02 Jul Brooks Robinson
Speaker: Brooks Robinson
Storied MLB player
Topics:
- What it Takes to be a Winner
From the time he made his Major League debut in 1955 until he retired as a player in 1977,Brooks Robinson added a new dimension to the position he played. Known as “The Human Vacuum Cleaner,” it has been said that Brooks Robinson was the best third baseman to ever play the game. During his tenure, the Baltimore Orioles had the best record in all of baseball. However it was far more than his playing ability that made Brooks Robinson stand out above the crowd.
Brooks Calbert Robinson was born on May 18, 1937 in Little Rock, Arkansas. He started his professional career, fresh out of Arkansas, as a second baseman in York, PA in the Piedmont League. It was his manager at York, George Staller, who recommended that Brooks Robinson be moved to third base. Later that same year, he made his Orioles debut under Manager-General Manager Paul Richards. Richards inserted him into the lineup as a replacement for rookie Kal Segrist, who was scratched because of an injury. The date was September 17, 1955 and Brooks Robinson went 2-for-4 against the Senators while driving in a key run in the 8th inning. This was just the beginning of a long and successful career as the Baltimore Orioles third baseman.
Those who have lived in the Baltimore area have had the distinct opportunity to see Brooks Robinson play for his only team, and to know him better through his community involvement. He has lived in the Baltimore area for over 45 years with his wife Connie. They have four children and eight grandchildren.
Brooks Robinson has won countless awards, a few of which include: being one of only 189 men over the 115 year history of the major leagues to have been elected to the Baseball Hall of Fame – and one of only 16 to have been so honored on the first ballot in 1983; in 1999 being named to the All Century Team, which honors the best 25 players in baseball during the 20th century; winning 16 straight Gold Gloves from 1960 through 1975; being chosen American League Most Valuable Player in 1964, Most Valuable Player in the 1966 All Star game and the 1970 World Series, and Most Valuable Oriole in 1960, 1962, 1964 and 1971.
What it Takes to be a Winner
