Brooks Robinson and the Baltimore Orioles

[Chris-Counts]

I'm astounded to see 33 pages of posts on Brooks Robinson and the Orioles. I first saw Brooks play during the 1970 World Series when I was 10. He seemed to single-handedly beat my beloved Reds, but I didn't hold it against him. I made sure my next glove was a Rawlings Brooks Robinson model, and soon I was trying to play third base like him. I would actually practice diving with my glove outstretched. I met him as a teenager, and he was a true gentleman.

I've long considered the Happy Bird to be the best cap logo in baseball. I'm also a big fan of the Early Bird, and the Ornithologically-Correct Bird, which are each pictured below.

Of all my pieces of Orioles memorabilia, here are a few of my favorites. The caps are from c. 1954, c. 1960 and 1970 (Bobby Grich!), the photo in the middle comes from a 1957 Sports Illustrated, the Bazooka card is from 1964, and the jersey is from 1959 (Harry Brecheen?).

[Mark70Z]

Day 149 (May 28, 2020 – 149)

As you’ve already guessed it, I collect pretty much anything Brooks related (unless it’s ugly and if it’s ugly sometimes I collect that as well ). This piece is a Brooks Robinson Cooperstown Bears figure called, “The Hot Corner”. I had to post the bottom of the resin figure because it hit me as funny when reading. The bottom states, “This Cooperstown Teddy is part of an exclusive offering of MLB bears authentically reproduced from original sources – historical documents, photographs and detailed information from famed baseball historians.” Ha; really?

1998 Cooperstown Bear – “The Hot Corner”

Day 149 a 1998 Cooperstown Bear The Hot Corner.jpg
Day 149 b 1998 Cooperstown Bear The Hot Corner bottom.jpg

The figure was from 1998 so I’ll post a favorite post career card. It’s a 1998 Fleer Sports Illustrated signed card.

1998 Fleer SI signed

Day 149 c 1998 Fleer Sports Illustrated.jpg

[Mark70Z]

Originally Posted by Chris Counts

I'm astounded to see 33 pages of posts on Brooks Robinson and the Orioles. I first saw Brooks play during the 1970 World Series when I was 10. He seemed to single-handedly beat my beloved Reds, but I didn't hold it against him. I made sure my next glove was a Rawlings Brooks Robinson model, and soon I was trying to play third base like him. I would actually practice diving with my glove outstretched. I met him as a teenager, and he was a true gentleman.

I've long considered the Happy Bird to be the best cap logo in baseball. I'm also a big fan of the Early Bird, and the Ornithologically-Correct Bird, which are each pictured below.

Of all my pieces of Orioles memorabilia, here are a few of my favorites. The caps are from c. 1954, c. 1960 and 1970 (Bobby Grich!), the photo in the middle comes from a 1957 Sports Illustrated, the Bazooka card is from 1964, and the jersey is from 1959 (Harry Brecheen?).

Chris,

Those are some amazing GU items. I'm a big fan of the Happy Bird as being my favorite and the Grich example hits the mark. Now, it's hard to beat a 1954 cap though and that is a great example. I really like pretty much ALL of the Oriole caps over the years even the examples that don't have the bird like the "B" cap.

The signed cutout of Brooks from the '57 SI is cool. I also like the photo on the back as well. The back photo reminds me of a Brooks item I have that I posted on Net54 before, but not in this thread. I'll have to picture it since it resembles that shot.

[roarfrom34]

Alternate orange top (and GU Rawlings bat) from 1987 of Cal Ripken Jr.:



Cal Ripken Jr. game used batting helmet from 1986:

[BaltOrioles]

In post #1523, I discussed Sunpapers scorecards from the 1960's. During that time, the rival newspaper of the Baltimore Sun was the Baltimore News-American. They also printed scorecards for their readers to score games as they followed the Orioles. By the end of the 60's, the tradition of scorecards had ended, except for some World Series scorecards from 1969-1971.

Scorecards from 1955-1960 were relatively plain. Roster changes throughout the season led to scorecards being updated during the season.

1955 News-Post & American.jpg 1956 News-Post & American.jpg

1957 News-Post & American.jpg 1958 News-Post & American (Blue).jpg

1959 News-Post & American (Black).jpg 1960 News-Post & American #1.jpg


In 1961, the format changed to include a cover design. 1961-1963 used the same basic design. In 1964, the covers started changing from year to year. I'm still looking for a 1965 scorecard.

1961-1963

1961 News-Post & American.jpg 1962 News-Post & American.jpg

1963 News-Post & American.jpg

1964

1964 News American.jpg

1966

1966 News American.jpg

1967

1967 News American.jpg

1968

1968 News American.jpg

[Mark70Z]

Originally Posted by roarfrom34

Alternate orange top (and GU Rawlings bat) from 1987 of Cal Ripken Jr.:



Cal Ripken Jr. game used batting helmet from 1986:

I don’t know what to say other than WOW!!!

[Mark70Z]

Day 150 (May 29, 2020 – 150)

Our family will try to make a trip every year to see a couple games where the Rays play the Orioles in Tampa. On May 29, 2000 the Orioles visited the Tampa Bay Devil Rays at Tropicana Field for a “Turn Back the Clock” game. The Orioles won the game 5-1.

This is a pretty neat program we picked up from the game picturing Brooks along with Jim Palmer, Frank Robinson and Earl Weaver.
May 29, 2000 Devil Rays vs. Orioles “Turn Back the Clock” game program

Day 150 a 1.jpg

[BaltOrioles]

Schmidt Baking Company is a bakery in Baltimore. The company makes Schmidt's Blue Ribbon and Schmidt's Old Tyme Breads. Maybe some Baltimore locals can tell us more about them. I've never seen any of their products in Maine.

I'm not positive of the year, but guessing between 1967-1969, Schmidt Baking had a promotion featuring Frank Robinson. The promotion included a couple 3 inch pinback buttons and a baseball tips booklet.

SCAN8422.JPG

[ripfan008]

[QUOTE=BaltOrioles;1985251]Schmidt Baking Company is a bakery in Baltimore. The company makes Schmidt's Blue Ribbon and Schmidt's Old Tyme Breads. Maybe some Baltimore locals can tell us more about them. I've never seen any of their products in Maine.

I'm not positive of the year, but guessing between 1967-1969, Schmidt Baking had a promotion featuring Frank Robinson. The promotion included a couple 3 inch pinback buttons and a baseball tips booklet.


Good morning Alan,

I just picked up that Frank Robinson booklet last week. It came from a gentleman who was the original purchaser in a bag of Schmidt's Bread. He said the booklet was just crammed into the bread bag without any other wrapping, so his was a little stained. He also vaguely recalled the bread tasting a little odd with a booklet jammed into it.

He couldn't remember the exact year but gave the same range as you. As for Schmidt's, they've been selling bread in Baltimore since the 1880's (although the company is owned by H&S Baking now).