RIP Frank Robinson

[clydepepper]

Just yesterday, I was thinking how overlooked Frank was...even now...

I picked up a nice looking modern card - in a Topps subset titled 'Greatest Seasons'.

The front of the card shows something I'm always attracted to: A picture of Yaz at bat in '67.

I was so very disappointed when I read the back (another inept editor!).

Only off by 44 YEARS!!!


Still, the ONLY player to win MVP in BOTH Leagues!!!

Thanks Frank

67 YAZ A.jpg67 YAZ B.jpg

2001 Topps Team Legends- FRANK ROBINSON Auto.jpg

[scott6649]

[Chris-Counts]

The Field of Dreams team in Heaven made a big acquisition today. Frank was always one of my heroes growing up, even though he was long gone from my beloved Redlegs by the time I discovered the game. I collect color images from old Sport and Sports Illustrated magazines, and here are a few of my favorites of Frank. The newspaper collage comes from the Cincinnati Enquirer. RIP Frank — you will be remembered as long as the game is played.

[commishbob]

Beautiful pics, Chris. Thanks for sharing them.


I have a few Sport pics of Frank from his Orioles days. I need to scan them for this thread.

[Mark70Z]

Very sad day... Frank was one of my favorite players growing up.

I was nervous the first time I met Frank since I heard the stories that he could be difficult at times. I brought a 16X20 B&W picture of him in mid swing. When I took the picture out of the box to give him to sign he said, “Wow! Where did you get that picture? I’ve never seen that shot of me before.” I told him and asked if he’d like to keep it and he said, “No, just display that picture in a predomenent location; that’s just a great picture.” He said, “I hope I don’t ruin it with my autograph.“. He just kept on talking and Boog was kidding him about taking so long. He said something like, who do you think you are, Brooks! Good times!

Bob - love hearing about your positive experience. That would be a great memory to cherish.

R.I.P Frank; you were a great one...

[paul]

Truly a great one who will be sorely missed.

Barry, I think Mantle also won the Triple Crown, MVP and WS ring in a single year (1956).

[icollectDCsports]

Very underappreciated playing career, as others have said. And tremendous contributions to the game post playing career. RIP

[barrysloate]

Originally Posted by paul

Truly a great one who will be sorely missed.

Barry, I think Mantle also won the Triple Crown, MVP and WS ring in a single year (1956).

He did Paul, but my point was that Robinson did it in his first year after being traded, making it one of the most lopsided trades in baseball history. Poor Milt Pappas, a fine pitcher but unfortunately on the wrong side of that trade.

[lowpopper]

Originally Posted by scott6649

I was JUST looking at his stats and wondering why he did not
have a 76 and 77 card. These are great!

Question to All:

Why is he constantly being referred to as an underrated player?
I did not get to see him play but I always saw him as a top dog
among the greats. Growing up, if I said Frank Robinson, my father
would ALWAYS mention "Triple Crown" and "MVP in both leagues".
I think that says it all, no?

[Peter_Spaeth]

Originally Posted by lowpopper

I was JUST looking at his stats and wondering why he did not
have a 76 and 77 card. These are great!

Question to All:

Why is he constantly being referred to as an underrated player?
I did not get to see him play but I always saw him as a top dog
among the greats. Growing up, if I said Frank Robinson, my father
would ALWAYS mention "Triple Crown" and "MVP in both leagues".
I think that says it all, no?

Look at the prices of his cards (other than RC and low pop 62) compared to Mantle, Mays, Aaron and Clemente and you'll see the evidence for underrated.

[Steve D]

Originally Posted by clydepepper

Just yesterday, I was thinking how overlooked Frank was...even now...

I picked up a nice looking modern card - in a Topps subset titled 'Greatest Seasons'.

The front of the card shows something I'm always attracted to: A picture of Yaz at bat in '67.

I was so very disappointed when I read the back (another inept editor!).

Only off by 44 YEARS!!!


Still, the ONLY player to win MVP in BOTH Leagues!!!

Thanks Frank

Attachment 343651Attachment 343652

Attachment 343653

Actually, that statement is technically correct, as it was 45 years later that Miguel Cabrera won the triple crown in 2012.

If you consider the 45-year span from 1967-2011 (inclusive), Yaz was the only triple crown winner.

Steve

[clydepepper]

Originally Posted by Steve D

Actually, that statement is technically correct, as it was 45 years later that Miguel Cabrera won the triple crown in 2012.

If you consider the 45-year span from 1967-2011 (inclusive), Yaz was the only triple crown winner.

Steve

You're right, of course...and I complain about the editors....

[ValKehl]

Franks Robinson managed the Nationals for their first 2 seasons in Washington, DC, and even had them in first place at mid season. I know you will enjoy this read by a Wash. Post columnist who says in this read: "The first time I met Robinson was in December 2004 at baseball’s winter meetings, held that year in Anaheim, Calif. We stood in a hallway, and I was nervous, the new beat writer with no baseball experience somehow tasked with covering Washington’s new major league team — a team that had a Hall of Famer at the helm."

https://www.washingtonpost.com/sport...=.c3091c54064e

[71buc]

Below are my favorite quote and story written about Frank Robinson today. I love the Boswell quote as it sums him up perfectly. Somehow I was unaware that Frank Robinson and Bill Russell were high school teammates in basketball. That must have been one hell of an intense intimidating team.

Frank Robinson didn’t just crowd the plate; he crowded life. (Tom Boswell)

https://www.washingtonpost.com/sport...=.16ff60a59c77

[Peter_Spaeth]

Originally Posted by ValKehl

Franks Robinson managed the Nationals for their first 2 seasons in Washington, DC, and even had them in first place at mid season. I know you will enjoy this read by a Wash. Post columnist who says in this read: "The first time I met Robinson was in December 2004 at baseball’s winter meetings, held that year in Anaheim, Calif. We stood in a hallway, and I was nervous, the new beat writer with no baseball experience somehow tasked with covering Washington’s new major league team — a team that had a Hall of Famer at the helm."

https://www.washingtonpost.com/sport...=.c3091c54064e

Good piece. He uses a great phrase at the end -- "the history of the game can't be told without him."

[Skatehabitat24]

Frank had an amazing career and a great series in 66.