Robinson, 16-time Gold Glove winner with Orioles, dies
BALTIMORE ❯❯ Hall of Fame third baseman Brooks Robinson, whose deft glovework and folksy manner made him one of the most beloved and accomplished athletes in Baltimore history, has died. He was 86.
The Orioles announced his death in a joint statement with Robinson's family Tuesday. The statement did not say how Robinson died.
“Great player, great guy on the field, great guy off,” said fellow Orioles Hall of Famer Jim Palmer, who was overcome with emotion. “Respectful, kind. And you don't meet too many guys like that. There was no acting. Brooks was just a genuine person.”
Coming of age before the free agent era, Robinson spent his entire 23-year career with the Orioles. He almost single-handedly helped Baltimore defeat Cincinnati with a number of stellar defensive plays in the 1970 World Series and homered off Don Drysdale in Game 1 of the Orioles' 1966 sweep of the Dodgers for their first crown.
Robinson participated in 18 All-Star Games, won 16 consecutive Gold Gloves and earned the 1964 AL Most Valuable Player award after batting .318 with 28 home runs and a leagueleading 118 RBIs.
“An integral part of our Orioles Family since 1955, he will continue to leave a lasting impact on our club, our community, and the sport of baseball,” the team said.
He finished with 268 homers, drove in 1,357 runs and batted a respectable .267 in 2,896 career games. Not bad for ol' No. 5, the boy from Little Rock, Arkansas.
But he will be forever remembered for his work ethic and the skill he displayed at the hot corner, where he established himself as one of the finest fielding third basemen in baseball history, whether charging slow rollers or snaring liners down the line.
Robinson arrived in Baltimore in September 1955 as an 18-year-old after spending most of his first professional season in baseball with Class B York. He went 2 for 22 with the Orioles and struck out 10 times.
He jockeyed between the majors and minors until July 1959, when he stuck around in Baltimore for good.
Dubbed “Mr. Oriole,” he was a sports hero in Charm City, in the pantheon with former Colts quarterback Johnny Unitas and Orioles infielder Cal Ripken Jr.
Many Orioles rooters who never got to see Robinson play still were able to enjoy his observations as he was part of team broadcasts for several seasons.