Brooks Robinson and the Baltimore Orioles

[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......

[BaltOrioles]

Originally Posted by roarfrom34

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)?

Bill,

I love the license plate. Cal signed mine for me. Sounds like our wives would get along fine.

Matt Merullo was great that day. He made me feel a part of everything. After, the game he brought me into his office. We talked a lot of baseball, including his grandfather's career. At the end, he asked if I enjoyed myself. I said it was the thrill of a lifetime. His quote was "Great. I'm afraid we're going to have to let you go". I got a nice laugh out of that.

2014 Aberdeen Ironbirds #14.jpg

[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]

Day 89 (March 29, 2020 – 089)

I think Brooks was only pictured on the cover of four Sports Illustrated magazines over the years starting with an August 31, 1964 cover. The 1964 SI cover pictures Brooks coming home with White Sox catcher Gerry McNertney blocking the plate with Orioles Earl Robinson viewing the play. To me just a great action photograph by Herb Scharfman. The Orioles/White Sox/Yankees were all in a tight pennant race in 1964 and looking back who really cares who came out on top…

Sports Illustrated August 31, 1964

Day 89 a SI.jpg

The second cover pictures Brooks and Frank published just one day after the Orioles sweep the Dodgers in the 1966 World Series. The great photo was taken by photographer John Zimmerman.

Sports Illustrated October 10, 1966

Day 89 b SI.jpg

Third cover comes during the 1969 World Series with the Mets. Cover shows Brooks at 3rd with Rod Gaspar at bat swinging away and Elrod Hendricks catching. The cover reads, “Oriole Brooks Robinson Challenges the Mets”.

Sports Illustrated October 20, 1969

Day 89 c SI.jpg

The last cover shows Brooks along with some other Orioles and Reds players during the 1970 World Series. The article inside was entitled, “Flying Start of the Big Bad Birds”. Of course by the time the magazine came out the Orioles had already won the 1970 Series.

I liked Earl’s answer to a question a reporter asked “What’s the difference between your team this year and last?” Earl’s response, “Nothing”.

Sports Illustrated October 19, 1970

Day 89 d SI.jpg

[roarfrom34]

Hi Mark:

Thanks for sharing all those SI covers...Regarding the 1970 one, I like to tell people that Bernie Carbo still hasn't touched home plate!

Here is an original 08/22/64 press photo that was taken a second or so after the one that was used for the cover (he was safe!):

[Mark70Z]

Originally Posted by roarfrom34

Hi Mark:

Here is an original 08/22/64 press photo that was taken a second or so after the one that was used for the cover (he was safe!):

I have a wire photo that has three sequential photos of this play, but I guess I didn't scan it when I was going through my pictures. I did scan one that's at a slightly different angle than the one used on the SI cover.

Photo 1964 Catcher Gerald McNertney August 22 SI cover.jpg
Photo 1964 Catcher Gerald McNertney August 22 SI Cover back.jpg