OnlyBucs

Frank Robinson passed away today. Even tho I got to see him often when he was traded to the Orioles, what I liked most about that trade was that he couldn't torture the Pirates anymore. He was a career .321 hitter vs the Bucs. Great player.



In 1966 he had the best season I ever saw any player have. Newly acquired from the Reds, the pressure was on to get a good Orioles team over the hump. Robinson responded by winning the AL Triple Crown, being the leader in the clubhouse, being named AL MVP, and leading the underdog Orioles in a 4 game WS sweep of the Dodgers, leading by example with a 2-run HR in the top of the 1st inning in game 1. He was named the WS MVP. 

7C515C4D4A5B4C0C0F3E0 wrote: Frank Robinson passed away today. Even tho I got to see him often when he was traded to the Orioles, what I liked most about that trade was that he couldn't torture the Pirates anymore. He was a career .321 hitter vs the Bucs. Great player.



In 1966 he had the best season I ever saw any player have. Newly acquired from the Reds, the pressure was on to get a good Orioles team over the hump. Robinson responded by winning the AL Triple Crown, being the leader in the clubhouse, being named AL MVP, and leading the underdog Orioles in a 4 game WS sweep of the Dodgers, leading by example with a 2-run HR in the top of the 1st inning in game 1. He was named the WS MVP. 


sad day. I read his bio sometime in Junior High or early high school (say 1970 at latest). Always liked him and was glad he got to manage.

I remember him with the Reds and he did always give the Pirates fits.

A great player. I believe he once may have helped the Pirates. I read that in '71 series he asked Clemente if he should mark an "X" in right field so he'd know where to play. That didn't work out so well as Clemente destroyed the Orioles vaunted pitching. (I'm sure Clemente would've hit the same without the comment but Robinson found out who knew how to play.) I seem to recall that Frank had a good series also but Clemente was the star.

Frank Robinson was always a class act, a great player and a fine manager. Man, he used to wear the teams out as he was a clutch hitter. I loved it when he was player manager with the Indians. Great guy from everything I heard about him and witnessed on the diamond.



Enjoyed hearing the story about he and Clemente. I often wondered how the two got along being great players and all..

4D7A6C7C496E616661484E0F0 wrote: Frank Robinson was always a class act, a great player and a fine manager. Man, he used to wear the teams out as he was a clutch hitter. I loved it when he was player manager with the Indians. Great guy from everything I heard about him and witnessed on the diamond.



Enjoyed hearing the story about he and Clemente. I often wondered how the two got along being great players and all..


I would think that they got along considering the character they both possessed. Both would compete 1000% against each other but would not belittle each other. While I never rooted for Robinson I would have loved him on the Bucs teams at the height of his career.

If I remember the story correctly, Clemente may have stated that Memorial Field was bad and Frank offered that retort.

76687E6B7C771F0 wrote: If I remember the story correctly, Clemente may have stated that Memorial Field was bad and Frank offered that retort.


that sounds right.  I can't remember if it was 1971, 1979 or both but in at least one of the Series the Colts had played recently in Memorial stadium and you could still see some of the field lines. Of course Robinson only would have made a comment in 71.

I grew up in an area that was 50% Pirates fans, 50% Orioles fans. In the late 60's through the 70's, it was fun being a baseball fan in that atmosphere. Sure, we ribbed each other, but we developed a healthy respect for the "opposition."



My father did a lot of work in Baltimore, and one of his business associates lived next door to Frank Cashen, the GM of the Orioles. That led to an invite to a bullpen fielding clinic at Memorial Stadium conducted by Brooks Robinson, who brought Frank's bat with him. Frank was sidelined with double vision at the time, but we were all allowed to take a couple of cuts with Frank's bat.



Today, I can't envision an all star doing something like that, let alone bringing the bat of one of the all time greats for kids to swing. And kids of today would likely be more schooled in trash talking the opponent that respecting him.



Frank was a great player and a great man. Rest in peace...

6C454A5F586E524E474A58432B0 wrote: I grew up in an area that was 50% Pirates fans, 50% Orioles fans.  In the late 60's through the 70's, it was fun being a baseball fan in that atmosphere.  Sure, we ribbed each other, but we developed a healthy respect for the "opposition."



My father did a lot of work in Baltimore, and one of his business associates lived next door to Frank Cashen, the GM of the Orioles.  That led to an invite to a bullpen fielding clinic at Memorial Stadium conducted by Brooks Robinson, who brought Frank's bat with him.  Frank was sidelined with double vision at the time, but we were all allowed to take a couple of cuts with Frank's bat.



Today, I can't envision an all star doing something like that, let alone bringing the bat of one of the all time greats for kids to swing.  And kids of today would likely be more schooled in trash talking the opponent that respecting him.



Frank was a great player and a great man.  Rest in peace... 


nice story, thanks for posting