Brooks Robinson and the Baltimore Orioles

[BaltOrioles]

Originally Posted by Mark70Z

Day 108 (April 17, 2020 – 108)

Early Orioles team issue postcard, 1957-59, of a young Brooks. I usually call this example a 1959 (why; it looks like a later photo than the other 1957-59 postcard), but I’m sure it was issued by the team for a couple of years. Also, the Post Office stamp on the signed, mailed version, has a 1959 date so…we’ll go with 1959.

Attachment 394842

Mark,

I will agree with you that your postcard is probably after 1957 and most likely 1958 or 59. The similar style, lack of any uncut sheets or proof otherwise, leads most postcard collectors to lump the issues from 1957-1959 together. Postmarks on the back can sometimes confirm a year or two.

Here is what I believe to be the first team issued postcard of Brooks. It is postmarked in Aug 1957. It looks like Brooks was too nice to correct the printer on his middle name from the first to the second postcard.

195759 Postcard.JPG

[ripfan008]

Although I am too young to have seen Rick Dempsey play for the Orioles (I do remember seeing him play for the Dodgers at the end of his career), I always enjoyed the great stories people had about him and watching the videos of him sliding on the tarp during rain delays.

However, the one opportunity I had to meet Dempsey was during Orioles FanFest in 2003. When it was my turn to meet him, he turned to the table assistant and started screaming that he didn't have a cup of water on the table. He looked at her the entire time he was signing my ball. I could have been in a gorilla costume jumping up and down and he never would have noticed. It was such a disappointment.

But I did get to meet Paul Blair during the same FanFest. He may still be the nicest player I ever had the opportunity to meet.

I had every player sign the same ball during that day, so Rick Dempsey's and Paul Blair's signature are forever linked in my mind. (I display the Paul Blair side of the ball).

[roarfrom34]

Great Dempsey items Clint & Mike (i'm sorry your experience with him wasn't the best; I can assure you that it isn't typical)!

A few years back I won a small lot of 1986 Orioles worn mesh pre game tops (which included a Dempsey) in an auction. Coincidentally, I found a BP photo of Rick that I took myself that season. I subsequently had Rick sign his top after a game at his Camden Yards restaurant a couple years ago:

[roarfrom34]

The only other BP top from that auction lot that I've had signed (with help from his son) was Mike Boddicker's. Anyone who has met Mike knows he's always a class act!

[Mark70Z]

I’ve always liked team photos. Maybe I’m not too keen on the Topps team cards since you really can’t make out the players, but the regular team photos I’m a fan. I’m lovin’ the team photos being shown and appreciate you guys posting them for all to see; thank you!

[Mark70Z]

Originally Posted by ripfan008

Although I am too young to have seen Rick Dempsey play for the Orioles (I do remember seeing him play for the Dodgers at the end of his career), I always enjoyed the great stories people had about him and watching the videos of him sliding on the tarp during rain delays.

However, the one opportunity I had to meet Dempsey was during Orioles FanFest in 2003. When it was my turn to meet him, he turned to the table assistant and started screaming that he didn't have a cup of water on the table. He looked at her the entire time he was signing my ball. I could have been in a gorilla costume jumping up and down and he never would have noticed. It was such a disappointment.

But I did get to meet Paul Blair during the same FanFest. He may still be the nicest player I ever had the opportunity to meet.

I had every player sign the same ball during that day, so Rick Dempsey's and Paul Blair's signature are forever linked in my mind. (I display the Paul Blair side of the ball).

Mike,

I was worried about meeting Brooks the first time in the 80’s even though I heard about him being so nice. He was my hero growing up and if something like that happened I guarantee I wouldn’t be collecting him today. Thankfully that wasn’t the case, but it is disappointing to hear your experience with Dempsey.

[ksfarmboy]

Bill what years were those orange batting practice tops used?

[roarfrom34]

Originally Posted by ksfarmboy

Bill what years were those orange batting practice tops used?

1986

I have a Tony Arnold and Al Pardo if you have any interest....

[ksfarmboy]

Bill, yes I’d be interested in one for my style collection. Send me a pm where I can send PayPal or a check. Either player would do. Thanks!

[Mark70Z]

Originally Posted by BaltOrioles

Mark,

I will agree with you that your postcard is probably after 1957 and most likely 1958 or 59. The similar style, lack of any uncut sheets or proof otherwise, leads most postcard collectors to lump the issues from 1957-1959 together. Postmarks on the back can sometimes confirm a year or two.

Here is what I believe to be the first team issued postcard of Brooks. It is postmarked in Aug 1957. It looks like Brooks was too nice to correct the printer on his middle name from the first to the second postcard.

Alan,

Appreciate the detail. Do you happen to have a scan of the back of the postcard you pictured? Man, that’s one nice autograph on that postcard...

