Tribute to Hall of Famer Frank Robinson

“ I always tried to do the best. I knew I couldn’t always be the best, but I tried to be.” ~Frank Robinson

 

On February 7, 2019, Hall of Fame baseball player Frank Robinson passed away at the age of 83 in Los Angeles, California. During his career, he had nearly 3,000 hits, .294 batting average, and 586 home runs. Robinson received numerous awards as a player, including Rookie of the Year, World Series MVP,  the Triple Crown, and was a 14-time All-Star. He is still the only baseball player to win the MVP award in both the National and American Leagues. Additionally, Robinson was active in the Civil Rights Movement by speaking out against segregated housing and discriminatory real estate practices.

Frank Robinson was born on August 31, 1935 in Beaumont, Texas, the youngest of ten children. After his parents divorced, his mother relocated to Oakland, California, where he played basketball and baseball at McClymonds High School. In 1956, Robinson made his major league debut with the Cincinnati Reds and led them to win the NL Pennant in 1961. Robinson would also played with the Baltimore Orioles, Los Angeles Dodgers, California Angels, and the Cleveland Indians. He also made history in 1975, when he became the first African American manger in the MLB.

frank robinson
President George W. Bush presents the Presidential Medal of Freedom to baseball legend Frank Robinson in the East Room Wednesday, Nov. 9, 2005. Winning the Most Valuable Player awards in the National and American Leagues, he achieved the American League Triple Crown in 1966. Mr. Robinson became baseball’s first African-American manager. Photo by Paul Morse, Courtesy George W. Bush Presidential Library & Museum

The series Photographs Related to the George W. Bush Administration (NAID 5962237) contains an image of Frank Robinson receiving the Presidential Medal of Freedom in 2005. He was awarded this honor for his extraordinary achievement as a baseball player and manager. The Gerald R. Ford Library in Ann Arbor, Michigan has the Face the Nation, 10/13/74 – Frank Robinson (Manager, Cleveland Indians) (NAID 1672197) transcript in the series Ron Nessen’s Sunday Interview Show Transcripts (NAID 644773).

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