Brooks Robinson and the Baltimore Orioles

[jb67]

Here is my earliest Bench card I have. I never thought I would end up find this one but I was able to land this a while back. Below is a little background info. on this rarity. Hopefully we can get some other Bench collectors posting as well. Always fun to share info. on our childhood heroes.

PSA Write-Up
1967 Cincinnati Reds Team Issue Postcard. This is the first card listed in the Bench Master Set. It offers a black-and-white shot of a young Bench with a facsimile autograph in blue and the team name in red below it. Hollinden believes these were sold at the stadium and at the local Reds gift shop. His PSA EX-MT 6 is the only graded example.

"I can't imagine there are a lot of these because Bench didn't get called up until the middle of the summer [August]," said Hollinden. "I'm not sure when they produced them, but I have to think that it wasn't until he came up.

[Mark70Z]

Day 2 (January 2, 2020 - 002)

I collect almost everything related to Brooks, but “try” (my best) to limit myself to playing day items. Also, I don’t collect things that are visually unappealing; there are a number of items in this category (do NOT mention his ’58 Topps card). There are exceptions, but most of the items I post will be from the playing day time frame (mid 50’s till late 70’s). I’ll try to post odd/unusual items, photos, and not seen every day type pieces to keep things hopefully interesting (unless I run out of stuff…).

Only have a couple pieces of artwork and this is a small painting of Brooks by Tom Clark. Clark is more known for being an American poet and biographer, but was an avid baseball fan and he did paint a tad as well.

Day 2 1 painting.jpg

This painting is pictured in Tom Clark’s book “Baseball” from 1976. The painting of Brooks pictured in the book is B&W, but as you can see it’s in vivid color in real life… If you don’t have a copy of the book it has some nice pictures of the paintings Clark conducted (including Brock, Clemente AND possibly some other ’71 Pirates players…).

Day 2 book.jpg

[Mark70Z]

Originally Posted by jb67

Here is my earliest Bench card I have. I never thought I would end up find this one but I was able to land this a while back. Below is a little background info. on this rarity. Hopefully we can get some other Bench collectors posting as well. Always fun to share info. on our childhood heroes.

PSA Write-Up
1967 Cincinnati Reds Team Issue Postcard. This is the first card listed in the Bench Master Set. It offers a black-and-white shot of a young Bench with a facsimile autograph in blue and the team name in red below it. Hollinden believes these were sold at the stadium and at the local Reds gift shop. His PSA EX-MT 6 is the only graded example.

"I can't imagine there are a lot of these because Bench didn't get called up until the middle of the summer [August]," said Hollinden. "I'm not sure when they produced them, but I have to think that it wasn't until he came up.

David,

WOW! That is an awesome Bench piece. I may have mentioned it in the past, but I really like how the Reds team issues are set up. Thanks so much for posting the picture of Bench. “Almost” gets a person to be a Reds collector.

[hcv123]

While Clemente is "my favorite", I enjoy the passion, stories and collectibles of all player collectors! I am also a huge fan and follower of the "oddball" - thrill of the chase and all. I look forward to following the thread and contributing where I find something relevant. Attached today are a Japanese magazine, a 1968 Fresca Bottle cap, 1973 Topps Pinup and 1962 Venezuelan Topps card.

[BaltOrioles]

Continuing on with Brooks minor league programs. After 1955 in York PA, he played part of two years for the San Antonio Missions in 1956/57, splitting time with the Orioles.

I just love those old minor league publications.

[BaltOrioles]

Here's a team photo of the 1957 San Antonio Missions. Unfortunately, no Brooks Robinson. It must have been taken while Brooks was up with the Orioles.

[71buc]

Mark I am excited that you decided to start this thread. I really enjoyed Mike's daily Roberto post. I will look forward to looking at your posts daily as well. I too have met Brooks and can only echo the positive comments from others. He is the very definition of class. He is a true ambassador of the game. By the way, "I’m sure Mike (71buc) will follow this thread up in 2021 with a daily thread commemorating the ’71 Pirates." Thanks for the pressure of following your thread and its predecessor! Nonetheless, here is an original shot of Willie and Brooks at the 1971 series. I purchased it from the estate of the guy who designed those funky bullpen cars.

[cardsagain74]

This came today as part of a $2 each lot. Nothing special but you don't usually get something this nice so cheap. At first it seemed almost pristine, but found a minor edge issue near one of the corners. Still probably a 6 and looks great:

[Mark70Z]

Originally Posted by 71buc

Mark I am excited that you decided to start this thread. I really enjoyed Mike's daily Roberto post. I will look forward to looking at your posts daily as well. I too have met Brooks and can only echo the positive comments from others. He is the very definition of class. He is a true ambassador of the game. By the way, "I’m sure Mike (71buc) will follow this thread up in 2021 with a daily thread commemorating the ’71 Pirates." Thanks for the pressure of following your thread and its predecessor! Nonetheless, here is an original shot of Willie and Brooks at the 1971 series. I purchased it from the estate of the guy who designed those funky bullpen cars.

