Brooks Robinson Siblings: Who is Gary Robinson? – Brooks Calbert Robinson Jr. was an American former professional baseball player. The Baseball Hall of Famer and Orioles legend played the team for over 23 seasons, the longest career spent with a single team in Major League Baseball history.
Who is Brooks Robinson?
He had an illustrious career in Major League Baseball becoming the third American baseman who spent his entire career with the Baltimore Orioles from 1955 to 1977. Known as “the Human Vacuum Cleaner” or “Mr. Hoover,” he is widely regarded as the greatest defensive third baseman in the history of the major leagues.
Robinson was a 15-time All-Star and an impressive winner of 16 consecutive Gold Glove Awards, a record later matched by Jim Kaat and eventually surpassed by Greg Maddux. His remarkable career included 2,870 games played at third base, surpassing his closest competitor by nearly 700 games and setting the record for the most games played at a single position in major league history. His 23 seasons with a single team also set a record matched only by Carl Yastrzemski.
Beyond his defensive prowess, Robinson played a pivotal role in revitalizing the Baltimore Orioles. The team achieved the best record in the major leagues from 1965 to 1974, securing four American League pennants and two World Series titles during that time. Robinson himself was named the AL Most Valuable Player in 1964, boasting career highs in batting average (.317), home runs (28), and RBIs (118).
In the 1970 World Series against the Cincinnati Reds, Robinson’s exceptional defensive play and offensive contributions earned him the World Series MVP Award, as the Orioles triumphed in five games. Robinson’s legacy extends to holding major league records for career putouts, assists, total chances, and double plays at third base, showcasing his excellence in the field. His career fielding percentage of .971 was a major league record until 2006 and still remains the top mark in the American League.
Upon his retirement in the 1977 season, Robinson’s career stats were impressive, ranking fifth in major league history in games played and at-bats, and seventh in hits among American League players. He also held the AL record for career home runs by a third baseman from 1969 to 1980. Robinson’s contributions to the Orioles were not limited to his playing days; he continued to serve the team as a broadcaster and became a part of Opening Day Partners, which owned several minor league teams.
In 1983, Robinson was elected to the Baseball Hall of Fame in his first year of eligibility, marking the first time a third baseman achieved this honor. His impact extended beyond the field, as he remained beloved by Orioles fans for his kindness and patience. As Oriole historian Ted Patterson noted, “Never has a player meant more to a franchise and more to a city than Brooks has meant to the Orioles and the city of Baltimore.”
Robinson’s journey to baseball greatness began in Little Rock, Arkansas, where he grew up in a family with strong ties to the sport. His father, Brooks Sr., had played second base for a semi-pro baseball team, and he often played the game with his young son. Robinson’s love for baseball led him to play for the M. M. Eberts Post No. 1 Doughboys in American Legion Baseball during high school. Graduating from Little Rock Central High School in 1955, Robinson faced a choice between a full scholarship for basketball at the University of Arkansas and pursuing a career in professional baseball. A recommendation from a church friend, Lindsay Deal, who knew Baltimore Orioles manager Paul Richards, helped him secure a major league contract with the Orioles. Robinson’s journey began in the minor leagues, including a stint with the Vancouver Mounties, before making his debut with the Orioles in 1955.
Before the 1971 season, Robinson inked a groundbreaking $100,000 contract, making him one of only a dozen players at the time to command such a high baseball salary. He then embarked on an incredible streak, playing error-free for 50 consecutive games and earning the most votes of all American League players in the All-Star Game. However, an unusual turn of events occurred on July 28 when he made three errors in a single game, a rare sight given his typically flawless fielding. Despite this, Baltimore managed to secure a 3–2 victory, leading to the humorous remark that “men had literally walked on the moon before Brooks Robinson had made three errors in a game.”
On the climactic final day of the season, Robinson made history by surpassing Eddie Mathews’ major league record of 2,181 games played at third base. He achieved this milestone with a second-inning home run, which turned out to be the sole run in a 1–0 triumph over the Red Sox. Throughout 156 games that season, Robinson displayed a batting average of .272, belting 20 home runs and tallying 92 RBIs, a performance that earned him a fourth-place finish in the AL MVP voting.
The Orioles continued their dominance by clinching the AL East title for the third consecutive year. Robinson’s remarkable contributions continued into the postseason. In Game 2 of the ALCS against the Athletics, he showcased his power by hitting a home run off Catfish Hunter. His performance remained strong with two RBIs in Game 3, and he concluded the series with a batting average of .364, helping Baltimore sweep the Athletics and secure a spot in the World Series against the Pittsburgh Pirates.
