Brooks Robinson and the Baltimore Orioles

[BaltOrioles]

Originally Posted by roarfrom34

While the exact details of this piece are sketchy, here is a 12" ceramic Brooks Robinson liquor decanter issued in 1983...I remember this piece as one of the very first pieces of memorabilia I purchased when I moved into my first apartment in early 1984 (remember paying $50 for it)...

The story was that some liquor company was going going to sell these (there was a John Unitas one as well) with some sort of whiskey in them but for whatever reason they were not given permission...

If anyone has more detail, I would love to hear it:

Bill,

That's the same story I've heard as well. Pictures don't do them justice. Mine came with a wooden base. Did yours?

1983 Liquor Decantor (Brooks Robinson).jpg

[roarfrom34]

Originally Posted by BaltOrioles

Bill,

That's the same story I've heard as well. Pictures don't do them justice. Mine came with a wooden base. Did yours?

Yes it did....This usually sits on one of our shelves in the living room, which is currently occupied by Christmas decorations lol

[BaltOrioles]

MLB decided to reduce the number of minor league teams from around 160 to 120. As a result several leagues with long ties to the Orioles were eliminated or restructured (Appalachian League and NY-Penn League).

The Frederick Keys served as the Orioles High Class A affiliate in the Carolina League from 1989-2020. Actually 2019, since everything was shut down this past summer.

The Orioles had a tough decision and in the end the short season Aberdeen Ironbirds (NY-Penn League) were promoted to full season status and the Frederick Keys lost their affiliation with the Orioles.

This was a bit disappointing to me as I have some good friends at the Keys. Over the years, Dave Ziedelis (Keys GM) and his staff have done a great job of bringing a high quality product to the fans in the Frederick area. The Keys are always near the top of league attendance and have nice promotions throughout the season. In their last season, the Keys hosted the Carolina League All-Star game. Everything about the event was first class.

During the 31 season, the Keys printed 214 different programs. I have 209, missing a few from 2002-2003.

Here are a few items from the Keys first season in 1989

Program and Media Guide

1989 Frederick Keys - Copy.jpg 1989 Carolina League (A) PressMedia Guide - Copy.jpg

Other publications


1989 Frederick Keys (Meet the Keys) - Copy.jpg 1989 Frederick Keys (Frederick News-Post) - Copy.jpg


Team Photo including Anthony Telford, David Segui, Jack Voigt and Luis Mercedes

1989 Frederick Keys 1 - Copy.jpg


Finally a few items from the last season

2019 All-Star game program and ticket


2019 Frederick Keys (All-Star Game) - Copy.jpg SCAN9084 - Copy.JPG


Last program from 2019

2019 Frederick Keys #6 - Copy.JPG


There will still be baseball in Frederick for years to come, as the Keys will now be part of a 68 game development league for college players. However, I can't help but think the Keys and their fans deserve a better fate. Thank you Keys for some great memories.

[Mark70Z]

Day 356 (December 21, 2020 – 356)

This is my last piece of artwork that I have in my Brooks collection (what does that make; two ha!). This art was done by artist Chris Susi and is around 18”x24” in size. I LOVE what Chris did with this portrait shot of Brooks. This piece was done in mid-2013 and I couldn’t have been happier with the outcome.

Below is the photo by Don Wingfield of Brooks that was used for the artwork.

Day 356 a.jpg

Chris’ progression on artwork:

Day 356 Brooks Chris Susi 1 b.jpg
Day 356 Brooks Chris Susi 2 c.jpg
Day 356 Brooks Chris Susi 3 (2).jpg

Chris Susi artwork

Day 356 Chris Final Art.jpg

[Fleerfan]

Originally Posted by BaltOrioles

MLB decided to reduce the number of minor league teams from around 160 to 120. As a result several leagues with long ties to the Orioles were eliminated or restructured (Appalachian League and NY-Penn League).

The Frederick Keys served as the Orioles High Class A affiliate in the Carolina League from 1989-2020. Actually 2019, since everything was shut down this past summer.

The Orioles had a tough decision and in the end the short season Aberdeen Ironbirds (NY-Penn League) were promoted to full season status and the Frederick Keys lost their affiliation with the Orioles.

This was a bit disappointing to me as I have some good friends at the Keys. Over the years, Dave Ziedelis (Keys GM) and his staff have done a great job of bringing a high quality product to the fans in the Frederick area. The Keys are always near the top of league attendance and have nice promotions throughout the season. In their last season, the Keys hosted the Carolina League All-Star game. Everything about the event was first class.

During the 31 season, the Keys printed 214 different programs. I have 209, missing a few from 2002-2003.