That is just a great color shot of Stargell and Brooks. I also think the old school bullpen cards with the hats on top were super cool. Looks neat pictured in the background prior to a '71 WS game. Can't get a much better picture than that one.

I thought you may just glance over the part about you starting a thread for next year, but you should; it'll be 50 years since the '71 Series for you next year. The pressure is on...

[Mark70Z]

Originally Posted by BaltOrioles

Continuing on with Brooks minor league programs. After 1955 in York PA, he played part of two years for the San Antonio Missions in 1956/57, splitting time with the Orioles.

I just love those old minor league publications.

Here's a team photo of the 1957 San Antonio Missions. Unfortunately, no Brooks Robinson. It must have been taken while Brooks was up with the Orioles.

Alan,

Man, I LOVE the minor league programs your posting. How difficult are the '55 White Roses and the '56 and '57 Missions. I'd love to add examples of those particular programs one day. Also, do you know if there are different varieties of programs from these years or are they all like the examples pictured?

Do you also have a '59 Mounties or is that a dump question

I know I've seen a team picture "somewhere" with Brooks included on the Missions. I know I don't have one, but at least there is one out there.

[BaltOrioles]

Originally Posted by Mark70Z

Alan,

Man, I LOVE the minor league programs your posting. How difficult are the '55 White Roses and the '56 and '57 Missions. I'd love to add examples of those particular programs one day. Also, do you know if there are different varieties of programs from these years or are they all like the examples pictured?

Do you also have a '59 Mounties or is that a dump question

I know I've seen a team picture "somewhere" with Brooks included on the Missions. I know I don't have one, but at least there is one out there.

Mark,

I do have the 1959 Mounties program, which I'll save for tomorrow. There are actually three different colored covers.

The Mounties program will be the easiest to find, but the others do pop up every once in a while. They don't usually go for big bucks. I think most minor league stuff is overlooked by many collectors unless they're cards.

There are still a bunch of low level O's minor league affiliates that I'm finding impossible to find, but the hunt continues.

Brooks was probably pictured in the 1956 Missions team photo, but I don't have one in my collection

[dclarkraiders]

Brooks auto on a full size bat. Bought for around $40.00.

[Mark70Z]

Originally Posted by hcv123

While Clemente is "my favorite", I enjoy the passion, stories and collectibles of all player collectors! I am also a huge fan and follower of the "oddball" - thrill of the chase and all. I look forward to following the thread and contributing where I find something relevant. Attached today are a Japanese magazine, a 1968 Fresca Bottle cap, 1973 Topps Pinup and 1962 Venezuelan Topps card.

Howard,

Thanks so much for posting the pictures of some Brooks toughies. I'm not sure if I've even seen a Brooks Fresca bottle cap. I have a few of the bottle caps, but they're all common. I'm looking forward to you doing a listing on all the varieties and sizes of these things. That would give me some motivation to organize and search. I really haven't actively searched in the past for the caps, but it might be a fun project. I'm sure you have quite a few Clemente caps.

Of course I'm with you on the "odd-ball" stuff; just love it. I also very much enjoy viewing others collections and especially the single player variety like the Lou Brock and Roberto Clemente threads. I'll keep going back to view all the cool items that were pictured.

Now please dig up your Series 3 baseball marbles w/packaging and post that sometime this year; deal? Also, see if you have an extra...

[Zach Wheat]

Mark,

Great player and one of my favorites. I met him once and he was kind enough to let my son take a picture with him. He was a real class act even though everyone was vying for his time.

Great thread for a player tribute.

[Chstrite]

Day 200 – 19 July 2024
Recently, the Baseball Hall of Fame created some new pins for HoF members. Below is the Brooks Robinson new pin. I think the pin is nice. I believe they are about $10 on the HoF website plus shipping. Ebay has a few for about $24.

[Chstrite]

Day 201 – 20 July 2024
Nothing too exciting today. A few of my “banks” related to the Baltimore Orioles. The Farmers Bank and Trust Company Bank of Hanover is pretty rare and from the 1970s. The white ball I believe is from the 1970s, too. The National Bohemian can I believe is from the 1970s. The Bobblehead type Bird is more recent. The plastic hat I believe is from the 1970s. There is a crystal ball shaped bank out there I am looking for. Show us your banks.

[Mark70Z]

Originally Posted by Zach Wheat

Mark,

Great player and one of my favorites. I met him once and he was kind enough to let my son take a picture with him. He was a real class act even though everyone was vying for his time.

Great thread for a player tribute.

Your experience is pretty typical with any encounter with Brooks. Such a down to earth great person. He’s definitely missed…

[ksfarmboy]

Love the farmers bank and trust bank. I need to get one someday.

[Mark70Z]

I have one head bank that just has Baltimore Orioles on the bottom portion.

Really neat looking HOF pin…