Brooks Robinson and the Baltimore Orioles

[Mark70Z]

Originally Posted by Chstrite

Day 97 – 7 April 2024
In the Patterson scrapbook I found a few interesting photographs of Brooks. The 5 x 7 inch photo featuring Brooks, Frank, Boog (with signature) along with Aparicio (with signature). I am not sure who #55 (assuming a coach) is but guess someone here will know. The team photo along the 3d base shows the Orioles and I believe this is 1969 World Series (some details are on the back but it has a bit of glue on it; not wanting to remove it. Here is a picture of Brooks at bat (on the back, it says Daryl Norenberg, Pomona, CA). Another picture shows Brooks at a podium assuming he is receiving an award…his smile! Some pretty cool photos.

Definitely some nice looking photos shown that are in the scrapbook. You don’t see many vintage color shots and that’s a good one.

[Chstrite]

Day 98 – 8 April 2024
One of my best finds in the Ted Patterson scrap book is a 5 x 7 inch Team Issued 1971/75 photo. You can tell this by the type, placing of his name, signature, size and Tadder as the photographer. I have been looking for this photo for years. It has some damage on the back but am happy to have found it. I am still looking for the larger 6 x 9 inch Team Issued photo from the same years.

[Chstrite]

Day 99 – 9 April 2024
In the scrapbook is other miscellaneous items. The top paper addresses less fortunate kids who need donations for transportation to the game and tickets. It was a non-profit (Baltimore Jaycees). Not sure about the one below with the young lad in a wheelchair. The other paper talks about the Orioles belonging to the citizens of Maryland along with their schedule. It is a tri-fold. The next item is a list of Oriole moments and personalities to be voted on. It must be from 1975, as it provides information from 1954 – 1975. It is affixed to the page but with some work, I could pull out. The color photo I have on a jersey night cardboard advertisement; I believe this is 21 July 1983 prior to Brooks going into the HoF.

[roarfrom34]

I know I've posted this AP press photo of Brooks previously that was taken prior to the last home game of the '76 season, when there was speculation that it may indeed be the the last game home of his career.

The reason for the re-post was that a good friend of mine, Bill Stetka who was a long time sportswriter, official scorer and Orioles PR person (and now the team historian) recently shared with me a neat story about this game.

In '76, he was in college and his father's business had Orioles season tickets right behind the visiting team dugout and once it got to be late in the season (and no one wanted to go), he would often go with some buddies.

They were playing the Brewers that night & late in the game when it was Brooks last AB, Bill could hear 1st baseman George Scott whistle at the pitcher a couple times and nodded to him as Brooks approached the plate (less than 9,000 fans in the stands). The pitcher then appeared to groove a pitch to Brooks, who hit the ball to center for a single....Brooks was then replaced by a pinch runner as he tipped his helmet to the remaining fans who were giving him a standing ovation.

Anyway, years go by and one day Bill sees George at Camden Yards (he was then a scout for the Red Sox) and decided to approach him...Knowing that George was not a fan of sportswriters, Bill told him that he had a quick question for him that wasn't for publication, but simply for his own information.

He recounted the 1976 story to George and asked him if he indeed had asked the pitcher to groove the pitch to Brooks, George then shook his head and said "it never happened..." As George was walking away, he turned around and then gave Bill a wink...

[Mark70Z]

Charlie… Quite a bit of unique items in the scrapbook. How large was the thing?

Bill… thanks so much for sharing the story. Really like to hear the behind the scenes goings on.

[Chstrite]

Nice story above. Sad when our sports hero age. It happens to the best of us in our own careers. Mine was as a Soldier. Brooks did it with grace and good for the pitcher!!!

Scrapbook is pretty big but lots of empty pages and some items were picked over. I will ship to you for your SI poster or license plate from 1961. 😎😎

[Chstrite]

Day 100 – 10 April 2024
Wow…day 100. How did Mark Comer do it. Posting here daily is a bit of work. Today, I am including more photos of Brooks Robinson from the scrapbook. These photos seem to be around the time of his retirement. The top left invite is for a reception on 18 September 1977 at the Hollyday Room Village of Cross Keys. Beside it is a team issued photo, which I have seen before but smaller. The photo below it is of Brooks diving. I believe the next photo is Thanks Brooks Day (on the back, it says the attendance was 51,798…largest ever!). Below it, is a photo from Carl Yaztrmski giving him a gift on his retirement; photo has signatures, which is very nice.