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Earl Weaver began his Hall of Fame managerial career in 1968 with the Baltimore Orioles. Just 37 years old when given the reigns of the team, Weaver led them to three pennants and World Series championship in his first four years.

Though he found immediate success as a skipper, his playing career was less than stellar. Weaver got his start in pro ball as a second baseman in the Cardinals chain in 1948. Just 17 years old, Weaver dreamed of becoming a big league player.

Those dreams were not fulfilled. Weaver spent 14 years in the minors, reaching as high as Triple-A for one season in 1958.

Eventually Weaver did become a Major Leaguer as a manager. He got his chance with the Baltimore Orioles in 1968. The fiery skipper lasted 17 years in the bigs. His teams won 1,480 games, four pennants, and one World Series title.

Weaver was inducted into the Baseball Hall of Fame in 1996.

Shown here is Weaver’s autograph from spring training in 1952, 16 years before he donned a big league uniform.

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Collectors from bygone eras often sought the player’s autograph on penny postcards. Autograph hounds sent their target a letter along with the postcard that was addressed back to the collector. Players signed the postcard and dropped it in the mail.

Shown here is the back of the Earl Weaver autographed postcard. Notice the United States Postal Service postmark. Dated February 25, 1952 this card was mailed from St. Petersburg, Florida.

At the time Weaver was in spring training with the St. Louis Cardinals. After camp that season Weaver was sent to the Texas League’s Houston Buffaloes where he hit .219 in 201 at bats.

Though Earl Weaver autographs are by no means rare, examples such as this one remain scare. With the 1952 date, this postcard is a full 16 years before Weaver reached the big leagues as the Baltimore Orioles manager in 1968.

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In the collection is a handwritten note from Weaver giving his favorite quote, “It’s what you learn after you know it all that counts.”

Notice the old-school listing of the Orioles phone number at the bottom of the letterhead, “CHesapeake 3-9800”.

Weaver’s teams won 1,480 games, four American League pennants and the 1970 World Series. Along the way he managed many Hall of Fame player including Brooks Robinson, Frank Robinson, Jim Palmer, Eddie Murray, and Cal Ripken Jr.