R.I.P Brooks Robinson

Brooks Robinson, one of the best if not the best overall third baseman in major league history, passed away on September 26th, 2023 at age 86. No cause of death was immediately released, but he had been in declining health the last few years.

Robinson signed with the Baltimore Orioles in 1955 at age 18, and appeared in six games with the club that year. His career took off beginning in 1960 when he hit 14 homers and drove in 88 runs while hitting .294. in 152 games. He won the first of his 16 gold gloves and made his first of his 18 All Star Games. In 1964, Robinson hit 28 homers, drove in 118 runs, and hit .317 and was named the American League Most Valuable Player. Robinson was part of four pennant winning teams for the Orioles in 1966, 1969, 1970, and 1971. Baltimore won the World Series in 1966 and 1970. Robinson was the World Series MVP in 1970, when he hit .429 with a pair of homers and six RBIs.

But besides his bat in that series, Robinson put on a show with his defense. The “Human Vacuum Cleaner” as he was nicknamed, made play after spectacular play, demonstrating why he would be a 16 time Gold Glove fielder at third base by the time he retired in 1977. He is still the career leader in both assists and putouts by third basemen, and no one is anywhere close. Robinson played his entire 23 year career with Baltimore; he and Boston’s Carl Yaztrzemski are the only players to play that long entirely with one club. Robinson was elected to the Hall of Fame in 1983, his first year of eligibility.