Brooks Robinson and the Baltimore Orioles

[Mark70Z]

Day 294 (October 20, 2020 – 294)

It’s likely well known here, by this group, but I’ll mention it anyway just in case. The 1964 Topps Venezuelan cards, and all the Venezuelan cards for that matter, were produced for the Latin American market and paralleled the regular Topps set, but were a smaller set. In 1964 the main difference from the Topps regular issue is that the backs of the Venezuela cards were black not orange in color. As you see mine is a bit rough, but a cool card just the same.

1964 Topps Venezuelan #230

Day 294 a 1964 Venz Topps front.jpg
Day 294 b 1964 Venz Topps back.jpg

[BaltOrioles]

The Knoxville Smokies were the Orioles Class A affiliate in the South Atlantic League in 1957-58. Post #981 discussed the 1957 team. Here is a little about the 1958 team. They finished 67-73 and were again managed by future O's coach George Staller. The Smokies averaged a little over 900 fans per game.

Staller, George 3 - Copy.jpg


1958 Program

1958 Knoxville Smokies.jpg



In addition to George Staller, a bunch of players players spent time with the Orioles. They included Jerry Walker, Leo Burke, Ron Hansen, Chuck Estrada, Jack Fisher, Dave Nicholson, and Angelo Dagres. Hard throwing Steve Dalkowski was also on the team.

Here are a couple others from the team. Sundin, Papa and Zupo appeared briefly in Baltimore.

Gordon Sundin, John Papa, Frank Zupo, Al Nagel and Al Barth


Sundin, Gordon 1 - Copy.jpg Papa, John 1 - Copy.jpg Zupo, Frank (1961 Rochester Red Wings) - Copy.jpg Nagel, Al 1 - Copy.jpg Barth, Al 1 - Copy.jpg

Although, Al Barth never made it to the majors, he had an interesting career. Barth was a two way player, finishing his minor league career, as a pitcher, with a record of 15-10 in 63 games. He also played 3B and OF. In 776 games and over 3000 plate appearances, he batted .274 and hit 130 HRs.

Additional Note: Frank Zupo is another member of my all Unibrow team.

[BaltOrioles]

Originally Posted by Mark70Z

Day 294 (October 20, 2020 – 294)

It’s likely well known here, by this group, but I’ll mention it anyway just in case. The 1964 Topps Venezuelan cards, and all the Venezuelan cards for that matter, were produced for the Latin American market and paralleled the regular Topps set, but were a smaller set. In 1964 the main difference from the Topps regular issue is that the backs of the Venezuela cards were black not orange in color.

Mark,

I love the Venezuelan cards. After finishing my Orioles regular Topps team sets, I'm enjoying the challenge of putting together the O-Pee-Chee (Canadian) and Venezuelan sets. Condition is a real issue with the Venezuelan cards. Since I'm looking for decent looking cards, without paper loss, creases, etc., at the right price point, my journey has been slow.

I'm one card short on the 1964 set, missing #145 Norm Siebern.

1964 Topps Venezuelan #1.jpg 1964 Topps Venezuelan #2.jpg

[ripfan008]

Good afternoon,

Several items from the 1984 Orioles tour of Japan have been posted before but I don't believe this one has. It's a 1984 Japan Fan Handbook with an article on the Orioles tour.

Front:

1984 Japan Fan Handbook- front.jpg

Inside:

1984 Japan Fan Handbook- Orioles.jpg

Back:

1984 Japan Fan Handbook- back.jpg

[Mark70Z]

Originally Posted by ripfan008

Good afternoon,

Several items from the 1984 Orioles tour of Japan have been posted before but I don't believe this one has. It's a 1984 Japan Fan Handbook with an article on the Orioles tour

I assume this is not a foreign magazine since it's written in English.

By the way who are the US of A players pictured on the front cover?

