Frank Robinson: Historically Solid

Frank Robinson: Historically Solid

Frank Robinson: Historically Solid

Primarily playing as an outfielder and first baseman and spending the last few years of his career as a designated hitter, Frank Robinson was considered to be one of the best home run hitters of his time. Robinson, who had the nicknames of “The Judge” and “Pencils”, had the uncanny combination of hitting for power and good base running skills. In baseball record books Robinson is considered to be historically solid.

Robinson immediately made an impact with the Cincinnati Reds in 1956 as he would be named the National League Rookie of the Year. Playing in 152 games in 1956 Robinson batted .290 with 38 home runs and 83 RBI’s off 166 hits, 27 doubles, 6 triples and 8 stolen bases. He kept going in 1957 by batting .322 with 29 home runs and 75 RBI’s off 197 hits, 29 doubles, 5 triples and 10 stolen bases in 150 games. Playing in 148 games in 1958 Robinson had 31 home runs and 83 RBI’s off 149 hits, 25 doubles, 6 triples and 10 stolen bases. Robinson won a Gold Glove for his great fielding performances in the outfield.

In 1959 Robinson played in 146 games and batted .311 with 36 home runs and 125 RBI’s off 168 hits, 31 doubles and 18 stolen bases. Playing in 139 games in 1960 Robinson batted .297 with 31 home runs and 83 RBI’s off 138 hits, 33 doubles, 6 triples and 13 stolen bases. In 1961 Robinson played in 153 games and batted .323 with 37 home runs and 124 RBI’s off 176 hits, 32 doubles, 7 triples and 22 stolen bases. Robinson would be named the National League Most Valuable Player.

In 1962 Robinson played in all 162 regular season games and batted .342 with 39 home runs and 136 RBI’s off 208 hits, 51 doubles and 18 stolen bases. Robinson finished in 4th place in NL MVP voting in 1962. In 1963 Robinson played in 140 games and had 21 home runs and 91 RBI’s off 125 hits, 19 doubles and 26 stolen bases. In 1964 Robinson played in 156 games and batted .306 with 29 home runs and 96 RBI’s off 174 hits, 38 doubles, 6 triples and 23 stolen bases. He would finish in 4th place in NL MVP voting once more. Playing in 156 games in 1965 Robinson batted .296 with 33 home runs and 113 RBI’s off 172 hits, 33 doubles, 5 triples and 13 stolen bases.

Before the start of the 1966 season the Cincinnati Reds traded Frank Robinson to the Baltimore Orioles in exchange for pitchers Milt Pappas and Jack Baldschum, and outfielder Dick Simpson. Upon review many baseball historians consider this to be one of the most lopsided trades in MLB history, greatly benefiting the Orioles.

1966 was a memorable year for Frank Robinson as he played in 155 games and batted .316 with 49 home runs and 122 RBI’s. Leading in all these categories Robinson would win the American League Triple Crown. However, he also led in on base percentage with .410, slugging percentage with .637, and OPS (on base plus slugging) with 1.047. Robinson also had 182 hits, 34 doubles and 8 stolen bases, and all of statistics amounted to him being named the American League Most Valuable Player.

Robinson became the first player to be named MVP for both the AL and the NL. In the 1966 World Series against the Los Angeles Dodgers Robinson batted .286 with 4 hits and 3 RBI’s, with 2 of those hits being home runs. Helping the Orioles win the 1966 World Series, Robinson would be named World Series Most Valuable Player.

Playing in 129 games in 1967 Robinson batted .311 with 30 home runs and 94 RBI’s off 149 hits, 23 doubles and 7 triples. Playing in 130 games in 1968 Robinson had 15 home runs, 113 hits, 27 doubles and 11 stolen bases. In 1969 Robinson played in 148 games and batted .308 with 32 home runs and 100 RBI’s off 166 hits, 19 doubles, 5 triples and 9 stolen bases. Robinson finished in 3rd place in AL MVP voting in 1969.

1970 was a solid year for Robinson as he would help the Orioles win their 2nd World Series Championship in 5 years. Playing in 132 games Robinson batted .306 with 25 home runs and 78 RBI’s off 144 hits and 24 doubles. In the playoffs Robinson had 8 hits, with 3 of those hits being home runs. In 1971 Robinson played in 133 games and batted .281 with 28 home runs and 99 RBI’s off 128 hits and 16 doubles. In the playoffs Robinson had 8 hits, with 2 of those hits being home runs. However, the Orioles lost to the Pittsburgh Pirates 4 games to 3 in the 1971 World Series.

Frank Robinson spent 1972 with the Los Angeles Dodgers and he had 19 home runs and 86 hits in 103 games. Robinson then went on to play for the California Angels in 1973 where he would be their first ever designated hitter. In 147 games Robinson had 30 home runs and 97 RBI’s off 142 hits and 29 doubles. Spending part of 1974 with the Angels Robinson would spend the other half of 1974 with the Cleveland Indians and he would spend 1975 and 1976 in Cleveland to finish his playing career. His stint in Cleveland coincided with the beginning of his long managerial career.

Hitting a total of 586 home runs for his career, Frank Robinson finished in 4th place in the all-time home runs list when he retired, and he now sits in 10th place all-time. Remaining historically solid for most of his playing career, Frank Robinson represented the type of baseball player who would give the fans everything he had, whether it was hitting, base running or fielding. In 1972 the Baltimore Orioles retired Robinson’s #20 jersey, and in 1998 the Cincinnati Reds retired the #20 to honor Robinson as well.