TODAY IN BASEBALL HISTORY

February 7, 2019, we lost a great one. Frank Robinson passed away.

Robinson won the Triple Crown and was MVP in both leagues. He also finished in the top ten in MVP voting ten times. Over his career, he tallied the 13th most MVP votes of all time.

Robinson once said -: "I don't want people to say Mickey Mantle, Willie Mays, and Hank Aaron in one breath and, in the next, Frank Robinson. I want them to say, Mantle, Mays, Aaron, and Robinson in the same breath." Frank Robinson, 1967. Yet, he remains the most under-appreciated superstar in baseball history.

In 1975, he became the first black man to manage a major league team, hitting a home run in his first game. He also managed for four decades and helped tutor several players into managerial roles. He was more than a great player, Robinson was a team leader who earned the nickname "The Judge." He would call team meetings to straighten out his teammates or help squelch a losing streak.

He helped the Reds get to the 1961 World Series, their first in 21 years, and just four years later, Bill Dewitt (Reds GM) felt Robbie was an "Old 30." He traded him to Baltimore for two pitchers who won 30 games over several seasons and a light-hitting outfielder.

The old Robinson responded by hitting 49 home runs, winning the AL MVP and triple crown. In game four of the World Series against the Dodgers, he hit the game-winning home run and won the World Series MVP. He became the first (and there are only two) player to win an MVP in both the National and American Leagues.

Robinson would go to play in four World Series with the Orioles in 6 seasons and win two titles including one against his former club in 1970 .

There is virtually nothing he did not accomplish on the field. His notable achievements read like a laundry list. During his 21-year career, He led the league runs 3X, doubles, HRs, RBIS, OPS, WAR, SLG, and he packed his trophy case with a Gold Glove, Rookie of the Year, 12x All-star, WS MVP, AS MVP. After his playing career, he also won Manager of the Year and was awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom in 2005. On May 27, 2017, a statue in his likeness was unveiled outside Progressive Field, commemorating his status as the first African American manager in history.

Julian Javier was discussing turning the pivot when the interviewer asked what guys he didn't like to see coming at him. His immediate response was, "That Robinson, he's crazy."

Jim Bouton wrote in Ball Four: I was warming up in the bullpen when a fan leaned out and said, "Hey Jim, how do you pitch to Frank Robinson?" I told him the truth. "Reluctantly," I said. Bouton also said, "Going over the hitters, it was decided that we should pitch Frank Robinson underground."

Frank was elected to the Baseball Hall of Fame in 1982; baseball, unlike other sports, makes a big deal out of the percentage of votes. Last week, the search for the one voter who didn't vote for Ichiro has been intense. Robinson received just 370 votes out of 415. 45 people did not vote for a player with 586 HRS, which was 4th all-time when he retired. 1812 RBIs, 2 MVP Awards, and his WAR of 107 (had the stat has been invented, he would have been 14th amongst everyday players. Which is why we said he always seemed to be underappreciated.

Historic Days!

February 7 1905 — In Lynn, Massachusetts, Rube Waddell prevents a fire by carrying a burning stove out of a store and throwing it into a snow bank. Three days later he flees nearby Peabody to escape charges of assaulting and injuring his wife’s parents.

February 7, 1949, New York Yankee superstar Joe DiMaggio signs a one-year contract worth $100,000, becoming the first American League player to earn a six-figure deal in major league history. Hank Greenberg was the first National League player to make six figures when he accepted the Pirates offer in 1947 after being waived by the Tigers.

February 7 1959 — Chicago White Sox president Mrs. Dorothy Rigney agrees to sell the team to Bill Veeck for a reported $2.7 million. Chicago insurance broker Charles O. Finley claims that he can match the price. Charles Comiskey, Dorothy’s brother, will try to stop Veeck from buying the Sox, but will be unsuccessful.

February 7, 1965 Some two months before the Astrodome’s grand opening in 1965 (then known as the Harris County Domed Stadium), Satchel Paige was in town to coach a basketball team in a game versus the Harlem Globetrotters. Aware of his visit, Houston management contacted Paige on the morning of February 7 and asked the spry 58-year-old if he would come down and throw a few pitches off the mound. Eager to see the newfangled ballpark, Satch agreed

February 7, 1996, Dave Winfield announces his retirement at the age of 44. Winfield compiled 3,110 hits, 465 home runs and 1,833 RBI during a 22-year career with the Padres, Yankees, Angels, Blue Jays, Twins, and Indians. A 12-time All-Star, he joins Hank Aaron, Willie Mays, Stan Musial and Carl Yastrzemski as the only major league players with 3,000 hits and 400 home runs. Winfield will be elected to the Hall of Fame in 2001.

February 7 2019 — Hall of Famer Frank Robinson, a member of the 500 Home Run Club, a Triple Crown winner, the first player to win the MVP Award in both leagues, and the first African-American manager in major league history, passes away in hospice care in Los Angeles, CA at the age of 83.

Todays featured clip:

Quote of the day:

TRIVIA

What player has the most homeruns on opening day?

A. Eddie Mathews

B. Frank Robinson

C. Willie Mays

As a bonus how many does he have?

10

8

7

6

Answer in tomorrows newsletter

 ANSWER TO YESTERDAY’S TRIVIA

Trivia Answer: The Wizard of Oz, Ozzie Smith set the single season record for assists by a shortstop in 1980 with 621. Who’s record did he break?

A. Honus Wagner

B. Luke Appling

C. Glenn Wright

D. Dave Bancroft

Glenn Wright, 601 set in 1924. Wright is the only other shortstop in history to record 600 Assists in a single season. Dave Bancroft recorded 598 in 1920 and 579 in 1922. For more modern players, Ivan de Jesus recorded 595 in 1977.

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