Frank Robinson
He won the triple crown, the MVP in both leagues, and he finished in the top ten in MVP voting ten times. Yet, he's perhaps the most under-appreciated superstar in baseball history. He compares favorably to Henry Aaron and Willie Mays, and he ranks among the all-time leaders in RBI, runs, and slugging. In 1975 he became the first black man to manage a major league team, hitting a home run in his first game. He managed in four decades and helped tutor several players on to managerial roles. Frank Robinson was a team leader who earned the nickname "The Judge." Robinson was a team leader who earned the nickname "The Judge." He helped the Reds get to the 1961 World Series and later won two titles with the Orioles. He often called team meetings to straighten out his teammates or help squelch a losing streak. In 1975 he became the first black man to manage a major league team, hitting a home run in his first game. He managed in four decades and helped tutor several players on to managerial roles.
Played For
Cincinnati Reds (1956-1965)
Baltimore Orioles (1966-1971)
Los Angeles Dodgers (1972)
California Angels (1973-1974)
Cleveland Indians (1974-1976)
Managed
Cleveland Indians (1975-1977)
San Francisco Giants (1981-1984)
Baltimore Orioles (1988-1991)
Montreal Expos (2002-2004)
All-Time Rankings
Frank Robinson ranks #3 among the Top 50 all-time at RF. Rankings ⇒
Best Season: 1966
Robinson won the AL MVP, hitting .316 with 49 taters and 122 RBI to win the Triple Crown. He led the Orioles to their first World Championship.
Factoids
Frank Robinson is the only player to win a Most Valuable Player Award in both the American and National leagues.
Most Walk-Off Home Runs, Career
Jimmie Foxx........12
Mickey Mantle......12
Stan Musial........12
Frank Robinson.....12
Babe Ruth..........12
Tony Perez.........11
Dick Allen.........10
Harold Baines......10
Reggie Jackson.....10
Mike Schmidt.......10
Where He Played
Robinson played about 60% of his defensive outfield games in right field. He played 37% in left. He also appeared at DH (321 games) and first base (305).
Born
Frank Robinson was born on August 31, 1935, in Beaumont, TX.
Batted: Right
Threw: Right
Primary Position: OF
Primary Team: CIN
Major League Debut
April 17, 1956
Nine Other Players Who Debuted in 1956
Frank Robinson
Luis Aparicio
Bill Mazeroski
Curt Flood
Don Drysdale
Moe Drabowsky
Tito Francona
Charlie Lau
Whitey Herzog
Nicknames
The Judge, F. Robby
Uniform Numbers
#20 (1956-1976)
Similar Players
Hank Aaron, Vladimir Guerrero
Related Players
Vada Pinson, Pete Rose, Brooks Robinson, Don Baylor
| Hall of Fame Voting |
| Year |
Election |
Votes |
Pct |
| 1982 |
BBWAA |
370 |
89.2% |
|
Post-Season Appearances
1961 World Series
1966 World Series
1969 American League Championship Series
1969 World Series
1970 American League Championship Series
1970 World Series
1971 American League Championship Series
1971 World Series
Awards and Honors
1956 NL Rookie of the Year
1958 NL Gold Glove
1961 NL MVP
1966 AL MVP
1966 AL Triple Crown
1966 ML WS MVP
1971 ML AS MVP
Milestones
Hit his 500th home run on September 13, 1971, against the Detroit Tigers.
Milestones
- April 18, 1959: 100th HR...
- August 26, 1961: 200th HR...
- June 10, 1965: 300th HR...
- September 9, 1967: 400th HR...
- September 13, 1971: 500th HR... Off Fred Scherman.
Batting Feats
- May 2, 1959: Cycle...
- June 26, 1970: 2 Grand Slams...
Hitting Streaks
19 games (1961)
Transactions
Signed as an amateur free agent by Cincinnati Reds (1953); Traded by Cincinnati Reds to Baltimore Orioles in exchange for Milt Pappas, Jack Baldschun and Dick Simpson (December 9, 1965); Traded by Baltimore Orioles with Pete Richert to Los Angeles Dodgers in exchange for Doyle Alexander, Bob O'Brien, Sergio Robles and Royle Stillman (December 2, 1971); Traded by Los Angeles Dodgers with Bill Singer, Mike Strahler, Billy Grabarkewitz and Bobby Valentine to California Angels in exchange for Andy Messersmith and Ken McMullen (November 28, 1972); Traded by California Angels to Cleveland Indians in exchange for Ken Suarez, Rusty Torres and cash (September 12, 1974).
Home Run Facts
Robinson's 493rd homer, which tied him with Lou Gehrig on the all-time list, was the only hit allowed by Dick Drago in a rain-shortened game between the Orioles and Royals on July 30, 1971. Robinson's O's won the game, 1-0.
All-Star Selections
1956 NL
1957 NL
1959 NL
1961 NL
1962 NL
1965 NL
1966 AL
1967 AL
1969 AL
1970 AL
1971 AL
1974 AL
Replaced
Robinson took over in left field for the Reds in 1956, replacing a group of outfielders who had roamed out there in '55. That group included Stan Palys, Bob Thurman, Chuck Harmon and Ray Jablonski.
Replaced By
Robinson's last full-time job was as the Angels DH in 1974. The next season, with Robby off to Cleveland, the Halos turned to Tommy Harper, Joe Lahoud and some others to fill the DH role.
Best Strength as a Player
Speed and power
Largest Weakness as a Player
None
Learn More about Frank Robinson
Search Amazon.com for Books about Frank Robinson ⇒
Search for Frank Robinson at Google ⇒
View a map of his hometown at Mapquest ⇒
