Brooks Robinson and the Baltimore Orioles

[BaltOrioles]

Super excited to get this James Elder postcard in the mail today. Billy Short is the last one I needed to finally complete my Orioles set

SCAN0107.JPG

James Elder was from Florida and did a set of around 1400 postcards that he sold individually and as sets. I believe he even offered them to players to use for autograph requests, although I don't have any that have gone through the mail.

Here's an older post that talks a little about James Elder.

https://www.net54baseball.com/showthread.php?t=234476

There are 30 or 31 Orioles depending on your definition. One player, Frank Sigafoos, appears in a Baltimore Oriole uniform while they were a minor league team before 1954. It's an interesting mix of players & coaches. Most are them are not household names. In my opinion, the postcards are very well done and can easily be identified by the numbers stamped on back. I've been trying to complete the set of 30 Orioles for many years. Some of the higher numbers don't show up very often.

Here's the checklist of Orioles postcards

#552 Luke Appling
#558 Clint Courtney
#562 Walt Dropo
#575 Fred Hofmann
#576 Stan Hollmig
#578 Dick Hyde
#588 Hobie Landrith
#591 Dick Luebke
#593 Frank McGowan
#598 Al Pilarcik
#604 Art Quirk
#606 Earl Robinson
#610 Carl Scheib
#619 Al Smith
#621 Jim Snyder
#625 George Staller
#632 Willie Tasby
#635 Bobby Thomson
#638 Marv Throneberry
#640 Gus Triandos
#677 Billy Hitchcock
#678 Gene Stephens
#679 Albie Pearson
#680 Del Rice
#681 Paul Richards
#854 Jim Gentile
#1066 Lou Jackson
#1069 Carl Warwick
#1149 Vic Roznovsky
#1297 Billy Short

#1368 Frank Sigafoos (Minor League Orioles)

James Elder 01.JPG James Elder 02.JPG James Elder 03.JPG James Elder 04.JPG James Elder 05.JPG James Elder 06.JPG James Elder 07.JPG James Elder 08.JPG

[Chstrite]

Very unique, Alan.

[Mark70Z]

Alan,

Congrats on the James Elder postcard. Only one more to go...

Also, I've been behind viewing this thread and I really like the variation you picked up on the '66 team issue postcard. I always enjoy seeing variations of Brooks items and just something else to add to the list to acquire.

I haven't been doing much of anything on the collecting front so I have to view others items in their collection; "almost" as fun..

[BaltOrioles]

Good morning guys


Looking for help from any PCL experts with my O's minor league affiliates collection.

I'm currently working on putting together programs from all the Orioles minor league affiliates. I also want to include programs from any co-op teams that the Orioles had working agreements with and/or provided players for during the season.

My question.

In 1954 and 1955, the Orioles didn't have a AAA affiliate. The highest affiliated minor league team with the Orioles were the AA San Antonio Missions. The Oakland Oaks were in the Pacific Coast League, which was classified as Open during 1954-55. The Oaks weren't affiliated with any MLB team. However several players that played for the Oaks during 1954-1955 appeared for the Orioles during the 1954, 1955 and even 1956 seasons. The Oakland Oaks moved to Vancouver in 1956 and became the Mounties (an Orioles affiliate from 1956-1960).

The best example is Duane Pillette, who appeared for the Orioles in 1954 & 1955. He also pitched briefly for the Oaks in 1955. Pillette was traded to the Phillies before the 1956 season. There are plenty of other Oaks players that ended up in Baltimore, but most after 1955.

Does anyone know if the Orioles had any kind of working agreement with Oakland during the 1954 and 55 seasons to provide them players or did teams just purchase contracts directly from the Oaks? My research hasn't confirmed an actual connection with the Orioles. Thanks


1954 Oakland Oaks.jpg


1955 Oakland Oaks #1.jpg 1955 Oakland Oaks #2.jpg

[Chstrite]

Alan, not my strength but your research equals mine. The Orioles highest affiliate was AA San Antonio. As far as I can tell, the Oaks were last affiliated with the Yankees in the late 30s but not a lot of details on that. Some notable Orioles came from the Oaks.

[Chstrite]

We need to talk Mark into posting something unique daily. his posts for a year straight and the replies/adds by folks often serve me when researching different items. Anyway, I am always looking for odd ball items and like to share. Here are a couple recent pick ups. I am not sure what year the bag is or where it was used (Memorial Stadium or Camden Yards) but it is really cool and was "cheap." I had to have it. I was used to sell Orioles programs. If i ever decide to be a paper boy again, I have my bag. Any insights on the year?

Another item I picked up is this Oriole player disply for Autographed baseballs. Some big named guys here. It still has the order forms attached on the top right. The balls came with a base. I think this is 1975 or so. Anyone of any of the balls?

Enjoy.

[roarfrom34]

Charlie:

Neat items...I always love the Point of Sale ad pieces. I did get both the Brooks & Belanger signed baseballs back in the day (mail order for me, as they also advertised in Baseball Digest I believe).

Picked up this Elimra (NY) banquet program from January, 1968 which brought in some fairly big names of the day (Csonka, Jersey Joe Walcott, etc.).

My interest was that Cal Ripken Sr.'s name was shown on the cover. 1968 was the only season that Rip Sr. managed the Elmira Pioneers (Class AA) & the club went a respectful 77-63:

[Mark70Z]

Originally Posted by Chstrite

We need to talk Mark into posting something unique daily. his posts for a year straight and the replies/adds by folks often serve me when researching different items.

Charlie,

I found it difficult to post something Brooks related on a daily basis and also try to post unique, not run of the mill, items. I don’t think it’s as enjoyable seeing items you see all the time. I tell you what really helped keep me motivated was people posting their items so I could view as well; made it worthwhile.

Why don’t you go for something a little easier; next year post a unique O’s item every day for the year (don’t miss a day). Start organizing now….