The entire baseball world is mourning the loss of Hall of Fame third baseman and Orioles icon, Brooks Robinson, who passed away at the age of 86.
The Baltimore Orioles announced his death on Tuesday in a joint statement with Robinson’s family.
“We are deeply saddened to share the news of the passing of Brooks Robinson,” the statement read. “An integral part of our Orioles Family since 1955, he will continue to leave a lasting impact on our club, our community, and the sport of baseball.”
Major League Baseball mourns the loss of Hall of Famer Brooks Robinson.
Robinson was an 18-time All-Star, 16-time Gold Glove Award winner, and helped lead the Baltimore Orioles to two World Series Championships. He was the 1964 AL MVP and the 1970 World Series MVP. pic.twitter.com/wdQbqk7XbN
— MLB (@MLB) September 26, 2023
Robinson, affectionately known as “Mr. Oriole,” was a cornerstone of the Orioles franchise, having spent his entire 23-year career with the team.
Born in Little Rock, Arkansas, on May 18, 1937, he etched his name in baseball history as one of the greatest defensive third basemen of all time, earning the nickname “Human Vacuum Cleaner” for his incredible fielding skills at the hot corner.
His remarkable career featured numerous accolades, including 16 consecutive Gold Glove Awards starting in 1960 and setting a major league record for the most games played at third base with 2,870.
In 1964, Robinson clinched the American League MVP Award after an outstanding season, boasting a batting average of .317, 28 home runs, and a league-leading 118 RBIs.
One of his most memorable moments came during the 1970 World Series when Robinson’s brilliant defensive plays and impressive batting average of .429, including two home runs, led the Orioles to victory over the Cincinnati Reds in five games.
Reds manager Sparky Anderson famously quipped during that World Series: “I’m beginning to see Brooks in my sleep. If I dropped this paper plate, he’d pick it up on one hop and throw me out at first.”
In total, Robinson’s career included 268 home runs, 1,357 RBIs, and a respectable batting average of .267 in 2,896 career games.
He displayed unwavering dedication to the sport, playing in at least 152 games in 14 seasons from 1960 to 1975, and 144 games in the other two years.
“I’m a guy who just wanted to see his name in the lineup every day,” Robinson once said. “To me, baseball was a passion to the point of obsession.”
Major League Baseball Commissioner Rob Manfred paid tribute, saying: “He was a model of excellence, durability, loyalty, and winning baseball for the Orioles. After his playing career, he continued to make contributions to the game by working with the MLB Players Alumni Association.”
“I will always remember Brooks as a true gentleman who represented our game extraordinarily well on and off the field all his life.”
There will only be one Brooks Robinson. RIP pic.twitter.com/z8VbPxseah
— BaseballHistoryNut (@nut_history) September 26, 2023
Robinson’s illustrious career culminated with his induction into the Baseball Hall of Fame in 1983.
Following his playing days, he remained closely associated with the Orioles, serving as a television broadcaster from 1978 to 1993.
In 2012, a statue was unveiled at Camden Yards in his honor, ensuring that his legacy would continue to be celebrated by fans for generations to come.
R.I.P.