The World Series proved to be another stage for Robinson’s excellence. In Game 2, he demonstrated his batting prowess with three RBIs and an impressive five times reaching base safely, a feat only matched by Babe Ruth and Lou Brock in World Series history. Additionally, his defensive skills remained unparalleled as he dove for a bouncing ball off the bat of Manny Sanguillén during the eighth inning, making a game-changing play. Baltimore emerged victorious with an 11–3 win. Although the Pirates managed to win Game 3, thanks in part to Robinson’s stellar double play after catching a hard line drive off the bat of Bob Robertson, the Orioles fought back in Game 6. Robinson’s 10th-inning sacrifice fly against Bob Miller scored the winning run in a 3–2 victory. He maintained an impressive .318 batting average throughout the series and shared the lead for RBIs with other Orioles and Pirates players, contributing five RBIs each. Ultimately, Pittsburgh secured the championship by defeating the Orioles in seven games.
In the subsequent years from 1972 to 1977, Robinson took on a new role as the Major League Baseball Players Association player’s representative during much of his tenure with the Orioles. In 1972, he and Belanger were part of the group of 47 players who voted in favor of the 1972 Major League Baseball strike. Robinson expressed his desire to play, emphasizing that all players wished to do the same. He believed that reaching a compromise with the owners was the best course of action. Although the strike resulted in only a 10-day interruption of the 1972 season, Robinson faced a chilly reception from fans, who booed him during his first at-bat of the year at Memorial Stadium.
The 1972 season saw Robinson playing in 153 games but posting a batting average of .250. His eight home runs and 64 RBIs were his lowest statistics in those categories since 1961. During the season, he openly criticized Weaver when the manager suggested that some of the Oriole veterans were too old to play. Robinson found this remark embarrassing and unwelcome, stating, “I don’t enjoy going places to hear people say I’m over the hill, or know that they’re thinking it.” However, he maintained his respect for Weaver as a great manager, acknowledging that he seldom questioned his actions. Robinson’s exceptional character and performance still earned him the Commissioner’s Award, presented annually to the player who best represented baseball on and off the field.
In 1973, Robinson marked the season with a memorable performance, hitting two home runs on Opening Day. However, his batting average dipped below .200 by mid-June. Despite this, he managed to secure a spot in the All-Star Game, although it was noted by sportswriters that his selection seemed more based on popularity than performance that season. On May 4, he reached a career milestone with his 2,417th hit, surpassing Pie Traynor’s record for the most hits by a third baseman. Robinson’s defensive prowess also shone through as he initiated two 5–4–3 triple plays during the season. On August 20, he achieved his 2,500th hit against the Twins, with a 9th-inning RBI single that tied the game, leading the Orioles to a 4–3 victory. His batting performance improved significantly in the season’s final 2+1⁄2 months, with his average nearing .300. By the end of the season, he had played 155 games, batting .257, hitting nine home runs, and securing 72 RBIs. His contributions played a vital role in the Orioles’ return to the playoffs after a one-year absence. In the ALCS against the Oakland Athletics, he maintained a batting average of .250, contributing a run and two RBIs, although the Athletics ultimately triumphed over Baltimore in five games.
Despite making more errors than usual in 1974, Robinson continued to excel with a batting average of .311 at the All-Star break. In a crucial second-to-last game of the season, he showcased his baserunning skills by scoring from first base on a pinch-hit double by Andy Etchebarren. This run proved decisive in securing the AL East championship for the Orioles, coupled with a loss by the Yankees on the same day. Robinson concluded the season with a .288 batting average and seven home runs, marking his highest batting average since 1965, although his RBI count was his lowest since 1959. Orioles historian Ted Patterson considered 1974 to be his last solid season. In the ALCS against the Athletics, Robinson’s contributions continued as he dove to catch a ball hit by Dick Green, then threw him out at first, additionally hitting a solo home run in Baltimore’s 6–1 victory in Game 1. Despite his efforts, he struggled with a .083 batting average in the series, which the Athletics won in four games.
The year 1975 presented new challenges for Robinson as he battled a sore thumb and declining performance, causing him to miss the All-Star Game for the first time since 1960. His batting average plummeted to .159 at one point, and on July 7, he was substituted as a pinch-hitter for the first time since 1958. Throughout 144 games, he managed a .201 batting average, six home runs, and 53 RBIs. On a positive note, he maintained his defensive excellence by leading AL third basemen in fielding percentage for the 11th time.
The Orioles had a budding third base prospect in Doug DeCinces by 1976, prompting Weaver to inform Robinson on May 17 that DeCinces would be taking over his position. Despite his continued proficiency in fielding, Robinson’s batting average had fallen to .165. Robinson sought.
Brooks Robinson Siblings: Does Brooks Robinson Have Siblings?
He was raised alongside his other sibling, Gary Robinson, who is his brother. Brooks is the older of the two children to their parents.
He is five years Gary’s senior. Both brothers were born in Little Rock, Arkansas, and grew up there together. Gary’s professional and personal information is still unclear because the ‘Vacuum Gleaner’ has yet to be revealed.
SOURCE: hellovybes.com
