1966 HEADLINE: Frank Robinson Captures The AL MVP Award

1966 HEADLINE: Frank Robinson Captures The AL MVP Award

On this day in 1966, Frank Robinson was named as the 1966 AL Most Valuable Player.  And it was really not contest – Robinson was the Triple Crown winner as he led the American League is Batting Average, RBI, and Home Runs.

What made this award even more special is that Robinson became the first player to win the MVP in both leagues with this award in 1966.

You see, just 5 seasons prior, in 1961, he won the award with the Cincinnati Reds of the National League.

A truly dominant player – and one of the best!!

Happy Anniversary Mr. Robinson!!!

 

1971 HEADLINE: Frank Robinson Joins The ’500 Home Runs Club’

1971 HEADLINE: Frank Robinson Joins The ’500 Home Runs Club’

On this day in 1971, Frank Robinson connected for the 500th home run of his amazing baseball career!!!

At home and sitting in first place in the American League East division, the Orioles were hosting the Detroit Tigers.  Robinson entered the game with 499 home runs on his resume and was looking to make history in front of the fans at Memorial Stadium.

And he delivered…

He made the faithful Oriole fans wait until the bottom of the 9th inning, but he crushed a 2-run homer for #500.  The shot came off of Tigers pitcher Fred Scherman and the crowd erupted in applause for Robinson even though his team trailed the Tigers by 5 runs and eventually lost the game by a score of 10-5.

Happy Anniversary Mr. Robinson!!!

Frank Robinson’s Incredible 1957 Topps Rookie Card!!!

Frank Robinson’s Incredible 1957 Topps Rookie Card!!!

Man, oh man.  How nice would it be to own one of these bad-boys???

If I ever had a ‘Top Ten’ list of vintage cards to add to my collection, this one would surely land on it.  I am a huge fan of Robinson’s – from both his days with the Reds and with the Orioles.

I have a few re-print versions of his card, but it is nothing like owning the original…

Frank Robinson’s Hall Of Fame Plaque

Frank Robinson’s Hall Of Fame Plaque

Frank Robinson was elected into the National Baseball Hall of Fame in 1982.  The headliner of that class, Robinson collected 370 of the 415 votes cast by the writers.

And while I have not been able to find a transcript of his speech, I have to guess that it was pretty empowering.

As for Robinson’s Hall of Fame plaque, it reads:

“First to be chosen Most Valuable Player in both leagues – – NL in 1961 and AL in 1966. Set records by hitting homers in 32 different parks and with pair of grand slammers in successive innings in 1970. Fourth in homers (586), Fifth in extra bases on long hits (2,450), Fifth in Total Bases (5,375), on retiring. Led NL in Slugging percentage in 1960-61-62 and AL in batting, home runs, runs batted in, total bases, and slugging percentage in 1966′.

Frank Robinson – The Manager

Frank Robinson – The Manager

Frank Robinson holds the distinction of being baseball’s first African-American manager.

After being considered as a managerial candidate for several years, Robinson was finally given the chance to manage a squad in 1975.

In total, Robinson managed four different teams over a 16-year span.  Compiling a win-loss record of 1,065-1,176, Robinson was hardly put in a place to win.  The teams he managed?  The Indians, Giants, Orioles, and Nationals – not actually threats to any pennants…

Frank Robinson – World Champion

Frank Robinson – World Champion

In 21 baseball seasons, Frank Robinson played in 5 World Series match-ups.  That is not a bad clip, if you ask me…

And in those 5 trips to the Fall Classic, Robinson helped his squad win two World Series titles.

In 1966 and then again in 1970, Robinson’s Orioles teams won the rings.

As for Frank, he played in a total of 26 World Series games.  Compiling just a .250 batting average, Robinson was able to deliver production with his eight home runs, 14 RBI, and 19 runs scored.

Frank Robinson & The 500-Home Run Club!!!

Frank Robinson & The 500-Home Run Club!!!

On September 13, 1971, Frank Robinson connected for the 500th home run of his amazing baseball career!!!

At home and sitting in first place in the American League East division, the Orioles were hosting the Detroit Tigers.  Robinson entered the game with 499 home runs on his resume and was looking to make history in front of the fans at Memorial Stadium.

And he delivered…

He made the faithful Oriole fans wait until the bottom of the 9th inning, but he crushed a 2-run homer for #500.  The shot came off of Tigers pitcher Fred Scherman and the crowd erupted in applause for Robinson even though his team trailed the Tigers by 5 runs and eventually lost the game by a score of 10-5.

Frank Robinson Rests Just 57 Hits Shy Of 3,000…

Frank Robinson Rests Just 57 Hits Shy Of 3,000…

I enjoy watching a player chase a milestone that will help solidify their career.  Most recently, it was Derek Jeter.

But with Frank Robinson’s career, I wonder if there was an official ‘count down to 3,000’.

Amazingly talented at the plate, Robinson finished his career with 2,943 hits – 57 shy of 3,000.  Had he collected just 3 more hits in each season he played in 3,000 would have been surpassed.  Had he played in just 2-3 more games in each season of his prime, it is very likely that 3,000 would have been surpassed.

Robinson joins a long list of baseball legends that just fell short of reaching a specific baseball milestone.  Still, it does very little to tarnish his tremendous career.

Frank Robinson And ‘The 1966 Major League Triple Crown’

Frank Robinson And ‘The 1966 Major League Triple Crown’

The Triple Crown is quite possibly baseball’s greatest offensive accomplishment.  And rare too – it has now been more than 40 years since the last time a player accomplished this feat.

And of the very few players that have reached these heights, my favorite is Frank Robinson.  Traded in the offseason between the 1965 and 1966 seasons, Robinson was off to Baltimore to help the Orioles.

And what did he do during his debut campaign playing for the O’s?

Let’s see…

He led the league in batting with his .316 average.

He led the league in RBI with 122.

And, he led the league in home runs with 49.

What a legend!!!

Frank Robinson Is A 2-Time Most Valuable Player!!!

Frank Robinson Is A 2-Time Most Valuable Player!!!

Any player, in the right circumstance, can be a contender for the MVP award.

But it is the highly skilled player that can be a challenger for the award on an annual basis that separates himself from the pack.

Over the course of his 21-year career, 20 of which were full-time, Robinson finished in the Top 10 for the MVP award nine times.  Truly ahead of 99% of his peers, Robinson was able to do it in both leagues as well.

Ultimately, he won the award twice, once in 1961 with the Reds and then again in 1966 with the Orioles.  As a matter of fact, Frank Robinson was the first player in major league history to win the MVP Award in both leagues.