1967 Topps Poster Inserts - Brooks Robinson

Here's another 60's insert set containing 32 players with each poster measuring 5"x7". Much like the 68' Topps Game Cards this set has a number of big name stars, Mantle, Clemente, Aaron, both Robinson's. Then, in my opinion a few questionable players like Bobby Knoop, Johnny Callison and few others. It's not these guys didn't have somewhat productive careers but you'd think with such a limited number of cards you would add a few more big timers of which there was no shortage in 67'.

The Topps regular issued Brooks card form 67' was for a time considered to be quite scarce thus commanding an even greater value than most Mantle cards of the 60s. With the advent of eBay and the realization that plenty of these cards were available, the value has dipped. It can still be a difficult card in higher grade due to its high-number series #600.

Brooks 1967 Season:   BA: .269    HR: 22    Hits: 164    RBI: 77    AB: 610

1954 Topps - Tom Oliver

In 1954 Tom "Rebel" Oliver followed manager Jimmie Dykes from the Philadelphia Athletics to help coach the relocated St. Louis Browns.

This would be the dawn of a new era for Major League Baseball in Baltimore after a 52 year hiatus.

The following season Dykes was replaced by Paul Richards to manage the O's and Oliver was let go. Before his coach/managing career he played 4 years in the big-leagues (1930-1933) with the Boston Red Sox.

Though his time in Baltimore and his years playing in the bigs with Boston was short lived, Tom was true baseball lifer, spending nearly 60 years in the game as a player, manager, coach, and scout.

Being part of the Orioles new era in baseball on that inaugural team, he will always have a fan in me.

Major League Career Stats:   BA: .277    HR: 0    Hits: 534    RBI: 176    AB: 1931

1956 Topps - Bobby Adams

Adams played only a portion of the 1954 season in Baltimore. Subsequently this is his lone card in a Bird's uniform. He played a scant 41 games platooning between 2nd and 3rd base before being replaced by Grady Hatton mid season. Overall he had a 14-season MLB career. 

Adams was one of the few players prior to Brooks Robinson to wear the number 5. Which begs the question, who the heck is pictured in the the action photo behind his portrait on this card? He never wore 23 so he can't be the fielder. The guy who looks to be sliding into 2nd (although he should be sliding from the opposite direction, Topps must have reversed the image to better fit the card layout?) I think is wearing a #12. Adams did wear #12 in Cincinnati prior to playing for the White Sox, so it could be that. If anyone knows the answer feel free to let me know in the comment section below.

Major League Career Stats:   BA: .269    HR: 37    Hits: 1082    RBI: 303    AB: 4019

1979 World Series Tickets - Game 6

This is a bitter sweet piece of Orioles memorabilia for obvious reasons. Sweet because they’re two really nice World Series tickets from a year the Orioles won a whopping 102 games. 

Extremely bitter because, for the second time in a decade Baltimore lost the Series in 7 games to Pittsburg. The Orioles had a 3 games to 1 lead but could not close it out. 

Much like the 70’ Series turned into the Books Robinson show, the 79’ Series was all about Willie Stargell. He dominated, batting .400 with 12 hits, 4 doubles and 3 home runs and was named the series MVP.

1971 Topps - Earl Weaver

There isn’t anything I can add to all that has been written about one of the great managers in MLB history. Instead, enjoy a collection of quotes from the Earl of Baltimore:

"The job of arguing with the umpire belongs to the manager, because it won't hurt the team if he gets thrown out of the game."

"Every time I fail to smoke a cigarette between innings, the opposition will score."

"It's what you learn after you know it all that counts."

"Nobody likes to hear it, because it's dull, but the reason you win or lose is darn near always the same - pitching."

"On my tombstone just write, 'The sorest loser that ever lived.”

"The key to winning baseball games is pitching, fundamentals, and three run homers."

"This ain't a football game, we do this every day."

a few quotes about Earl:

"The only thing Earl (Weaver) knows about big-league pitching is that he couldn't hit it." ~ Jim Palmer

And my personal favorite:

"If there was no professional baseball, Bill James once wrote, 'He’d (Earl Weaver) have been a bouncer at a midget bar.'"

Earl lead the Orioles to 4 Pennants (3 consecutive 69’, 70’, 71’) and 1 World Series. He ranks 9th all-time in winning percentage among managers who have managed at least 600 games.

Career Managerial Record:  Games: 2541   W-L Record: 1,480-1,060   Winning%: .583

1968 Topps Baseball Game Cards - Brooks Robinson

Of all the Topps insert sets of the 60's, these 68' game cards were probably the most popular. They're very similar to the Red Backs and Blue Back sets issued by Topps in 51'. They were designed to be used as a baseball game based on the info printed on the front of each card. For example if you drew the Brooks card you were awarded 1st base because it reads “Hit By Pitch”. If you drew the Mantle card, it reads “Single, Runners Advance 2 Bases” etc.

In total the set includes 33 cards measuring 2 1/4 by 3 1/4. This set is stacked with stars including, Mantle, Mays, Aaron, Yastrzemski, Killebrew, Brooks & Frank Robinson, Al Kaline, Rod Carew, Pete Rose and a few others. 

Then there were the lesser name players possibly included in the set due to there above average 67' season. Guys like Gene Ally, George Scott, Mike McCormick, Dean Chance, and Steve Hargan of the Cleveland Indians. Steve Hargan but no Jim Palmer??

Anyways it’s a good way to get big name cards at relatively affordable prices. A set can be completed for around $100. 

Brooks 1968 Season:   BA: .253    HR: 17    Hits: 154    RBI: 75    AB: 608

1966 Topps - Luis Aparicio

"Little Looie" Luis Aparicio spent eighteen years in the big leagues, four in Baltimore 63'-67'. He collected nine gold gloves, and was selected to the All-Star team ten times. He stole 506 career bases, leading the American League nine consecutive seasons, an all- time record. He was inducted into the Hall of Fame in 1984. 

He played in two World Series. First in 59' with the White Sox, loosing in 6 games to the Dodgers. Then in 66' with the Orioles, this time sweeping the Dodgers in four games. The first and only championship ring of his career. 

The Orioles had plenty of power in the lineup but lacked speed. Luis was a welcome addition leading the league in stoles bases his first two seasons with the team. Equally important, he helped solidify the Oriole defense. Luis and future Hall of Famer Brooks Robinson formed one of the best shortstop-third base combinations of all time.  

Major League Career Stats:   BA: .262    SB: 506    Hits: 2677    RBI: 791    AB: 2922