Boog Powell, 2001 Upper Deck Decades: 1970s #142

In case you were wondering, the American League's Most Valuable Player gets a plaque that looks like this. If I were Boog Powell, I'm sure I'd rather have a sweet trophy like the one depicted on this card. Heck, if it were me, I would rather not accept an award named after a crusty old racist, either. But as I'm not an MVP-caliber ballplayer now, and probably won't be tomorrow, I guess it's a moot point.

Eddie Murray, 2001 Upper Deck Decades: 1970s #163

Yesterday I completed my second vintage Topps set. It's been almost two years since I reached 100% on the 1965 Topps set, and now I've finally finished off the 1975 base set as well. The elusive 660th card was a doozy, card number 228. That would be the rookie card of Hall of Famer George Brett, which explains why I didn't hesitate to drop $15 on the rough-around-the-edges specimen I discovered in one of my local hobby shops. I'm pleased to wrap up Topps' most colorful, funky set without any real headaches. As you can see from the 2001 Eddie Murray card I posted above, '75 Topps inspired plenty of imitators, but it was never successfully duplicated. Now I'll move on to pursue a number of the half-full, commons-heavy 1970s binders in my spare room. I also grabbed some 1971-1973 high number cards from this store's dollar box, sparing myself a dozen or two wild goose chases in the future. The comforting thing about catching up on vintage cards is that there is a finite goal to build toward. No unscrupulous manufacturer is going to come along and extend the finish line.

Brooks Robinson, 2001 Upper Deck Decades: 1970s #171

With the O's facing elimination for the second time in a week, I can think of only three words:

Don't. Lose. Hope.

Tommy Davis, 2001 Upper Deck Decades: 1970s #18

It's funny; with the Orioles still in the playoff hunt, it seems too early to be football season. But the O's have the night off, which is convenient since the Ravens played their first game tonight. In honor of my second-favorite local sports team and their 44-13 blowout win over the Bengals, here's a retro card that features purple borders and the sublime Tommy Davis. Tommy is following through on his sweet swing...well, they blew up the photo, so you can't really see his swing, but you know what I mean. There's also something amusing about those tiny numbers that the Birds wore on the backs of their jerseys in the mid-1970s...on bigger guys like Lee May or Tim Stoddard, they gave the appearance of an ill-fitting children's replica. Of course, I might not say that to their faces...

Boog Powell, 2001 Upper Deck Decades: 1970s #20

Look at Boog Powell rockin' the shades. He looks like he's basking in the sun's rays, and if he just happens to catch a popup, all the better. Do you think he's a Ray-Bans type of guy?

Brooks Robinson, 2001 Upper Deck Decades: 1970s #125

Let it never be said that Brooks Robinson couldn't grow himself a pair of sideburns.

Brooks Robinson, 2001 Upper Deck Decades: 1970's #17

Today (May 18) is a big day for birthdays in the Orioles universe. The following former Birds are hopefully all celebrating with cake and beer tonight:

-Quadruple-A outfielder Luis Terrero, 29
-Hall of Famer Reggie Jackson, 63
-One of the oldest living Orioles, outfielder Gil Coan, 87

Of course, the most notable O's birthday today is third baseman Brooks Robinson, who blows out 72 candles! Just last week, I talked about #5's recent treatment for prostate cancer, and the volume and tone of reader responses was a reminder of just how much Brooks has meant to the Orioles, their fans, and the city of Baltimore in the fifty-five years since his major league debut. You've cheered his on-field exploits, corresponded with him, met him face-to-face, and even named your children after him. He has experienced and witnessed the practical entirety of the O's existence, from Paul Richards and Gus Triandos to Earl Weaver and Jim Palmer to Eddie Murray and Cal Ripken, Jr. to Brian Roberts and Nick Markakis. Really, if you think about it, May 18 should be a local holiday. It's too late to do anything about it this year, but we can all start preparing our excuses to miss work the next time around!