Brooks Robinson and the Baltimore Orioles

[BaltOrioles]

Let me preface today's post with a short story. My wife and I were high school sweethearts and in a few weeks will be celebrating our 41st anniversary (46 years together). Kathie knew I was an Orioles fan and collector. She didn't walk into this blindly. We've lived in the same house for nearly 40 years and raised our family there. When we moved in, I was given a small area off the downstairs family room to display/store my collection. Forty years ago it seems adequate.

Fast forward to last summer. The boys have long moved into their own homes and we are empty nesters. We had a piano in the family room that no one had played for years. I suggested to Kathie that someone might enjoy the piano and I could expand my territory. She said if I could find someone to take the piano without damaging the floor, she would part with it. Now it was a 100 yr old heavy, heavy piano and I don't think she thought I could get rid of it. It took me all summer, but just before we left for Florida in October, some friends from church and I delivered the piano to a lady about 20 miles away.

Last week, IKEA opened back up and we made the 8 hour round trip from Maine to Boston to pick up my shelves. This week I've been redesigning my space and discovering items I haven't seen in awhile. I'm no interior designer and my space is limited, but I'm happy with the results.

Here are some photos of the new space. I'll also post some pictures of the original room.

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[Mark70Z]

Originally Posted by BaltOrioles

Let me preface today's post with a short story. My wife and I were high school sweethearts and in a few weeks will be celebrating our 41st anniversary (46 years together). Kathie knew I was an Orioles fan and collector. She didn't walk into this blindly. We've lived in the same house for nearly 40 years and raised our family there. When we moved in, I was given a small area off the downstairs family room to display/store my collection. Forty years ago it seems adequate.

Fast forward to last summer. The boys have long moved into their own homes and we are empty nesters. We had a piano in the family room that no one had played for years. I suggested to Kathie that someone might enjoy the piano and I could expand my territory. She said if I could find someone to take the piano without damaging the floor, she would part with it. Now it was a 100 yr old heavy, heavy piano and I don't think she thought I could get rid of it. It took me all summer, but just before we left for Florida in October, some friends from church and I delivered the piano to a lady about 20 miles away.

Last week, IKEA opened back up and we made the 8 hour round trip from Maine to Boston to pick up my shelves. This week I've been redesigning my space and discovering items I haven't seen in awhile. I'm no interior designer and my space is limited, but I'm happy with the results.

Here are some photos of the new space. I'll also post some pictures of the original room.

Alan,

Very impressive. Really like the new shelves and the look of the room as a whole. Wish I had your organizational skills.

[Mark70Z]

Day 172 (June 20, 2020 – 172)

I’ll tell you what; I’m going to go back to back days with the 1977 Topps Brooks Robinson #285 whether you like it or not. I personally like it…

1977 Topps #285

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1977 Topps #285 back

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1977 Topps #285 pasteup artwork

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[roarfrom34]

Mark....Love that paste up back.....Topps Vault?

Here is a 1993 signed program celebrating Chuck Thompson's election to the Broadcaster's wing of the Hall of Fame..You'll note a small photo of Brooks on the cover as well....

[ksfarmboy]

Mark I like it.

Alan great room. Didn’t realize the size of those Gunther pictures.

[Mark70Z]

Originally Posted by roarfrom34

Mark....Love that paste up back.....Topps Vault?

Here is a 1993 signed program celebrating Chuck Thompson's election to the Broadcaster's wing of the Hall of Fame..You'll note a small photo of Brooks on the cover as well....

Yes; the paste up was from Topps Vault. So funny to view the cut and paste skill.

The Brooks drawing kinda looks like an afterthought.

[roarfrom34]

Alan...

I spent a lot of hours playing those dice games (though I was more of an APBA guy).

At one time, Beckett had a quarterly magazine called "Beckett Elite" and in the Spring of 2007 (with his HOF Induction right around the corner) they placed Cal Ripken Jr. on the cover.

They made eight printing plates of the cover and had Cal sign each one..I was able to acquire plate 8 of 8 :

[Mark70Z]

Originally Posted by roarfrom34

Alan...

I spent a lot of hours playing those dice games (though I was more of an APBA guy).

At one time, Beckett had a quarterly magazine called "Beckett Elite" and in the Spring of 2007 (with his HOF Induction right around the corner) they placed Cal Ripken Jr. on the cover.

They made eight printing plates of the cover and had Cal sign each one..I was able to acquire plate 8 of 8 :

That is a great piece. Like how you have it framed as well; very professional and just plain cool looking.

[BaltOrioles]

First of all, thanks to everyone that commented on my post yesterday. I am very happy how the rooms came out and it's nice to be able to enjoy more of my collection, instead of having stuff packed in boxes.

Like most of you, as a kid, some friends and I were into baseball board games. After trying to develop our own dice games, we discovered Strat-O-Matic games. We spent countless hours drafting teams and playing games.

The cards themselves aren't all that attractive, but were supposed to be based upon the player's actual stats, which was cool for a kid. Cards that say 1968 batting record are actually the 1969 set, as cards were based on the previous years statistics. The early cards are blank backed, but in the early 70's Strat-O-Matic added an advanced version that was printed on the back.

Strat-O-Matic Game cards

Here are a few examples of Brooks Robinson's cards. Unfortunately, I started playing near the end of his career.


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Several attempts over the years have been made to rekindle my interest and perhaps my sons, but neither attempt lasted very long. A couple sets that include Cal Ripken Jr.

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1972 Sports Illustrated Game

Sports Illustrated produced a game in 1972 that caught my eye for a year, but I always seems to go back to the Strat-O-Matic game.

1972 Sports Illustrated Orioles team sheet

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Cadaco Game Discs

The last set today are the Cadaco game discs. This game involved a spinner instead of dice. I never played it, but did pick up a few discs once they added pictures.

1989 Cal Ripken Jr Cadaco Disc

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2003 Jim Palmer and Brooks Robinson Discs

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