Brooks Robinson, all-time great 3B, dies at age 86
Baseball Hall of Famer Brooks Robinson, who died this week at the age of 86, developed an affinity for Cooperstown early in his career.
Standing on historic Doubleday Field during the 1961 Hall of Fame Game, the Baltimore Orioles third baseman heard the public address announcer interrupt the game to announce the birth of his first son, Brooks David.
They would both be in Cooperstown in 1983 for the induction of arguably the game's best defensive third baseman.
Robinson was 24 when the first of his four children was born and was just beginning to display the skills that would bring him fame. That season was already the seventh of his 23 in the majors — he debuted as an 18-year-old in 1955 — and all with the Orioles.
The Orioles organization announced Robinson's death on Tuesday.
“We are deeply saddened to share the news of the passing of Brooks Robinson," the club said in a statement before holding a moment of silence prior to Tuesday night's game at Camden Yards. "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.”
Said Major League Baseball commissioner Rob Manfred: "Brooks stood among the greatest defensive players who have ever lived. He was a two-time World Series Champion, the 1964 American League MVP, and the winner of 16 consecutive Gold Gloves at third base. He was a model of excellence, durability, loyalty and winning baseball for the Orioles. After his playing career, he continued to make contributions to the game by working with the MLB Players Alumni Association.
“I will always remember Brooks as a true gentleman who represented our game extraordinarily well on and off the field all his life. On behalf of Major League Baseball, I send my deepest condolences to Brooks’ family, his many friends across our game, and Orioles fans everywhere.”
That '61 season was when he was picked for the All-Star Game for the second of 15 consecutive times. And it was when he won his second of 16 Gold Gloves (only pitcher Greg Maddux, with 18, has more).
The humble, personable Robinson endeared himself to the predominantly blue-collar Orioles fans. The nation truly took note of him as a defensive wizard when the Orioles played the 1970 World Series against the Cincinnati Reds, in which he was named Series MVP.
— Paul White, USA TODAY Sports
Guardians’ Francona to step down at season’s end
CLEVELAND – At some point in the next few days, Terry Francona will hop on his celebrated scooter, zip along the underground concrete concourses of Progressive Field and leave the ballpark he’s called home the past 11 seasons for the final time.
His ride is nearly over.
Although he hasn’t made it official – and true to form, Francona was adamant about not pulling the spotlight away from the Guardians during their playoff push – the 64-year-old manager has indicated he’ll step down after this season, perhaps the most challenging of his run with Cleveland.
Cleveland ends the season against the Tigers in a threegame series at Comerica Park.
Tuesday’s game
Rockies 4, Dodgers 1 (Game 1): Chase Anderson pitched five scoreless innings for his first win in 17 starts this season, Nolan Jones homered and the visiting Rockies snapped a seven-game losing streak in the opener of a doubleheader. It was a rare loss for the postseason-bound Dodgers against the Rockies, who averted, for now, the first 100-loss season in their 30-year existence. Brendan Rodgers added three hits and an RBI for Colorado. Jason Heyward had three hits for the Dodgers and scored a run in the sixth.
Orioles 1, Nationals 0: Rookie Gunnar Henderson homered and Kyle Bradish had another dominant start for the host Orioles. Entering the night, Baltimore held a 2 1/2-game lead over second-place Tampa Bay in the AL East. The Orioles have five games remaining and hold the tiebreaker over the Rays. Bradish (12-7) allowed three hits, struck out four batters and had a pair of walks over a season-high eight innings. Yennier Canó picked up his eighth save for the Orioles, who have won seven of their last 10 games.
Reds 11, Guardians 7: Rookie Elly De La Cruz had his first two-homer game and drove in four runs, Luke Maile had three RBIs and the visiting Reds improved their slim playoff hopes. De La Cruz hit a solo shot in the fourth off Lucas Giolito and hammered a 467-foot blast to right in the eighth against Xzavion Curry. Fellow rookie Christian Encarnacion-Strand, Maile and TJ Friedl also homered for Cincinnati. The Reds moved within two games of the second and third NL wild-card spots shared by Arizona and the Cubs.
Yankees 2, Blue Jays 0: Austin Wells hit a two-run home run in the ninth inning for the visiting Yankees. Michael King and two relievers combined on a three-hitter as the Yankees improved to a major league-best 18-9 since Aug. 28. Facing Blue Jays closer Jordan Romano (5-7), Gleyber Torres singled to begin the ninth. Wells followed with a first-pitch drive into the left-field bullpen, his third home run.
Phillies 3, Pirates 2 (10 innings): The host Phillies clinched a wild-card berth on Johan Rojas’ RBI single that set off a wild celebration in the outfield. Rojas’ single off Pirates reliever David Bednar (3-3) scored pinch-runner Cristian Pache and sent the crowd of more than 30,000 fans into a frenzy. Pittsburgh’s Bryan Reynolds hit a solo shot and Henry Davis hit one off AllStar closer Craig Kimbrel that tied the game at 2 in the eighth.