BALTIMORE -- Brooks Robinson and Boog Powell, key contributors to Baltimore's 1970 World Series championship team, were honored Friday, throwing out ceremonial first pitches at the Orioles' home opener.  The Orioles' record opening day crowd cheered Robinson, even when he bounced his pitch to ceremonial catcher Miguel Tejada.  "Tejada made a nice pick up. I've been working with him at third," joked Robinson, a 16-time Gold Glove winner nicknamed "The Human Vacuum Cleaner."  And the crowd "boo-ged" Powell, the hefty first baseman who estimates he still signs 300 autographs a night at his barbecue stand at Camden Yards.  "Any time they boo you like that, it brings back memories," Powell said. "Most of the time here there was a 'G' on it. That was the fun part."  Robinson, now 72, and Powell, 68, heard nothing but cheers 40 years ago when the Orioles clinched the Series against the Reds in Game 5 at Memorial Stadium. Powell had homered in each of the first two games. Robinson was the World Series MVP, batting .429 and repeatedly robbing Reds hitters with plays at third base.  "Forty years, that's hard to believe," Robinson said. "People say, 'You know, you were MVP of that World Series.' What they don't remember is that the first ball I got in that series was like a 24-hopper … and I made a high throw to Boog for an error. But everything after that was pretty upbeat.  "I played almost 23 years professionally and I don't think I ever had five games in a row like that. … I knew and (shortstop Mark) Belanger knew we were going to get a lot of work (on the left side of the infield) because they had Johnny Bench and Lee May and Tony Perez and we had left-handers (Mike) Cuellar and (Dave) McNally and (righty Jim) Palmer with that big curveball. … It just so happened I had some terrific plays to make and I made them and that really was kind of a springboard (for me) attaining the Hall of Fame. But it was one of those things where you say, 'I hope this series gets over in a hurry' because I can't keep this up.' "  Powell said he always marveled at Robinson's defensive prowess.  "The rest of the world found out what we already knew," said Powell, turning to Robinson. "They were nice plays in that Series but they weren't anything (we weren't used to seeing). You started a triple play one day when you came up with a grounder, didn't even know where you were, stepped on third and threw to second. You made those kind of plays day-in and day-out.  "I also had the honor to play behind him in left field for four years," Powell said. "I broke in on so many balls that never got to me … sometimes I'd catch myself not breaking in."  Powell was never a graceful outfielder, but Robinson said Powell might have been a little "short-changed" because he never won a Gold Glove as a first baseman.  "Now, how am I going to get a Gold Glove when we (already) had four on the team -- second baseman (Davey Johnson), shortstop (Belanger), third baseman (Robinson) and center fielder (Paul Blair)?" Powell said. "They're not going to give the first baseman a Gold Glove."  Powell said the 1970 Orioles had great fun and a great affinity for one another and lamented the death of Cuellar at 72 earlier this week.  "We're starting to fade," Powell said. "But we're not that old to have that."
Brooks Robinson and Boog Powell reminisce 40 years after winning title - Daily Pitch: MLB News, Standings, Schedules & More - USATODAY.com