Brooks Robinson and the Baltimore Orioles

[roarfrom34]

After Jackson Holliday was called up yesterday it did create quite the stir that it was then soon announced that he would wear #7 and that the Holliday family had reached out to Cal Ripken Jr. for permission, because that number hadn't been issued since Cal Sr. last wore it in 1992.

Reports also mentioned that the last Orioles player to wear # 7 was Bill Ripken who took it after Sr. was fired after only six games into the 1988 season (when Sr. was re-hired as a coach in '89 he re-claimed it).

Kind of a along story, but a friend of mine who was part of the media took me into the Orioles locker room after the last home game of the '88 season (they had just lost their 104th game) and were packing for Toronto for the final weekend of that nightmare season.

I approached Bill after he dressed and asked him if I could have the "Ripken 7" nameplate above his locker (Cal Jr. had already given me his) and he pulled it off and just handed it to me. He then added "Hold it, I've got something else for you" and dug deep into the bottom of his locker and handed me the mangled "B. Ripken 3" nameplate that had been there since April.

Needless to say I was very grateful to my media buddy as well as to the Ripken Brothers for their generosity that fall night......

[Chstrite]

Bill, please have a yard sale and let some of those locker room name tags go. I have a nice wall of them decorated but none are older than 2004. Brooks, Cal, Palmer, or some of the other common older ones would suffice. Thanks for sharing these above.

[Chstrite]

Day 102 – 12 April 2024
I thought I would show some Baltimore Related Stickers for a “few” days. I am constantly scanning ebay and the shows for stickers. If anyone has any that they do not see over the new “few” days and want to trade, donate or sell, keep me in mind. Funny…I am constantly buying ones I already have. At the end of the “sticker” session here, you’ll understand how that is possible. I will start with a few in a large “holder.” This assortment includes ones from the 1980s – early 2000s. I especially like the yellow one (Os Magic, Channel 2), the 1983 World Champions, and “Were for the Birds.” On the next sheet, I like the “Sign Cal” and the Decker Bird from the 1960s.

[roarfrom34]

[Chstrite]

Day 103 – 13 April 2024
Today’s stickers include more from 1950s, 1970s, 1980s through 2000s. I like the Channel 13 Miller High Life “Its 2 Million Time.” The Baltimore Sun Bird sticker is cool, too. I enjoy the Hartzell Bird Decal from the mid-1950s. The next sheet probably has some duplicates, but on this sheet I like the “Tonight, Let it be LowenTime.” The small bird at the bottom from the 1950s is nice, too. I really like the 1970 WS sticker on the top right.

[Chstrite]

the top right.
Day 104 – 14 April 2024
Today’s sheet is full of more of the same. Stickers from the 1970s through 2000s. I like the bright stickers so on this sheet I am partial to the “Baltimore Knows Boh.” The sticker reflecting Baltimore’s frustration with Peters is fun (“I am Petered Out!”). I also like the HoF Ripken/Gwynn sticker. On the next sheet, you see a couple old Decals from the 1950s at the bottom left. The top right “Looking Great in 1978” is a cool one.

[Chstrite]

Wrong pics above