Brooks Robinson and the Baltimore Orioles

[roarfrom34]

Some of you may recall these souvenir autograph plaques that were sold in 1978 (advertised in Baseball Digest, etc.).

A few years back I acquired the entire Orioles team original autograph sheets that were used to make these plaques (here are just a few):

[BaltOrioles]

I love minor league sets for a couple reasons. The production numbers of sets are relatively low and they provide the first cards for many future stars, as well as cards of a lot of players that never make it to the major leagues.

There were a few minor league sets produced before 1978, but not many with any consistency. In 1978, TCMA became the first company to attempt to produce sets of minor league teams on a yearly basis. Interesting, minor league sets are generally collected and sold as sets.

The only Orioles affiliate printed in 1978 were the Rochester Red Wings, but this led to more and more teams signing up. Today, all of the Orioles affiliates have sets for sale in their team stores. A few years, some teams also have update sets.

The TCMA Rochester Red Wings set in 1978 only had 17 cards, but did include HOFer Frank Robinson, the Red Wings manager that year.

Checklist - Frank Robinson, Tom Bianco, Tom Chism, Dave Criscione, Mike Dimmel, Blake Doyle, Kevin Kennedy, Wayne Krenchicki, Rafael Liranzo, Marty Parrill, Skeeter Jarquin, Ray Bare, Tony Chevez, Jeff Rineer, Earl Stephenson, Tim Stoddard and Don Cardoza

1978 TCMA Rochester Red Wings set
1978 TCMA Rochester Red Wings #1.jpg 1978 TCMA Rochester Red Wings #2.jpg

[Mark70Z]

Day 232 (August 19, 2020 – 232)

Charles Linnett was a commercial artist and illustrator who created sports portraits. The 1973-74 baseball portrait art prints were sold in packs of three and measure 8 1/2” by 11”. I think Alan (BaltOrioles) posted the team examples, including Brooks, and I agree that it would have been better with the O's hats.

1973-74 Charles Linnett Portraits

Day 232 a Charles Linnett Art Print 1.jpg
Day 232 b Charles Linnett Portrait Sealed.jpg
Day 232 c Charles Linnett Portrait Sealed back.jpg

[roarfrom34]

A couple days ago was the 31st anniversary of Cal Ripken Jr. passing Steve Garvey (who holds the N.L. record) on the Consecutive Games played list (at that point, Cal only trailed Everett Scott and of course Gehrig).

Anyways back that season I decided to drive down to Baltimore each time he passed someone on that list (Joe Sewell and Billy Williams were the others) and have the Post Office apply postmarks to a few envelopes because I wanted to make my own cachets. I'd apply a sticker, type some copy and then mail them out to the other players to sign and then have Cal add his autograph.

Here is the one I did with Garvey:

[BaltOrioles]

Originally Posted by roarfrom34

A couple days ago was the 31st anniversary of Cal Ripken Jr. passing Steve Garvey (who holds the N.L. record) on the Consecutive Games played list (at that point, Cal only trailed Everett Scott and of course Gehrig).

Anyways back that season I decided to drive down to Baltimore each time he passed someone on that list (Joe Sewell and Billy Williams were the others) and have the Post Office apply postmarks to a few envelopes because I wanted to make my own cachets. I'd apply a sticker, type some copy and then mail them out to the other players to sign and then have Cal add his autograph.

Here is the one I did with Garvey:

Bill,

Nice job. Neat idea.

[roarfrom34]

Originally Posted by BaltOrioles

Bill,

Nice job. Neat idea.

Thanks Alan....I remember each time I went I had to explain to the person at window the significance of the date lol (2131 was six years away)...

Here are the three I had done in '89 (fortunately each game was a home one):

[Mark70Z]

Day 233 (August 20, 2020 – 233)

An Orioles Special Parking pass for a game on May 8th against the Kansas City Royals.

Day 233 a 1976 Special Parking May 8.jpg

Plastic cup of Brooks from 1976.

Day 233 b 1976 Plastic Cup.jpg
Day 233 c 1976 Plastic Cup back.jpg

[BaltOrioles]

Recently, MLB has been in discussions to reduce the number of minor league affiliates each team can have. The name most often mentioned in reference to the Orioles are the Frederick Keys. In my opinion, this would be a shame as Frederick is well run and supported by the fans in Frederick.

It's led me to wonder how a reduction in MLB affiliates will affect minor league baseball in general. There have always been independant teams, as well as co-op teams sprinkled throughout the minor leagues. Co-op teams aren't affiliated with any team, but do have fill their rosters with players borrowed from major league teams. Will independent teams increase or will cities, like Frederick, lose baseball altogether?

From 1980-1983, the Orioles were involved in co-op agreements with a different team each year (1980 Alexandria Dukes, 1981 Hagerstown Suns, 1982 Miami Marlins and 1983 San Jose Bees). The working agreement with Hagerstown, led to them becoming an Orioles affiliate until 1992.

Co-op teams don't generally get a lot of talent/top prospects from MLB teams, which usually produce poor win-lose records. Hagerstown was an exception in 1981, as 7 players ended up in Baltimore including Ken Dixon.

1980 Alexandria Dukes program (54-86)

1980 Alexandria Dukes.jpg


1981 Hagerstown Suns program (70-68) League Champs

1981 Hagerstown Suns.jpg


1982 Miami Marlins program (53-84)

1982 Miami Marlins.jpg


1983 San Jose Bees program (56-84)

1983 San Jose Bees.jpg