Frank Robinson

[Nine of twelve]

I'm a bit surprised nobody started a thread after he passed the other day so I'll do it. My comment is that if it's possible for a Hall-Of-Famer to be underrated then Frank Robinson is that player. He was a standout stud outfielder in the era of standout stud outfielders and no better player became a better manager. He knew the game inside out both on the field and off. I think he was my all-time favorite non-Twin baseball man.

[ashbury]

Well said.

 

Cincinnati had to be a tough place for a person of color to get his professional start in the 1950s^*, and he got into a scrape or two that I can easily forgive him for, if forgiveness is even the right word. He recovered to have a stellar career and as far as I can tell there were few who had a bad word to say about him as a man. His accomplishments were broad and he left a great legacy - as a player his career WAR ranks 24th and that's as good a shorthand as any - and his influence went far beyond his playing record. Underrated is probably the right word.

 

^{* _{OK, as I sift through the list of major league teams, every city was tough in their various ways.}}

[biggentleben]

Robinson is the only player who has picked up a Rookie of the Year Award, MVP award, World Series MVP, All-Star MVP, Triple Crown, and a Gold Glove. Add in a Manager of the Year Award, and there may never be another player who was as recognized for his excellence as was Robinson.

[Seth Stohs]

 

I'm a bit surprised nobody started a thread after he passed the other day so I'll do it. My comment is that if it's possible for a Hall-Of-Famer to be underrated then Frank Robinson is that player. He was a standout stud outfielder in the era of standout stud outfielders and no better player became a better manager. He knew the game inside out both on the field and off. I think he was my all-time favorite non-Twin baseball man.

 

Roy Smalley and I agree with you about him being an underrated Hall of Famer.

 

 

 

[snepp]

 

MVP award

 

In both leagues no less, still the only to do so.

[biggentleben]

 

In both leagues no less, still the only to do so.

 

I know you can take away a bunch of those accolades mentioned, and he's the only one to accomplish them all, but I couldn't find the MLB.com tweet on it, and I know if you add in all of those, he's definitely alone!

[Nine of twelve]

 

I'm a bit surprised nobody started a thread after he passed the other day so I'll do it. My comment is that if it's possible for a Hall-Of-Famer to be underrated then Frank Robinson is that player. He was a standout stud outfielder in the era of standout stud outfielders and no better player became a better manager. He knew the game inside out both on the field and off. I think he was my all-time favorite non-Twin baseball man.

 

 

Roy Smalley and I agree with you about him being an underrated Hall of Famer.

 

Hey, it's nice to know that other people have the same thoughts. As Yogi Berra didn't say but should have, a great mind thinks alike.

[Thegrin]

As a kid, I was shocked when the Red's traded him to Baltimore for Milt Pappas ! Milt Pappas ? He was a good pitcher and all but really, Milt Pappas ?  This was the beginning of my theory "Never trade an everyday player for a pitcher". 

 

Frank Robinson was consistently great. Every Year.  I consider myself lucky to have watched his career (if only on TV).

[mikelink45]

Cincinnati Enquirer has an excellent article.   https://www.cincinnati.com/story/sports/mlb/reds/2019/02/07/frank-robinson-baseball-hall-fame-member-dead-83/2722769002/

 

The question would always be - how much racism was behind the trade?  Robinson was a strong personality. 

 

I too loved his play and the way he treated Matthew Lecroy is an example of his humanity and sensitivity. https://theathletic.com/807074/2019/02/08/a-look-back-at-the-day-frank-robinson-cried-when-he-took-matt-lecroy-out-of-a-game/

[jkcarew]

"I had no trouble communicating, the player's just didn't like what I had to say."

 

"The baselines belongs to the runner, and whenever I was running the bases, I always slid hard. I wanted infielders to have that instant's hesitation about coming across the bag at second or about standing in there awaiting a throw to make a tag. There are only 27 outs in a ballgame, and it was my job to save one for my team every time I possibly could."

 

"There's absolutely no way you can go barreling into second and dump a guy on a double play, like you should do, when you've been fraternizing with him before a game."

 

Just three of many GREAT quotes from Frank. Frank was the epitome of great players of his era...of all colors. He did not see the game as entertainment. It was a competition and that was enough.

 

 

[Nine of twelve]

 

Cincinnati Enquirer has an excellent article.   https://www.cincinnati.com/story/sports/mlb/reds/2019/02/07/frank-robinson-baseball-hall-fame-member-dead-83/2722769002/

 

The question would always be - how much racism was behind the trade?  Robinson was a strong personality. 

 

I too loved his play and the way he treated Matthew Lecroy is an example of his humanity and sensitivity. https://theathletic.com/807074/2019/02/08/a-look-back-at-the-day-frank-robinson-cried-when-he-took-matt-lecroy-out-of-a-game/

The link didn't give me the full article about the Matthew LeCroy situation but I remember this happening. It was such a great moment in spite of the pain on the part of those involved.

[cmoss84]

I found it crazy interesting that Robinson and Bill Russell were on the same high school basketball team. One scout said Robinson was the better prospect. Then they both become the first black coaches in their respective sports? Pretty cool. 

[Nine of twelve]

 

I found it crazy interesting that Robinson and Bill Russell were on the same high school basketball team. One scout said Robinson was the better prospect. Then they both become the first black coaches in their respective sports? Pretty cool. 

Way cool.

[Don Walcott]

Who didn't vote for him for the Hall of Fame?