Tributes Pour In For Baltimore Orioles Legend Brooks Robinson, Dead At 86
Baseball legend Brooks Robinson, who spent his storied career with Orioles, passed away Tuesday at the age of 86.
Robinson is frequently heralded as the best third baseman in baseball — playing his way to 18 All-Star selections and two World Series titles. His faster-than-a-whip glove on the defensive side raised his star in the league, leading to his nickname as The Human Vacuum Cleaner and 16 Gold Glove selections, ranked only in MLB history behind Greg Maddux.
The Hall of Famer spent 23 years in Baltimore. His longtime team released a joint statement on Tuesday alongside his family.
"We are deeply saddened to share the news of the passing of Brooks Robinson," his family and the Orioles posted Tuesday afternoon. No details were provided on Robinson's death.
The statement added, "An integral part of our Orioles Family since 1955, he will continue to leave a lasting impact on our club, our community, and the sport of baseball."
BALTIMORE, MARYLAND - UNDATED: Brooks Robinson #5 of the Baltimore Orioles swings during a game at Memorial Stadium circa 1960's in Baltimore, Maryland. (Photo by Focus on Sport via Getty Images)
Robinson played in 2,896 career games. He clocked 268 home runs, and 1,357 RBIs and maintained a batting average of .267.
In 1964, Robinson was crowned AL MVP, batting .318, adding 28 home runs and 118 RBIs.
His MVP-level talent helped elevate the Orioles to a 1970 World Series win over the Cincinnati Reds. Robinson first won the World Series with the Orioles in 1966, sweeping the Los Angeles Dodgers.
Former Baltimore Orioles skipper Earl Weaver eulogized the legendary third baseman.
"Brooks was maybe the last guy to get into the clubhouse the day of the game, but he would be the first guy on the field," Weaver said. "He’d be taking his groundballs, and we’d all go, ‘Why does Brooks have to take any groundballs?’
“I wouldn’t expect anything else from Brooks. Seeing him work like that meant a lot of any young person coming up. He was so steady, and he steadied everybody else.”