Brooks Robinson and the Baltimore Orioles

[BaltOrioles]

Yesterday, I noticed a 1976 Charlotte Orioles program listed on eBay. It reminded me that I haven't posted much minor league stuff lately.

1976 was an interesting year for Charlotte programs. They printed three different covers, but also included the opponents name on the front. It was very unusual, at that time, for a team to get that detailed with it's programs.

I have five different covers and still need the Montgomery and Columbus versions.

FYI, Eddie Murray played for Charlotte that year.

1976 Charlotte Orioles Programs

1976 Charlotte Orioles #1.jpg

1976 Charlotte Orioles #2.jpg

1976 Charlotte Orioles #3.jpg

1976 Charlotte Orioles #4.jpg

1976 Charlotte Orioles #5.jpg


Bonus:

Program from an exhibition game played in Charlotte that year - Atlanta Braves vs the Southern League All-Stars

1976 Charlotte Orioles (Exhibition).jpg

[Mark70Z]

Day 200 (July 18, 2020 – 200)

The Carolina’s Greatest Sportscard Show was held for three days in Charlotte, NC: July 19th, 20th and the 21st. A print ad was produced for the 1996 show which had a reunion of some of the 1966 Orioles Champion team which are pictured within the ad.

Day 200 Ad 1996 Sportscard Show July 19, 20, 21.jpg

A picture of two of the show’s guests; the 1966 photo below was taken by Jay Spencer.

Day 200 b Photo 1966 by Jay Spencer March 13.jpg

[roarfrom34]

Originally Posted by BaltOrioles

Yesterday, I noticed a 1976 Charlotte Orioles program listed on eBay. It reminded me that I haven't posted much minor league stuff lately.

1976 was an interesting year for Charlotte programs. They printed three different covers, but also included the opponents name on the front. It was very unusual, at that time, for a team to get that detailed with it's programs.

I have five different covers and still need the Montgomery and Columbus versions.

FYI, Eddie Murray played for Charlotte that year.

Here is a ticket from the first home game in the history of the Charlotte O's...
Interestingly the ballpark hadn't been renamed Crockett Park yet.

Alan, could you please check one of those programs to see if they opened the season on the home or the road that year..

As an aside, Jimmie Schaffer was the manager of that club that season (who lives near me) and I saw him at the local diner last week having breakfast:

[BaltOrioles]

Originally Posted by roarfrom34

Here is a ticket from the first home game in the history of the Charlotte O's...
Interestingly the ballpark hadn't been renamed Crockett Park yet.

Alan, could you please check one of those programs to see if they opened the season on the home or the road that year..

As an aside, Jimmie Schaffer was the manager of that club that season (who lives near me) and I saw him at the local diner last week having breakfast:

Bill,

Charlotte did indeed open the season at home against the Chattanooga Lookouts. It's interesting to note that 19 yr old Eddie Murray is listed as 1B-3B in the program. Was he supposed to be the heir to Brooks at 3B ??

A couple of Jimmie Schaffer postcards, managing the Lodi Orioles and at Orioles spring training

SCAN8869.JPG

[BaltOrioles]

Low level minor league teams often work with very limited budgets. Bluefield, the Orioles representative in the short season Appalachian League for over 50 years, was no exception.

If a minor league team has several different program covers each year, I try to collect each front cover.

In 1974, the Bluefield Orioles finished with a record of 37-32. The team didn't produce any future O's. Here's their 1974 program.

1974 Bluefield Orioles.jpg

The 1975 Bluefield team finished much worse at 26-43, but did produce three players that played in Baltimore. Sammy Stewart, Dave Ford and Jeff Rineer (if for only 1 game in 1979)

Here's the regular program from 1975.

1975 Bluefield Orioles #1.jpg

As I mentioned, limited budgets. I thought this was another cover variation, but when I received it, I realized the Orioles had just reused old 1974 programs with a 1975 sticker over the year. I have since seen multiple other years where Bluefield did the same thing. In 1959, they just took a marker and changed the 8 into a 9.

[roarfrom34]

Originally Posted by BaltOrioles

Bill,

Charlotte did indeed open the season at home against the Chattanooga Lookouts. It's interesting to note that 19 yr old Eddie Murray is listed as 1B-3B in the program. Was he supposed to be the heir to Brooks at 3B ??

If you were at a trivia contest and someone asked you to name the Opening Day third baseman for the Orioles in 1978, most people would answer Doug DeCinces.

Surprisingly, Eddie Murray started the first three games for the Orioles at 3B that year, while DeCinces played second base.

It was deemed a failed experiment as the Brewers swept the Orioles & fortunately Eddie headed back to 1B.

[Mark70Z]

Day 201 (July 19, 2020 – 201)

July 19th, 1982 in Washington, D.C., within RFK Memorial Stadium, held the 1st Annual Cracker Jack Old Timers Game. One of the most memorable things that occurred this day was that Luke Appling, former Chicago White Sox, homered off of the great Warren Spahn – at the age of 75.

Below is an advertising poster for the 1982 Cracker Jack game.

Day 201 a Poster.jpg

1982 Cracker Jack Old Timers Game program

Day 201 b Publication 1982 Cracker Jack Old Timers July 19 1.jpg

[BaltOrioles]

Originally Posted by Mark70Z

Day 201 (July 19, 2020 – 201)

July 19th, 1982 in Washington, D.C., within RFK Memorial Stadium, held the 1st Annual Cracker Jack Old Timers Game. One of the most memorable things that occurred this day was that Luke Appling, former Chicago White Sox, homered off of the great Warren Spahn – at the age of 75.

Below is an advertising poster for the 1982 Cracker Jack game.

Attachment 410030

1982 Cracker Jack Old Timers Game program

Attachment 410031

Mark,

I really like the poster and program. Cracker Jack also produced a 16 card set of All-Time Greats that included Brooks Robinson.

1982 Cracker Jack.jpg

Uncut sheets of the complete 1982 Cracker Jack set

SCAN8873.jpg SCAN8874.jpg

James Elder postcard of Luke Appling

James Elder 01 - Copy.JPG

[roarfrom34]

Associated Press wirephoto from 09/30/76 showing Brooks pre-game in the locker room noting that it might be his last game as an Oriole...We all know that he did come back in 1977 as a player-coach: