Brooks Robinson and the Baltimore Orioles

[Mark70Z]

Day 246 (September 2, 2020 – 246)

Jay Mazzone joined the Orioles in the thrilling 1966 season as the Orioles batboy. Jay, as a 2-year-old, lost his hands after his snow suit caught on fire, so he used hooks instead of hands to get the job accomplished. Jay retired as a bat boy after the 1971 season.

Day 246 a Photo Brooks and Jay Mazzone.jpg

As a Baltimore fan we all know about the kangaroo court with Frank Robinson the self-appointed judge of the court. “Da Judge”, with his judicial wig, would dole out fines for any indiscretion as long as the man who brought the charge had a witness to support it. Of course, Frank had the last say and was basically the judge AND the jury. Jay Mazzone stated, “He was running his kangaroo court and calling a vote among the players, whether to fine someone or not, it was either thumbs up or thumbs down. After the vote, he said, ‘Jay, your fine for not voting.’ After that I was treated like everyone else.”

Day 246 b Photo 1967 Brooks with Jay.jpg

[ripfan008]

Good morning,

I started following the Orioles at the age of 7 in 1988 (I know, I picked a great year to start), so I buy as much 1988-related Orioles items as possible, as it was my first year of collecting as well.

My parents know this and picked this 1988 Olde Philadelphia Inn (OPI) Boot up for me at a yard sale.

Does anyone know if this was an SGA item or if the OPI made some of these for the restaurant?

Thanks!

1988 OPI side.jpg

1988 OPI front.jpg

[roarfrom34]

Originally Posted by ripfan008

Good morning,

I started following the Orioles at the age of 7 in 1988 (I know, I picked a great year to start), so I buy as much 1988-related Orioles items as possible, as it was my first year of collecting as well.

My parents know this and picked this 1988 Olde Philadelphia Inn (OPI) Boot up for me at a yard sale.

Does anyone know if this was an SGA item or if the OPI made some of these for the restaurant?

Thanks!

Mike:

It wasn't given out at Memorial Stadium so it must have been something that one got at the OPI that day.

I've never seen it before, it's pretty cool...

As an aside, the Orioles lost 12-0 that day (game #1 of what would be 21) and when I got home that night my wife asked me if I saw anything postive from the Orioles in the loss.

I remember replying sarcastically "Well they did block both both extra points." lol

[BaltOrioles]

While advances in technology have greatly helped me find items for my collection that I probably never would have found, it is eliminating some items that I truly love to collect. One of those are media guides.

The future of collecting media guides printed by teams is looking bleak. Each year more teams are converting to electronic media guides instead of printed copies. The Orioles stopped printing media guides after the 2018 issue.

While popular with fans, media guides are also a great source of information on a team's history.

The Aberdeen Ironbirds stopped printing media guides after 2014. I'm missing the 2002 and 2003 issues (will find them someday), but here are the Ironbirds media guides from 2004 - 2014.

Aberdeen Ironbirds Media Guides

2004 Aberdeen Ironbirds PressMedia Guide.jpg
2005 Aberdeen Ironbirds PressMedia Guide.jpg
2006 Aberdeen Ironbirds PressMedia Guide.jpg
2007 Aberdeen Ironbirds PressMedia Guide.jpg
2008 Aberdeen Ironbirds PressMedia Guide.jpg
2009 Aberdeen Ironbirds PressMedia Guide.jpg
2010 Aberdeen Ironbirds PressMedia Guide.jpg
2011 Aberdeen Ironbirds PressMedia Guide.jpg
2012 Aberdeen Ironbirds PressMedia Guide.jpg
2013 Aberdeen Ironbirds PressMedia Guide.jpg
2014 Aberdeen Ironbirds PressMedia Guide.jpg

[Mark70Z]

Day 247 (September 3, 2020 – 247)

I’m not positively sure if I haven’t posted this publication yet since I know we’ve discussed Chuck Thompson several times over the course of this year. This is from an annual banquet put on by The Advertising Club of Baltimore and which was held on February 4, 1967. The Advertising Club of Baltimore was an organization established to promote truth in advertising and expanded to promote Baltimore’s businesses and cultural qualities. The cover features Chuck Thompson, but also has a few popular Baltimore sports figures as well.

1967 The Advertising Club of Baltimore 59th Annual Banquet

Day 247 a Publication Chuck Thompson 1.jpg

As you can see there’s a few “Baltimore” Colts players who are pictured and attended the annual banquet. I used to have quite a few Colts items, but probably only have a handful of collectibles left. This is one that I kept; a pennant from when I was young.

Day 247 b Baltimore Colts Pennant.jpg

[roarfrom34]

OTD in 1999, Cal Ripken Jr. became the 29th player in MLB history to hit his 400th Home Run, when he launched a three run shot off the Devil Rays' Rolando Arroyo at Camden Yards.

The next evening they had a pre-game ceremony for Cal when they presented him with a commemorative bat & jersey.

Here is that jersey: