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We Say A Sad Farewell to “Mr. Oriole,” Brooks Robinson
Brooks Robinson, RIP
“Never has a player meant more to a franchise and more to a city than Brooks has meant to the Orioles and the city of Baltimore.” -Oriole historian Ted Patterson. (1)
The baseball world was saddened to learn of the passing of one of the game’s true giants, Brooks Robinson (May 18, 1937-September 26, 2023) at age 86. He’s not only remembered as arguably the greatest defensive third baseman in the history of the game but — perhaps even more importantly — he’s remembered as a man of integrity and honor, one of the most decent and humble human beings ever to play major league baseball.
No tribute to the Little Rock, Arkansas native would be complete without enumerating his many achievements inside the white lines. It’s a legacy of excellence that will likely serve as the gold standard for third basemen for generations. Over his 23-year career (1955-1977), all with the Orioles, he was a member of four pennant winners and two World Series Championships (1966, 1970). Brooks batted .267 with 2,848 hits, 268 home runs, 1357 RBIs,1232 runs, and 18 straight All-Star selections. In 39 post-season games, he hit .303 with five home runs and 22 RBIs. His best year was his 1964 MVP season, in which he hit .317 with 28 home runs, a league-leading 118 RBIs, a .368 on-base percentage, and a .521 slugging average.
All excellent numbers, but of course it was on the defensive side of the diamond where “Mr. Oriole” left his most lasting images. Just a small sampling of his many achievements includes: leading the league in fielding percentage eleven times and assists eight times, both major league records; and putouts and double plays three times each. He still holds major league records for third basemen for career putouts (2,697), assists (6,205), total chances (9,165), and double plays (618). He won 16 consecutive Gold Gloves and retired with a career fielding percentage of .971, a record for third basemen until it was broken in 2006, and which still remains the American League record.
It was on a national stage in the 1970 World Series against the Reds where his star shinned the brightest, searing himself into the consciousness of millions of fans as the greatest third baseman of all time. He left viewers in awe — doubting what they were seeing with their own eyes — as he repeatedly “laid himself out,” now diving to his right, now diving to his left, one play after another, making seemingly impossible stops of the Reds’ hard smashes. Overlooked by his brilliance on the field was that he also hit .429 for the series, with two home runs, six RBIs (including RBIs in each of the first four games), and a .810 slugging average, all of which earned him the 1970 World Series MVP award. Overall, it was one of the most spectacular performances in World Series history, prompting this quip from Reds’ manager, Sparky Anderson:
“I’m beginning to see Brooks in my sleep. If I dropped this paper plate, he’d pick it up on one hop and throw me out at first.” (2)
But cold statistics gleaned from the pages of Baseball Reference hardly tell the complete story of Brooks Robinson, a man of remarkable talents whose fame never seemed to inflate his ego and never dampened his folksy, homespun manner, which endeared him to legions of Oriole fans. He was always ready to willingly give of his time to sign autographs, happily engaging in baseball banter with the fans while doing so.
Word of his passing generated streams of encomiums from his many friends and teammates from the baseball world, all of whom remembered him as much more than just a great ball player. Perhaps the most moving and sincere tribute came from teammate and fellow Hall of Famer, Jim Palmer, overcome with emotion when he heard the sad news:
“Great player, great guy on the field, great guy off. Respectful, kind. And you don’t meet too many guys like that. Brooks was a genuine person. There was no acting. Brooks was just a genuine person…I think for all of us who knew him, he was the best.” (3)
And this from baseball commissioner Rob Manfred:
“He was one of the greats of our national pastime. Brooks stood among the greatest defensive players who have ever lived. I will always remember Brooks as a true gentleman who represented our game extraordinarily well on and off the field all his life.” (4)
At the time of his retirement in 1977, he received this fitting tribute from Washington Post sportswriter, Tom Boswell:
“He had great talent and never abused it. He received adulation and reciprocated with common decency…Other stars had fans. Robinson made friends.” (5)
Many honors came his way after his retirement. He was elected to the National Baseball Hall of Fame in 1983, receiving 91.98% of the vote on the first ballot. He was elected to the Baltimore Orioles Hall of Fame and named to Major League Baseball’s All-Century team. A statue of him was unveiled at Orioles Park at Camden Yards in 2011, where his uniform number 5 has also been retired.
Brooks Robinson left an enduring legacy of excellence on the baseball field where he earned the nickname of “The Human Vacuum Cleaner.” It seems very appropriate. But his legacy off the field as a man of integrity, humility, and kindness will surely endure just as long. Let’s take a moment to say a sad farewell to one of baseball’s all-time greats, Brooks Robinson. May he rest in peace. He is survived by his wife of 63 years, Constance, and their four children.
