Rare Sports Films

1961
BALTIMORE ORIOLES

      Baltimore Oriole fans especially will enjoy this nostalgic 58-minute B & W TV show from Rare Sportsfilms, Inc! Titled "Paul Richards, Big League Manager", this rare, early edition of The CBS Sports Spectacular with host Bud Palmer, spotlights the 1960 American League Manager of The Year and the '61 pennant-contending Baltimore Orioles in spring training at Miami Stadium (related photos are featured in the '61 Orioles yearbook). The first half of this behind-the-scenes look at the '61 Birds covers the rigors of training and the practicing of fundamentals, Paul Richards style, while the second half shows a spring game from a seat beside Richards on the bench. Richards is miked throughout the show as he offers his comments and insight on the action taking place out on the field. Included are the original TV commercials for Rise Instant Lather and L & M Cigarettes, while Bud Palmer himself plugs Schlitz Beer! During the video you'll see many Orioles of the day: pitchers Milt Pappas, Dick Hall, Jack Fisher, Gordon Jones, Chuck Estrada, Hoyt Wilhelm, Skinny Brown, Wes Stock, Steve Dalkowski, Arnie Thorsland and John Papa, catchers Frank Zupo, Hank Foiles and Gus Triandos, outfielders Dave Philley, Gene Stephens, Jackie Brandt, Earl Robinson, Whitey Herzog and Jim Busby, and infielders Marv Breeding, Jerry Adair, Walt Dropo and Brooks Robinson.

     After an opening commercial with Jim Gentile pushing Vitalis Hair Tonic (not that greasy kid stuff!), the show begins with a behind-the-scenes look at Richards and his Orioles. Listen in as Paul tells young Milt Pappas why he asked him to report to spring training early. Out on the field, Richards directs pitchers practicing pickoff throws and later he helps veteran Gordon Jones improve his delivery. Listen in as Orioles Little Rock manager Fred Hatfield gets direction from Richards about holding runners on base. You'll see Wes Stock doing pick ups and hear what a weary Milt Pappas says after running sprints for pitching coach Harry Brecheen! Orioles G. M. Lee McPhail comments on what he thinks makes Richards such an excellent manager, and you'll hear from colorful Frank Lane, who gave Richards his first major league managing job ten years earlier. Other sights and sounds of Orioles '61 spring training include: sliding drills with Jerry Adair, Earl Robinson and Gene Stephens, plus third base coach Lum Harris' comments about Richards while swatting fungos.

     The second part of the show centers around the first spring game of the Grapefruit League season at Miami Stadium vs the World Champion Pittsburgh Pirates. TV cameras take you into the Oriole clubhouse before the game and you'll see Brooks Robinson, Gus Triandos, Jim Busby, coach Jimmy Adair and Chuck Estrada. Wilhelm and Gordon Jones are in the whirlpool and steam bath and Walt Dropo, Jim Gentile and Arnie Thorsland are on the training tables. Starting pitchers are Milt Pappas and Tom Parsons. Dick Stuart's first inning double scores two runs and World Series hero Bill Mazeroski comes to bat for the first time since hitting his famous homer! The Orioles get two runs in their second when Stephens walks, Foiles is safe on a fielders' choice and Jerry Adair's single scores Stephens. Marv Breeding solves Parsons for a sac fly before Jackie Brandt strikes out to end the inning. Pappas, Jack Fisher and Wes Stock are all shown on the mound for the Orioles during the course of the game, and after Milt's three-inning stint, Richards and coach Brecheen are shown working with him on the sidelines to perfect his changeup. Pirate players shown during the game include Stuart, Maz, Donn Clendenon, Dick Schofield and Geno Cimoli. During the game, Richards comments on a variety of topics, including his invention, the "Big Glove" designed for Hoyt Wilhelm's knuckleball.

     To get your own copy of this rare old TV show now on home video for the first time ever, send $29.95 plus $5.00 for shipping. (Illinois residents must add $2.00 tax.)

"RARE SPORTSFILMS N", 1126 Tennyson Lane, Naperville, IL 60540 (630) 527-8890


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