‘One of the greats’
MLB’S first black manager, Hall of Famer dies
CROWDING the plate, fearsome and fearless, Frank Robinson hammered his way into the Hall of Fame. His legacy, however, was cemented in 1975 when at old Cleveland Stadium he became the first black manager in Major League Baseball. Robinson, the only player to earn the MVP award in both leagues and a Triple Crown winner, died Thursday at 83.
He had been in failing health and in hospice care at his home in the Bel Air section of Los Angeles.
Robinson hit 586 home runs — he was fourth on the career list behind only Hank Aaron, Babe Ruth and Willie Mays when he retired and now ranks 10th. An MVP with Cincinnati and Baltimore, he led the Orioles to their first World Series championship in 1966.
“Frank Robinson and I were more than baseball buddies. We were friends,” Aaron posted on Twitter. “Frank was a hardnosed baseball player who did things on the field that people said could never be done.
“Baseball will miss a tremendous human being.”
An All-star outfielder in 12 seasons and a first-ballot selection to Cooperstown, Robinson also was a Rookie of the Year and a Gold Glove outfielder.
But his place in the sport’s history extended beyond the playing field.
Robinson fulfilled his quest to become the first African-american manager in the big leagues when he was hired by the Cleveland Indians. His impact was immediate and memorable.
Cleveland opened at home that year, and Robinson, still active, batted himself second as the designated hitter. In the first inning, he homered and the crowd went crazy, cheering the whole April afternoon as Cleveland beat the Yankees.
The Reds, Orioles and Indians have retired his No. 20, with each team honoring him with statues at its stadium.
Robinson also managed San Francisco, Baltimore, Montreal and was the first manager of the Washington Nationals.
Robinson later spent several years working as an executive for MLB and for a time oversaw the annual Civil Rights Game. He advocated for more minorities throughout baseball and
worked with former Commissioner Bud Selig to develop the Selig Rule, directing teams to interview at least one minority candidate before hiring a new manager.
Brooks Robinson, a fellow first-ballot Hall of Famer, said he spoke to his Baltimore teammate and longtime friend a few days ago. “He was the best player I ever played with,” he said.
Born Aug. 21, 1935, in Beaumont, Texas, Robinson attended Mcclymonds High School in Oakland, California, and was a basketball teammate of future NBA great Bill Russell.
“We all know we lost one of the Greats,” Russell tweeted.
Starting out in an era when Mays, Aaron, Mickey Mantle and Ted Williams were stars, Robinson more than held his own over 21 seasons. If anything, many baseball historians say he never got his full due as an all-time great. He had a .294 career average with 1,812 RBIS and twice won the World Series with the Orioles.
Robinson was a fierce competitor who crowded the plate, never seeming to care about being pitched inside or hit by a pitch.
“Pitchers did me a favor when they knocked me down,” Robinson said. “It made me more determined.”
Opposing pitchers noticed. “As a rule, I’m reluctant to express admiration for hitters, but I make an exception for Frank Robinson,” Hall of Fame righthander Bob Gibson once wrote.
Survivors include his wife, Barbara, and daughter Nichelle.