Brooks Robinson and the Baltimore Orioles

[Chstrite]

Day 72 – 13 March 2024
Brooks Robinson had two cards in the 1960s that are not Topps but are considered part of his PSA Master Set (1957 – 1978). I am happy to share the 1960 Leaf and 1963 Fleer. These cards are very different than their Topps competitors. The 1960 Leaf is a favorite. It is part of a smaller set including 144 cards. I find the black and white to really pop. My particular card is one of my lower graded cards in my Brooks basic set. There are 57 PSA 8s and 7 PSA 9s (no PSA 10s). I have never seen a PSA 9 but always looking. The 1963 Fleer set has 66 cards and a checklist. The Brooks you see is a PSA 9, which there are 52 and four PSA 10s. This is another card I think pops.

[Mark70Z]

Originally Posted by Chstrite

Day 72 – 13 March 2024
Brooks Robinson had two cards in the 1960s that are not Topps but are considered part of his PSA Master Set (1957 – 1978). I am happy to share the 1960 Leaf and 1963 Fleer. These cards are very different than their Topps competitors. The 1960 Leaf is a favorite. It is part of a smaller set including 144 cards. I find the black and white to really pop. My particular card is one of my lower graded cards in my Brooks basic set. There are 57 PSA 8s and 7 PSA 9s (no PSA 10s). I have never seen a PSA 9 but always looking. The 1963 Fleer set has 66 cards and a checklist. The Brooks you see is a PSA 9, which there are 52 and four PSA 10s. This is another card I think pops.

GREAT looking cards! Really like the looks and designs of both cards. Of course the backs are kinda plain.

[Chstrite]

Mark, I really like the 60 Leaf. A spectacular set and by far, the Brooksie is beat card in the set.

[Chstrite]

Day 73 – 14 March 2024
Brooks Robinson appeared in many regional sets during his playing days. One of the harder sets to find is his 1964 Martin Family Night card. This card is part of a give away set at a game played on July 17, 1964 against the Tigers. This set is printed on a blue background measuring 3 x 4 inches. Brooks is joined by 13 other Orioles in this set. I included a picture of all the players front and back with a close up of Brooks Robinson. The pictures can be seen on other photos. The back provides player personal information and 1963 stats. At the bottom of the card it mentions ZD or “Zero Defects at Martin!” I really tried hard to add this card to the PSA master but fell short. The Orioles shutout the Tigers with Robin Roberts pitching a complete game shutout. Brooks went 1/3 with a run, RBI, and BB. I have seen this card a few times but they are rare. I often wonder how many were in attendance that night (could not determine through a little research the total number) and regrettably forgot their cards under their seat?

[Chstrite]

With the Cards, I meant to share this beautiful score card from the Martin Family Night game with the blue card handouts. Anyone familiar with Z-D (on the back of the cards ZD stands for Zero Defects), Gemini Gems (does this have something to do with the space program rocket?) and the Clown? Same with the statement, “When the Orioles make a hit, Whistle!”

[roarfrom34]

Originally Posted by Chstrite

Day 73 – 14 March 2024
I often wonder how many were in attendance that night (could not determine through a little research the total number) and regrettably forgot their cards under their seat?

according to Baseball Reference the attendance was 22,629

[Chstrite]

Thanks, Bill. 22K. Not bad. So there would be a decent number of these handed out. I really like this set and program. They did great things in the 1960-1970s. This was one of them.

[ksfarmboy]

Did anyone that has a set of Martin Night cards get the Astronauts with them?

[BaltOrioles]

Originally Posted by Chstrite

Thanks, Bill. 22K. Not bad. So there would be a decent number of these handed out. I really like this set and program. They did great things in the 1960-1970s. This was one of them.

Charlie,

It is my understanding that the Martin Night set wasn't available to the general public. It was given out to Martin employees, but I'm not sure how they were distributed or the quantity. The set is much too hard to find to have been a stadium giveaway. I have a newsletter in my collection, from Martin Marietta, that mentions prizes and giveaways to employees, but doesn't specifically mention the card set. It looks like some prizes might have been based upon ticket sales within a department. I wish I knew more.