Eddie Robinson Talks about 65 years in baseball- Allen TX Library- August 29,2013

[Leon]

My good friend John Esch (hi John) sent me this to post on the board. I am going to try to make it though am not positive I will be there.-



Eddie Robinson and I will be the program at the Allen Public Library on Thursday evening, August 29, talking about Eddie’s 65 years in baseball. His autobiography will be available for purchase and signing. Please see below for the full press release.

C. Paul Rogers III
Professor of Law and former Dean
SMU School of Law
P.O.Box 750116
Dallas, Texas 75275

Phone number 214 768-2700
Fax number 214 768-3142


Former Texas Rangers’ General Manager and author of the autobiography Lucky Me: My Sixty-five Years in Baseball Eddie Robinson will be sharing personal tales at 7:30 pm, Thursday, August 29 at the Allen Public Library. An American League first baseman, baseball scout, and General Manager for the Texas Rangers, Robinson provides a diverse perspective on the sport.

Born in Paris, Texas, and raised in meager circumstances during the Depression, Robinson loaded freight onto trucks each day before school and on Saturdays to help his family. The excitement of his late-season call up for the Cleveland Indians in 1942 was short lived. Like so many others in his generation, World War II deterred his baseball career when he joined the Navy.
A left handed batter who threw left handed, a then 27-year-old Robinson helped the Cleveland Indians win the 1948 World Series. Traded during the off-season to the Washington Senators and later to the Chicago White Sox, Robinson experienced one of the most productive seasons of his time in major league baseball. In his first All-Star game at-bat, he lined a single to right field off Warren Spahn to drive in Joe DiMaggio, helping the American League to a 11-7 victory. This baseball legend eventually played in 1,315 games and batted .268 with 172 home runs.


After retiring from baseball, Robinson became a coach for the Baltimore Orioles and a protégé of Paul Richards, later following him to the Houston Astros and Atlanta Braves.

A co-manager of the Texas Rangers with Dan O’Brien in 1977, the following year Robinson became sole manager. He held this position until 1982. Despite the Rangers celebrating highly successful seasons in 1977, 1978 and 1981, a disastrous 1982 cost him his position as general manager.

Continuing as a scout and player development specialist, his last position was a scout for the Boston Red Sox.

Sponsored by Bach to Books, this event is free. The library is located at 300 N. Allen Dr. Call 214-509-4911 for more information.

Tom Keener
Cultural Arts Manager
Allen Public Library
214-509-4911


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[Cardboard Junkie]

Those 48 Indians were one hell of a team. Hope you make it to see him Leon, would be a great experience. Dave. ps. Nice to read a thread that doesn't give me a headache.

[Rich Klein]

We had Eddie as a guest at our yearly Adat Chaverim Brotherhood (Men's Club) Meeting 2 years ago. I think they sold about 25-30 books and when Paul Rogers was nice enough to have Dr. Bobby Brown come and speak to us this year (I finally got to hear him speak after missing him at a SABR meeting way back in the day). Both Eddie and the good Doctor were tremendous speakers.

And, when I got the official word that we had secured Dr. Brown for this year, many of our guests who were attending all asked me if Dr. Brown had a book the way Eddie did. Well not for Dr. Brown but yes for Eddie and I highly recommend purchasing the tome. I think the cost will be $25 or so.

The 29th is a work night for me, but I will do my best to attend --- and hear some more of Eddie's stories. And if you really want to make Eddie feel good, thank him for all the tireless work he did for older baseball players whose pensions are not as good as today's players. He helped broker a tremendous settlement for players who retired, if my memory serves me correctly, before 1980.

Rich

[Leon]

A friendly bump. I am hoping to make it this evening but not sure....

[sb1]

Should be a good evening, I have had the pleasure of going to Eddie's house and meeting him and talking baseball. He is a great reflector of the past when the game and all that came with it were very different than today.

Thanks to Paul for doing this and John for providing the info. Both are mainstays of the hobby.

[Leon]

I went to see Eddie tell stories this evening. A fantastic evening it was. Got two of his books signed by him too. One will be given away on the board very soon. Eddie's co-author on the book, C. Paul Rogers, and I have been friends for a year or two. Getting to meet Eddie afterwards was very nice too. What a great guy. One of the dwindling old guard. I could have listened to a lot more stories he had.

[Hot Springs Bathers]

I met Mr. Robinson about two years ago at the Arlington show with my good SABR friend Jay Langhammer. He was very gracious and the book is well done.

Paul Rogers was there that day and I sure wish he would do more books! His WHIZ KIDS book done with Robin Roberts is great too! Rich and Leon were both at that show, I'm sure you got your books that day.

Also got a Marcus Dupree autograph along with Mel Renfro that day!