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In the collection is this handwritten letter from Hall of Fame third baseman George Kell with content devoted to Brooks Robinson. Kell writes of knowing of Robinson since Brooks’ teen years in their shared native state of Arkansas.

Kell goes on, “…when I came home in the winter people would tell me that they saw a kid playing American Legion Ball that was from Little Rock who would take my job some day. Well as fate would have it that’s just about what happened.” Kell was traded to the Orioles to fill in at third until Robinson was ready to take the position full time.

Kell praises Robinson, “You could talk about Brooks all day but he possessed three things you must have, he could hit, he could field – the best ever – and he was a class act. No one I know has ever said a bad word or could about Brooks.”

Kell then signed the bottom of the letter.

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A nice companion piece to the previous handwritten letter from George Kell, this photo depicts and is autographed by the pair of Hall of Fame third basemen.

Though they were teammates for two years in Baltimore, Kell is shown in his more familiar Detroit Tiger uniform representing the team for which he played seven years. The shot was likely taken at an Old Timers game.

Brooks is widely considered the greatest fielder at his position. Known as “The Human Vacuum Cleaner”, Robinson starred in the 1970 World Series. In that Fall Classic he made many memorable – and seemingly impossible – defensive plays at the hot corner.

Many fans forget that the ’70 World Series was also the first to be played on artificial turf. The first two games were played at Cincinnati’s Riverfront Stadium.

Always stellar with the glove, Brooks also hit .429 with two homers and six RBI in the five-game tilt. For his efforts he was name the Series MVP.

The third baseman was an 18-time All Star and winner of 16 straight Gold Glove Awards. His finest offensive season came in 1964 when he led the AL in RBI and was the league MVP.

Two years later he was the All Star MVP despite his AL club taking the loss.

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When former Dodger pitcher Joe Moeller looked through the collection he stumbled across this note from Brooks Robinson about his greatest thrill. Robinson writes, “My most exciting moment in baseball was the 1966 World Series. It was my first, a dream come true. Sincerely, Brooks Robinson”.

Moeller remembered facing Robinson in Game 1 at Dodger Stadium. After some arm twisting, the good-natured Moeller added this to the bottom of Robinson’s note, “Jim, Brooks may be in the Hall of Fame, but when he faced me in that series, he grounded out to Gilliam. Tell him I said so! Sincerely, Joe Moeller”.

One of the nicest men in baseball, Moeller is still in the game as the advance scout for the Marlins, more than 50 years after his debut as the youngest starting pitcher in Los Angeles Dodger history.

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Milt Pappas spent his first nine big league seasons pitching with Brooks Robinson behind him at third base. Pappas won 110 games in Baltimore, pitching in the All Star game in 1962 and 1965.

In this handwritten letter the 209-game winner writes about the great defense of Robinson, “It was great having Brooks playing behind me. Knowing he was there made my job easier as a pitcher.” Pappas then signs and dates the piece.

Pappas was one pitch away from a perfect game in September of 1972 when he walked the 27th hitter, Larry Stahl. Though Pappas retired the next batter to preserve the no-hitter, he held a lifelong grudge against home plate umpire Bruce Froemming.

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Hall of Fame third baseman Brooks Robinson played all 23 of his big league seasons with the Baltimore Orioles. Among players who suited up for just one team, only Red Sox legend Carl Yastrzemski matched the feat.

Shown here is a questionnaire filled out by the Human Vacuum Cleaner. He answers queries about his greatest thrill, positive influences on his career, advice to young players, and how he wants to be remembered.