Brooks Robinson and the Baltimore Orioles

[Mark70Z]

Day 87 (March 27, 2020 – 087)

Brooks Robinson foreign magazines are few and far between. I’m sure there are more than I know about, but I also know there can’t be many. This is a weekly Venezuelan magazine called Sports Grafico and features Brooks on the front cover in his Baltimore away jersey. The title of the article is, “Mr. Robinson El Mejor Guante” or probably something like “Mr. Robinson the Best Glove”. The magazine is oversized and is about the size of an old school Boys Life.

1973 Sports Grafico

Day 87 a.jpg

Thought I’d ad this magazine in today since its just been discussed about Brooks’ short brim helmet and it’s prevalent in this magazine cover shot (even though it’s not the greatest photograph of Brooks).

[BaltOrioles]

It been awhile since I highlighted one of my first loves, O's team issued postcards. Today I'm going to talk about the O's thin postcards. In the late 50's and early 60's the Orioles printed a few postcards on thinner paper than postcard stock. These definitely show up less often than their thicker counterparts. There are 15 known postcards from 1958-60 and 7 known from 1961-64.

I'm going to wait on the earlier issues and just show the ones printed between 1961-64. These were printed on a glossy paper and look much different than the earlier thins (facsimile autograph added). Brooks Robinson is part the group. An interesting inclusion to the group is Billy Hunter, who was a coach and not a player at the time.

I have heard several theories on why they were printed, but the two most probable are -

1. Inserted with season ticket renewals and mailings
2. Passed out in various areas as part of ticket drives, including businesses, to promote ticket sales.

If anyone knows more, I would love to be better educated.

196164 Postcards (Thin) 01.jpg 196164 Postcards (Thin) 02.jpg

[BaltOrioles]

Originally Posted by Mark70Z

Day 87 (March 27, 2020 – 087)

Brooks Robinson foreign magazines are few and far between. I’m sure there are more than I know about, but I also know there can’t be many. This is a weekly Venezuelan magazine called Sports Grafico and features Brooks on the front cover in his Baltimore away jersey. The title of the article is, “Mr. Robinson El Mejor Guante” or probably something like “Mr. Robinson the Best Glove”. The magazine is oversized and is about the size of an old school Boys Life.

1973 Sports Grafico

Attachment 390947

Mark,

Great looking magazine. I've seen a few more with other Orioles featured, including Frank Robinson and Luis Aparicio. While, I've been tempted, I've never picked any up.

On a side note, it's been speculated that the 1967 Venezuelan cards were actually printed by Sports Grafico and not Topps.

1967 Topps Venezuelan #1 - Copy.JPG

[roarfrom34]

Late in the '99 season the Orioles gave away a commemorative sheet (sponsored by Coca-Cola) with career milestones reached that season....Over the course of a few years, I was able to have it signed entirely by the six players featured:

[Mark70Z]

Originally Posted by roarfrom34

Late in the '99 season the Orioles gave away a commemorative sheet (sponsored by Coca-Cola) with career milestones reached that season....Over the course of a few years, I was able to have it signed entirely by the six players featured:

I like the design of the commemorative sheet and to have it ALL signed makes it even nicer.

[tpirate]

I am fairly new to this site, but I just wanted to join in and say how much I have enjoyed seeing the items from your collections. I especially appreciate the complimentary attitude that is shared among collectors here. Alan Strout is a friend of mine and referred me to this site. You will not find a finer person than Alan, I am thankful to call him my friend. He loves to talk about the Orioles, Postcards, Tadder Photos, Minor League Programs, etc.. But, he doesn't talk much about himself, which brings me to my first post.Scan.jpg

Alan won a contest through Topps. The contest was Be A Pro For A Day, so after he won, he spent a day as an Aberdeen Ironbird. Part of the prize package was to be included in the 2014 Topps Heritage set. It's a short print, you can find them on eBay. People send him fan mail asking for his autograph. I love it, he says he never has to buy a Sharpie. No Orioles collection is complete without an Alan Strout card.

