Former Braves GM dies at 100

Robinson had been the oldest living ex-major leaguer.

Former Braves and Rangers general manager Eddie Robinson, who had been the oldest living ex-major league player, died Monday night at his ranch in Bastrop, Texas, at the age of 100.

Robinson, who would have turned 101 in December, was the Rangers’ GM from 1976-82 during a 65-year career in professional baseball that began during World War II.

His career was a tapestry of decades in baseball history. He was witness to some of the game’s most historic moments, from handing Babe Ruth the bat he leaned on for his last ever appearance at Yankee Stadium to being the Braves general manager during Hank Aaron’s pursuit of Ruth’s home run record.

Robinson played with Bob Feller and was coached by Tris Speaker and Rogers Hornsby. He later worked for Bill Veeck, Charlie Finley and George Steinbrenner.

“When you’ve spent your entire life around baseball, you meet a lot of people who love the game,” said Rangers Hall of Famer Tom Grieve who played for and worked alongside Robinson.

“But I don’t know that I’ve ever met anybody who had more passion for the game than Eddie did. He was an innovator. He brought in ‘analytics experts’ before

there were analytics. He was always looking for an edge way before it was even logical to get an edge.”

Robinson, who was born in Paris, Texas, began a 13-year playing career in 1942 with Cleveland. He appeared in eight games that season, then spent three years in military service before rejoining the Indians late in 1945.

He played in Cleveland through 1948. He was the last living member of Cleveland’s 1948 World Series championship team.

Robinson went on to appear for six other American League clubs during a playing career that lasted until 1957. He was at one time teammates with Mickey Mantle and later was Aaron’s GM during the chase for home run No. 715. He also traded Aaron to Milwaukee so he could finish up his legendary career where he began.

Robinson then joined the Rangers in 1976 and was with the club until the 1982 season when he was replaced by Joe Klein. He finished his career working as a scout for Boston. He was, however, never far from the game. He published an autobiography on his 65 years in the game in 2011 entitled “Lucky Me” with SMU law professor Paul Rogers.

“Eddie never thought he was a particularly good storyteller, but he really was,” Rogers said. “He just embraced life in every respect. He was kind and compassionate and steadfast in reaching goals. He just never gave up. He was remarkable.”

Rogers related a story of Robinson, long since retired from the game, working into his 90s with the MLB Players Alumni Association to help get satisfaction for players whose pensions were not fully vested due to service-time issues.

He had planned to go spring training again in 2020 but opted not to go after doctors mentioned the risk associated with the emerging COVID-19 virus. In December, he was honored with a drive-by birthday celebration as he reached 100 years.