Brooks Robinson was plucked off the campus of the University of Arkansas in 1955 and immediately inserted into the Baltimore Orioles lineup. In 6 games the rookie had 6 hits in 22 at-bats, so the O’s farmed him out to San Antonio for more seasoning. Brooks tore up the Texas League in 1956, not just with his bat, but for the spectacular fielding he showcased at third base. The O’s took notice and brought him back to Charm City at the tail end of the season. Brooks never looked back, holding down third for the Orioles for the next two decades. This cap dates from Robinson’s 1956 season in San Antonio, and is the earliest known professional game used item from the Hall of Famer. The black wool cap has the intertwined “A-S” of San Antonio embroidered in orange on the front. The McAuliffe label is still sewn inside the headband, but it is heavily stained with perspiration stains. Likewise, the green under brim which has Robinson’s “17” handwritten in black marker. The crown shows great wear and the paperboard inside the brim has slight separation. This looks every inch like the cap worn by a young ballplayer trying his all to prove himself under the hot Texas sun. The hat was obtained from Brooks Robinson and comes with both a LOA from MEARS and Brooks Robinson for the game use.

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