[roarfrom34]

Originally Posted by tpirate

I am fairly new to this site, but I just wanted to join in and say how much I have enjoyed seeing the items from your collections. I especially appreciate the complimentary attitude that is shared among collectors here. Alan Strout is a friend of mine and referred me to this site. You will not find a finer person than Alan, I am thankful to call him my friend. He loves to talk about the Orioles, Postcards, Tadder Photos, Minor League Programs, etc.. But, he doesn't talk much about himself, which brings me to my first post.Attachment 391028

Alan won a contest through Topps. The contest was Be A Pro For A Day, so after he won, he spent a day as an Aberdeen Ironbird. Part of the prize package was to be included in the 2014 Topps Heritage set. It's a short print, you can find them on eBay. People send him fan mail asking for his autograph. I love it, he says he never has to buy a Sharpie. No Orioles collection is complete without an Alan Strout card.

Alan, you've been holding out on us!!! Bill, thanks for sharing this fantastic story on Alan & please post as often as you can!

Bill

[Mark70Z]

I have the not as popular non-signed version of the short print card .

2014 Topps Heritage - Alan Strout

Alan S.jpg

[BaltOrioles]

Originally Posted by tpirate

Alan won a contest through Topps. The contest was Be A Pro For A Day, so after he won, he spent a day as an Aberdeen Ironbird. Part of the prize package was to be included in the 2014 Topps Heritage set.

Bill,

Welcome and I know you will enjoy sharing your love of the O's with us.

Nice job on your first post, but I question the subject matter. Not what I was planning to share today. Anyway, the experience was the thrill of a lifetime. As a kid, I dreamed of being a pro player like most kids. When I saw that the Ironbirds were the sponsoring team that year, I submitted an entry. Never excepted to win.

The winning essay....

SCAN8085.jpg

I did everything the players did that day, from workouts, batting practice, pre game meal and sitting in the dugout. I have the lineup card from the game at home and will post it when I get back. Two of my teammates included Dylan Bundy and current Orioles player, Stevie Wilkerson. I wore #58, my choice (5 for Brooks, 8 for Cal and I was born in 1958).

A few photos from the day

Press conference with me signing my contract and manager Matt Merullo welcoming me to the team.

Debut 3.jpg

I hadn't picked up a bat in awhile, but did get a few out of the infield

Debut 4.jpg

Signing for fans before the game

Debut 9.jpg

Delivering the line ups

Debut 14.jpg

My inspiration

Debut 2.jpg

[roarfrom34]

Alan....

What a memorable day that anyone here would have loved to have done! Congratulations on winning the contest!!

I thought it was funny seeing you talk about how your wife had to drive around in a Ripken themed license plate....My wife could relate as she had this on her car(s) for 15 years (before it was retired in 2000):



Also, I loved when Matt Merullo was the Ironbirds manager (hell of a nice guy)...Did you know his grandfather played for the Cubs in the 1940's (and played in the 1945 WS)?

Anyways, here is a neat press photo of Matt meeting Cal Ripken Jr.:



Again congratulations......

[Mark70Z]

Originally Posted by BaltOrioles

Bill,

Welcome and I know you will enjoy sharing your love of the O's with us.

Nice job on your first post, but I question the subject matter. Not what I was planning to share today. Anyway, the experience was the thrill of a lifetime. As a kid, I dreamed of being a pro player like most kids. When I saw that the Ironbirds were the sponsoring team that year, I submitted an entry. Never excepted to win.

I was hoping your experience would come up sooner or later this year! It's about time it did...

[Mark70Z]

Originally Posted by BaltOrioles

Mark,

On a side note, it's been speculated that the 1967 Venezuelan cards were actually printed by Sports Grafico and not Topps.

Whether the 1967 Venz were produced by Topps or by Sports Grafico it’s my favorite example.

Very nice rare team issue postcards today!