Here's to you, Mr. Robinson

by Basil on Feb 18, 2006 5:48 PM EST in News

Younger Frank More Vintaged Frank

Rocket Bill notes today that Frank Robinson has been in the major leagues---in one capacity or another, but always a prominent one---for fifty years.

Fifty years. Now that's a long time. Julio Franco wasn't even arbitration-eligible back then.

In all seriousness, let's take some time out to reflect on Robinson's career and give him the praise he deserves. Congratulations, Mr. Robinson. We, the jerky bloggers, give you a lot of grief, but we know how much you mean to the National Pastime. I realize you're probably not reading this---heck, by your own admission, you barely even know how to turn on a computer---but if you are, always remember that you've made the game better.

And, in that sense, you've bettered our appreciation for the game we so love.

Update [2006-2-20 22:49:11 by Basil]: You know what? There hasn't been a good Robinson biography in a long, long time. The Baseball Library provides the list through 2000, and there's not much there beyond the 70s, 80s, and early 90s. I did a quick search on Amazon and didn't find anything interesting in the past five or six years, either. A man of Frank Robinson's stature and recent experience---not to mention the experience of a lifetime in the game---deserves better than that!

The question becomes: who should write the definitive, late-in-life biography of Frank? Even among the Nat-o-centric press, there are some fine candidates: Svrluga, Ladson, Sheinin, Kark Wrighterman. Heck, Boz would lavish the praise up and down; before you knew it, Frank would be credited with being an original signer of the Declaration of Independence.

But, really, there is one natural choice for the biography of a seventy-year-old man, and that's the area scribe who values . . . well, let's just say experience. Definitely, Thom Loverro.

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Dirty Frank

I always feel a little guilty bemoaning any of Coach's moves. It's one thing to opine, for instance, that Jim Leyland or Terry Francona is an idiot. But Coach Rob is one of the greatest living ball players not to mention the fact that he was MLB's first black manager. He's been described as being a little too serious to downright surly and sour. But everything that I've ever read about him suggests that he's had his guard up ever since the gun incident in Cincy and the subsequent trade to Baltimore.

Baseball is definately better because of Frank Robinson and I dare say that if I was ever fortunate enough to get to know the man, I'd probably find him downright snuggly. Of course, then again, maybe he'd be a jerk. Guess you never know.

by BamaNat on Feb 18, 2006 9:15 PM EST reply actions

I'd hope to God

you wouldn't snuggle with the man though. And you can never tell if a ball players an ass hole unless its like Albert Belle, because so much of what comes out of players, and teams mouths is PR. Despite if Franks an ass (which I don't think he is) he's made an impact on the game for the better. He's a triple crown winner for God's sake. And he was an Oriole and the O's rock. Except for 10 years

by Nats In 06 on Feb 19, 2006 12:48 AM EST up reply actions

frank doesn't talk enough

...about the things he had endured in cincy. i'm sure his experiences there shaped everything about him today. can you imagine having to leave a city because of your skin color? (sadly, cincy still has a 1950s mentality when it comes to race.)

one has to wonder how differently frank would be viewed as a manager had he been given a team like the braves (or how much worse cox's record would be had he been managing a team like les expos.)

on another robinson note, jackie, that is, did you see where jose lima is causing a stir by wearing number 42 in Mets camp?

by Daedalus on Feb 20, 2006 5:43 PM EST reply actions