Reports: Frank Robinson, Hall of Famer and MLB's first black manager, dies at 83
Source: AOL.com
Baseball Hall of Famer Frank Robinson died Thursday after battling a long illness, according to MASN in Baltimore. He was 83 years old.
Known for his elite talent and intense demeanor, Robinson became a central figure in advancing Major League Baseballs integration of black players after Jackie Robinson broke the color barrier in 1947.
Robinson exploded on the scene in 1956 and for the next six decades established a legacy thats second to none. That includes becoming MLBs first black manager in 1974.
On the field, Robinson was a history maker as well. After signing with the Cincinnati Reds in 1953, he faced a tough road filled with racist taunts and death threats. Its a road Robinson not only overcame, but conquered en route to producing one of the greatest careers in MLB history.
Robinson is still the only player to win MVP in both leagues, earning National League honors with the Reds in 1961 and the American League award with the Baltimore Orioles in 1966. At age 20, he was voted NL Rookie of the Year after hitting a then rookie-record 38 home runs. He went on to make 14 All-Star game appearances, and currently ranks tenth on the all-time home run list with 586.
In 1974, the Cleveland Indians made Robinson MLBs first black manager while he was still an active player. Robinson would go on to have managerial stints with the San Francisco Giants, which made him the NLs first black manager, as well as the Baltimore Orioles and Montreal s during their transition into the Washington Nationals. . .
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A pioneer in so many years, and a great hero from my childhood.
George II
(67,782 posts)still_one
(92,362 posts)PeeJ52
(1,588 posts)I'll never forget his first at bat as player/manager of the Tribe and him hitting a HR. He never had a problem after that being baseball's first black manager... RIP Mr. Robinson.
Ohiogal
(32,044 posts)What a thrill it was to see him circle the bases at the old Municipal Stadium.
Response to Faygo Kid (Original post)
DinahMoeHum This message was self-deleted by its author.
SaintLouisBlues
(1,244 posts)akraven
(1,975 posts)RandomHall
(13 posts)It was a game between the California Angels and the Boston Red Sox at Fenway Park in Boston. It was probably the summer of '73 or '74.
It was the top of the ninth inning, and the Red Sox were leading, two touchdowns to one touchdown (14-7) in a typical Fenway Park slugfest.
Frank Robinson was at bat. The Red Sox pitcher threw the baseball high and inside, and Frank had to dive
to the ground to avoid getting hit in the head. He stood up, dusted himself off, and stepped back into the batter's box.
And then he hit the next pitch into the screen above the left field wall for a solo homerun. It was a
personal victory, and a bit of productive revenge, for Robinson over the Red Sox pitcher.
The Red Sox fans cheered Robinson as he circled the bases. With a six run lead in the final inning, they were still confident the Red Sox would ultimately win the game. (The final score of the game was 14-8.)