RIP Frank Robinson

[Stampsfan]

Originally Posted by KMayUSA6060

RIP.

Being an Indians fan, I know they will do well and have a season-long memorial for him.

I'd imagine the Reds, Angels, Dodgers, and Orioles will all do the same - especially the former & latter.

Expos would too if they had a team. He was well loved in Montreal.

[Peter_Spaeth]

He was overshadowed by Mays, Mantle, and then Aaron, but what a great baseball player. Imagine, traded for Milt Pappas.

[doug.goodman]

In late 1981 or 1982, I was standing (hunched over my treasure, really) in the rain outside the players parking lot at Candlestick after a rained out Giants game when he drove past me, then stopped and backed up.

He rolled down his window and asked "What are you doing standing there?"

"I was hoping I could get you to sign this baseball" I told him, as I reached it into his car to avoid the wet, and pointed out that it already had Willie Mays, Hank Aaron and a few other HR hitters of note.

"This is a nice ball", he said "what if I just drive away with it?" he chuckled.

"Please don't" I said, as the rain came down a bit harder.

He smiled as he found a good spot on the ball, signed a beautiful signature, carefully handed it back to me avoiding the rain, and said "thank you, now get out of the rain".

"Thank you!", I said and headed to my car to make the 93 mile drive home.

Thank you again, Mr. Robinson.

Doug

[invest]

Originally Posted by doug.goodman

In late 1981 or 1982, I was standing (hunched over my treasure, really) in the rain outside the players parking lot at Candlestick after a rained out Giants game when he drove past me, then stopped and backed up.

He rolled down his window and asked "What are you doing standing there?"

"I was hoping I could get you to sign this baseball" I told him, as I reached it into his car to avoid the wet, and pointed out that it already had Willie Mays, Hank Aaron and a few other HR hitters of note.

"This is a nice ball", he said "what if I just drive away with it?" he chuckled.

"Please don't" I said, as the rain came down a bit harder.

He smiled as he found a good spot on the ball, signed a beautiful signature, carefully handed it back to me avoiding the rain, and said "thank you, now get out of the rain".

"Thank you!", I said and headed to my car to make the 93 mile drive home.

Thank you again, Mr. Robinson.

Doug

That is a great story!! RIP Mr. Robinson

Troy

[BaltOrioles]

It seems regularly now, we lose one of my boyhood heroes. RIP Frank. Thanks for all the memories. Greatest trade in O's history. At the time, my mom asked me if Frank and Brooks were brothers. I guess in a way they were, the heart of the Orioles family.

[barrysloate]

His 1966 season was one of the most memorable of all time. Has a player ever had a better season in the first year after being traded?

[Peter_Spaeth]

Originally Posted by barrysloate

His 1966 season was one of the most memorable of all time. Has a player ever had a better season in the first year after being traded?

ARod? Actually no it was his second NY season that was great.

[barrysloate]

Originally Posted by Peter_Spaeth

ARod? Actually no it was his second NY season that was great.

Robinson won the Triple Crown, MVP, and a World Series ring. That's a unique achievement.

[commishbob]

frankbanner.jpg

frankauto.jpg

In 1969 or 70 I went with a buddy, also an Oriole fan, to see the O's play at Yankee Stadium on a mid-week afternoon. We'd decided that we'd make a couple of banners to support our club. We set to work dividing an old bed sheet and, with orange paint and a marker, we each created a work of art. His was the number '5' for Brooks Robinson. Mine was a '20' in orange with 'RF' added on.
We missed the Orioles' batting practice session but we hung out near the third base dugout in hopes the players would see our signs when they warmed up. Then a batboy approached me and asked if I would like him to take my banner to Frank in the clubhouse and show it to him. I said 'Sure' and handed it to him not knowing if I'd see it again. Moments later here comes my banner up the dugout steps being carried by Frank Robinson himself. He asked whose it was and brought it over to me and thanked me for bringing it. He asked for my pen and signed it right in the middle on the '0'. 42 years later I still have it. It's discolored and been stained a bit along the way, the orange color had darkened to a pinkish red and the autograph has faded some. But that banner still means more to me than any piece of memorabilia I own.

[doug.goodman]

Originally Posted by commishbob

... Moments later here comes my banner up the dugout steps being carried by Frank Robinson himself. He asked whose it was and brought it over to me and thanked me for bringing it. He asked for my pen and signed it right in the middle on the '0'. 42 years later I still have it. It's discolored and been stained a bit along the way, the orange color had darkened to a pinkish red and the autograph has faded some. But that banner still means more to me than any piece of memorabilia I own.

That is fantastic!

[Chris-Counts]

That is a truly epic story Bob.

[clydepepper]

Just yesterday, I was thinking how overlooked Frank was...even now...

I picked up a nice looking modern card - in a Topps subset titled 'Greatest Seasons'.

The front of the card shows something I'm always attracted to: A picture of Yaz at bat in '67.

I was so very disappointed when I read the back (another inept editor!).

Only off by 44 YEARS!!!


Still, the ONLY player to win MVP in BOTH Leagues!!!

Thanks Frank

67 YAZ A.jpg67 YAZ B.jpg

2001 Topps Team Legends- FRANK ROBINSON Auto.jpg

[Blackie]

RIP Mr Frank Robinson!!! Great ball player (very underrated) and a United States Marine!!! God bless you brother and may your family have peace. Till Valhalla brother!!!

[Peter_Spaeth]

Originally Posted by BaltOrioles

It seems regularly now, we lose one of my boyhood heroes. RIP Frank. Thanks for all the memories. Greatest trade in O's history. At the time, my mom asked me if Frank and Brooks were brothers. I guess in a way they were, the heart of the Orioles family.

http://dougwilsonbaseball.blogspot.c...and-frank.html

Outstanding piece on how Frank and Brooks, two very contrasting men not just racially, forged a friendship. America in 1966 was not exactly past its racial problems, and by all accounts the very cohesive Oriole clubhouse was probably an important factor in their success.

[HRBAKER]

Originally Posted by Peter_Spaeth

http://dougwilsonbaseball.blogspot.c...and-frank.html

Outstanding piece on how Frank and Brooks, two very contrasting men not just racially, forged a friendship. America in 1966 was not exactly past its racial problems, and by all accounts the very cohesive Oriole clubhouse was probably an important factor in their success.

The two are forever linked when I think about either. What great players but Frank was truly special.

[Mark70Z]

Originally Posted by HRBAKER

The two are forever linked when I think about either. What great players but Frank was truly special.

Great pictures and autographed to boot. Thanks for sharing these two shots. Sad days for us O’s fans.

[baseballfan]

very sad news RIP. he'll be missed great for the game

Let's go O's

[horzverti]

Originally Posted by doug.goodman

In late 1981 or 1982, I was standing (hunched over my treasure, really) in the rain outside the players parking lot at Candlestick after a rained out Giants game when he drove past me, then stopped and backed up.

He rolled down his window and asked "What are you doing standing there?"

"I was hoping I could get you to sign this baseball" I told him, as I reached it into his car to avoid the wet, and pointed out that it already had Willie Mays, Hank Aaron and a few other HR hitters of note.

"This is a nice ball", he said "what if I just drive away with it?" he chuckled.

"Please don't" I said, as the rain came down a bit harder.

He smiled as he found a good spot on the ball, signed a beautiful signature, carefully handed it back to me avoiding the rain, and said "thank you, now get out of the rain".

"Thank you!", I said and headed to my car to make the 93 mile drive home.

Thank you again, Mr. Robinson.

Doug

Great story Doug!

RIP F Robby