Third base, first rate: Brooks Robinson remembered

“For generations of fans, Brooks Robinson's talent on the field was surpassed only by his incredible character and integrity,” said Jane Forbes Clark, Chairman of the Board of the National Baseball Hall of Fame and Museum. “His love of the Hall of Fame brightened Cooperstown, as did his devotion to the Museum as a long-standing and valued member of our Board of Directors. Each day we will be reminded of his impact on baseball and on the Hall of Fame. Our thoughts are with his beloved wife, Connie, and their family.”

Brooks Calbert Robinson was born May 18, 1937, in Little Rock, Ark., and knew from his grammar school days that he wanted to play big league baseball. After starring on the diamond in high school and American Legion ball, Robinson signed with the Baltimore Orioles after graduation in 1955. By that fall, he had made his Orioles debut at the age of 18.

For much of the next two seasons, Robinson worked on his hitting, throwing and baserunning as they all caught up with his glove. By 1958, he was the Orioles’ starting third baseman, hitting just .238 in 145 games but winning the affection of the Baltimore pitchers, who wanted Robinson in the lineup for his defense.

“He plays third base like he came down from a higher league,” said umpire Ed Hurley.

By 1960, Robinson’s bat matured to the tune of a .294 average, 14 home runs and 88 RBI. He finished third in the American League Most Valuable Player Award voting that year – the first of seven times he cracked the Top 10. He also won the first of 16 straight Gold Glove Awards at third base, a record for position players.

Robinson’s all-around game continued to improve as the Orioles assembled what was to become a dynasty. Robinson won the 1964 AL MVP Award after hitting .317 with 28 homers and 118 RBI, then finished second in 1966 while leading Baltimore to the World Series title.

From 1969 through 1971, the Orioles averaged 106 wins per season, winning three pennants and the 1970 World Series. It was in that Fall Classic victory that Robinson authored his most famous moments, stealing several would-be hits from Cincinnati Reds batters en route to the series Most Valuable Player Award. His lunging play in foul territory to rob Cincinnati’s Lee May of a sure double is an effort that graces World Series videos to this day.

Even if he hadn’t hit .429 in the five-game series, he would have still likely been the MVP on his defense alone.

Robinson retired following the 1977 season with 2,848 hits, 1,357 RBI and a .267 batting average. He played on six Orioles teams that advanced to the postseason, hitting .303 with five homers and 22 RBI when the lights were brightest. No player has played in more games at third base, and Robinson is the all-time leader among third baseman in putouts, assists and double plays.

He served on the Hall’s Board of Directors and as President of the Major League Baseball Players Alumni Association, along with doing television work as a color analyst for Baltimore.

Long after his skills on the diamond had faded, his ability as a person continued to shine.