Frank Robinson Career MLB Stats 1956-1976 |
||||||||||||||
G |
AB |
H |
AVG |
HR |
RBI |
R |
SB |
2B |
3B |
BB |
SO |
OBP | SLG% |
OPS
|
2,808 |
10,006 |
2,943 |
.294 |
586 |
1,812 |
1,829 |
204 |
528 |
72 |
1,420 |
1,532 |
.389 |
.537 |
.926
|
Frank Robinson was born on August 31,1935,5 in Beaumont, TX. He was the son of Ruth and Frank Robinson Sr. Frank’s parents parted ways when he was very young. After the split, Ruth moved her ten children west to California, settling in the Oakland area. Frank was an athletic talent and baseball was the sport he played the most as a youth. He played baseball whenever he could, as part of a youth organization or just with the kids in his neighborhood.
Frank attended McClymonds High School. He was a three-sport star, playing baseball, basketball (teammate of Bill Russell) and football. However, baseball would be the sport he excelled in the most. So much so that he signed a minor league context with the Cincinnati Reds and joined their organization after graduation.
Awards and Achievements |
|
MVP
|
|
Gold Glove
|
1958 |
All-Star Selections |
1956, 1957, 1959(2), 1961(2), 1962 1965, 1966, 1967, 1969, 1970, 1971 1974
|
Batting Titles |
1966 (AL)
|
Achievements
|
1966, 1970 World Series MVP 1966 AL HR Leader 1966 AL RBI Leader 1966 Triple Crown 1966 1956 |
Frank Robinson MLB Career Stats and Notes
It didn’t take long for Frank to move to the majors. After one year in the minors, Frank made his major league debut on April 17, 1956. He played for the Reds for ten years. After the 1965 season, Robinson was shockingly traded to the Baltimore Orioles (more on that move below). Let’s just say that move was one of the most baffling in MLB. Robinson spent six seasons With the Orioles, winning two World Series titles. In 1972, Frank joined the Los Angeles Dodgers where he played for one season. He would play for two more teams, the California Angels (1973-74) and Cleveland Indians (1974-76) before retiring after 21 legendary years. In 1982, Frank Robinson was inducted into the National Baseball Hall of Fame.
Frank Robinson 1966 AL MVP, Triple Crown, World Series MVP Season
Frank Robinson’s resume is second to none: 500 home runs, NL Rookie of the Year, NL MVP, World Series champion, and World Series MVP. But it was winning the AL MVP that put Robinson in the company of himself as the only player to win the award in both leagues. And he did it after being ‘doubted’ about his abilities. It was one of the ultimate ‘I will show you’ moments in sports history.
In 1965, Robinson was traded by the Reds to the Orioles. The Reds moved on from the former MVP after ten seasons, citing he was getting ‘old’ at age 30! That was definitely a different time as of the 2020s, age 30 can be considered still in a player’s prime. The awful error in judgment fueled Robinson to show the Reds they made a big mistake.
Robinson, in a new league with his new team, put on an historic show the entire season. He led the AL in batting average (.316), HRs (49), and RBI (122), securing the first Triple Crown in Orioles history. Robinson’s sensational season earned him the 1966 AL MVP Award, the second of his legendary career. So much for being on the downside!
And that wasn’t the end of what could be called a revenge season. Robinson led the Orioles to a 97-63 record and the AL Pennant. They swept the Los Angeles Dodgers 4-0 to win the World Series. And to put the icing on the cake, Robinson was named the World Series MVP! It would be one of four pennants the Orioles would win with Robinson, leading to two World Series titles (1970). You could say Robinson had a great second career after turning 30.