Growing up in an area where the Orioles were the "local" team at 45-ish miles away meant it was a hike to get to see games at Memorial Stadium. But we managed to go to a good number, I suppose. But I missed the Brooks Robinson era. I was alive for his final season, 1977, but wasn't old enough to know anything about the sport. That would come two years later when I glommed onto the Pirates because I liked their hats and they just happened to play my quasi-home team in the World Series.
The era of Murray and Ripken, though, was my era. Murray left, but Ripken stayed and like Brooks Robinson, played his whole career with the one team. I respect that.
I have a few cards already of Robinson, but a short while ago I was watching an eBay live auction and his cards kept appear and I kept bidding and winning for, I think, reasonable prices.
The 1967 card below is a little rough. The 1965 looks quite nice. I can't stand the 1968 design, but this miscut/off-center card for about $6.00? Ok. Sure. Why not.
Thanks for stopping by!
Good luck getting the '67 base card! One of the toughest vintage cards to find.
ReplyDeleteI think it took me over 15 years to put together my 1967 Topps set, pre internet. Funds were limited, with two small children.
ReplyDeleteI would go to the card shows here in St. Louis and buy one or two of the 6th and 7th series cards each month. It was a very slow process. As I was leaving one show, early 90’s?, a dealer called out to me as I passed by his table. “Going home? Did you spend all your money?” I told him I had a few dollars left but not enough to buy any more 67 Topps cards. I had purchased a card from him earlier and a few at previous shows. He offered to show me the high number 67s he still had. I told him that the only one he had I needed was the Brooks Robinson and I didn’t have enough money for that. He asked me how much money I had. I told him that I had around $20. He asked to see it. I pulled out the bills. It totaled $21. “Is that everything?” he asked. I had some loose change, maybe 40 cents. He took the money and told me to put the Robinson, card #600, in my collection. At that time the card was high priced in Beckett for around $100. I think he had $90 on the sticker. I told him that wasn’t fair to him. He waved away my protest and said he was happy it was going to someone who would appreciate and enjoy it.
The card is beautiful and I’ll never forget the dealer’s generosity.
I hope you find one for your collection.