Gary Livacari
Information: Quote (1) from Brooks Robinson’s Wikipedia page; Quotes (2) and (5) from an article in today’s Washington Post; Quotes (3) and (4) from today’s Chicago Sun-Times; Statistics from Baseball-Reference.com.
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Thanks Gary. Although he played for the Birds against my Mets, Brooks Robinson and his ‘brother’ Frank were supreme talents and competitors. Those plays Brooks made in the 1970 WS will forever be in my mind. But I had to laugh at the header photo of Graig Nettles dive at 3B. Probably the one guy who benefitted least from Brooks Robinson’s otherworldly Gold Glove defense!
Unfortunately, I hit the wrong photo button! But I corrected it almost immediately, thank God! Was hoping no one would see it!
It gave me a good laugh and a pause for thought so no problem!
My all time favorite. I always thought that opposing batters intentionally challenged his glove talents.
Loved watching him play.
A very nice tribute Gary. Brooks was quite a player and such a fine human being. As a Yankee fan he gave us fits, especially in the late 60’s and early 70’s. I did however root for Brooks in ’66 against the Dodgers and again in ’70 against the Reds in the World Series and he came through big time. I know his rivalry as a fielder with my Yankee favorite Clete Boyer has been discussed at length here on your blog nonetheless Brooks was a great player with a long successful career, a true Hall of Famer. RIP Brooks
Thanks Steve.
Great job as usual, Gary, capturing the man as well as his record. And one of the great pictures of all-time–Brooks playing catch with his young son.
Robinson could have been the hero in game 4, in the 1969 WS. Mets, behind Seaver, leading 1-0 top 9. O’s have Frank Robinson at third, Boog Powell at first, one out. Brooks hit a looping liner to right center and Ron Swoboda made perhaps the greatest catch ever in a WS. That scored Frank Robinson from third and knotted the score. Mets won in extra innings and took a commanding lead 3-1 Series lead.
But if Brooks’ ball is “down and through,” Baltimore has a great chance to win the game. And are at least guaranteed to take the Series back home. The Mets Magic may have expired against an all-powerful opponent.
But as Bob Murphy used to say, “A Game of inches!”
Thanks Bill!
A very nice tribute, Gary. Yes, Brooks Robinson was one of the greatest third-sackers to ever put his left hand into a Rawlings {although one of the photos shows it on his right hand….lol}. I remember that he wore a short-brimmed batting helmet. Maybe a BHCA reader from Orioles Nation can explain why he wore that type of helmet ? Was it to see the pitch better ? Or to minimize the peripheral view of the longer brim above his eyes ? I can still hear Curt Gowdy’s surprised disbelieve describing Robinson’s tremendous plays during the ’70 WSeries. And 23 seasons with one franchise ! Classic ! R.I.P. #5 “PLAY BALL” !
Not much I could add about what has already been written about Brooks. The comment that sums up his career was reprinted in a recent Washington Post article: In New York, they name candy bars after their stars. In Baltimore, they name their children.
A beautifully written tribute, Gary. You have a way of acknowledging the person behind the plays. Your tribute shows that Brooks life was as great as his plays on the field. Loved reading this.
Thanks Sue!
To our esteemed editor-in-chief:
In light of your magnificently affectionate and descriptive essay here, we must now add a fourth and richly-deserved catch-phrase to the following trio of all-time favorite references:
4. “That’s Amore” (Dean Martin, 1953);
3. “That’s a knife!” (Crocodile Dundee, 1986);
2. “That’s Italian” (countless eateries from Naples to all points west since the beginning of time); and. . .wait. . .
1. “THAT’s a tribute!” (readers of Dr. Gary Livacari, 9/27/23).
Please, Doctor, when I cross the river, will you write one for me?
Our caps are off to you, Sir, and to an other-worldly man and ballplayer who shall remain forever in our fondest memories.
Michael
Wow! Thanks Michael…Makes all the time I put into this one well worth while! Glad to have you aboard as a friend an contributor. Let’s hope that “river” you mention is plenty far away! Can you swim??
As a Yankees fan when a youth, I remember always cringing when Brooks came to the plate. He was one of a vaunted Orioles lineup that could do inordinate damage at the plate. It was a shock to me when, as an adult, I looked at his offensive stats and saw they were much lesser than I remembered.
What never changed was the feeling that Brooks always seemed a notch above the average person and player. That opinion never changed, and never will.
Great insights, George…Thanks!