Here are a few items from the Keys first season in 1989

Program and Media Guide

Attachment 432022 Attachment 432029

Other publications


Attachment 432023 Attachment 432024


Team Photo including Anthony Telford, David Segui, Jack Voigt and Luis Mercedes

Attachment 432025


Finally a few items from the last season

2019 All-Star game program and ticket


Attachment 432027 Attachment 432028


Last program from 2019

Attachment 432026


There will still be baseball in Frederick for years to come, as the Keys will now be part of a 68 game development league for college players. However, I can't help but think the Keys and their fans deserve a better fate. Thank you Keys for some great memories.

Thank you for a nice look back at the Keys. Growing up in Frederick, it was great when the Keys came to town as it really gave the city a boost. The name Keys is in reference to Francis Scott Key, who is buried in the cemetery next to the ballpark (see attached pic of his memorial). I haven't lived in Frederick for 25 years, but still get back occasionally to visit family, and have taken my kids to some Keys games where they had a great time as the players were great about giving autographs.

[Mark70Z]

Day 357 (December 22, 2020 – 357)

Early 5”x7” color picture of Brooks just outside the dugout (Kodacolor Enlargement). It’s personalized to a girl named Betty which states, “To a real sweet girl. Best of luck in the coming years. I know you will get the best. Keep Smiling Love, Brooks”. Love the old school look of the picture plus the nice early pen signature.

Kodacolor 5”x7” picture – to Betty

Day 357 a.jpg

[roarfrom34]

Nice artwork & photos Mark!

I know I had posted this team photo from the 1960 Fox Cities club previously that was managed by Earl Weaver and had notable players such as Cal Ripken Sr., Pat Gillick, Bob Saverine, Boog, Dean Chance & Pete Ward but thought I'd also share a team signed baseball I had in my collection as well:

[BaltOrioles]

Originally Posted by roarfrom34

I know I had posted this team photo from the 1960 Fox Cities club previously that was managed by Earl Weaver and had notable players such as Cal Ripken Sr., Pat Gillick, Bob Saverine, Boog, Dean Chance & Pete Ward but thought I'd also share a team signed baseball I had in my collection as well:

Bill,

I love the team photo and ball. Here's a few more items from the 1960 Foxes. I've got a pin somewhere, but can't find the picture.

1960 Fox Cities Foxes schedules

s-l1600.jpg 1960 Fox Cities Foxes (N.Schaefer) - Copy.jpg


and of course

1960 Foxes Program

1960 Fox Cities Foxes - Copy.jpg

[Mark70Z]

Day 358 (December 23, 2020 – 358)

The early Brooks Robinson pins are very difficult to locate. I only know of two different varieties of these pins, but there may possibly be more. There’s one pin I’ve only viewed in a picture and only seen available for sale a couple times since I’ve been collecting. So, I know I don’t have the PM10 pin that uses the same image from his Topps rookie card, but in the original B&W. I thought I went high on my bid the last time the pin became available, but came up short. I’m unsure of the dates of these pins, but the one today I believe is from 1959 and is a PM10 stadium pin. The pin is relatively small around 1.75 inches in diameter. I think the other early PM10 pin has Brooks’ middle name spelled incorrectly as, “Colbert”. I have a picture of it “somewhere”, but can’t locate prior to this post.

1959 PM10 Brooks Robinson pin

Day 358 a PM pin.jpg

I continue to fail to post this pennant so might as well add it in today with the Brooksie pin. This is a 1954 Baltimore Orioles scroll pennant in black. They had the same pennant in orange as well, but I don’t have this particular example.

Day 358 b Pennant 1954 Scroll.jpg

[Directly]

[QUOTE=Mark70Z;2048439]Day 357 (December 22, 2020 – 357)

Early 5”x7” color picture of Brooks just outside the dugout (Kodacolor Enlargement). It’s personalized to a girl named Betty which states, “To a real sweet girl. Best of luck in the coming years. I know you will get the best. Keep Smiling Love, Brooks”. Love the old school look of the picture plus the nice early pen signature.

Kodacolor 5”x7” picture – to Betty

Betty was an avid baseball fan and acquired hundreds of sports autographs.

Betty attended the 1981 15th AA Golf Classic. Interestingly of all the baseball players including Joe DiMaggio she asked only Brooks Robinson to sign the program three times including the cover, and Otto Graham once. (available)

[BaltOrioles]

I just got a message from Bill Haelig that former Orioles relief pitcher Jim Corsi passed away today at age 60 from cancer.

Corsi had a nice 10 year career with several teams, including the 1999 Orioles. He appeared in 13 games for the O's and posted an ERA of 2.70

Here's an Orioles Team Issued Photo of Jim Corsi

Corsi, Jim 1.jpg

[roarfrom34]

Thanks Alan

I was out of town for a few days and when I got home late last night, I also found out that former Oriole infielder Tom Matchick unfortunately had passed away as well.

The Orioles were the last (of six) MLB club he played with in 1972 (only nine AB's); however Tom did play in the 1968 World Series with Detroit...

I always thought this was neat card because it showed so much of Memorial Stadium in the background (I had Tom sign this TTM sometime in the 90's):