‘Mr. Oriole,’ Hall of Fame third baseman Brooks Robinson, has died at age 86. His nimble glovework and unique boyish charm made him one of the most respected and idolized players in MLB history. He will always be one of the greatest athletes in Baltimore’s history.
“We are deeply saddened to share the news of the passing of Brooks Robinson. An integral part of our Orioles Family since 1955, he will continue to leave a lasting impact on our club, our community, and the sport of baseball,” his family and the organization said in a joint statement. The statement didn’t disclose how he passed.
The two-time World Series champion spent the entirety of his 23-year career as a member of the Orioles and exemplified the best of Baltimore.
The Arkansas boy was signed as a free agent in 1955 for $6,000 as he slowly developed into the ‘Human Vacuum.’
“I signed with Baltimore as a second baseman at age 18, and they gave me a $4,000 bonus at the time.” As told to Ed Attanasio, This Great Game. “I wasn’t one of those “bonus babies” that got $30,000, that’s for sure. I had a great glove, but I still had a lot left to learn but the Orioles believed in me, so that gave me some confidence.
Robinson made his first All-Star appearance in 1960, the first of 18 consecutive All-Star game appearances. His 1960 campaign began an incredible peak, a 16-year stretch of excellence. 18 All-Star rosters, 16 Gold Gloves, an MVP, and two World Series rings highlight the already bright resume of Brooks Robinson.
It wasn’t until nearly 20 years later that Robinson played a season in which he didn’t win the Gold Glove. For 16 straight years, the ‘Human Vacuum’ was named the best defensive third basemen in the American League. Robinson is second to Greg Maddox (18) for most consecutive Gold Gloves at a single position. He is the all-time games started leader from a third baseman and also has the most putouts and assists in MLB history playing the hot corner. His 39.1 defensive WAR is third all-time, and his 104 fWAR is 19th in MLB history. According to FanGraphs and their take on the Wins Above Replacement stat, he is the 19th-best player in MLB history.
Robinson was never an extraordinary hitter but was above average throughout his prime. The career .267 hitter would have been an MVP candidate every season if he could put bat to ball. He showed that from 1964 to 1966, when he finished on the podium of MVP voting three straight years, reaching the top step in ’64. Through the three years, his BA was 30 points higher, and his OPS was nearly 100 points higher, averaging 10 more home runs and 20 more RBI.
His hitting took a massive leap from ’63 to ’64. His ’64 season was one of two years he finished batting over .300. He went above and beyond, playing 163 of the 162 MLB regular season games while leading the AL in RBI. He finished the season slashing .317/.368/.512, completely contrasting his ‘63 season in which he finished .251/.305/.607.
Robinson led the Orioles to their first World Series win in franchise history during the 1966 season. It was the first time the organization reached the fall classic since 1944 when they still dawned the Browns name and called St. Louis home. Alongside Frank, the two Robinsons propelled the Orioles to the top of the baseball world. The Robinsons went back-to-back in the top of the first of game one. The Orioles won the game 5-2 and swept the Dodgers for their first title.
The Orioles made the World Series thrice more with Brooks, winning it once more. The Orioles shockingly fell to the Miracle Mets in the 1969 World Series, as Robinson had a terrible series. He had just one hit through five games as the Mets rolled over Baltimore to complete their miracle season.
In 1970, the Orioles bounced back. They met up with the Reds for the last series of the baseball season, as the Orioles rolled to a 4-1 victory. Robinson was incredible during the 1970 World Series. To go along with his stellar defense, he hit .429 with a 1.238 OPS with two home runs and six RBI, being named WS MVP in the process.
“I’m beginning to see Brooks in my sleep,” Reds manager Sparky Anderson said during the Series. “If I dropped this paper plate, he’d pick it up on one hop and throw me out at first.”
Pete Rose, the all-time hit king, said, “He belongs in a higher league,” after the series ended.
Robinson retired in 1977 after 23 years in the big leagues. He made his debut over 20 years prior as an 18-year-old kid, and as a 40-year-old man, he walked off the field as the greatest to ever play third base.
In 1983, he was elected to the National Baseball Hall of Fame in Cooperstown, New York. His name was etched into baseball immortality.
Robinson stayed active in baseball after he retired. He became the color commentator for the Orioles the year after he retired, doing the job for 14 years. Robinson became a Special Advisor to the Orioles in 2018. He focused on community events and what the organization can do to give back.
As his life began winding down, he auctioned his extensive collection of MLB memorabilia, giving every cent to his foundation. The Constance and Brooks Robinson Foundation distributed the funds to worthy causes.
”My children, they have everything they ever wanted from my collection,” Robinson said in 2015. “We’ve been very blessed, my whole family, all the years we’ve been in Baltimore. So it’s time to give back.”
Robinson spent his whole life as a part of the Baltimore Orioles, and seemingly for the first time since Robinson exited the field for the final time. The Orioles have a shot at regaining their former glory.
Robinson exemplified the blue-collar vibe that Baltimore encapsulates and will be a part of the city as long as Camden Yards still stands.
