Frank Robinson, one of the best ever

Baseball season is about six weeks away, which gives guys like me something to look forward to. When it’s cold and dark out early in the morning, thinking about Opening Day brings a tiny bit of joy.

I was a late bloomer when it comes to baseball and didn’t start watching the game until about 20 years ago. Taking up baseball seemed like a good idea—something I could share with my son, J.J. He and I watched a lot of baseball at Ohio State. It’s a nice stadium, close to home, and I felt comfortable letting J.J., even at age eight or so, go to the concession stand by himself. On occasion, we would trek north to watch the Cleveland Indians.

Getting engaged in the game so late in life was a mistake. I missed out on some great players who made their names while I was growing up. At the top of the list is Frank Robinson, who died a few weeks back.

Robinson is remembered as being one of the best ever to play the game—only player to be recognized as the Most Valuable Player in both leagues, a 14-time All Star, and winner of the Triple Crown (best batting average, most home runs and most RBIs) in 1966, and number 10 on the career home run list. On a personal level he was known for being hard-nosed, driven, intimidating and fierce. I wish I had watched him play.

For everything he accomplished and because of his integrity and grit, Robinson was awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom.

But there are two things I like about Robinson that don’t get as much recognition. The first is how genuine he was. Here is what he said to the press when he took over as manager of the Cleveland Indians in 1975: “I can be tough when I have to be tough. I can be mean when I have to be mean. I can adjust to the situation. I am not a nice guy, and I hope you fellows don’t get that impression.”

The second was Robinson’s gratitude for the path others had cleared for him. By taking the Cleveland manager job, Robinson became the first black manager in the majors, and he did it to help open the door for other blacks. “People made sacrifices for me coming along and gave me the opportunity to earn a living, so I want to give something back.”

You’ve got to love Robinson. He didn’t want to be known as a nice guy, yet he was a great man. May peace be upon him.

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Jack D’Aurora writes for Considerthisbyjd.com

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Comments

Bruce F Massa February 21, 2019

Jack, you missed the most important fact…he was the first African American player to play Major League Baseball.
reply
- jdaurora@behallaw.com February 22, 2019
  
  History can be a little complicated when people share the same last name. Frank Robinson made his debut into the bigs in 1956, but it was Jackie Robinson who broke the color barrier in 1947.
  reply
Charlie Rodenfels February 21, 2019

Nicely done Jack!
reply
Helen Piccirilli February 22, 2019

Today’s blog brings back fond memories of growing up in western PA and listening to games on the radio. We knew all of the players and had opinions about their ability to hit home runs,. Frank Robinson was a baseball hero to all of us.

We also knew the announcers and I still remember their excitement when a “homer” was going to happen! People sat on their porches with radios plugged into an outlet inside the house. Walking down the street and hearing the cheers, jeers, etc. brought us together for a common cause…..play hard, and win the game!

Thanks for today’s blog about someone who cared enough to want to make a difference!
reply
- jdaurora@behallaw.com February 22, 2019
  
  You paint a beautiful image of life back in the day when radio was the primary media, houses were built closer together and people sat out on their porches. Life was a little slower back then, and I like that.
  reply

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Bruce F Massa February 21, 2019

Jack, you missed the most important fact…he was the first African American player to play Major League Baseball.

jdaurora@behallaw.com February 22, 2019

History can be a little complicated when people share the same last name. Frank Robinson made his debut into the bigs in 1956, but it was Jackie Robinson who broke the color barrier in 1947.

Charlie Rodenfels February 21, 2019

Nicely done Jack!

Helen Piccirilli February 22, 2019

Today’s blog brings back fond memories of growing up in western PA and listening to games on the radio. We knew all of the players and had opinions about their ability to hit home runs,. Frank Robinson was a baseball hero to all of us.

We also knew the announcers and I still remember their excitement when a “homer” was going to happen! People sat on their porches with radios plugged into an outlet inside the house. Walking down the street and hearing the cheers, jeers, etc. brought us together for a common cause…..play hard, and win the game!

Thanks for today’s blog about someone who cared enough to want to make a difference!

jdaurora@behallaw.com February 22, 2019

You paint a beautiful image of life back in the day when radio was the primary media, houses were built closer together and people sat out on their porches. Life was a little slower back then, and I like that.

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