[BaltOrioles]

Originally Posted by Mark70Z

Alan,

Appreciate the detail. Do you happen to have a scan of the back of the postcard you pictured? Man, that’s one nice autograph on that postcard...

Mark,

Here's the back of the 1957 Brooks postcard. Hard to see the postmark date through the address, but it's Aug 14, 1957.

SCAN8229.JPG

[Mark70Z]

Originally Posted by BaltOrioles

Mark,

Here's the back of the 1957 Brooks postcard. Hard to see the postmark date through the address, but it's Aug 14, 1957.

Thanks! That back is “almost“ as nice as the front and all in Brooks hand. Wonder when Brooks started signing these ‘57 postcards; would be neat to know.

[Mark70Z]

Day109 (April 18, 2020 – 109)

When I was younger, I really didn’t care for the baseball related stamps, but now I personally like stamps. In 1961 Topps inserted stamps which were around 1 38” x 1 3/16” into wax packs in panels of two. The stamps are unnumbered and pictured on brown or on green stamps.

1961 Topps Stamp panel – Brooks Robinson and John Buzhardt

Day 109 1961 Topps Stamp Panel.jpg

Since we’re in 1961 I’ll also include a working press pass.

1961 Orioles Working Press Pass

Day 109 1961 Working Press Pass.jpg

[Mark70Z]

Posted for Clint (ksfarmboy)

Today Clint has ANOTHER great looking orange jersey... This time it's a 1979 Steve Stone game used orange example.

Steve.jpg
Steve 1.jpg

[roarfrom34]

The 1971 Dallas Fort Worth Spurs finished the season with a 82-59 record in the Texas league (good for 2nd Place). They played in Turnpike Stadium which was retrofitted into Arlington Stadium the next year when the Rangers moved in (and subsequently played in for 20 seasons):

Here is their Team Photo with notable inclusions Mike Reinbach, Don Hood, Jesse Jefferson, Dyar Miller, Doug DeCinces, Enos Cabell, Wayne Garland, Tom Walker, Cal Ripken Sr. (MGR) & Junior Kennedy.



I always loved the "Mod Squad" look of their program:



Here is a nice vintage postcard of Turnpike Stadium that I had Cal Ripken Sr. sign with the year he managed there:

[BaltOrioles]

Originally Posted by Mark70Z

Day109 (April 18, 2020 – 109)

In 1961 Topps inserted stamps which were around 1 38” x 1 3/16” into wax packs in panels of two. The stamps are unnumbered and pictured on brown or on green stamps.

1961 Topps Stamp panel – Brooks Robinson and John Buzhardt

Attachment 394974

Mark,

It's interesting that the stamp panel of Brooks also includes John Buzhardt. Buzhardt had a nice career, mainly with the Chicago White Sox. He also had stops with the Chicago Cubs, Philadelphia Phillies and Houston Astros. Finding items of John Buzhardt aren't that difficult.

One of my collecting goals is to have a photo of some kind of every player to ever appear for the Orioles, but pictured in their Orioles uniform. John Buzhardt tops the list as the only player to wear an Orioles uniform that I've never seen anything with him pictured as an Oriole. He appeared briefly for the Orioles in 1967. I wish somebody on the site can please prove me wrong.

For the record, here's my top five list.

John Buzhardt 1967
Grady Hatton 1956
Roger Marquis 1955
Buddy Peterson 1957
Sam Jones 1964

Honorable mentions go to Wally Westlake 1955, Babe Birrer 1956 and Shane Turner 1991

Westlake and Birrer have team issued postcards that I've seen, but I only have copies of them. I have copies of photos of Hatton, Marquis and Peterson from other collections. I been lucky to find a Sam Jones and within the last 6 months finally found a photo of Shane Turner.

Sam Jones 1964 Wirephoto

1964 Baltimore Sun Wirephoto (Orioles Get Pitching Help) MMS1.jpg

Shane Turner 1991 Spring Training photo

Turner, Shane 1991.jpg

[Mark70Z]

Originally Posted by BaltOrioles

Mark,

One of my collecting goals is to have a photo of some kind of every player to ever appear for the Orioles, but pictured in their Orioles uniform. John Buzhardt tops the list as the only player to wear an Orioles uniform that I've never seen anything with him pictured as an Oriole. He appeared briefly for the Orioles in 1967. I wish somebody on the site can please prove me wrong.

For the record, here's my top five list.

John Buzhardt 1967
Grady Hatton 1956
Roger Marquis 1955
Buddy Peterson 1957
Sam Jones 1964

Honorable mentions go to Wally Westlake 1955, Babe Birrer 1956 and Shane Turner 1991

Alan,

Such a neat endeavor. You would think it has to be "possible" and "likely" that they had some type of picture taken as an Oriole, but the short timers could definitely be a needle in a hay stack. Of course when you do pick them up you definitely have to post and hopefully someone here can help with your goal.