Day 262 (September 18, 2020 – 262)
September 18, 1977, was “Thanks, Brooks” day in Baltimore. It also happens to be my birthday today (it was also my birthday in ’77
Baltimore fans came out to the ballpark not only to see the Orioles, who were 2 ½ games out of first and were to play the Red Sox who were in third-place with only 13 games remaining in the season, the fans also came that Sunday afternoon to pay proper homage to their hero. The Orioles press guide of ’78 described the day, “In an emotionally charged atmosphere, Brooks Robinson was accorded a sustained, nerve-tingling ovation as he entered the field and rode around the warning track in a 1955 model Cadillac, manufactured the year he made his major league bow in Baltimore.”
September 18, 1977 ticket stubs
Day 262 Ticket Stub Thanks Brooks Day Blue.jpg
Day 262 Ticket Stub Thanks Brooks Day White.jpg
Picture of Brooks on “Thanks Brooks” day in the 1955 Cadillac
Day 262 1977 Thanks Brooks Day Caddy.JPG
Small Brooks “Thanks Brooks Day” sign
Day 262 sign.jpg
In Brooks Robinson fashion he did not speak long, but thanked his fans by stating, “It’s been a beautiful 23 years. It turned out to be a beautiful day and you’re all beautiful people.” During the ceremony, Doug DeCinces, who replaced Brooks at 3rd, did something simple and spontaneous; he went to third base, lifted the bag from the ground, and presented it to Brooks.