of the 1966 Orioles Champion team which are pictured within the ad.

Day 200 Ad 1996 Sportscard Show July 19, 20, 21.jpg

A picture of two of the show’s guests; the 1966 photo below was taken by Jay Spencer.

Day 200 b Photo 1966 by Jay Spencer March 13.jpg

[roarfrom34]

Originally Posted by BaltOrioles

Yesterday, I noticed a 1976 Charlotte Orioles program listed on eBay. It reminded me that I haven't posted much minor league stuff lately.

1976 was an interesting year for Charlotte programs. They printed three different covers, but also included the opponents name on the front. It was very unusual, at that time, for a team to get that detailed with it's programs.

I have five different covers and still need the Montgomery and Columbus versions.

FYI, Eddie Murray played for Charlotte that year.

Here is a ticket from the first home game in the history of the Charlotte O's...
Interestingly the ballpark hadn't been renamed Crockett Park yet.

Alan, could you please check one of those programs to see if they opened the season on the home or the road that year..

As an aside, Jimmie Schaffer was the manager of that club that season (who lives near me) and I saw him at the local diner last week having breakfast:

[BaltOrioles]

Originally Posted by roarfrom34

Here is a ticket from the first home game in the history of the Charlotte O's...
Interestingly the ballpark hadn't been renamed Crockett Park yet.

Alan, could you please check one of those programs to see if they opened the season on the home or the road that year..

As an aside, Jimmie Schaffer was the manager of that club that season (who lives near me) and I saw him at the local diner last week having breakfast:

Bill,

Charlotte did indeed open the season at home against the Chattanooga Lookouts. It's interesting to note that 19 yr old Eddie Murray is listed as 1B-3B in the program. Was he supposed to be the heir to Brooks at 3B ??

A couple of Jimmie Schaffer postcards, managing the Lodi Orioles and at Orioles spring training

SCAN8869.JPG

[BaltOrioles]

Low level minor league teams often work with very limited budgets. Bluefield, the Orioles representative in the short season Appalachian League for over 50 years, was no exception.

If a minor league team has several different program covers each year, I try to collect each front cover.

In 1974, the Bluefield Orioles finished with a record of 37-32. The team didn't produce any future O's. Here's their 1974 program.

1974 Bluefield Orioles.jpg

The 1975 Bluefield team finished much worse at 26-43, but did produce three players that played in Baltimore. Sammy Stewart, Dave Ford and Jeff Rineer (if for only 1 game in 1979)

Here's the regular program from 1975.

1975 Bluefield Orioles #1.jpg

As I mentioned, limited budgets. I thought this was another cover variation, but when I received it, I realized the Orioles had just reused old 1974 programs with a 1975 sticker over the year. I have since seen multiple other years where Bluefield did the same thing. In 1959, they just took a marker and changed the 8 into a 9.

[roarfrom34]

Originally Posted by BaltOrioles

Bill,

Charlotte did indeed open the season at home against the Chattanooga Lookouts. It's interesting to note that 19 yr old Eddie Murray is listed as 1B-3B in the program. Was he supposed to be the heir to Brooks at 3B ??

If you were at a trivia contest and someone asked you to name the Opening Day third baseman for the Orioles in 1978, most people would answer Doug DeCinces.

Surprisingly, Eddie Murray started the first three games for the Orioles at 3B that year, while DeCinces played second base.

It was deemed a failed experiment as the Brewers swept the Orioles & fortunately Eddie headed back to 1B.