Brooks Robinson and the Baltimore Orioles

[BaltOrioles]

Mark,

That box score is very cool. Who hasn't enjoyed a box of Cracker Jack at a game. Sometime between the time I was a kid and today, the toy surprises inside the box went from something really neat to lame stickers.

For a few years in the 90's, mini versions of baseball cards were inserted into boxes. Both Topps and Donruss provided cards, Topps in 1991 and Donruss in 1992.

In 1991, there were two series of 36 cards. Three Orioles were in the set, Cal Ripken Jr in series one and Ben McDonald and Gregg Olson in series two.

1991 Orioles Cracker Jack cards

1991 Cracker Jack.jpg

In addition to the individual mini cards, 4 in 1 cards have shown up. Most likely uncut sheets being cut up. The 4-1 cards are the same size as a regular baseball card. I just couldn't help myself and started picking up all the Orioles 4-1 variations. I have 18 of what I believe are 19 different, missing only the (Monitor, Clemens, Ripken, Boggs) card. There are 10 different Ripken variations, 6 different McDonald and 4 Olson. One variation contains both McDonald and Olson. I've seen pics of uncut sheets and the repeating patterns of some cards, make some of the 4-1 combos easier to find than others.

1991 Cracker Jack 4-1 cards

1991 Cracker Jack 4-1 #1.jpg

1991 Cracker Jack 4-1 #2.jpg

1991 Cracker Jack 4-1 #3.JPG

[roarfrom34]

Mark...If you can get up to Cooperstown by 10/02, you can get in for free lol..


Remember when teams played Basketball in the off season (usually versus HS Faculty, etc.)?

Here is an original Baltimore Sun photo from January of 1974 with Brooks and some teammates suited up prior to tip off. Ironically, the Rangers' Jim Spencer was playing with them as well (he lived in Maryland):

[BaltOrioles]

Originally Posted by roarfrom34

Remember when teams played Basketball in the off season (usually versus HS Faculty, etc.)?

Here is an original Baltimore Sun photo from January of 1974 with Brooks and some teammates suited up prior to tip off. Ironically, the Rangers' Jim Spencer was playing with them as well (he lived in Maryland):

Bill,

Very neat photo. Sometimes there were even programs associated with the games.

Programs from a couple games in 1983 and 1986

1983 Winter Basketball (Frederick County All-Satrs).jpg

Jan 6 1986.jpg

[Mark70Z]

Originally Posted by BaltOrioles

Bill,

Very neat photo. Sometimes there were even programs associated with the games.

Man, if there's a program for an O's event Alan has a program for it...

[Mark70Z]

Day 262 (September 18, 2020 – 262)

September 18, 1977, was “Thanks, Brooks” day in Baltimore. It also happens to be my birthday today (it was also my birthday in ’77 Baltimore fans came out to the ballpark not only to see the Orioles, who were 2 ½ games out of first and were to play the Red Sox who were in third-place with only 13 games remaining in the season, the fans also came that Sunday afternoon to pay proper homage to their hero. The Orioles press guide of ’78 described the day, “In an emotionally charged atmosphere, Brooks Robinson was accorded a sustained, nerve-tingling ovation as he entered the field and rode around the warning track in a 1955 model Cadillac, manufactured the year he made his major league bow in Baltimore.”

September 18, 1977 ticket stubs

Day 262 Ticket Stub Thanks Brooks Day Blue.jpg
Day 262 Ticket Stub Thanks Brooks Day White.jpg

Picture of Brooks on “Thanks Brooks” day in the 1955 Cadillac

Day 262 1977 Thanks Brooks Day Caddy.JPG

Small Brooks “Thanks Brooks Day” sign

Day 262 sign.jpg

In Brooks Robinson fashion he did not speak long, but thanked his fans by stating, “It’s been a beautiful 23 years. It turned out to be a beautiful day and you’re all beautiful people.” During the ceremony, Doug DeCinces, who replaced Brooks at 3rd, did something simple and spontaneous; he went to third base, lifted the bag from the ground, and presented it to Brooks.

[roarfrom34]

Happy Birthday Mark! Great ticket stubs and I love that promotional sign!

The Orioles showed an aerial view of the Thanks Brooks ceremony on their holiday card in 1977:

[roarfrom34]

Alan..Great Basketball programs! I've never seen any of those before...

Here is a basketball ticket from Aberdeen HS from January 1983 signed by Cal Jr. on the reverse:



A couple of cool fan photos from an Orioles basketball game from the mid to late 1980's (Billy, Jim Traber & Cal Jr.):

[BaltOrioles]

Originally Posted by Mark70Z

Day 262 (September 18, 2020 – 262)

September 18, 1977, was “Thanks, Brooks” day in Baltimore. It also happens to be my birthday today (it was also my birthday in ’77 Baltimore fans came out to the ballpark not only to see the Orioles, who were 2 ½ games out of first and were to play the Red Sox who were in third-place with only 13 games remaining in the season, the fans also came that Sunday afternoon to pay proper homage to their hero. The Orioles press guide of ’78 described the day, “In an emotionally charged atmosphere, Brooks Robinson was accorded a sustained, nerve-tingling ovation as he entered the field and rode around the warning track in a 1955 model Cadillac, manufactured the year he made his major league bow in Baltimore.”

In Brooks Robinson fashion he did not speak long, but thanked his fans by stating, “It’s been a beautiful 23 years. It turned out to be a beautiful day and you’re all beautiful people.” During the ceremony, Doug DeCinces, who replaced Brooks at 3rd, did something simple and spontaneous; he went to third base, lifted the bag from the ground, and presented it to Brooks.

Mark,

Happy Birthday. Very nice items. I do have a lot of programs. I'm guessing over 2000 different, including the minor league affiliate programs. Here's the program from "Thanks Brooks" day.

1977 Program #4.jpg