OT: RIP Robin Roberts

[Robextend]

My dad used to say Roberts and Jim Bunning were two of the best and most underrated pitchers he ever seen.

[FrankWakefield]

Many of us found Mr. Roberts to be a kind, gracious gentleman. I believe he was that. His passing gives me pause, baseball benefits from the gentleman ballplayers. Wish there were more today. But when I'm at a park and hear the crap the kids shout at them in hopes of an autograph, then I think we are partly to blame for the present state of affairs. Partly...

I wrote Mr. Roberts nine years ago, asking for an autograph or two. I thanked him for playing the game, and how well respected he was. Told him I was a Cardinals fan, but admired his competitiveness and abilities. I asked about Curt Simmons being a team-mate, then a competitor, about how he tried to pitch to Stan Musial, and what he thought of current players. He signed one of the 2 3x5 cards I sent with an SASE, sent along the signed Induction Day card below, and took a stab at my questions on the other 3x5. I didn't ask him about his golf, but he described it nonetheless.

Baseball could do with a few more like Mr. Roberts.

Frank W.

[Rob D.]

I was fortunate to be able to talk baseball with Mr. Roberts when I was in college. It was a great experience.