[Mark70Z]

Day 295 (October 21, 2020 – 295)

Man, I loved the 1970 Topps Brooks Robinson card #230 when it first came out and you know what, I still do. It’s just a great looking design setup and the shot of Brooks posed in a batting stance couldn’t be better. Some people aren’t a fan of the grey (for you different people,” gray”), but I think it looks great and out of the norm for baseball cards.

You’re probably well aware by now that I don’t really post many normal cards of Brooks so let’s not change it up today.

1970 Topps Brooks Robinson #230 blank backed

Day 295 a 1970 Topps #230 blank back.jpg
Day 295 b 1970 Topps #230 blank back back.jpg

This is the transparency used to create the 1970 Topps #230 card.

Day 295 c 1970 Topps #230 Transparency.jpg

Also, the small transparency wallet that the transparency was originally
stored.

Day 295 d 1970 Topps #230 Transparency Wallet.jpg

[ripfan008]

Originally Posted by Mark70Z

I assume this is not a foreign magazine since it's written in English.

By the way who are the US of A players pictured on the front cover?

Good morning Mark,

According to the information on the inside cover, this was an English-language magazine printed and distributed in Japan.

The two American players are Leon Lee and Bump Wills.

1984 Japan Fan Handbook- Inside cover.jpg

[Mark70Z]

Originally Posted by ripfan008

Good morning Mark,

According to the information on the inside cover, this was an English-language magazine printed and distributed in Japan.

The two American players are Leon Lee and Bump Wills.

Attachment 423036

Morning...

That's even cooler; a Japanese magazine that I can read! Appreciate the clarification (at least for me). That's a great looking publication.

[Mark70Z]

Day 296 (October 22, 2020 – 296)

Brooks Robinson Sculpture Dedication Ceremony on October 22, 2011.

Day 296 a.jpg
Day 296 b.jpg

[Mark70Z]

Originally Posted by BaltOrioles

Mark,

I love the Venezuelan cards. After finishing my Orioles regular Topps team sets, I'm enjoying the challenge of putting together the O-Pee-Chee (Canadian) and Venezuelan sets. Condition is a real issue with the Venezuelan cards. Since I'm looking for decent looking cards, without paper loss, creases, etc., at the right price point, my journey has been slow.

I'm one card short on the 1964 set, missing #145 Norm Siebern.

Alan,

Yours look to be in very nice shape for the issue. I probably started late collecting the Venz cards since I didn't know much about them when I first started collecting.

[BaltOrioles]

Originally Posted by Mark70Z

Alan,

Yours look to be in very nice shape for the issue. I probably started late collecting the Venz cards since I didn't know much about them when I first started collecting.

Thanks Mark. I'm putting my Venezuelan Orioles team sets together very slowly, looking for the right combination of condition and price point. I'm looking for cards without paper loss, decent corners and eye appeal. Luckily, the Venezuelan sets are smaller than the regular Topps sets.

Here are my 1966 and 1967 sets so far. Still looking for a Jim Palmer rookie that fits my criteria...

1966 Topps Venezuelan Orioles set (minus Blair, Aparicio and Palmer)

1966 Topps Venezuelan #1.jpg 1966 Topps Venezuelan #2.jpg


1967 Topps Venezuelan Orioles set (minus McNally)

1967 Topps Venezuelan #1.jpg 1967 Topps Venezuelan #2.jpg

[Mark70Z]

Originally Posted by BaltOrioles

Thanks Mark. I'm putting my Venezuelan Orioles team sets together very slowly, looking for the right combination of condition and price point. I'm looking for cards without paper loss, decent corners and eye appeal. Luckily, the Venezuelan sets are smaller than the regular Topps sets.

Here are my 1966 and 1967 sets so far. Still looking for a Jim Palmer rookie that fits my criteria...

1966 Topps Venezuelan Orioles set (minus Blair, Aparicio and Palmer)

1967 Topps Venezuelan Orioles set (minus McNally)

Alan,

Those are AWESOME!