The Baltimore Orioles and the baseball family mourn a legend’s passing this evening. Just prior to this evening’s game against Washington, it was announced that former Oriole Brooks Robinson had passed away at age 86. The Orioles and Washington Nationals stood for a moment of silence in Robinson’s honor before tonight’s game.
I suppose this is up for debate, but for the purposes of this column, we’re going to say that the greatest third baseman in the history of baseball passed away. Nicknamed both “Hoover” and/or “the human vacuum cleaner,” there’s only one stat that truly needs to be said regarding Robinson. That being 16 consecutive Gold Gloves. Consider that folks; he didn’t just win 16 Gold Gloves, he won the Gold Glove at his position for 16 CONSECUTIVE YEARS. I’m sorry, that ends the discussion of the greatest ever.
After hanging up his cleats, Robinson stayed active with the Orioles and in the Baltimore community. He did color analysis on television for years, and was an overall ambassador for the Orioles around town and around the league. He was also known as “Mr. Oriole,” and his fingerprints will forevermore remain on the fabric of this franchise and the fan base.
Along with John Unitas, Brooks Robinson is etched into the childhood memories of most Baby Boomer Baltimore sports fans – including my father and his brothers. And there’s one way that the Orioles could pay homage to Brooks Robinson in the interim – win the whole, damn thing.
Birdland Crush 