The "This Guy Was One Fantastic Baseball Player!" Story

It was an ordinary day.  Reading a story about the passing of Hall of Fame third baseman Brooks Robinson who recently died.  His death was announced by the Baltimore Orioles this past Tuesday.  Brooks was an integral part of the Orioles Family since 1955 and still has an impact on the club, community and the sport of baseball.  

Brooks was 86 years old.  He came of age before the free agent era and spent his entire 23-year career with the Orioles.  He almost single-handedly helped the Orioles defeat Cincinnati in the 1970 World Series and homered in Game 1 of the Orioles' 1966 sweep of the Los Angeles Dodgers for their first crown.  Brooks participated in 18 All-Star Games, won 16 consecutive Gold Gloves and earned the 1964 AL Most Valuable Player award after batting .318 with 28 home runs and a league-leading 118 RBIs.  He finished with 268 homers, drove in 1,357 runs and batted a respectable .267 in 2,896 career games.  Not bad for old #5.  He'll be remembered most for his work ethic and the skill he displayed at the hot corner (third base) where he established himself as one of the finest third baseman in baseball history, whether charging slow rollers or snaring liners down the 3rd base line.  Brooks was the last guy to get to the clubhouse the day of the game, but the first one on the field.  Brooks was a hard worker.  He was so steady that he steadied everybody else.  He arrived in Baltimore in September of 1955 as an 18-year-old after spending most of his first professional season in baseball with nearby Class B York, PA.  He went 2-22 and struck out 10 times.  Not a good start!  He jockeyed between the majors and minors until July of 1959 when he stuck around in Baltimore for good.  Brooks Calbert Robinson Jr. was born in Little Rock on  May 18, 1937.  He eventually made Baltimore his home, but never lost his southern twang, which was just fine with fans in blue-collar Baltimore, who appreciated his homespun charm and unassuming demeanor.  He was dubbed "Mr. Oriole," was a sports hero in Charm City, in the pantheon with former Colts quarterback Johnny Unitas and Orioles infielder Cal Ripken, who performed for a different generation. I didn't get to see too many of his games, but never missed an Orioles vs. Phils game on TV.  Brooks was the type of guy who just wan't to see his name in the lineup everyday.  To him, baseball was a passion to the point of obsession.  He retired in 1977 after batting only .149 in 24 games.  I think he just knew it was time.  His jersey was retired that year.  His most memorable performance came as MVP of the 1970 World Series, when the Orioles bounced back from their stunning defeat to the Mets the year before and Robinson redeemed himself after batting just 1 for 19 in that series.  Because he was so sensational in the field during Baltimore's five-game win over the Reds, few remember he hit .429 and homered twice and drove in six runs.  In game 1 he delivered the tie breaking home run in the 7th inning.  Robinson contributed an RBI single in the second game and became forever a part of World Series lore with his standout performance in Game 3.  He made a tremendous, leaping grab of a grounder by Tony Perez to start a first-inning double-play; charged a slow roller in the second inning and threw out Tommy Helms; then capped his afternoon with a diving catch of a liner by Johnny Bench.  The Series ended, fittingly, with a ground out to Robinson in Game 5, a 9-3 Orioles win.  If you have never heard the name of Brooks Robinson while talking baseball, you should be ashamed of yourself.  It was another extraordinary day in the life of an ordinary guy.