I'm not an O's fan, but wouldn't this title be better used to describe Ripken, Jr.? Talk about your ironman.
Frank Robinson does mean something to me, however. He was the manager of my beloved Cleveland Indians.
Posted on 09/22/2004 3:03:03 PM PDT by Former Military Chick
The flag, which fluttered above left field at Memorial Stadium, was a study in simplicity - a surprisingly unobtrusive reminder of the day that Frank Robinson became the only player to hit a baseball completely out of the old ballpark.
Maybe you have to be from Washington to agonize over what the meaning of "is" is, but nobody from Baltimore ever had to be reminded what the meaning of "Here" was on that orange banner.
It represented the defining moment of the most talented player ever to put on an Orioles uniform.
Robinson played only six years for the Orioles after he was acquired from the Cincinnati Reds for pitcher Milt Pappas in December 1965, but he was the catalytic figure in the team's emergence as one of the cornerstone franchises of the American League.
No disrespect intended toward fellow Hall of Famer Brooks Robinson and future Cooperstown inductee Cal Ripken, of course. They each have their own pedestals - each able to make a case for being the greatest Oriole of them all.
Frank Robinson spent less than a third of his great career in an Orioles uniform, but he still qualifies because those six seasons changed everything on 33rd Street. He won the Triple Crown and the Most Valuable Player trophy and a World Series ring in his first year here (there's that word again), and the Orioles would never be the same again.
It wasn't their first big season. They had won more than 90 games the two previous years, but had finished as high as second only once since the franchise jumped from St. Louis to Baltimore for the 1954 season.
(Excerpt) Read more at baltimoresun.com ...
The Orioles can make a comeback. I'm back to rooting for the Tigers and they were the worst last year.
I can tell you as a lifelong Yankees fan, I used to hate to see Frank Robinson at the plate in a clutch situation. The guy seemed to never make a mistake. An intelligent, dedicated player of the old school. Maybe not as fan-friendly as Brooks or Cal, but there is no question he was the main catalyst in creating the great Oriole teams of the mid-60s to early 70s.
1966 Orioles... one of my favorate teams of all team.
B. Robinson
F. Robinson
Boog Powell
Paul Blair
Davey Johnson
Luis Aparicio
Curt Belfry
Jim Palmer
Dave McNally
;-)
Great Game last night BTW! Though Javier Lopez had strike 3 and 4 before that dinger.
Oh for heaven's sake! To put Frank Robinson above Cal Ripken or Brooks Robinson is ridiculous. When Robinson retired, he became an affirmative action advocate within baseball, marring his image, IMO.
I learn something new everyday. Even when your beloved is a huge fan, he cannot tell this chick of all the Os history.
O's fan since 1979 when the Pirates tore my heart out. All they need is a closer that does not have a $.05 brain and another quality starter. Of course I maybe going to games at RFK next year as well.
OK, you had me at Cal. I to think he is by far one of the greatest and talented bball player of all times.
Evidently my beloved was overseas when Cal made history but his parents taped it for him.
While I am more a basketball and football chick I am getting a bit more comfortable with watching baseball. So I will root for the Os.
If it were football, I would be the Cowboys and beloved Redskins. But our (yes we do have one in common) his VA TECH hokies!
Great post thank you for sharing your wisdom.
Don't forget Moe Drabowsky (Game One winner in the series). Weren't Dick Hall and Stu Miller still with them in the bullpen?
I'm not an O's fan, but wouldn't this title be better used to describe Ripken, Jr.? Talk about your ironman.
Frank Robinson does mean something to me, however. He was the manager of my beloved Cleveland Indians.
I used to be an O's fan, but since Angelos took over and Cal left, I dont follow them anymore as they are trying to become Yankees-south and I just dont like that, mainly because the Yankees built from within first.
To me, Cal will always be the greatest, but then again, I didnt get to watch Brooks or Frank play, only commentate (Brooks) and manage (Frank).
One of the few bright spots on my O's.
I was in the stadium for Game 6. I still can't listen to the song "We are Family" to this day.
BTW, I'm the 'beloved spouse' FMC refers to.
To me, Cal will always be the greatest, but then again, I didnt get to watch Brooks or Frank play, only commentate (Brooks) and manage (Frank).
I had the privelege to watch Brooks & Frank as a young lad. Also was in the stadium on "Thank Brooks Day" when his jersey was retired. Still have the free print they handed out.
Completly agree with you on current ownership & leadership. We're on our second former stinkin' Yankee coach and it shows. Put Rick Dempsey in as Manager, Cal as talent scout, and Frank as GM. Lets grow some talent like we used to and win some pennants.
When Frank hit the ball out, we lost sight of it behind the left field side of the upper deck, and in those days no one carried a portable radio to the game. It wasn't until we saw scores of people run up to the outer wall that we knew what had happened!
(Wait, it gets better!)
Boog Powell (IIMR 6'3" and 250 lbs with the sweetest swing...) was next up (maybe 2nd next) and he hit a pitch straight (almost) down the right field line, but just foul. That ball hit the facing of the upper deck and was still going up when it hit the upper deck!
I swear it would have been the first moon landing had the stadium not gotten in the way. Almost had two out of the park in the same inning.
Thank you, Bruce Springer, wherever you are.
yeah...building through the minors is exactly what the Yankees did in the early 90's and is exactly why they have been so good for almost 10 years now. Angelos didnt want to wait and ruined his team and the end of Cal's career.
Cal's homer on 2131 hit a section over from me. That was a great and special night.
He stayed damn near 4 hours after the game making SURE that EVERYONE got an autography, especially the kids. Cal has always been about the kids and that is what makes him the greatest ever.
Look at what he is doing in maryland and surrounding areas....he took over Babe Ruth baseball (which was renamed cal Ripken baseball), bought some land and started building major league replicas for the kids. That is absolutely awesome in my book.
Frank Robinson was the most talented Oriole? Strong argument. But most talented does not equal greatest.
I had the pleasure to see Rocky Colavito hit 4 out in one game at Memorial stadium as a youngster..the birds lost the slugfest 11-8....IIRC he got a standing ovation...
Frank Robinson brought a different dimension to the Orioles of the mid-Sixties. He was a winner. He had played on a pennant winner with the Reds. He been an MVP. He became the leader of the team. He made the whole team better. He was truly the MVP in 1966.
He propelled that Oriole team to a championship in 1966 and taught them how to win. That had a lasting impact on the organization. It really only ended when Angelos took over the team. It has been a real trip to the wilderness since then.
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