The African-American baseball experience can’t be told without Frank Robinson’s accomplishments.
Civil Rights activist, and Major League Baseball Hall of Famer, the iconic Frank Robinson passed away at 83 on Thursday.
According to MASN in Baltimore Robinson transitioned after battling bone cancer.
Post-Jackie Robinson, the African-American baseball experience can’t be told without Frank Robinson’s accomplishments.
Born in Texas, but raised in Oakland, Robinson debuted in the majors in 1956. Immediately, the Cincinnati Reds’ outfielder established himself with his explosive batt, and powerful arm that led him to become a 14x All-Star. A two-time World Series champion (both with the Baltimore Orioles), Robinson became the first MLB player to win MVP accolades in both the American and National league.
Robinson was also the first Black baseball manager in the history of the game when he took the reigns of the Cleveland Indians in 1975. His time with the Indians would be the first of many stops over his decades-long career, with stints with the San Francisco Giants, Baltimore Orioles, and Montreal Expos.
While playing for the Orioles, Robinson was learning on and off the field. B-More is where Robinson joined the Civil Rights movement and began using his platform to raise issues disproportionately affecting Black Americans in the country.
From his play style to his passion for his people, his fingerprints on the game and culture can still be felt. Rest In Power.
